Aramid fibers ensure a high structural strength of the speakers' cones and improved vibration characteristics. The performance is much better than that of conventional paper or plastic drivers. A high-quality sound experience is guaranteed for any track they reproduce. The housing is made of thick MDF material to reduce distortion.
The speakers are rather bulky.
In addition to the excellent sound, the speakers stand out for their perfectly balanced design and classic shape. They look stylish both with a protective mesh and without it.
2 speakers
2-way
120 Watts
87 dB
44 to 20,000 Hz
6 Ω
Twitter: 1x1 inch
Woofer: 1x6.5 inches
Dimensions: 14 x 8.5 x 10 inches
Weight: 14.3 pounds
3 years
The Tractrix Horn up-market technology of the speakers and tweeters provides high-quality response and powerful dynamics. Amplifiers ensure natural and clean sound. The woofers with IMG technology reproduce dense bass with minimal distortion and dispersion.
Music with a lot of low frequencies may sound not that clear.
Being pretty compact, this stereo system is quite powerful. The speakers will definitely provide you with a clean and natural sound. It is an efficient stereo pair, which will reproduce the sound of any song or film revealing its smallest details.
2 speakers
2-way
340 Watts
94 dB
62 to 24,000 Hz
8 Ω
Twitter: 1x1 inch
Woofer: 1x5.25 inches
Dimensions: 12.5 x 7 x 8.11 inches
Weight: 10.3 pounds
5 years
These speakers offer high-quality materials and parts. The class D built-in amplifiers are entirely digital. You can adjust the sound settings, changing low and high frequencies manually.
The output power is low compared to that of other models.
Made of high-quality eco-friendly materials and protected against various kinds of interference, these bookshelf speakers will please you with the reliability and durability.
2 speakers
2-way
42 Watts
85 dB
75 to 18,000 Hz
Woofer: 6 Ω
Twitter: 4 Ω
Twitter: 1x0.5 inch
Woofer: 1x4 inches
Dimensions: 9.2 x 5.7 x 7.7 inches
Weight: 10.8 pounds
2 years
The set includes a special bracket for wall mount and two pads to get the necessary spacing between the wall and the speakers. This stereo pair is able to create a decent sound pressure producing a sound with minimum distortion, keeping the high frequencies clear.
The bass range is limited.
The Polk Audio TSi100 speakers are the choice of a considerate listener, who prefer more neutral and accurate tonal balance, restrained temperament in audio reproduction, and natural emotions in the sound. People who are not specialists in this field will be very impressed, of course.
2 speakers
2-way
100 Watts
89 dB
61 to 24,000 Hz
8 Ω
Twitter: 1x1 inch
Woofer: 1x5.25 inches
Dimensions: 11 x 7 x10.25 inches
Weight: 10 pounds
5 years
There are a lot of connection ports which allows you to pair them with various devices. The wires and insulating gaskets come in the set, so you can start using them out of the box. The front panel has the volume control with backlight (it is very convenient at night).
The low-frequency driver is not that powerful.
The Multimedia Monitors provide good performance from ultra low basses to medium and high frequencies. That guarantees minimum distortion and changes in frequency response at different volume levels. There are other modifications.
2 speakers
2-way
50 Watts
97 dB
80 to 20,000 Hz
Balanced bridging (amp input): 20 kΩ
Unbalanced (amp input): 10 kΩ
Twitter: 1x0.75 inch
Woofer: 1x3 inches
Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 6.2 inches
Weight: 9.4 pounds (a pair)
1 year
Created by Andrew Jones
Products made by Andrew Jones are truly incredible in terms of performance. Jones is known worldwide as a professional in the field of audio devices engineering, who creates only acknowledged items. Unsurprisingly the model we picked for our review is not an exception. With this bookshelf speaker, you will be able to enjoy a fantastic studio-quality sound. The Elac B6 is a clear illustration of Andrew`s talent. Each new stereo speakers series made by Andrew Jones offer an improvement in terms of sound quality and design in general. This stereo pair is one of his recent works, which is a plus in itself.
The bookshelf speakers are quite compact compared with their floor counterparts, but they boast an extensive frequency range and powerful bass working in tandem with high frequencies. The frequency range of the speakers starts from 44 Hz and reaches 20,000 Hz. The volume level is enough to create rich surround sound and enjoy any record. Each speaker is equipped with two drivers. One driver is of a low-frequency type and measures 6.5 inches and the other is a high-frequency one of 1-inch diameter. Using the speakers with your home theater system, you will beable to experience their full potential. For example, you can use two front floor speakers as a basic stereo system and install two Elac B6 speakers from the rear to create a professional-grade surround sound system.
Gold Connection
The type and parameters of the wired connection are essential features of any stereo system. The wires used may be of different type and have various thickness and insulation to reduce possible signal distortion and interference. These Elac speakers have a 6-Ohm resistance each, which is neither too low nor too high an impedance. When paired with a powerful receiver, they unleash their potential and produce loud and rich sound. You can easily connect the speaker to the receiver with the help of the screw clamps. The clamps are made gold-plated, which is beneficial for ensuring the best contact with the wires. In addition, this coating is waterproof, so the clamp terminals corrosion-resistant and won't get rusted.
Solid Wood
The speaker enclosure is a very important for both aesthetics and sound quality. The Elac B6 stereo system is manufactured using a very thick MDF, which reduces acoustic vibrations inside the enclosure. The speaker matte surface is hardly susceptible to fingerprints, so the bookshelf speakers will look like new even after a long use. As for the drivers' implementation, they are equipped with a custom deep-spheroid waveguide and can be additionally covered with a black protective grill. However, the speakers look stylish even without the grill. The plates with the brand name are applied both to the protective grill and to the speaker enclosure itself, which shows the company attitude to even smallest details about their products.
Everything Is Concealed
If you dream to have a quality sound but there is not enough place for a big stereo system at your place, then in-wall & in-ceiling speakers are just for you. These bookshelf speakers can be mounted on the wall or ceiling and deliver an impressive sound. The wires for connecting these models to the receiver are concealed in the wall, so they do not make a mess in your room. Thanks to the speaker wall mount, these items are great for small premises.
Additional Info
| Last updated price | $0.00 |
| Stock | May be out of stock |
| ASIN | B014GSEQ06 |
What customers say about this product
Size & Weight(4.7)
Audio(4.8)
Features(4.2)
Key Specs(4.6)
The Sixth Generation
The Klipsch brand name is closely associated with the high-quality music reproduction. They are known to be true professionals. Music lovers all around the world highly appreciate their products. The Klipsch R-15M model is the 6th iteration of the Klipsch Reference series. The speakers use new improved drivers that allowed reducing the crossover frequency to 1800 Hz. The implementation of these solutions ensures a great surround sound from this stereo pair and makes the model one of the best in this class. Since the speakers are fitted with pretty efficient drivers, which do not require a high input power supplied by the receiver or amplifier you can use an inexpensive receiver model. The Klipsch bookshelf speakers use the proprietary Tractrix Horn technology. The brand has been using this technology in its speakers for many years already and the technology proved to be the mover for delivering a higher quality sound. The Tractrix Horn is a unique combination of precision and clarity of each note reproduced. Thanks to that, you can enjoy an accurate transfer of the sound from the speaker to your ears. The tweeter produces the sound of a high-frequency band with minimal distortion and enriches an overall sound picture.
The Best Bass
The Klipsch R-15M acoustic system is close in performance to a professional set of speakers for studio use. Due to a good tonal balance and a wide frequency range covered, you can enjoy powerful and rich sound with this model. The drivers provide enough volume to fill a small room. An integral part of the speaker is a low-frequency driver that has a special Cerametallic cone with a copper finish. These cones are incredibly lightweight, but at the same time, they are rigid and very easy to move when producing the sound. In addition, such a highly mobile structure is very sensitive and allows the audio system to play the music of any style and complexity with all the nuances conveyed.
Unsurpassed Classics
The Klipsch company decided not to devise anything excessive in terms of the model exterior. The R-15M speakers have a classic rectangular enclosure made of very high-quality materials. The wooden frame reduces all the significant vibrations generated during the operation.
To protect the drivers from dust ingress and to prevent the cone damage, you can use a protective fabric mesh. The mesh frame attaches to the speaker using special grooves and can be easily removed if necessary. With that accessory, you are able to change the appearance of the speakers in a minute so to make this stereo pair not only sound great but also be used as an item to blend with your room interior. Even more to that, you can mount the R-15M on the wall with the help of a special anchor bracket.
Music for Your Party
If you like big cheerful companies and go on a picnic with your friends often, then you will definitely appreciate the sound quality offered by pa systems. The system is completely autonomous and you can carry it around and deploy very quickly. And the sound it delivers is really amazing. After connecting such system to a smartphone or a tablet, you can easily broadcast any record of your music library from any device you can pair with the system.
Additional Info
| Last updated price | $249.95 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B00LMF41IY |
What customers say about this product
Audio(4.5)
Key Specs(5)
Size & Weight(4.8)
Features(4.5)
Crystal Clear Sound
The Edifier R1280T speakers can be rightfully called versatile. And here are the reasons for that. The drivers with which this model is equipped produce a really decent sound while the speakers themselves are pretty compact in size. Owing to that parameters, you can use them as a desktop acoustic set for your PC. Gamers will certainly appreciate such an option.
The set is comprised of two speakers with two-way drivers placed on their front sides (you can close them with a bundled fabric mesh). The output power of each speaker is 21 watts, which makes them capable of filling a small or middle-sized room. The speakers boast a built-in amplifier with combined manual and digital remote controls. It makes them more convenient than those with conventional sound amplifiers with analog controls only. One of the main advantages of this model is the quality of reproduction of medium-frequencies sound. This range creates a natural and immersive sound and reveals every note of your favorite melodies to you. However, with some records, you may experience a slight distortion at low frequencies. With that, it is easily defeatable with the built-in equalizer. Especially that, you can configure it directly on the speakers.
The main speaker has the bass and treble controls and the main volume control dials to adjust the tonal balance and volume of both speakers at the same time (if the left speaker is fed signal from the built-in amplifier in the right one using the wire, which is a default option).
The set of Edifier R1280T bookshelf speakers can be considered a full-fledged 2-channel music system for personal use, which is able to meet the requirements of the most demanding listener.
Remote Control
The Edifier R1280T bookshelf speaker system can be controlled remotely. The practice shows this solution to be the most appropriate and convenient for a modern 2.0 sound system. The compact remote does with three buttons only for performing all its tasks. The buttons have an optimal size for a comfortable pressing. Having turned on the music, you can volume up and down without getting up from your sofa. You can also use the mute button to turn off the sound on the speakers. The remote is small enough for carrying around your place and adjusting the playback parameters on the speakers at any time you need.
Various Appearance
The speaker front part can be customized to have two looks: with a protective mesh and without it. The speakers exterior remain stylish for both options, but it is better to use the meshes (to ensure better protection for the drivers). By the way, there is a metal streak, which divides the grill in two horizontally and hints us that there are two drivers installed. The mesh itself can be easily removed if necessary.
Like with the majority of speakers of this class, the enclosure of this model is made of high-quality MDF and covered with a laminated film to create a textured tree pattern.
Have Fun With Your Friends
If you are into gaming and like playing computer games with your friends, then you will love to have one of the modern video game consoles. You will have a great time with your companions, competing in various virtual tournaments and battles to make each evening an interesting and memorable pastime, and your rest as comfortable as possible.
Additional Info
| Last updated price | $99.99 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B016P9HJIA |
What customers say about this product
Audio(5)
Key Specs(4.2)
Size & Weight(4.6)
Minimal Distortion
At the first sight, the Polk Audio TSi100 bookshelf speakers may seem a toy. But, having used them for some time, you will realize that this impression is false and their look is deceptive. The products by the Polk Audio company are carefully elaborated and checked by designers and technical specialists. This bookshelf speaker system consists of two speakers each of which has two drivers. Each driver in its turn comprises two acoustic generators for reproducing mid and low-frequency bands, which allowed for a significant saving of space. With such complex design, the drivers produce quite a balanced sound. The model output power is enough for giving a musical performance in a medium-size room.
Wall Mount
The Polk Audio TSi100 is a multi-purpose system as you can use it even outdoors (the manufacturer foresightedly added the mounting brackets on the back of the speakers). Thanks to that, you can reliably mount them on any vertical surface and the vibrations will not make the speakers shift even at maximum volume. To keep the speakers perfectly horizontal and prevent the connecting wires from pinching in, in addition to the bracket, there are two straps of the same length included. Indeed, the manufacturer did its best so that you can install the speakers in any place convenient for you.
Pleasant Bonus
The Polk Audio TSi100 bookshelf speakers can be a nice complement to any audio equipment. The high-frequency tweeter with a silk membrane used in this model was made using the proprietary Dynamic Balance technology. It minimizes the cone vibrations caused by the coil movement which contributes greatly to the sound linearity and overall quality of sound playback. In addition, the speakers can be used as a stylish interior item as you are free to combine them with any interior design to make them its integral part.
Listen to Your Favorite Music Anywhere
Probably there is not a single person in the world who does not like listening to music at least sometimes. And among music lovers there are many wanting to hear quality sound wherever it is possible: on their way to/from work, when jogging in the morning or working out. To meet these requirements, you will need a convenient audio system that can be paired with different devices, such as tablets, laptops, phones, and music players. As for working with the smartphones, these speakers have a remote, thanks to which you can even answer incoming calls and talk via the built-in microphone with your hands free.
If you prefer the convenience and use to do a lot of things on-the-go, you will definitely like earbuds. In our review, you will find the five best models to choose from.
Additional Info
| Last updated price | $0.00 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B00192KEY0 |
What customers say about this product
Audio(4.8)
Key Specs(4.8)
Size & Weight(4.8)
Gamers Will Be Impressed
High-quality audio speakers have been used on a massive scale for quite a while. After the emergence of personal computers and audio players, the demand for quality speakers has grown. Of course, most people use headphones in their everyday life. Headphones are convenient for listening to music on the go, but they are not ideal, and cannot replace home and professional acoustic systems. If you need one of those, then the Mackie CR Series CR3 stereo pair will be a perfect solution for you. It has all the hardware components required for delivering an unadulterated sound in the whole audible frequency range. To reproduce the lower register, the speaker is equipped with a 3-inch low-frequency driver, which cone can perform vibrations to create a significant acoustic pressure and reproduce very deep and impactful bass. Due to that, the speakers will be perfect for the use as a sound source when playing any modern computer game. The speakers are capable of complementing stunning game visuals with a great audio experience making the gameplay more immersive.
The high-frequency driver has a silk layer that minimizes the cone parasitic vibrations and makes the sound cleaner and more coherent. This bookshelf speakers model comes with a built-in potent 50W amplifier (peak power). The amplifier provides an authoritative reproduction of bass and clean high-frequency range. Such a coherence in the sound reproduction across the whole audible spectrum is a real plus, as you can listen to music of any genre on your CR3 and enjoy the best audio performance.
The speaker enclosure is fully made of wood, which looks very stylish. In addition, it is a practical decision for better absorption of internal vibrations. Finally, the Mackie CR Series CR3 stereo pair is made pretty compact and will not take too much place.
Complete Unit
As it is common for acoustic systems of this type only one of the speakers has a built-in power amplifier. Therefore, the speakers become inseparable twins when you use them. On the front side of the main speaker, there is an AUX input for a quick connection (to connect your smartphone, for example). It is rather convenient since you do not have to look for the port on the device back. By the way, there are a lot of additional ports on the back of the main speaker, which enable using them with other devices such as stereo receivers, TVs, projectors, and any equipment that needs and benefits from an additional powerful acoustic system.
Considering that the bookshelf speakers do not have protective grilles for the drivers, we highly recommend not touching them with your fingers or any objects to prevent damaging the cones of the drivers, displacing the drivers or spoiling their attractive appearance.
Convenient Placement
In order to place the speakers conveniently and reduce vibrations, the manufacturer included in the set special foam soundproofing pads. The speakers should be installed on them. Using the pads, you can move the speakers more smoothly and confidently towards the listener without being afraid of leaving scratches and traces on the glossy table surface.
Watch Movies on the Big Screen Anywhere
Modern technologies are taking tremendous leaps, giving the user ever new multimedia opportunities. Now you can listen to your favorite music everywhere, play online games, or even view video content on large screens. Today we can go hiking and, in the evening, while taking a rest, watch an interesting movie in the open air. All you need is to project the picture from your smartphone on a large screen (any vertical white surface can be used as a screen). It is possible owing to the availability of the pocket projectors. They are really compact and will not take up much space in the bag, but make your rest much more comfortable.
Additional Info
| Last updated price | $0.00 |
| Stock | May be out of stock |
| ASIN | B00KVEIY4E |
What customers say about this product
Audio(4.1)
Key Specs(4.5)
Size & Weight(4.8)
What Are Bookshelf Speakers?
Shelf acoustic system is an integral part of any desktop HI-FI system. Bookshelf speakers are devices created to be used as a part of a surround stereo system. However, they can also work as independent stereo speakers, if necessary. The speakers of bookshelf acoustic systems usually have two built-in drivers for low and high frequencies reproduction, which ensure a clear and rich sound. The speakers are designed for the use as standalone sound systems with a line level input (you can connect them to an analog sound source with a line out, these are often called active speakers), or for connecting to analog source via an AV receiver or an integrated amplifier (have no built-in amplifier and called passive speakers). Passive speakers may provide a higher quality sound owing to the more effective use of an inner space of the speaker with no space required for an amplifier circuitry.
You can install bookshelf speakers in your home recording studio. Please note that to get the vocals incredibly clear and get rid of the noise, you will need a recording microphone.
In addition, the bookshelf speakers can be a useful addition to the home theater. Paired with best 3D TV & Smart TVs, the speakers will contribute to the immersion providing a clear surround sound accompaniment to the picture. This system will give you an opportunity to enjoy evenings with your family watching your favorite movies and shows with a great sound.
What Features to Compare
Looking for a set of good bookshelf speakers, there are some aspects to be aware of: rated power, number of frequency bands (usually equals to the number of drivers), and frequency range.
Power
When you consider a specific speaker, you need to learn its power handling capacity. The maximum input power parameter determines which amplifier you can safely connect the speaker to (to avoid the speaker overload). Keep in mind that the maximum input power of the speakers should be close to the receiver output power for them to operate without the risk of damaging speakers. With that, the nominal speaker input power is also recommended to be roughly equal to the receiver/amplifier nominal output power for the best sound performance. Following these rules, you will enjoy a quality and balanced sound for a long time without any damages to your speakers or amplifier. In this regard, there is one more important feature to note - the speakers resistance (impedance). This parameter is usually specified in ohms. To avoid any damage to your equipment you need to observe the impedance matching: the amplifier has to be capable of working with the impedance that your speakers have. You need to use the speakers with a resistance not lower than the specified minimum load resistance of your amp or receiver, otherwise, your equipment may get damaged. On the other hand, if the resistance of the speakers is higher than the maximum recommended for the receiver you may experience a lack of input power resulting in an inability to get a sound loud enough and balanced along the frequency range. As for the efficiency of the power supplied from an amp/receiver, we suggest checking the sensitivity parameter of the speakers. It is measured in dB/mW or dB/V and shows how loud your speakers will play if supplied a sound signal of a certain power.
Number of Bands
Depending on your needs and preferences, you have to decide how many frequency bands your new bookshelf speakers are to have. This characteristic has an impact on the overall quality of sound reproduction. Typically, bookshelf speakers have two or more bands. Two bands mean that there are two drivers in the speaker with each dedicated to reproducing the sound in its own frequency range for better efficiency and sound experience. The most common combination is LF/MF + HF drivers.
Frequency Range
The wider frequency range the speakers are capable of reproducing, the more detailed and rich sound you will enjoy from them. While the lower limit (Hz) lets you know how deep will the bass go on the speakers (clearly heard in drum, bass guitar, organon sections), the higher limit (kHz) shows how far they will reach in terms of high-frequency sound reproduction (cymbals and percussion, high notes in vocal parts, wind instruments).
FAQ:
Q: What is the difference between active and passive speakers?
A: First of all, active speakers have a built-in amplifier for their drivers while passive speakers do not have one. The second difference is that active speakers require an electric grounding for their input sockets and passive speakers, as a rule, operate without grounding. And, finally, the active type provides an advanced control over the amplifier and the sound of speakers in general, which allows you to adjust the speakers' loudness and tonal balance. With that, passive speakers, for the most part, do not provide such features.
Q: What inputs do speakers usually have?
A: Speakers come with inputs for an analog (continuous) signal, which can be of line in type (not amplified) and amplified type or combine both input types. At that, input signals can be fed to the speakers via wires with different types of connectors (for example, RCA connectors are used for computer and home speakers, while XLR or balanced ones for professional speakers). In modern home theaters, speakers can even use a wireless connection for receiving a digital signal.
Q: What is the difference between stereo speakers and subwoofers?
A: The stereo speakers are standalone pieces of audio equipment usually equipped with two or more drivers, which are capable of reproducing the sound of all frequencies of the audible range. A subwoofer comes with a dedicated low-frequency driver for reproducing the lows only. As a rule, subwoofer connects to a special output (if there is one) of your audio device (player, amplifier, and so on) and complements other speakers.
Q: Why do some speakers have tweeters located between two midrange drivers?
A: It is so because of the D'Appolito design (named after the inventor). The main idea is to reduce the phase displacement between medium and high frequencies (the aim is to achieve an ideal point-like source), and avoid spurious reflections from the floor. It is especially useful when your speakers are "tall".
Q: What is a ribbon tweeter?
A: A ribbon tweeter has a membrane made of very delicate and thin material. It is accordion-fold and moves corresponding to the current in the voice coil. In comparison with the usual dynamic dome, the ribbon twitter has a much greater effective area and speed of operation. As for the advantages, we would mention a wide diaphragm and the ability to reach extreme ranges (above 20 kHz). Talking about the minuses of such speakers, it is their high cost.
Q: Can the bookshelf speakers be mounted on the wall?
A: Bookshelf speaker wall mount is a very convenient option. It will save some place for other things. Some models have a wall mount while others do not. It is pretty easy to clarify just looking through a manual or asking a manufacturer (or you can find this information on an official website).
Sources:
1. Kristen Schaub Home stereo speakers buying guide, Crutchfield. December 05, 2016.
2. Joshua Crane Intro to home theater speakers, Crutchfield. March 20, 2017.
3. Caleb Denison How to buy speakers like a boss: A beginner’s guide to home audio, Digital Trends. January 26, 2015.
4. How to Buy Bookshelf Speakers, eBay. March 3, 2016.
5. How to: Choosing the correct speakers for a room, Klipsch.
6. Steve Guttenberg The dirty little secret about bookshelf speakers, CNET. March 21, 2015.
7. Andrew Murphy How to choose the right speakers, part one: research, What Hi-Fi? December 7, 2016.
8. Gary Altunian Important Factors to Consider Before Buying Stereo Speakers, Lifewire. March 28, 2017.
9. Gene DellaSala Bookshelf vs Tower Speakers: Which Should I Get? Audioholics. August 31, 2015.
10. How to Choose Speakers for a Bedroom, HowStuffWorks.
11. How to Shop for Speakers, wikiHow.