Can your bookshelf speakers be used to for Atmos speakers? You can set up Atmos in two ways. Even with existing speakers, it is still possible for you to use your current setup with Atmos. Despite this, it is still a very flawed approach for a few reasons.
Is it possible for bookshelf speakers to be used as Atmos speakers? The answer is yes. Once you have it set up, you can get the best sound quality possible. This tutorial will show you step by step how to set it up so you can be able to enjoy playing music using Dolby Atmos surround sound.
There is no greater feeling in the world than walking into a room that is filled with high quality sound. All coming from bookshelf speakers. Sound quality is important because you as an audiophile would want nothing more than to hear every little bit of detail coming out of those speakers.
You can use bookshelf speakers to listen to music, sound from movies or TV shows you’re watching. Or playing video games on your favorite console. Let’s dive right in and take a look now at this detailed tutorial so you can get Atmos quality sound in your own home.
What You Need for This Tutorial
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This tutorial will require the following:
Bookshelf speakers (Front and center speaker)
Subwoofer
Atmos-enabled modules
Step by Step Instructions on How to Set Up Bookshelf Speakers for Atmos
Now that you have everything you need for the tutorial, it’s time to get set up and ready to go. Let’s dive right in and show you step-by-step how to set up your Bookshelf Speakers for Atmos:
1. Set up the in-ceiling speakers
The first step is setting up your ceiling speakers. To do this, you’ll want to make sure you’re installing these in an area of your home will you’ll be mainly listening to your audio of choice. If you want to get the full on Atmos experience, it is highly recommended that you set up a second set of speakers on the ceiling.
You’ll want to place these behind the area where you’ll be sitting down. Keep in mind that this can be added to your current setup.
2. Add additional Atmos modules
The next thing you can do is set up speaker modules that are Atmos-enabled. These will have drivers that are angled and up-firing. You can place these on the top of your existing speakers.
For best results, you can place one of these modules on the right speaker or left speaker. Alternatively, you can also place them on the main speaker located in front of the viewing area. What kind of Atmos will you have for your speakers?
There are two different kinds of Atmos: ‘Real Deal’ and Virtual Atmos. The Real deal consists of ceiling speakers with the sound coming from the ceiling itself. These will have a rotating woofer along with a tweeter that swivels.
This will give you plenty of sound dispersion that you can control while providing you with plenty of coverage. Virtual Atmos on the other hand are forward-firing speakers that have extra drivers located at the top. This is designed to help sound bounce off the ceiling and down to your listening position.
Virtual Atmos speakers may replace your current front left and right speakers. In fact, many Atmos home theater systems will have the Virtual Atmos because it provides itself a better option compared to systems with in-ceiling speakers.
If you are looking for something cost-effective, you can find a version of virtual Atmos that is less expensive. You can use this while keeping your current speaker setup. Even if you won’t be able to afford some of the speakers with Virtual Atmos, not all hope is lost.
3. Angling your bookshelf speakers upward
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One thing you can also do is position the bookshelf speakers to where they can be pointed upward. This will allow the sound to fire upward. Place these speakers on top of the front speakers and angle them upwards.
The goal here is to get them to tilt at a right angle. This can be a challenge for the newbie setting things up. You can still find the best results based on the correct angle you set it to.
One of the things to keep in mind is the ceiling height, the coverage area, and the distance between the speakers and the listening position. This can be a great solution if you wish to forego the idea of replacing your front speakers or even adding on modules as described in step 2.
You can also save yourself the time that would otherwise would be spent on cutting holes and installing add on speakers or wall mounts. It’s possible to add speakers to get the best sound quality you can. But you need to make sure you have it set up properly or you won’t get it.
Conclusion
Did you enjoy this tutorial? If you followed this step-by-step, you should be able to get excellent quality sound using your favorite speakers. You’ll have the closest thing to a surround system experience with this setup.
Imagine having bookshelf speakers provide you with excellent quality sound without a complicated setup. No need to cut holes or purchase expensive equipment. You can experience the Dolby Atmos sound quality right in your own home.
With the right setup, your bookshelf speakers will become part of an even greater surround sound system that will up the movie and TV show viewing experience like nothing else. If you enjoyed this tutorial, we’d love to hear from you.
Feel free to leave a comment below discussing how you set up your speakers. We also would love to hear about the sound quality on your end. Your results may vary, but it never hurts to make adjustments to look for that perfect sound.
John Fleming is the senior editor for Audiophilez.com, covering everything from headphones to smart speakers. He is a graduate of Music Production and Technology. Before Audiophilez, John began his career as a staff writer for two different magazines, where he became a skilled storyteller across different mediums. When he isn’t writing, he can be found biking, reading books, and playing the piano.
DON’T you ever put your speakers on the floor. They are meant to rest on a shelf. Placing bookshelf speakers on the floor and the bass output will be boosted. They cannot be positioned anywhere in the room. These bookshelf speakers were meant to rest on a shelf. So placing bookshelf speakers any place excluding the floor is acceptable.
Bookshelf speakers cannot be placed on the floor. In fact, this is a rule for any speaker (with the exception of maybe large sized speakers). If you want excellent sound quality, you’ll want to place them somewhere else.
This tutorial will show you exactly where to put your bookshelf speaker. For best sound results, we’ll show you how to set it up so you can get it the most out of it. Speakers were meant to be set at ear level.
It is important that you check out this tutorial so you can properly set up your speakers. You won’t get the best sound quality from sitting your speakers on the floor. It would also be pointless since your speakers are for your ears, not your feet.
Let’s dive right in and show you how to follow this tutorial step-by-step.
What to Include in This Tutorial?
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For this tutorial, you’re going to need the following:
Bookshelf speakers
Speaker stands
Music
Amplifier
A preferred listening position
Actual bookshelf
Step by Step Guide on Properly Setting Up Bookshelf Speakers
Instead of setting up your bookshelf speakers on the floor, let this tutorial show you how to set it up the right way. Let’s get started with Step 1:
1. Prepare your room for the best listening experience
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The first step is preparing your room. You’ll want to find a place where your bookshelf speakers will be set up. Another thing to consider is how you are going to use them. Will this be part of a home theater system?
Or are you planning on setting this up to get the ultimate audio experience when you are having fun with friends during gaming or karaoke parties? Whatever the intent or purpose is, having the right setup is key.
You may consider setting up your bookshelf speakers on your desk, on speaker stands, or even an actual bookshelf. No matter what, the setup can get a little finicky. If you are using Bluetooth speakers, this can reduce this issue.
And it can make it less taxing since you won’t have to deal with any kind of wiring. You can follow the instructions to pair the speaker with the device you are trying to connect. Regardless, you’ll want to set things up to where it’s at ear level.
You should also position your speakers correctly to ensure better quality sound and frequencies. If you place the speakers too low (like on a floor), the sound will not reach your ears even if you sit on a regular chair. You will be able to hear the difference when you place the speakers on the floor for a moment before it reaches ear level.
Make sure the tweeters are positioned to where it can provide crisp sound and high frequencies. If you want excellent sound quality, you may want to refrain from placing your bookshelf speakers in certain parts of the room. For example, don’t place them up against a wall or place them in a corner.
You don’t want to sacrifice quality just because you want to save space or make your room aesthetically pleasing. Doing so will mask the frequencies produced by your speakers and it will make things hard to hear. Make sure that the bookshelf speakers are of equal distance from the side walls and about two to three feet away from the rear wall.
2. Balance the sound
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Audiophiles have a lingo for this. It’s known as ‘finding the sweet spot’. In order to balance the sound, you’ll want to find the best listening position in the room.
Nine times out of ten, the best place to find this is in the middle of the room. But you can find your living room couch to also be the ideal spot. You’ll want to place the bookshelf speakers on any side of the television.
Next, create an equal triangle between the speakers and the ideal listening spot. You may need to rearrange some things in order to get this to work. Check to see if the speakers are not far apart from one another. If they are too far from each other, this can affect the stereo image.
3. Check the angles
You may need to check the speakers by adjusting the angles. Make sure the speakers create a line that will intersect behind you. They should be far enough away to a point where they can be situated at a 60-degree angle.
You may need to adjust accordingly if needed.
4. Test and enjoy
Last but not least, take your seat and enjoy listening to your favorite music. You may want to listen for any issues with the sound quality. If you hear any smearing or reflections, you may need to make small adjustments.
Otherwise, if you notice any balances and can hear the instruments with ease, you should be all set. Sometimes, all it takes is small adjustments that will make the difference between clear sounds and something that may sound quite a bit out of place.
Conclusion
Did you enjoy this tutorial? It’s always a good idea to have your speakers positioned at ear level and not on the floor. You don’t want to do your high quality bookshelf speakers dirty, do you? Of course not.
Not only that, you don’t want to cheat yourself out of listening to excellent sound. All you need to do is set up your speakers in your favorite room and you’re guaranteed to get those heavenly sounds each time.
If you liked this tutorial and it has helped you out, let us know. Leave us a comment regarding your experience.
John Fleming is the senior editor for Audiophilez.com, covering everything from headphones to smart speakers. He is a graduate of Music Production and Technology. Before Audiophilez, John began his career as a staff writer for two different magazines, where he became a skilled storyteller across different mediums. When he isn’t writing, he can be found biking, reading books, and playing the piano.
You can turn any pair of passive bookshelf speakers into computer speakers. You could use them for excellent sound when you are working or gaming. Bookshelf speakers are larger than many computer speakers. You can wire them to make sure you get the sound you want.
Do you have a computer that needs the best sound quality? You can take bookshelf speakers and put them together. This guide will contain a step-by-step tutorial on how you can set it all up.
This tutorial should be of interest to you since your desktop or laptop could use a bit of an audio upgrade. Once set up, you’ll be able to get sound quality that will be much better than what the computer’s standalone sound system can offer. This is important to follow because you may not get the richest sound quality from such a setup.
Having excellent sound quality when gaming can give you the immersive experience. You’ll be able to take in the sights, sounds, and scenes of your favorite game. Whether you’re playing online multiplayer or a solo mission, you’ll get to experience something like no other.
Let’s take a look now at this in-depth guide so you can create a powerhouse of a sound system for your computer.
What You Will Need for This Tutorial
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In this tutorial, you will need the following:
A computer (laptop or pc computer)
Bookshelf speakers
3.5 mm to RCA cable
External desktop amplifier
Step by Step Tutorial on Setting Up Passive Bookshelf Speakers for Your Computer
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There are two different types of bookshelf speakers: passive and active. For the first part of this tutorial, we’ll start with how you can connect passive bookshelf speakers. Let’s begin:
1. Connect the speakers to the external amplifier
The first thing you’ll want to do is connect the speakers to your external desktop amplifer. To do this, you’re going to need to connect the left speaker wires into its corresponding terminal into the amplifier. Next, do the same with the right speaker wires.
After this, connect the other ends of the wires into their respective speakers (left wire goes into the left speaker, right into the right speaker). Double check to see if the connections are in the right place before you move onto the next step.
2. Connect the sound system to the PC
With the sound system now connected, your next task will be to connect it to your PC or laptop. For this, you will need to use a 3.5mm RCA plug cable. Connect the RCA cable’s two pins into the amplifier’s left and right channels.
Alternatively, you can utilize the AUX input of the amplifier if you choose to do so. You’ll want to connect the 3.5mm port of the amplifier to the PC’s 3.5mm port. next, take the other end of the RCA cable and connect it to the PC.
Last but not least, connect the power cable to your external amplifier and switch on the power.
3. Test the sound system out
Your final task will be to check to see if the system is properly connected. To do this, you can play a YouTube video or play your favorite song. Either way, you’ll want to make sure that the sound is coming out of the bookshelf speakers you are using for your computer.
You may need to go to your computer’s audio settings and check to see if the output is selected. You may have to switch to the name of the amplifier as your audio’s output since the computer’s desktop speakers are considered the default setting. Once this is switched, you can double check to see if the sound is coming out of it using the same testing method as above.
Connecting Active Bookshelf Speakers to Your Computer
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The setup above is used for passive bookshelf speakers. If you have active bookshelf speakers, you will need to follow this step-by-step guide below to set things up. Active bookshelf speakers will have its own power supply because of a built in amplifier that it has.
Let’s take a look now at the following setup instructions:
1. Determine your connectivity options
Active bookshelf speakers can be connected either by Bluetooth, RCA, 3.5mm, or a coaxial among others. If you are looking for an affordable choice, you can consider powered speakers. The setup will depend on the available connection it may have.
So if it’s Bluetooth compatible, you will need to follow the pair setup instructions. Which means you can allow your computer to search for the device while the speakers are in pairing mode. Otherwise, the RCA and 3.5mm setup will be similar to the instructions above.
2. Check to see if your speakers are either passive or active
The best way to determine this is by turning each speaker around. If you see any red and black inputs with binding posts, those are passive bookshelf speakers. Active bookshelf speakers will have audio input ports and a power plug. They will also have adjustment controls for the bass, treble, and volume.
Final Thoughts
Did you like this tutorial? Setting up a better sound system will work wonders for your computer. Especially if you’re setting up bookshelf speakers.
Setting it up is easier than you think. Before you know it, you’ll be able to get the best sound quality possible. It will go well beyond what your PC’s sound card or PC speakers can be able to do.
You’ll want to make sure that your speakers are either passive or active. Because it can determine the type of setup that you will need to follow as listed above. Either way, it’s simple to set up and you can enjoy the sounds of your favorite music, game, and more.
If you liked this tutorial, we’d love to hear from you. Comment below to let us know your experience with this and give us the details on how awesome the sound quality has changed compared to the default setup.
John Fleming is the senior editor for Audiophilez.com, covering everything from headphones to smart speakers. He is a graduate of Music Production and Technology. Before Audiophilez, John began his career as a staff writer for two different magazines, where he became a skilled storyteller across different mediums. When he isn’t writing, he can be found biking, reading books, and playing the piano.
Bookshelf speakers are ideal for amplifying the sound of your television and allowing you to immerse yourself in whatever is happening on your screen.
If you’ve recently purchased one of these incredible speakers, then your next question might be: “How to connect my bookshelf speakers to the TV?”
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Whether you bought them for watching movies or listening to music, these speakers are going to ensure you don’t miss a single moment of entertainment.
This article will walk you through some easy steps on how to connect bookshelf speakers to the audio output on your television.
What to Know Before Connecting Your Speakers
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First things first, always keep your manuals close at hand. After setting up their speakers, many people simply throw their manuals away. These guides will come in handy if you don’t know the correct audio port or what to do with your speakers.
If you’ve put the manuals in the bin, or you don’t know where they are, not to worry, you can still download them online from the manufacturer’s website.
Remember that you’ll need to configure your TV settings and prepare it to use your speakers instead. In case you don’t find these options on your television, not to worry, you can still use your speakers without the settings.
Bookshelf Speakers Specifications
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If you want to use these bookshelf speakers as your primary speakers, it’s important to know their technical terminologies and what they mean. So, here’s are some key specifications to keep an eye out for when shopping for a bookshelf speaker:
Hertz
If the hertz of the speakers isn’t that high, know that the speakers are going to produce a lot of booms. In a nutshell, lower hertz equals heavier bass.
Watts
If you require more outputs, look for speakers with high watt numbers. You can expect more output if the number is higher. These outputs will come in handy when connecting these speakers to an amplifier or TV.
Drivers
The woofers (the bass producers) and tweeters (the high-frequency producers) are the two primary components of a bookshelf speaker.
Expect better quality and full-range sounds if your speakers include a third mid-range driver attached to them.
How to Connect Bookshelf Speakers to TV Without a Receiver?
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The first thing you should know is that bookshelf speakers come as either wireless or wired. If your bookshelf speaker supports Bluetooth connectivity, then the connection process will be a breeze.
If you’ve got a pair of Bluetooth speakers, all you have to do is turn them on and pair them with your television. To do that:
Turn on the speakers and make sure they are in pairing mode.
Head to your TV settings, go to the Bluetooth settings options and search for a new device.
Select your speakers on the list to pair them and hook them up with your TV.
Your speakers should work perfectly now. If there’s no sound from your speakers, try changing your TV’s default audio option.
How to Connect an Older TV to Your Bookshelf Speakers
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As complex as this might sound, connecting a wired speaker to your TV takes more time and requires more effort to get it done.
The set-up process will be much easier if you have a modern TV because most modern TVs include an optical input port for connecting various devices. Fortunately, most bookshelf speakers support this input too.
If both devices support optical cables, all you need to do is plug in one end of the cable to the back of your speaker and the other end to your TV. Double-check the ports on your speakers/ TV before making a purchase.
If you have an older speaker or TV, it’s possible they do not support optical cables. In that case, then here’s how to connect both devices easily:
Depending on the cable availability of your speaker, you may need either a 3.5mm stereo plug or an RCA cable.
If you’ve got the right cables, next, you need to hook them to the right audio port.
Connect one set of inputs on your speaker cabinet to the proper audio output from the back of your TV (usually green).
If your speakers support both front and back outputs, then connect that same audio output to the front inputs on your speaker cabinet.
The other set of connectors will go directly to your speaker’s cabinet or directly into an amplifier (in case you are using one)
Now take your yellow RCA cables and connect one end to your TV and the other end to your speaker.
If you still have any red or white wires left, then match the cables on both devices to the input labeled “Video” or “TV.”
To avoid the hassle of tracing cables while connecting your bookshelf speaker to the television, choose a speaker that supports Bluetooth connectivity. They’re a lot easier to set up, and you can connect them to your smartphone or any other Bluetooth device with ease.
How to Connect Bookshelf Speakers to TV with a Receiver?
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Using a receiver to connect both devices is way more straightforward, and it gives room for future upgrades. Make sure that your receiver supports standard speaker outputs.
Both receivers and AV receivers typically include Left and Right outputs on the back of the unit and a Subwoofer output.
If all of these are available, connect each side to one of the corresponding speakers via speaker wire (Left should match the left one, and Right should match the right one).
Now, if your receiver or other devices support only a Front Speaker Output, you will need to use your wires to match the left input from this output into the LFE’s left input. Make sure you do the same for the right outputs too. And you’re done!
If you mix things up by mistake and put the Left to the Right, don’t worry, as your speaker will still produce the sound you need.
How to Position a Bookshelf Speaker?
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Is there a general rule for positioning these speakers? Well, not really. Your speakers will work fine as long as you don’t treat them carelessly or allow anything to obstruct them.
Here are a few tips to help you get your speakers to work the way you want them to:
Stay Focused
The first thing to think about is where you want to put these speakers. Do you want them close to a large window or near your sofa? Whatever the location, make sure they are not too close to a wall or window.
Use your Clock Hand
Most people angle their speakers at 10 o’clock and 2 o’clock – this works perfectly and gives you the ideal height and sound.
Leave Spaces
Keep your speakers at least 50 cm away from your walls as a general rule of thumb. Similarly, if the speakers are on a shelf, try to leave some air and space around them to minimize undesirable changes in the low frequencies.
Conclusion
The best way to maximize the sound of whatever content you are streaming on your TV is to connect your bookshelf speakers to your TV. These speakers are a great way to experience the thrill of whatever you are watching or listening to.
Connecting both devices is easy as most TVs use optical ports, making the connection process a breeze. You can connect your speakers to your TV via Bluetooth or using wires, and a receiver is also another alternative to make the connection process more straightforward. However, if you don’t feel like getting one, your speakers will still work great anyway.
John Fleming is the senior editor for Audiophilez.com, covering everything from headphones to smart speakers. He is a graduate of Music Production and Technology. Before Audiophilez, John began his career as a staff writer for two different magazines, where he became a skilled storyteller across different mediums. When he isn’t writing, he can be found biking, reading books, and playing the piano.
Bookshelf speakers can get pretty expensive for some of the high end options and really popular brands. The good news is that you don’t necessarily have to spend hundreds upon hundreds of dollars to get decent studio sound quality from bookshelf speakers.
You can find great bookshelf speakers under 200 and there are actually quite a few options out there. Of course, there are a lot of great options for higher dollar amounts too but if you’re tied to a lower budget, you’re not just out of luck.
If you would like to explore options in other price ranges, take a look at our more comprehensive Best Bookshelf Speakers article.
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Take a look at this guide to see our top picks for the best bookshelf speakers under 200 and more!
What to Look for in a Bookshelf Speaker
Before we start looking at the options, let’s take a moment to talk about what you might want to look for in bookshelf speakers in this price range. You can get great quality but you also need to be realistic about your expectations.
What to Expect From Speakers Under 200
Here’s the thing. Spending a little less doesn’t always mean that you have to sacrifice sound. It does mean that the materials may be less expensive or that you might not be able to get high quality audio in a huge space.
When it comes to speakers under 200 you simply want to look for clear sound. These are typically best suited to medium sized rooms and smaller. They can also build on the sound that you already have if you’re trying to improve your setup with other speakers already in place.
Power
As speakers get less expensive, the amount of power they operate with typically goes down. This means you shouldn’t expect the highest power from speakers under 200. On that same note, you should be able to get powered bookshelf speakers that have more power or better power than say $100 speakers.
It’s not always just the wattage number that will reflect the power of the speaker or the total listening experience. These more affordable speakers sometimes get creative so that you get high quality sound regardless of the power.
Look at how the speaker handles the power. How does the speaker transition or crossover in the frequency response range? Sometimes these work together to give you better sound with a lower amount of power.
It’s All About the Bass. Or Is It?
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Ok – bass probably isn’t the only important element but let’s face it. Most people who purchase bookshelf speakers, or any speakers really, are concerned with the bass. It’s simply a part of the sound experience, right?
Here’s the thing. Heavy bass does not always mean a better speaker or even high quality sound. You will find that some of the bookshelf speakers under 200 make a habit of giving you heavy bass because impactful bass might cover up other sound issues in the audio setup.
You want the speakers to sound good on all levels and not just be heavy bass. You also don’t want to deal with unwanted vibrations because the only focus of the speakers is bass rather than total audio quality.
Of course, you want clear bass but you really want tonal balance and defined sound as well.
Overall Design
Finally, simply take a look at the overall design. You may notice things on the speaker that aren’t quite as snazzy as expensive speakers but they should still be built with nice quality that looks good. The rear panel doesn’t have to be fancy but you do want the part that everyone will be able to see to look nice.
Remember that these are designed to be bookshelf models and they need to look the part, right? They don’t have to be fancy or take up too much space but you also don’t want them to be tacky or downright ugly, right?
Many bookshelf speakers are designed to enhance a space but you will find that some of the less expensive surround speaker options are also just plain and simple (but still great).
The Best Bookshelf Speakers Under 200 Reviewed
Now – you know what you can count on in speakers in this price range. You might be surprised to find that there are really a lot of speaker options in this category. Of course, they are not all great bookshelf speakers but that’s where we come in.
We’ve sorted and researched through the options to try to narrow it down for you. We hope that you can find something here that will work for your needs. Take a look at our top picks below.
1. Best Overall:Edifier R1280DB Powered Bluetooth Bookshelf Speakers
First up, we have our best overall choice from Edifier. These are a top-rated option on the market with 4.5 stars and more than 3,400 ratings on Amazon. They’re a popular choice and it’s really clear to see why. You have bookshelf speakers with style here. You can choose from basic black or get the wood grain if you really want the best bookshelf speakers under 200 with a classic look and awesome sound quality.
These are Bluetooth speakers active speakers so you can connect them however you like. The right speaker is the active speaker of the two and the combination gives you natural sound reproduction and a high range frequency response.
These do come with a remote control just to make it that much easier to enjoy. You will find a silk dome tweeter plus other sound additions, including a woofer to give you the best sound possible. These powered speakers provide digital signal processing as well, which is a nice addition. The rear firing port connects to optical and coaxial inputs.
What you get here is warm sound and dynamic range control. They make a great standalone option as powered speakers or added to your sound systems to enhance them. These are powerful bookshelf speakers and they look really great too.
Editor’s Rating: 4.7
Key Features (On a scale of 1-10, 10 being the highest)
Power: 10
Range: 10
Size: 10
Connection: 10
Specs:
Power Output:
21 watts each +21 RMS
Range:
55 Hz – 20 kHz
Impedance:
8 ohm
Speaker dimensions:
5.75 x 9.5 x 7 inches
Pros:
Bluetooth connection for versatile use
Great sound and classy style
Perfect for medium sized rooms
The sound waves are clear and concise
Comparable to expensive speakers in many ways
Cons:
The remote control is hard to read and use
Doesn’t always pick up soft sounds as well as better speakers
Why We Like It: This speaker pair stands out to us because it looks great and it works great. The dome tweeter adds the perfect sound. You can also easily pair these with your home theater system for an all around good sound. The power handling is phenomenal.
If you really want a good budget speaker for a turntable or digital tunes, check out this option from Moukey. As far as the audio market is concerned, this is a great choice with plenty to offer for music or a home theater and everything in between. These sport 1-inch treble and a 5-inch bass extension in a dedicated subwoofer.
The combination allows you to get treble when you need it and bass when you need it for a wider frequency range. The midrange dome finishes off the main speaker setup to give you a quality listening experience. The frequency response really is impressive for the price of these best bookshelf speakers under 200.
There’s no rubber surround here. These speakers are placed into handcrafted wooden boxes that look great. From musical instruments to high definition movie experiences, you really can’t go wrong with these bookshelf speakers. These are small speakers compared to some but not really and they can easily cover a medium space.
The dome tweeter even has a little bit of gold accent to add a little something to the look. This aluminum tweeter sounds great. Finally, this company used advanced crossover components and dual RCA output to help really pull out the power in the sound.
Editor’s Rating: 4.5
Key Features (On a scale of 1-10, 10 being the highest)
Power: 10
Range: 10
Size: 10
Connection: 10
Specs:
Power Output:
100 Watts
Range:
20 Hz – 20 kHz
Impedance:
8 ohm
Speaker dimensions:
8.1 x 6.5 x 10.8 inches
Pros:
Dome tweeter has some added color to the piece
The wooden frames are handmade
Enhanced crossover components for more power
Mid range drivers provide clear frequency response
Passive speaker setup with impressive sound quality
Cons:
Since these are passive, you may need an amplifier to really enjoy them which can be an added cost
Why We Like It: These best bookshelf speakers under 200 stand out to us for the price and the overall quality. They’re passive so you get some added versatility options. These have an awesome frequency response range for the price and the sound is really nice.
3. Best Value: Klipsch R-41 M Powerful Bookshelf Speaker
The Klipsch bookshelf speakers are a really great pair equipped with dynamic balance drivers. If you want the best bang for your buck, this might be what you’re looking for. You can buy just the pair or you can get the pair plus 100 feet of wire, whatever you need.
The dome tweeter on these is not a silk dome tweeter but still a light and reliable material. The woofers have a very nice copper layer that really looks great on the speaker if you want something sleek and stylish for your space. It’s 4-inch spun cooper in an IMG woofer so it really doesn’t get much better than that, does it?
When you compare to other speakers, you will notice that these best bookshelf speakers have two active auxiliary speakers. Both of them have the same tweeters and woofers and a matching design overall. They are high power with a facing bass reflex port. They work great as a standalone or as part of a home theater.
The compatible crossover in the back helps you to really enhance the power with a maximum output of 200 watts. The sensitivity is really great at 90dB. Finally, that dome tweeter is a high resolution terylene tweeter with a 90 x 90 square Tractrix horn.
Editor’s Rating: 4.4
Key Features (On a scale of 1-10, 10 being the highest)
Power: 10
Range: 9
Size: 10
Connection: 10
Specs:
Power Output:
200 Watts
Range:
68 Hz – 20 kHz
Impedance:
8 ohm
Speaker dimensions:
7.87 x 5.75 x 11.3 inches
Pros:
Listen to rich acoustics or hearty bass
Really great design that looks nice
Unique copper IMG woofers
Well-constructed tweeters
Phenomenal sound all around
Cons:
The box is really the only thing lacking and not made with the highest quality materials
Why We Like It: We like that these are sturdy and reliable. They have great style and really great sound with enhanced connections to give you some of the best power you will find in this price range. They’re an awesome value for the money.
Polk Audio is a really popular brand in this price range. Their bookshelf speakers are simple but reliable and have more than 8,000 reviews on Amazon with a 4.7 rating overall. These speakers offer a quality frequency range with an active speaker setup. They operate on a mid range driver and you get the exclusive Polk power port you won’t find on any other brand.
These really do offer superior sound that is immersive as surround sound. You can pair them with your theater setup or simply use them as bookshelf speakers instead. They do have a keyhole slot on the back so you can hang them on the wall if you want to.
That exclusive Polk audio port we talked about is gold-plated with a pair of 5-way binding posts. This connection gives you really nice sound. These don’t have anything super fancy or special to the style but they still look nice and the wood grain in black is sleek and modern.
The silk dome tweeter is .75 inches with a dynamic balance driver to perfect the bass and balance among the frequencies. These are compatible with AV receivers and even analog inputs. Basically, you will find the quality on these stands out in comparison to some of the best high end options out there.
Editor’s Rating: 4.4
Key Features (On a scale of 1-10, 10 being the highest)
Power: 10
Range: 10
Size: 10
Connection: 10
Specs:
Power Output:
100 Watts
Range:
60 Hz – 24 kHz
Impedance:
8 ohm
Speaker dimensions:
7.3 x 6.5 x 10.7 inches
Pros:
Polk Audio is impressive in many ways
Brand specific plug ins that are unique to Polk
Quality sound all around
Pairs well with home systems
Simple and spectacular all at the same time
Cons:
The bass has very little punchiness to it, leading to some tinny sounds
Why We Like It: We love a brand that takes ingenuity and thought to try to bring you something great for an even better price. Polk has done just that. These speakers are simple but work really well with good sound considering the price of the speakers
Sony is a brand we all recognize and they’ve always made great products. These speakers are just another quality option from the brand and well worth taking a look at. It’s a 3-way speaker with a bass reflex system. The woofer is large with foamed mica. it also has a 1-inch polyester tweeter as part of the setup design.
These speakers are enhanced with the Sony super tweeter so that sound is immersive but also clear and concise. The sound reproduction has a heavy range compared to some of the other models and it really delivers on all counts.
Sony uses a crossover component design to help you get the most powerful sound. It’s a simple connection but it lends to quality to make maximum use of the power without giving up any of the quality of the sound. This is an impressive approach to really find the balance in the sound and it typically works well.
These speakers have lower impedance than the others with 6 ohms. The audio is clear and high resolution, which is the ultimate combination when you look at speakers in this price range, right? The design itself is simple and yet will look nice in any space.
Editor’s Rating: 4.3
Key Features (On a scale of 1-10, 10 being the highest)
Power: 10
Range: 9
Size: 10
Connection: 10
Specs:
Power Output:
100 Watts
Range:
53 to 50,000 Hz
Impedance:
6 ohm
Speaker dimensions:
7 1/8 x 13 1/4 x 8 3/4 inches
Pros:
Sony super tweeter technology
Clear and concise sound
Crossover connections to get more out of the power
Simple design that will fit in anywhere
Easy to connect to full systems
Cons:
These speakers pair well with others but they sometimes cut out or skip on deep tones because of a more limited frequency range.
Why We Like It: This simple speakers system really works pretty nicely for the price. The connections are solid and the sound is great for the most part. We like the simple design and the quality noise plus the Sony touches that really bring the whole package together.
Finally, we leave you with one last option for the best bookshelf speakers under 200. Bestisan is designed to give you sound just like if you were in the studio. It has RCA and auxiliary connections and it is Bluetooth compatible so you get just a little bit more versatility from the system. You can stream music without having to worry about connections, which is definitely nice.
These have a built-in 13 mm dome tweeter of silk. They have a classic wood grain framing that looks really great. You also get a remote so you can easily control your speakers using a remote and it’s super easy and convenient.
The best part about these is they are pretty easy to set up. You can connect easily and you can even pair them with other parts of a system, like a sound bar. It doesn’t matter what you are listening to or watching, you will have really nice sound and it’s super easy, which speaks for itself really.
Editor’s Rating: 4.2
Key Features (On a scale of 1-10, 10 being the highest)
Power: 8
Range: 10
Size: 10
Connection: 10
Specs:
Power Output:
50 Watts
Range:
40 Hz to 20 kHz
Impedance:
6 ohm
Speaker dimensions:
7 1/8 x 13 1/4 x 8 3/4 inches
Pros:
Wood grain style that looks great
Connects with Bluetooth
Very easy to work with
Very modern and nice
Remote control works well
Cons:
Some people had issues with the Bluetooth not always connecting to certain devices
Why We Like It: If you want something that costs less but sounds just as good as the big guys, this could be it. It has amazing sound for what it is. It’s pretty impressive in the sound department and it looks very nice too.
You’ve seen the options but how can you possibly choose right? What we do know about this set of choices is that they are all under $200. What you will find is that they all still have a lot of variation to them.
We’ve put together this buyer’s guide to try to help guide you. This is different from the “what to look for” we shared earlier but rather focused on things you will want to consider about your own needs before you buy.
Materials
When it comes to buying “cheap” speakers, you don’t want to give up quality for the price. Ultimately, this may mean that some of the basic materials used are cheaper but the end result is still good. However, you will want to watch the materials and the overall style of the speakers to make sure they fit what you’re looking for.
For example, some speakers have that wood grained finish. This looks nice in any space but it also doesn’t always match people’s decor or design styles. There are also a lot of black speakers and even different colors of speakers in some options.
Black speakers are pretty common and will usually pair with other equipment you might be using.
From there, you want to be sure that the materials used complement the design. If you can determine what the frame is made out of as well as things like the tweeters and woofers, this can be helpful to identify whether or not the materials are still good quality.
Connections
Another thing that you’re going to want to keep in mind is the connections that are provided with the speaker as well as what you may or may not be connecting to. If you plan to connect to an amplifier, a sound bar, or some other device, you want to be sure that it’s going to be compatible with the speakers that you choose.
Most of the time you can make things compatible by using the write cords and adapters but it’s still a good idea to check this out just to be certain. Not all speakers have the same types of connections or even the same connection design.
Take note of the connections and what you may need as it’s possible you will have to purchase additional cables to make things work as well.
Sizes and Dimensions
When you’re choosing your speakers, take note that you might need a specific size or something that fits into a specific space. You will notice that we shared the dimensions on each pair that we listed here. It’s up to you to make sure the speakers will fit into the space you’re planning for them.
There is no specific standard to speaker sizes so be sure to measure your space to ensure the speakers you choose are going to fit appropriately.
In addition to making sure the speaker dimensions will work for your space, you also need to make sure the speakers will work for the size of the room you use them in. We did mention earlier that speakers in this range are typically best for small to medium rooms but that is not always the perfect case.
Take note of the room you are filling with sound and check that against the ability of the speakers you’re considering.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Actually Get Good Cheap Bookshelf Speakers?
Yes!! You absolutely can. Now, if you compare speakers that are under $200 to speakers that are $600 you probably will notice a difference in overall sound but that doesn’t mean you can’t find good speakers for this price range. You can get cheap speakers that really do work very nicely.
Remember that purchasing on a budget doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice great sounds and reliable quality. It just means you may have to pay closer attention to be sure your sound needs are met!
What Are Bookshelf Speakers Used For?
These speakers are named such because they were designed to be put on a bookshelf – or a shelf of some kind. Many of them also can be hung on the walls. You certainly do not HAVE to put them on a bookshelf. They are designed to help maximize the sound of whatever you might be listening to. This is why some people use them with sound systems and some people use them just as a standalone.
Can You Lay Bookshelf Speakers on Their Side?
Generally speaking, bookshelf speakers are meant to be vertical when placed. While it might seem like no big deal, laying them on their side when they aren’t designed for that could actually have a negative impact on your sound.
If you do want speakers you can lay on their side, you will need to specifically look for speakers that are made for this type of setup. Bookshelf speakers are rarely made for this.
Conclusion
We hope that you find this guide to be a valuable resource for finding speakers to fit your needs. Whether you have a tight budget or simply just don’t want to spend a ton of money on speakers, you can find some really great options in this price range.
Which speakers did you add to your cart?
Expert Tip
You can often improve sound by pairing speakers with an amplifier. For some of these, it’s not required but it might just give your sound a little something extra.
Did You Know?
Did you know that an improved connection can make a lot of difference for speakers with less power? If they have enhanced connection, you’re likely to improve the overall sound that you’re hearing.
John Fleming is the senior editor for Audiophilez.com, covering everything from headphones to smart speakers. He is a graduate of Music Production and Technology. Before Audiophilez, John began his career as a staff writer for two different magazines, where he became a skilled storyteller across different mediums. When he isn’t writing, he can be found biking, reading books, and playing the piano.
