It’s not uncommon — in fact at this point it’s quite common these days to see a whole-house audio system in someone’s home. What is becoming less common, however, is the tried-and-true traditional stereo system.
Stereo systems, and we’ll temporarily define a stereo system as a solution with either an amplifier and preamplifier or some sort of integrated amp or receiver, along with source components such as a turntable, and speakers.
Today, a stereo system could be defined as an amp, preamp, integrated amp, receiver, or powered/active speakers, with a streaming device, turntable, possibly a CD player and most likely bookshelf speakers. For decades everyone from high-school and college students to adults with school-aged kids had some type of stereo system.
While this traditional setup may be less prevalent in today’s audio world, it has not gone the way of the dinosaur and 8-track. In fact, this type of setup may possibly be on the comeback through a new age of room-friendly bookshelf speakers, along with the massive revival of turntables and analog audio.
A Quick List of Bookshelf Speakers
Here’s a look at 16 bookshelf speakers that address traditional stereo system architectural, as well as configurations with more modern applications in mind:
- Bowers & Wilkins 607 S3
- DALI Oberon 1
- Definitive Technology ProMonitor 800
- JBL L52 Classic
- KEF Q150
- Klipsch R-40M
- MartinLogan Motion Foundation B1
- Monitor Audio Radius 90
- Paradigm Monitor SE Atom
- Phase Technology Premier Lux PL150
- PSB Speakers Alpha iQ
- Revel Concerta2 S16
- Sonos Era 300 Smart Speaker
- Sonus faber Lumina I
- SVS Prime Satellite 2.1 System
- Totem KIN ONE
16 Bookshelf Speakers for Today’s Modern Tastes
Bowers & Wilkins 607 S3
Available in a choice of three finishes, the 607 S3 utilizes the company’s Titanium Dome tweeter, along with Bower & Wilkins’ Continuum midrange driver. The speaker is specified to deliver a frequency response of 40Hz to 33kHz and an impedance rating of 8 ohms.
DALI Oberon 1
DALI is a Danish audio company, and its Oberon 1 is a versatile set of bookshelf speakers that can be used for surround sound or stereo. The 86dB-sensitive bookshelf speaker has a rated frequency response of 51Hz to 26kHz, and the speaker employs a bass-reflex design.
Definitive Technology ProMonitor 800
The compact Definitive Technology bookshelf speaker features many of the same technologies and design elements as the company’s more expensive products. Rated to provide a frequency response of 57Hz to 30Hz, the two-way speaker incorporates a 4.5-inch midrange driver and a 1-inch aluminum tweeter.
JBL L52 Classic
Underneath this speaker’s retro appearance, lies advanced JBL technologies. When paired with electronics that feature retro industrial designs and/or a turntable and homeowners can recreate an old-school system with modern components.
Courtesy of Harman Luxury Audio/JBL
KEF Q150
Featuring the company’s proprietary Uni-Q driver array, the stylish pair of bookshelf speakers uses a 5¼-inch midrange driver and 1-inch tweeter. The purpose of this driver configuration is to allow the speaker’s sound to emanate from the same location. The 8-ohm speaker delivers a frequency response of 51Hz to 28kHz.
Courtesy of KEF
Klipsch R-40M
Klipsch is one of the oldest names in home audio and the R-40M speakers include one of the brand’s most famous engineering design elements: Horn-loaded tweeters. The 90-degree x 90-degree Tractrix horn design utilizes a 1-inch aluminum tweeter and a 4-inch spun-copper TCP midrange driver. The amplifier-friendly 8-ohm speaker is also 91dB sensitive.
MartinLogan Motion Foundation B1
The company says that while small, the Motion Foundation B1 bookshelf speaker incorporates its Gen2 Obsidian Folded Motion Tweeter S that resides in its Folded Motion Waveguide. Complementing the tweeter technologies is a 5.5-inch midrange driver. The 89dB sensitive bookshelf speakers are rated to produce a frequency response of 48Hz to 23kHz.
Monitor Audio Radius 90
The small-footprint bookshelf speaker uses a 4-inch midrange driver and a 1-inch tweeter. The speaker stands just under 8-inches high, and it sits just under 5-inches wide. The 8-ohm impedance rated speaker is specified to deliver a frequency response of 80Hz to 35kHz.
Paradigm Monitor SE Atom
One of the most popular speakers in the world of home audio for years the Atom remains popular because of its price and performance. The newest version of the Atom speaker features its X-PAL tweeter and PPA lens and a 5.5-inch midrange driver. The 89dB sensitive speaker provides a frequency response of 61Hz to 21kHz.
Phase Technology Premier Lux PL150
The competitively priced bookshelf speakers from the Florida-based company is offered in a choice of several finishes to complement a range of home interiors. Internally, the speaker incorporates a 6.5-inch tri-laminate Kevlar RPF glass-fiber flat-piston woofer, and a 28mm soft-dome tweeter.
PSB Speakers Alpha iQ
The Alpha iQ speakers from the Canadian company are unique in the home audio market. Not only are the bookshelf speakers active, meaning the speakers incorporate built-in amplifiers, but the Alpha iQs also incorporate built-in smart services that include streaming. The BluOS platform is supported with an iOS and Android app and users can use options that include AirPlay 2.
Revel Concerta2 S16
The multipurpose Concerta2 S16 bookshelf speakers utilize a two-way design that includes a 6.5-inch aluminum cone woofer and a 1-inch aluminum tweeter. Revel explains the tweeter resides in the company’s Acoustic Lens waveguide that it says increases the dispersion of the tweeter at higher frequencies. The speaker is 90dB sensitive and it has an impedance rating of 6 ohms.
Sonos Era 300 Smart Speaker
Supporting immersive audio in environments outside of a home theater, the Era 300 can be used to play Dolby Atmos immersive audio, along with traditional stereo content. Sonos provides options to connect source components such as turntables and CD players, and like other Sonos products, the Era 300 can be used within a whole-house audio system.
Courtesy of Sonos
Sonus faber Lumina I
The Italian audio company’s small-footprint bookshelf speakers feature a 4¾-inch midrange driver and a 1 1/8th-inch tweeter. According to Sonus faber, the speaker can be used for home theater or stereo applications, and the Lumina I provides a frequency response of 65Hz to 24kHz.
SVS Prime Satellite 2.1 System
SVS built a reputation for high performing affordable subwoofers. The Prime Satellite 2.1 system takes one of the company’s high-performance subs (SB-1000B) and pairs the sub with its Prime Satellite bookshelf speakers. The system is available in a choice of black or white, and the SVS solution can be used with a TV or stereo components including integrated amps or receivers.
Courtesy of SVS
Totem KIN ONE
The reasonably priced speakers from the Montreal-based company are available in a choice of six finishes, and Totem says the speakers can be used for a range of system applications. Internally, the KIN ONE employs a 1-inch Titanium soft-dome tweeter along with a 4-inch woofer. The 89dB-sensitive speaker is rated to deliver a frequency response of 65Hz to 22kHz, and the company says the speaker provides a 6-ohm load.
