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The Best Bookshelf Speaker in Canada in 2023 – Reviews and Buying Guide

by Julien Gandelin
Published: Last Updated on
Bookshelf speaker

Table of Contents

Whether you want to add a home theatre to your house or simply upgrade your current sound system, bookshelf speakers are a great option. These speaker types are compact and small, meaning you don’t need a whole lot of space to add them to your sound system.

Unfortunately, it can be tough to find the best bookshelf speaker for your home.

Because there are so many on the market, it takes a knowledgeable buyer to know which speakers are the best.

So that you don’t have to put in a lot of time and effort researching the best bookshelf speakers in Canada in 2023, we did the work for you.

After analyzing 36 products over 32 hours, as well as reading 987 customer reviews, we have determined the seven best bookshelf speakers in Canada this year. More specifically, we determined that the Sony SSCS5 3-Way Bookshelf Speakers is the best option because it offers great sound quality and durability, all without breaking the bank.

To find out more about this bookshelf speaker, as well as the other options we recommend, keep reading.

At the end, we offer a buying guide to make the process of selecting a model for you even easier. Let’s get started.

 

Our Top Pick Bookshelf Speaker in 2023

Top Pick
Sony SSCS5 3-Way Bookshelf Speakers

Overall, the Sony SSCS5 3-Way Bookshelf Speakers is our best overall option because it offers impeccable sound at an affordable price. With the three drivers, the sound is comprehensive and high quality, but the additional parts also make it a bit heavier than other bookshelf speakers.

 

Pros:

  • 3 drivers
  • Full sound
  • Compact
  • Affordable

Cons:

  • Heavy

 

 

Our selection of the best models available right now:

    1. Sony SSCS5 3-Way Bookshelf Speakers
    2. Bowers & Wilkins 606 S2 Anniversary 120W Bookshelf Speaker
    3. Edifier R1280T Powered Bookshelf Speakers
    4. Polk Audio T15 Home Theater and Music Bookshelf Speaker
    5. Edifier R1850DB Active Bookshelf Speakers
    6. Sony SA-Z9R 100-Watt Bookshelf Speaker
    7. Micca MB42X Bookshelf Speakers
    8. Klipsch R-41M Bookshelf Home Speaker Set
    9. Sony SA-RS3S Wireless Rear Speakers for HT-A7000

 

Bookshelf Speaker Comparative Table

Image Product Features Price
Top Pick

Sony SSCS5 3-Way Bookshelf Speakers

Sony SSCS5 3-Way Bookshelf Speakers
  • The Best Overall.
  • Brand: Sony
  • Model: SSC55
  • Speaker Size: 5.25 inches
  • Weight: 19.9 lbs.
  • Power Source: AC
  • Color: Black
  • 3 drivers
  • Full sound
  • Compact
  • Affordable

Read our Review

9,4

 

Check Price on Amazon
Upgrade Pick

Bowers & Wilkins 606 S2 Anniversary 120W Bookshelf Speaker

Bowers & Wilkins 606 S2 Anniversary 120W Bookshelf Speaker
  • The High Performance Pick.
  • Brand: Bowers & Wilkins
  • Model: 606
  • Weight: 13.8 kg.
  • Power Source: AC
  • Color: Black, White, or Oak
  • Best sound experience
  • Double-dome tweeters
  • Two-way speakers
  • 2-year warranty
  • Highly expensive

 

Read our Review

9,5

 

Check Price on Best Buy
Budget Pick

Edifier R1280T Powered Bookshelf Speakers

Edifier R1280T Powered Bookshelf Speakers
  • The Best Value.
  • Brand: Edifier
  • Model: R1280T
  • Speaker Size: 4 inches
  • Weight: 10.8 lbs.
  • Power Source: AC
  • Color: Black
  • Highly affordable Easy and precise control
  • Dual RCA input

 

Read our Review

8,9

 

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Our Pick for The Best Bookshelf Speaker

Presentation of the Sony SSCS5 3-Way Bookshelf Speakers

Sony SSCS5 3-way bookshelf speakers (2 units), Black

The Best Overall
Sony

The Sony SSCS5 3-Way Bookshelf Speakers offer great sound at an affordable price. Including three drivers, it distinguishes well against the high notes and the base, ensuring you get the best sound quality for your money.

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Sony SSCS5 3-Way Bookshelf Speakers Video Review

 

What We Think of the Sony SSCS5 3-Way Bookshelf Speakers

The Sony SSCS5 3-Way Bookshelf Speakers is our best overall pick because it delivers impeccable sound at a great price. No matter what way you look at these speakers, they are highly impressive, making them ideal for most homes.

Starting with the sound specs, these speakers offer 100 Watts of power each, creating a sound that fully enhances a theater setup. It even includes a 3-way, 3 driver speaker system, allowing the speakers to distinguish notes at high, mid, and low points.

The speakers deliver a sound that is dynamic and loud. It includes a 5.1 inch woofer, 0.74 inch midrange speaker, and 1 inch tweeter. Once again, it is this 3 driver system that allows this system to create high quality sound.

We added these speakers as our front speakers in our home theater. It sounds great, and the stand is really stable. I love that I don’t have to worry about my kids knocking them over while playing.

Aly S.

On top of the great sounding quality, the Sony SSCS5 3-Way Bookshelf Speakers is fairly priced. It will be difficult to find another speaker with the specs at its price. It even comes with a one year manufacturer warranty to further ensure your purchase is worth the money.

As for the drawbacks of the speaker, there were very few negative remarks. The most common critique was its weight. Multiple people said that it felt much heavier than they were expecting, but they could easily set it up, nonetheless.

So long as you know beforehand that this impressive speaker is a bit on the heavy side, you won’t find another one that sounds as good. This makes it our best overall pick. Just about anyone would be happy with this model.

Sony SSCS5 3-Way Bookshelf Speakers review Sony SSCS5 3-Way Bookshelf Speakers review Sony SSCS5 3-Way Bookshelf Speakers review Sony SSCS5 3-Way Bookshelf Speakers review Sony SSCS5 3-Way Bookshelf Speakers review Sony SSCS5 3-Way Bookshelf Speakers review Sony SSCS5 3-Way Bookshelf Speakers review Sony SSCS5 3-Way Bookshelf Speakers review

Sony SSCS5 3-Way Bookshelf Speakers review

Sony SSCS5 3-way bookshelf speakers (2 units), Black

Sony SSCS5 3-way bookshelf speakers (2 units), Black

Sony SSCS5 3-way bookshelf speakers (2 units), Black

 

Sony SSCS5 3-Way Bookshelf Speakers Specifications

  • Brand: Sony
  • Model: SSCS5
  • Speaker Size: 5.25 inches
  • Weight: 19.9 lbs.
  • Power Source: AC
  • Color: Black

 

Sony SSCS5 3-Way Bookshelf Speakers Pros and Cons

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Pros

Pros

  • 3 drivers
  • Full sound
  • Compact
  • Affordable
img-21

Cons

Cons
  • Heavy

 

Our Final Opinion About the Sony SSCS5 3-Way Bookshelf Speakers

Quality 5.0 out of 5.0 stars Effectiveness 5.0 out of 5.0 stars Design 5.0 out of 5.0 stars Price 5.0 out of 5.0 stars

Overall, the Sony SSCS5 3-Way Bookshelf Speakers is our best overall option because it offers impeccable sound at an affordable price. With the three drivers, the sound is comprehensive and high quality, but the additional parts also make it a bit heavier than other bookshelf speakers.

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Our Upgrade Pick for a Bookshelf Speaker

Presentation of the Bowers & Wilkins 606 S2 Anniversary 120W Bookshelf Speaker

Bookshelf Speaker_Bowers & Wilkins 606 S2 Anniversary 120W Bookshelf Speaker

The High Performance Pick
Bowers & Wilkins

The Bowers & Wilkins 606 S2 Anniversary 120W Bookshelf Speaker provides an impeccable sound that is best suited for serious listeners. Though it is very expensive, it offers rich sound that you won’t get from other options.

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Bowers & Wilkins 606 S2 Anniversary 120W Bookshelf Speaker Video Review

What We Think of the Bowers & Wilkins 606 S2 Anniversary 120W Bookshelf Speaker

If you want your speaker to create the best sound quality possible, look no further than the Bowers & Wilkins 606 S2 Anniversary 120W Bookshelf Speaker. This bookshelf speaker creates an impeccable sound, which is why we have named it our high performance pick.

The speaker comes with two way speakers, allowing it to reproduce a full range of frequencies. It does this with a 1 inch decoupled double dome tweeter, which has a breakup threshold of 38 kHz. This allows the speaker to also highlight different layers of the music and sound.

The speakers include a 6.5 inch continuum cone, offering fun and dynamic audio. The frequency response is between 52 Hz and 28 kHz. Meanwhile, it has sensitivity of 88 decibels, which is on the higher end of the spectrum.

Couldn’t be more pleased with how these speakers sound in my two channel system. I replaced a smaller set of bookshelf speakers and the difference is stunning. I’ve paired this set with a Martin Logan Dynamo 500 sub attached to my emotiva amplifier. I’m hearing music detail I didn’t know was there before.

Mike9054

Something else we really like about this model is that it comes in three colors, black, white, and oak. Most other bookshelf speakers only come in one color, most commonly black. This allows the speaker to fit in with your interior decor easily.

Even though this is our high performance pick, the Bowers & Wilkins 606 S2 Anniversary 120W Bookshelf Speaker comes with some drawbacks too.

Most importantly, it is very expensive. The majority of people will not be able to fit it into their budget. Even though it does come with a 9 year plan and a two year manufacturers warranty, it simply is too expensive for most people.

Aside from the price, there are very few negative reviews reported. We would hope this to be the case due to how much people pay for it.

If you are willing to put up the money for the speaker, you can expect to have a phenomenal listening experience at least. Whether you want to listen to music or watch a movie, it creates an immersive sound experience that you can’t get from just any regular bookshelf speaker.

Bowers & Wilkins 606 S2 review Bowers & Wilkins 606 S2 review Bowers & Wilkins 606 S2 review Bowers & Wilkins 606 S2 review

Bowers & Wilkins 606 S2 Anniversary 120W Bookshelf Speaker Specifications

  • Brand: Bowers & Wilkins
  • Model: 606
  • Weight: 13.8 kg.
  • Power Source: AC
  • Color: Black, White, or Oak

 

Bowers & Wilkins 606 S2 Anniversary 120W Bookshelf Speaker Pros and Cons

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Pros

Pros

  • Best sound experience
  • Double-dome tweeters
  • Two-way speakers
  • 2 year warranty
img-28

Cons

Cons

  • Highly expensive

 

Our Final Opinion About The Bowers & Wilkins 606 S2 Anniversary 120W Bookshelf Speaker

Quality 4.0 out of 5.0 stars Effectiveness 4.0 out of 5.0 stars Design 4.0 out of 5.0 stars Price 4.0 out of 5.0 stars

The Bowers & Wilkins 606 S2 Anniversary 120W Bookshelf Speaker is the best performance pick on our list because it provides a phenomenal sound experience. Just be willing to spend quite a bit on these speakers.

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Our Budget Pick for a Bookshelf Speaker

Presentation of the Edifier R1280T Powered Bookshelf Speakers

Edifier R1280T Powered Bookshelf Speakers-2.0 Active Near Field Monitors-Studio Monitor Speaker-Wooden Enclosure- 42 Watts RMS

The Best Value
Edifier

The Edifier R1280T Powered Bookshelf Speakers proves that you don’t have to spend a fortune to find a great quality bookshelf speaker. These bookshelf speakers deliver great sound without costing you an arm or a leg.

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Edifier R1280T Powered Bookshelf Speakers Video Review

 

What We Think of The Edifier R1280T Powered Bookshelf Speakers

We recommend the Edifier R1280T Powered Bookshelf Speakers to anyone who wants a bookshelf speaker but is on a tight budget. Costing only a fraction of the other speakers on this list, it can fit most people’s budget, which is why we have named it our best value pick.

Aside from being highly affordable, the sound is pretty impressive. It has a speaker size of four inches. Not to mention, it has a maximum output of 42 watts. These features create a powerful and strong sound.

Another reason why we named this our best value pick is because of the additional features of this speaker. For example, it is remote controlled, making it easy to get precise sounds. This is a unique feature that not all speakers come with.

Quality speakers and it ships fast. Understand that this is not designed for bass heavy music, but it gives a clean, clear, and balanced sound. It sounds great with Jazz and Rock with the treble set high and base mid high. I love the way they look too.

Caleb

It also comes with a dual RCA input, allowing you to hook up multiple devices to the speaker. This allows you to get your money’s worth because you can hook up multiple devices at once without spending additional money.

Just like any other product, the Edifier R1280T Powered Bookshelf Speakers come with drawbacks, and most of them have to do with the sound quality. Most users were impressed with the price and functionality of the speakers, but they also said that the sound quality was nowhere near as impressive as other models.

It’s important to note that most users who made negative comments about the sound quality said that it was well worth it for the money. Nevertheless, they recommend a different model for people who are more concerned with a speaker that produces the best quality of sound.

With this in mind, this is a great speaker for the money because it is affordable and is highly functional. Still, it isn’t the option you should select if you want a speaker that immerses you completely.

Edifier R1280T Powered Bookshelf Speakers Edifier R1280T Powered Bookshelf Speakers Edifier R1280T Powered Bookshelf Speakers Edifier R1280T Powered Bookshelf Speakers Edifier R1280T Powered Bookshelf Speakers Edifier R1280T Powered Bookshelf Speakers Edifier R1280T Powered Bookshelf Speakers

Edifier R1280T Powered Bookshelf Speakers-2.0 Active Near Field Monitors-Studio Monitor Speaker-Wooden Enclosure- 42 Watts RMS

Edifier R1280T Powered Bookshelf Speakers-2.0 Active Near Field Monitors-Studio Monitor Speaker-Wooden Enclosure- 42 Watts RMS

 

Edifier R1280T Powered Bookshelf Speakers Specifications

  • Brand: Edifier
  • Model: R1280T
  • Speaker Size: 4 inches
  • Weight: 10.8 lb.
  • Power Source: AC
  • Color: Black

 

Edifier R1280T Powered Bookshelf Speakers Pros and Cons

img-39

Pros

Pros

  • Highly affordable
  • Easy and precise control
  • Dual RCA input
img-40

Cons

Cons
  • Subpar sound quality

 

Our Final Opinion About the Edifier R1280T Powered Bookshelf Speakers

Quality 4.5 out of 5.0 stars Effectiveness 4.0 out of 5.0 stars Design 4.5 out of 5.0 stars Price 5.0 out of 5.0 stars

The Edifier R1280T Powered Bookshelf Speakers is a great choice if you are on a budget. Even though the sound isn’t as impressive as the other options on this list, it certainly offers great functionality at a low price.

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Alternative Products to Consider

Presentation of the Polk Audio T15 Home Theater and Music Bookshelf Speaker

Polk Audio T15 Home Theater and Music Bookshelf Speaker (Black, 10.63 x 6.5 x 7.25-Inch, Set of 2)

The Best Overall Alternative
Polk Audio

The Polk Audio T15 Home Theater and Music Bookshelf Speaker offers great sound at an affordable price. In many ways, it is comparable to our best overall pick, which is why we have ranked it our best overall alternative.

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on Polk Audio

Polk Audio T15 Home Theater and Music Bookshelf Speaker Video Review

 

What We Think of The Polk Audio T15 Home Theater and Music Bookshelf Speaker

The Polk Audio T15 Home Theater and Music Bookshelf Speaker is a great bookshelf speaker pair that can improve a listening experience in your home. This is a great option if you want a best overall speaker but weren’t sold on our best overall recommendation.

This bookshelf speaker includes sonically matched speakers, allowing them to work together as one. It also includes a 5 ¼ inch woofer with 89 decibel sensitivity, creating a loud listening experience. For its price, it’s hard to find a decibel rating this high.

It also has a versatile design, allowing it to be placed just about anywhere. For example, you can place it on a desk for an enhanced musical listening experience, or you can place it next to your TV.

This is a great sounding speaker for my bedroom. I have the towers and the center speaker. They work great together and are great price. I’m very happy with my purchase.

Dan

With all of that being said, there is a reason we listed this as the best overall alternative and not our best overall pick out right. Unlike our best overall pick, it does not come with three drivers. Instead, it only comes with two, meaning the sound experience is less impressive.

Another drawback of this model is that it cannot get loud enough to fill up an entire room if it is large. This makes it better for small sized homes and rooms.

With that in mind, the Polk Audio T15 Home Theater and Music Bookshelf Speaker is our best overall alternative because it does offer pretty impressive sound for its price. Even though the sound quality isn’t as good as our best overall option, it still will do more than satisfy most listeners.

Polk Audio T15 review Polk Audio T15 review

Polk Audio T15 Home Theater and Music Bookshelf Speaker (Black, 10.63 x 6.5 x 7.25-Inch, Set of 2)

Polk Audio T15 Home Theater and Music Bookshelf Speaker (Black, 10.63 x 6.5 x 7.25-Inch, Set of 2)

 

Polk Audio T15 Home Theater and Music Bookshelf Speaker Specifications

  • Brand: Polk Audio
  • Model: PLKT15
  • Speaker Size: 5.25 inches
  • Weight: 8.25 lbs.
  • Power Source: AC
  • Color: Black

 

Polk Audio T15 Home Theater and Music Bookshelf Speaker Pros and Cons

img-46

Pros

Pros

  • Affordable
  • Good sound
  • Versatile design
img-47

Cons

Cons
  • Sound quality is not as impressive as other options
  • Not loud enough for large rooms

 

Our Final Opinion About the Polk Audio T15 Home Theater and Music Bookshelf Speaker

Quality 4.0 out of 5.0 stars Effectiveness 4.5 out of 5.0 stars Design 4.5 out of 5.0 stars Price 4.5 out of 5.0 stars

The Polk Audio T15 Home Theater and Music Bookshelf Speaker is our best overall alternative because it offers great sound quality at a reasonable price. Still, the sound quality could be better, which is why it is our alternative choice.

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Presentation of the Edifier R1850DB Active Bookshelf Speakers

Edifier R1850DB Active Bookshelf Speakers with Bluetooth and Optical Input - 2.0 Studio Monitor Speaker - Built-in Amplifier with Subwoofer Line Out

The Wireless Pick
Edifier

The Edifier R1850DB Active Bookshelf Speakers are a great choice if you don’t want a lot of cables filling up your room. With wireless capabilities, the speaker setup can improve the sound quality without adding any cables or additional mess.

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Edifier R1850DB Active Bookshelf Speakers Video Review

 

What We Think of the Edifier R1850DB Active Bookshelf Speakers

So far, all of the bookshelf speakers we have looked at include a wired design. Although wired speakers sound better, they can be more difficult to set up, use, and clean. Depending on your preferences, you may want a wireless option instead.

If you are looking for a wireless bookshelf speaker, look no further than the Edifier R1850DB Active Bookshelf Speakers. With the latest Bluetooth technology, this speaker can connect to your phone, tablet, or laptop, allowing you to control it without wires. It even includes a wireless remote, making input selection, track control, and volume adjustment easy and precise.

At the same time, the Edifier R1850DB Active Bookshelf Speakers does include a connection cable, RCA to aux cable, RCA to RCA cable, and optical cable. This allows you to use a wired connection if you prefer.

These are great speakers for my Home Office. I connected them using the optical connection. They have a great presence with a great sound. The Bluetooth works great. I recommend this product and I’m convinced they’re worth the price.

MGR

In addition to having both a wireless and wired design, the speaker is very fairly priced. Although it is more expensive than our best overall pick, it is notably less expensive than our high performance pick. This makes it a very moderately priced speaker, suitable for most budgets.

Unfortunately, this speaker has some drawbacks too. For example, multiple users noted that the remote works very poorly. They noted that the design of the remote is bad, and it doesn’t control as well as it should.

A couple of users also complained about the sound quality of the speaker when used in the wireless mode. This drawback was to be expected since wireless speakers simply can’t work as well as wired ones.

With these drawbacks aside, the Edifier R1850DB Active Bookshelf Speakers really is the best option if you are looking for a wireless speaker. With both wireless and wired capabilities, it can allow you to get the best of both worlds.

Edifier R1850DB Bookshelf Speakers review Edifier R1850DB Bookshelf Speakers review Edifier R1850DB Bookshelf Speakers review Edifier R1850DB Bookshelf Speakers review Edifier R1850DB Bookshelf Speakers review Edifier R1850DB Bookshelf Speakers review Edifier R1850DB Bookshelf Speakers review

Edifier R1850DB Active Bookshelf Speakers Specifications

  • Brand: Edifier
  • Model: R1850DB
  • Speaker Size: 4.5 inches
  • Weight: 16.84 lbs.
  • Color: Black

 

Edifier R1850DB Active Bookshelf Speakers Pros and Cons

img-56

Pros

Pros

  • Wired and wireless options
  • Easy to use
  • Affordable
img-57

Cons

Cons
  • Cheap remote
  • Sound is less impressive

Our Final Opinion About the Edifier R1850DB Active Bookshelf Speakers

Quality 4.0 out of 5.0 stars Effectiveness 4.0 out of 5.0 stars Design 4.5 out of 5.0 stars Price 4.5 out of 5.0 stars

The Edifier R1850DB Active Bookshelf Speakers is the best choice if you want a wireless option. It produces great sound and gives you options for wired connections too.

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Presentation of the Sony SA-Z9R 100-Watt Bookshelf SpeakerBookshelf Speaker_Sony SA-Z9R 100-Watt Bookshelf Speaker

The Sound Bar Pairing
Sony

The Sony SA-Z9R 100-Watt Bookshelf Speaker is specifically designed to be used with the Sony HT-Z9F sound bar. This makes it a perfect option if you are looking to enhance your listening experience that already has a high functioning sound bar.

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Sony SA-Z9R 100-Watt Bookshelf Speaker Video Review

 

What We Think of the Sony SA-Z9R 100-Watt Bookshelf Speaker

We have named the Sony SA-Z9R 100-Watt Bookshelf Speaker our sound bar pairing pick because it is specifically designed to be used with a sound bar. It can take the audio experience to the next level when used with the Sony HT-Z9F sound bar specifically.

How it works is that it connects wirelessly to the sound bar. This makes it super easy to set up and use. It even comes with a wall mount to save space in your home. It also Bluetooth connectivity for pairing to your other devices in addition to the sound bar.

Because these speakers are designed to be used with the sound bar, they are not powerful enough to use on their own, but they certainly enhance listening experience when used properly. They include a power capacity of 100 watts and frequency response of 60 Hz. This allows the speakers to fully enhance your listening experience.

I really didn’t want to spend the money for rears to the Htz9f but I ended up doing it just from all the reviews. I thought to myself… can it really make that big of a difference? It’s like night and day adding the rears. I recommend turning them all the way up in the menus and from the remote setting them at 8. It was a pain trying to find speaker stands that will hide the power cable bc they need to be thick enough to feed the power plug through. But seriously I went from I’m just blowing money on these to having a much more immersive sound experience.

Dpop

The most notable drawback of this model is that it is designed to be used with a sound bar. This makes the sound quality less impressive when used on its own. They should not be a go to choice if you want to use bookshelf speakers on their own.

On top of that, these speakers are on the more expensive side. Given that you can’t use them on their own very well, the price may seem a little too high for certain buyers.

If you use the Sony SA-Z9R 100-Watt Bookshelf Speaker with the Sony HT-Z9F sound bar, though, these speakers will be highly impressive and create a much more immersive listening experience.

Sony SA-Z9R 100-Watt Bookshelf Speaker review Sony SA-Z9R 100-Watt Bookshelf Speaker review Sony SA-Z9R 100-Watt Bookshelf Speaker review Sony SA-Z9R 100-Watt Bookshelf Speaker review Sony SA-Z9R 100-Watt Bookshelf Speaker review Sony SA-Z9R 100-Watt Bookshelf Speaker review Sony SA-Z9R 100-Watt Bookshelf Speaker review

Sony SA-Z9R 100-Watt Bookshelf Speaker Specifications

  • Brand: Sony
  • Model: SA-Z9R
  • Weight: 2.1 kg.
  • Power Source: AC
  • Color: Black

Sony SA-Z9R 100-Watt Bookshelf Speaker Pros and Cons

img-66

Pros

Pros

  • Creates an immersive sound experience
  • Easy to use
img-67

Cons

Cons

  • Must be used with the Sony HT-Z9F sound bar
  • Cannot be used alone
  • Expensive

 

Our Final Opinion About the Sony SA-Z9R 100-Watt Bookshelf Speaker

Quality 4.5 out of 5.0 stars Effectiveness 4.0 out of 5.0 stars Design 4.0 out of 5.0 stars Price 4.0 out of 5.0 stars

The Sony SA-Z9R 100-Watt Bookshelf Speaker is a great choice if you already have the Sony HT-Z9F sound bar. It will create a more immersive sound experience. With that being said, it is less usable because it cannot be used alone.

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Presentation of the Micca MB42X Bookshelf Speakers

Bookshelf Speaker_Micca MB42X Bookshelf Speakers

The Budget Alternative
Micca

The Micca MB42X Bookshelf Speakers are highly affordable and create a great sound experience. Using high quality parts, the speaker can improve the listening experience without leading to distortion or an empty wallet.

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Micca MB42X Bookshelf Speakers Video Review

 

What We Think of the Micca MB42X Bookshelf Speakers

Finally, the last speaker we’re going to look at is the Micca MB42X Bookshelf Speakers. This speaker is our budget pick alternative because it is highly affordable. Costing about the same as our best budget pick, the Micca MB42X Bookshelf Speakers can improve your listening experience without breaking the bank.

This speaker comes with a balance woven woofer and high performance dome tweeter. This creates an impactful bass and smooth treble. It also features low distortion, allowing it to sound balanced, dynamic, and enjoyable.

Because this is our alternative pick, it obviously has some drawbacks. For example, it is really small, meaning that it won’t create a large or prominent sound. It especially is not good for large rooms or open spaces.

These are nice speakers. I bought them to replace my floor standing speakers. I was surprised that the base was stronger than I would expect it. It is good quality at a reasonable price. They can play at high volume without distortion.

Kc1328

Although multiple users claimed that it does come at an affordable price, the Micca MB42X Bookshelf Speakers simply don’t offer enough power or improved sound for them to necessarily recommend it over other products.

Because of this fact, we have named the Micca MB42X Bookshelf Speakers our alternative budget pick. Because they are highly affordable, most users will be able to afford the speakers, but they may not produce as good sound quality as some would like.

Micca MB42X Bookshelf Speakers review Micca MB42X Bookshelf Speakers review Micca MB42X Bookshelf Speakers review

Micca MB42X Bookshelf Speakers Specifications

  • Brand: Micca
  • Model: MB42X
  • Speaker Size: 4 inches
  • Weight: 8 lbs.
  • Color: Black

 

Micca MB42X Bookshelf Speakers Pros and Cons

img-72

Pros

Pros

  • Highly affordable
  • Low distortion
img-73

Cons

Cons

  • Poor sound quality
  • Better options available for the price

 

Our Final Opinion About the Micca MB42X Bookshelf Speakers

Quality 4.0 out of 5.0 stars Effectiveness 4.0 out of 5.0 stars Design 4.0 out of 5.0 stars Price 5.0 out of 5.0 stars

The Micca MB42X Bookshelf is the choice if you’re on a tight budget and weren’t sold on our best budget pick. Although this option does not produce the greatest sound quality, it certainly is affordable and will improve the sound quality at least slightly.

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Presentation of the Klipsch R-41M Bookshelf Home Speaker Set

Klipsch R-41M Powerful Detailed Bookshelf Home Speaker Set of 2 Black

The Movie Alternative
Klipsch

If you’re a movie fanatic and want to hear every detail of all your favourite movies, we recommend the Klipsch R-41M bookshelf home speaker set. After enjoying a film with these speakers in place, you’ll wonder how you ever enjoyed a movie on your computer or TV before.

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Klipsch R-41M Bookshelf Home Speaker Set Video Review

 

What We Think of the Klipsch R-41M Bookshelf Home Speaker Set

The Klipsch bookshelf home speaker set is a great all-around speaker set for all uses, but for movies in particular thanks to its compatibility with computers, televisions, and DVD players. These speakers use single 4” spun-copper IMG woofers and a 1” aluminum LTS tweeter mated to a 90×90 square Tractrix horn that ensures high-frequency energy is aimed at the listener. This also reduced artificial reverb and filtering caused by indirect sound.

The speakers have a compatible crossover frequency of 1730Hz and use a powerful 200 watts to spread the sound expansively around your space. The speakers offer bass-reflex via rear-firing port and have a strong and flexible removable magnetic grille. Users will appreciate the clarity, dynamics, and detail these speakers bring to movies loud and quiet.

What a terrific little bookshelf speaker. I am surprised and impressed by the amount of bass they can produce, so I didn’t need to get the subwoofer that I thought I’d need. There is plenty of power and the sound is clear, lively, and engaging. I bought two sets and use them as mains and rears in my movie room in the basement. They make movie nights so much more immersive.

james a.

These speakers require you to purchase stands that clamp onto the speaker, but their standard size makes them compatible with most bookshelf speaker stands. Since these are wired speakers rather than wireless, your placement options will be limited by the length of your cord, and it will look a little tackier than a wireless connection. Aesthetics aside, there are no issues with this Klipsch bookshelf home speaker set.

Klipsch R-41M Bookshelf Home Speaker review Klipsch R-41M Bookshelf Home Speaker review Klipsch R-41M Bookshelf Home Speaker review Klipsch R-41M Bookshelf Home Speaker review Klipsch R-41M Bookshelf Home Speaker review Klipsch R-41M Bookshelf Home Speaker review Klipsch R-41M Bookshelf Home Speaker review Klipsch R-41M Bookshelf Home Speaker review Klipsch R-41M Bookshelf Home Speaker review Klipsch R-41M Bookshelf Home Speaker review

 

Klipsch R-41M Bookshelf Home Speaker Set Specifications

  • Brand: Klipsch
  • Model: R-41M
  • Speaker Size: 4”
  • Weight: 16.7 lbs
  • Power Source: AC
  • Colour: Black

 

Klipsch R-41M Bookshelf Home Speaker Set Pros and Cons

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Pros

Pros

  • 90×90° Tractrix horn technology for clarity, detail, and dynamics of movies
  • Linear travel Suspension Tweeter minimizes distortion even at louder volumes
  • Low frequency response
  • Compatible with TVs, computers, and DVD players
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Cons

Cons

  • Wired connection limits placement options

 

Our Final Opinion About the Klipsch R-41M Bookshelf Home Speaker Set

Quality 4.0 out of 5.0 stars Effectiveness 4.0 out of 5.0 stars Design 4.0 out of 5.0 stars Price 4.0 out of 5.0 stars

Overall, we have found no major flaws or concerns Klipsch bookshelf home speaker set. The sound quality is great, they’re compatible with all applicable devices including computers and DVD players, they’re reasonably priced, and the audio technology creates a great atmosphere for all your movie nights.

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Presentation of the Sony SA-RS3S Wireless Rear Speakers for HT-A7000

Sony SA-RS3S Wireless Rear Speakers for HT-A7000, Black

The Surround Sound Alternative
Sony

If you’re looking to be completely immersed in all of your audio, whether that’s gaming, watching TV/movies, or blasting the tunes, the Sony SA-RS3S wireless rear speakers for HT-A7000 is our top recommendation if you have the accompanying sound bar.

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What We Think of the Sony SA-RS3S Wireless Rear Speakers for HT-A7000

The Sony wireless rear speakers set are compatible with the Sony HT-A7000 sound bar, and when paired together, they bring expansive, immersive surround sound to your space. These speakers can be mounted on stands or mounted on the wall if you’d prefer a sleeker setup. Since they connect wirelessly to the sound bar, they can be placed anywhere in the room without causing a tripping hazard or becoming an eye sore with cables going every which way.

The speakers offer a total of 100 watts of power output, which is plenty when working together and paired with a sound bar. They aren’t a main speaker, so their job is to bring more life, detail, and depth to your sound, whether it comes from movies, music, games, TV, or anything other audio type. These speakers are great additions to larger spaces as well since they have an omnidirectional block design with room-filling sound.

These speakers are a great addition to my Sony sound system. I am an avid gamer and music listener, so my setup is pretty important to me. I use only the best equipment, and these speakers qualify. They were set up in a matter of minutes, though I chose to use stands rather than mount them on the wall. They look fantastic, add nice bass and surround sound to my room, and connected really easily to the sound bar. 10/10 all around.

michael t.

While the performance of this rear speaker set is excellent, there are some drawbacks to choosing this set over another. First, they cannot be used without being paired with the sound bar they are compatible with. Second, they can only be used as rear speakers rather than mains, so the sound may be a bit different than you’re expecting if you’re used to speakers designed to be mains. Though this speaker set is a bit pricey, they are the perfect pairing with the HT-A7000 Sony sound bar for immersive surround sound.

Sony SA-RS3S Wireless Rear Speakers for HT-A7000, Black Sony SA-RS3S Wireless Rear Speakers for HT-A7000, Black Sony SA-RS3S Wireless Rear Speakers for HT-A7000, Black

Sony SA-RS3S Wireless Rear Speakers for HT-A7000 Specifications

  • Brand: Sony
  • Model: SA-RS3S
  • Weight: 6.7 lbs
  • Power Source: AC
  • Colour: Black

 

Sony SA-RS3S Wireless Rear Speakers for HT-A7000 Pros and Cons

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Pros

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Wall mountable to save floor save
  • Expansive, crystal-clear sound with both a woofer and tweeter
  • Connects wirelessly to the sound bar for clean, tidy set up
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Cons

Cons

  • Cannot be used without the HT-A7000 Sony sound bar
  • Expensive

 

Our Final Opinion About the Sony SA-RS3S Wireless Rear Speakers for HT-A7000

Quality 5.0 out of 5.0 stars Effectiveness 4.0 out of 5.0 stars Design 4.0 out of 5.0 stars Price 3.0 out of 5.0 stars

The Sony wireless rear speakers are a perfect addition to your surround sound system. They make your movies, shows, games, and music immersive with expansive, crystal-clear, detailed audio. Their only fault as a speaker is that they can’t be used as standalone speakers.

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Why Should You Trust Us?

All the recommendations we make on The Good Choice are the result of many hours of research, comparisons, analysis of consumer reviews and, if necessary, expert feedbacks. The products we recommend here are the ones that will best perform their daily tasks, passing all security, reliability and efficiency tests while having an appealing price-quality ratio for everyone.

What are our criteria for judging the products reviewed and selected by The Good Choice?

  • Quality: Does the product have a solid construction? Will it be reliable over time? Does it have a good warranty?
  • Efficiency: Is the product efficient in its task or do you need to give it some help? Is it for example powerful, fast, quiet?
  • Usability: Is the product easy to handle, easy to use and maintain?
  • Price: Is the price of the product and/or accessories and/or spare parts reasonable compared to the rest of the market?

In addition to these main criteria, we then establish a list of specific criteria for each product category, detailed a little further down in this article.

In the end, the products we recommend are the ones we would want to buy, and the ones we would also choose for our friends and family.

 

Things to Know Before Buying a Bookshelf Speaker

How much do bookshelf speakers cost?

Bookshelf speakers can come in a wide price range. Typically, higher priced options will perform better. For regular home use, there are quite a few great quality bookshelf speakers between $100 and $300. Anything under $100 likely isn’t that great quality, but there are some exceptions.

If you’re looking for bookshelf speakers for professional use, you will likely need to pay more than $300. The quality tends to jump dramatically around the $1000 mark. You can find speakers that are around $10,000, but these speakers often don’t have any better quality then most speakers that are around $2000.

With all that in mind, people wanting to upgrade their home sound system should shoot for speakers between $100 and $300, whereas professional users should spend over $300 but less than $2000.

How are bookshelf speakers different from floor standing speakers?

When many people first become interested in bookshelf speakers, they may also find that they like floor standing speakers. It’s important to know which speaker type you need most to create the best quality sound system for your needs.

Floor standing speakers are larger than bookshelf speakers, causing them to have more speaker drivers, higher volumes, and better base. The downside of floor standing speakers is that they may be too big for certain homes and they require good amps for proper power.

Bookshelf speakers, on the other hand, are notably smaller. Because they are smaller, they don’t have as many speaker drivers, and they can’t get as loud or have as impressive base. The benefit is that the size makes them perfect for many homes.

What are important bookshelf speaker specs to look at?

If you don’t consider yourself knowledgeable on speakers and sound systems, you might be confused as to what some of the specs mean or which ones you should care about. Generally speaking, you need to look at the Hertz, Watts, and drivers.

Hertz generally tells you the bass. The lower the Hertz number, the heavier the bass will sound. Watts tend to measure output. A high wattage results in a greater output. It’s important to look at the Watts when selecting an amp.

Almost all bookshelf speakers only come with two drivers, which are the woofers and tweeters. If you want a bookshelf speaker with a better range, you want to select a third midrange driver.

How should I position my bookshelf speaker?

It’s important to properly position any speaker to get the maximum sound quality. You can place bookshelf speakers on tables or bookshelves, or you can use speaker stands.

No matter what you place the speaker on, position them at the 10 o’clock and 2 o’clock angles. Make sure to angle them towards your listening position. As you are positioning them, make sure the tweeters are around ear level.

 

How to Properly Choose Your Bookshelf Speaker

Bookshelf Speaker

If you have never purchased a speaker before, you might still be confused as to which option you should select. To make the process a bit easier, we have come up with the four most important factors to consider when choosing the best bookshelf speaker for your needs and home. Here are the factors you need to consider:

Sound Quality

The whole point of having a speaker is to enhance the sound quality. Because of this fact, it seems obvious to check out the sound quality before deciding on your bookshelf speaker. Most bookshelf speakers today have great sound quality, but you can certainly find models that are more or less impressive than others.

Because bookshelf speakers are so small, they typically only come with two drivers. This makes the sound quality less impressive than bigger speakers. You can select a 3 driver model or opt for an entirely different speaker if you need a better sound quality.

As we learned above, the three most important specs to look at is the Hertz, wattage, and drivers. For the best sound quality, look for a low Hz rating, high wattage rating, and as many drivers as possible, though most bookshelf speakers only come with two.

Volume And Sensitivity

Another feature similar to sound quality is volume and sensitivity. You want your speaker to get loud enough that it fully encapsulates you in the TV show, movie, or music you are enjoying. The easiest way to figure out volume is to look at the sensitivity rating, which is measured in decibels.

Sensitivity is measured whenever a certain amount of power is put through the speaker. Usually, this power is about one milliwatt. The decibel rating then tells you exactly how sensitive the speaker is.

A low sensitivity rating will be under 86 decibels, whereas a high sensitivity rating will be over 95 decibels. Anything between 86 decibels and 95 decibels will have average volume. Most speakers with high volume and sensitivity will cost substantially more.

Speaker Size

Another way to check out volume is to look at the speaker size. Bigger speakers often produce a louder volume, though they don’t always lead to better sound quality. If you are someone who wants a loud sound, you definitely should look for bigger speakers.

The downside of large bookshelf speakers is that they may be too big to fit on many shelves or bookshelf speaker mounts. Because of this fact, know where you want to place the bookshelf speaker beforehand.

Wired vs. Wireless

Finally, the last factor we’re going to look at is a wired or wireless model. This factor has less to do with sound volume and quality as it does use and organization.

Wireless bookshelf speakers are, well, wireless. They will connect via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. Typically, wireless bookshelf speakers are more contained because you don’t have to worry about dealing with cables and wires, though their sound quality is typically less impressive than wired options.

On the other hand, wired bookshelf speakers sound better, but you have to worry about dealing with a lot of cables. You also will need a separate stereo amp, which boosts the sound quality of wired speakers even more.

If you care about ease of use and convenience over sound quality, opt for a wireless model. Wired bookshelf speakers, in comparison, are better for those who care most about sound quality and speaker performance.

 

We do our best to provide you with a comparative guide of bookshelf speakers allowing you to choose the best product possible. If we are missing information or new models, do not hesitate to leave a comment below or to send us a message.

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