Best Bookshelf Speakers under $200 for your Home Theatre System

Bookshelf speakers are an essential component of your home theatre system. They come in a wide array of designs and styles. It is not easy to find the best bookshelf speakers under $200. There are both good and bad brands on the market. This is why we will help you choose the best product in this review article + buying guide.

As the name indicates, the bookshelf speakers have an elevated position. You cannot place them on the floor. The bookshelf speaker’s design allows it to maximize the sound. It is placed at a normal ear height.

The height at which these speakers are placed or position affect the sound and avoid distortion. There is no need to spend more money to get a sophisticated bookshelf speaker system these days. Today, we find a lot of high-quality products.

So, without further ado, let us tell you about the best bookshelf speakers under $200. From the reviewed product, you can choose the perfect speaker for yourself. Read on!

Quick Picks

Top Bookshelf Speaker Product Reviews

There are many bookshelf speaker brands available on the market. However, it is not always easy to find the best one. Here are the top picks for your home theatre system.

#1 – Fluance Signature Series – Best Surround Sound Bookshelf Speakers

Fluance Signature Series has a 5 inches midrange woofer made from glass fiber. It has a black dome center. The speaker has a soft rubber surround, which helps absorb movements. Fluance Signature Series Bookshelf Speaker is attractive because of the unique style and design. The soft yellow color adds a good touch of design chic.

The neodymium tweeter captures high frequencies with clarity. On each side, there is a bass port, which is dual tuned. The speakers produce sound free from distortions due to the well-crafted cabinets. The power rating of the Fluance Signature series is 120 watts. Also, it has a 60Hz to 20 kHz frequency response.

Fluance Signature Series has a compact design measuring 12.8 inches x 7.87 inches x 8.22 inches, which makes them lightweight. The weight of each speaker is less than 10 pounds. The sound of the speaker is awesome – and is comfortable in the stereo system and home theatre setup.

Fluance Signature Series is an excellent product in every aspect. They are also affordable and thus provide good value for your money.

Pros

• Nice design
• High-quality material
• Great sound
• Affordable price

Cons

• None

#2 – BIC America DV62si – Top Stereo Bookshelf Speakers

BIC America DV62si has a simple design and has measure 8.9 inches x 14.8 inches x 9.1 inches. The weight of BIC America Bookshelf Speakers is 15 pounds. Thus, they are not suitable for wall mounting.

Also, the cabinet of the speaker has a basic design and it contains a removable front grille. It has 6.5 inches graphite woofer. The dome tweeter is soft and is Ferrofluid cooled. The speaker also has a rear bass port.

The frequency response of the speakers is quite decent, which is 43 Hz to 20 kHz. So, this is wide and can accommodate a good depth on the bass. They can also manage high frequencies adequately.

BIC America DV62si bookshelf speakers are highly suitable for stereo systems. It is because of the decent low-frequency response and the wide frequency range allow doing so. Also, the range of frequency suggests that these speakers work well for the home theatre system as well.

These speakers have a black laminated finish designed to accent the imitation wood grain. The design is fitted with the home’s décor. For many users, these are the best budget bookshelf speakers.

Pros

• Good build
• Wide frequency range
• Very affordable

Cons

• Some users do not like the cabinet design

#3 – Pioneer SP-BS22-LR – Top Sound System Bookshelf Speakers

Pioneer SP-BS22-LR bookshelf speakers have 80 watts of output. The driver size is small, which is 4 inches. However, they have over-sized magnets supported by 1-inch soft-dome tweeter. Thus, the speakers produce a realistic and high-quality sound due to the crossover design.

These bookshelf speakers have a unique design as there are 6 complex separations to produce a more defined sound. The sound of Pioneer bookshelf speakers makes them in the higher price bracket. When it comes to quality, they are second to none.

The cabinets have a curved design, which is not aesthetically attractive. However, this design is useful in getting rid of the cabinet of standing waves. As a result, you have a clearer and better-uncluttered sound.

The compact size of the speakers’ measurements is 8.4 inches x 7.1 inches x 12.6 inches. These speakers have accentuated grain patterns on the finish. You can use them with the grille and also you can mount them on the wall. Overall, these are good speakers for the bookshelf category under $200.

Pros

• Very well designed
• High-level performance
• Affordable

Cons

• Some users may not like the cabinet finish

#4 – Polk Audio TSi100 – Ideal Speakers for Home Theatre System

Polk Audio TSi100 bookshelf speakers are ideal for your home cinema or theatre system. For a bookshelf design, Polk Audio has a compact size of 10 inches x 7 inches x 11 inches. The weight of the speaker is 10 pounds, which makes them ideal speakers. They have good fittings allowing you to mount them on the wall.

The design is very basic but it looks good with and without the front grille. These are 2-way backported-designed speakers, which means the sound benefits from not being placed closer to the wall.

Some users think that there are not the highest-quality speakers produced by the Company “Polk” – however, they provide excellent value for money. TSi100 is well-designed and well-built with front grilles on or off.

The visual is even more attractive when you remove the front grilles. The primary attention is the 5 inches composite woofer, which is fitted in the cabinet and has a surround made of rubber material.

So much so, above it is a 1-inch polymer and silk dome tweeter. Together, they produce 30 watts of RMS output. This sounds good for an average size room but for a large room, this is not enough. The frequency response ranges between 53 Hz and 25 kHz. They have a gold-plated connection, which ensures secure connectivity and no corrosion.

Pros

• Nice design
• High-quality sound
• Affordable

Cons

• Not loud in a large room

#5 – JBL Arena B15 – Versatile Bookshelf Home Speaker System

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JBL is a popular audio product brand with many well-known and best-selling speaker products. JBL, in particular, has become the symbol of status for a guitar amp. JBL Arena B15 has an interesting design. It has an ordinary-looking front grille.

The first thing you notice is the 5 and a half inch subwoofer. Above it is a 1-inch tweeter with a soft horn-shaped dome. Together, they provide a powerful 100 watts of power.

The cabinet is made of plastic and has a woodgrain effect. This gives a very neutral appearance when the grille is in place. Some will like it. They are 8.58 inches x 18.5 x 16.5 inches and are slightly larger than some. When used on a shelf, it weighs less than 18 pounds, not lightweight.

The back of the cabinet incorporates a wall-mounted system. This is easy for those who want to put them on the wall, not on shelves. Functions as a standard speaker for bookshelves and home theaters.

Pros

• Great Design
• High-quality bass
• Affordable

Cons

• Poor Low Frequencies

#6 – Edifier R1280DB – Best Bluetooth Bookshelf Speakers

These speakers are Bluetooth enabled. You can enjoy music wirelessly by connecting to a smartphone or tablet. Works on iOS and Android devices. There are also coaxial and optical inputs that provide connectivity to most laptops and computers.

Of course, the sound quality is high. However, the remote control is a bit different and that is the difference between the speakers and the 1280T. The letters D and B in the name can mean digital and Bluetooth.

Interestingly, Edifier provided you with the choice to use essentially the same Bluetooth speaker system. Some people do not need a Bluetooth connection. Therefore, the “T” version is for them. Those who consider this the most advantageous would go for these speakers.

These speakers represent excellent cost-effectiveness, as there is little difference between price categories. It also has a 4-inch woofer and a 1/2-inch dome tweeter. They generate 40W RMS power and have a frequency range of 55Hz to 20KHz. Built-in volume, low and high frequency same as the speaker control panel.

Pros

• Quality build
• Good sound
• Bluetooth connection
• Affordable Price

Cons

• None

#7 – Polk Audio RTI A1 – Power Port technology speakers

Polk is a popular audio company, which has a sophisticated reputation for speaker systems. They are powerful with rugged hard-wearing design. These speakers are both cost-effective and affordable.

The design is interesting with a slight curve on the sides. Not only are they stylish but can also decrease resonance in the side panels. The speakers are made of fiberboard and there is no inclusion of real wood. The fiberboard is a sturdy material for the build of these speakers due to its density.

There is a five-and-quarter inch cone woofer inside the cabinet. Also, there is a 1-inch silk dome tweeter. The bass port is located on the rear side. The high frequencies of the speakers are both sharp and crisp. Also, the mids are clear. The bass, in particular, is are surprisingly very prominent. Although it is mainly designed for the bookshelf, you can also mount them easily on the wall.

These are decent speakers and have a lot of positive points. When it comes to performance levels, these are matchless. The price is also affordable. So, if you want something unique, these are your go-to speakers.

Pros

• Simple and Plain Design
• Decent sound
• Excellent Low Frequency
• Affordable

Cons

• None

#8 – Sony SSCS5 – Top 3-way design Home Speaker System

Sony SSCS5 is the overall best bookshelf speaker on our list of best bookshelf speakers under $200. They do not have fiberboard MDF material. Instead, Sony has used solid wood to make this product. They have a good inner frame design, which is solid enough to make them sturdy. The design and materials allow the cabinet to absorb unwanted vibration and resonance.

The 3-way design of the cabinet with 5-quarter inches foam has reinforced woofer. Also, there is a 1-inch soft-dome tweeter – thus it called the super ¾ inches sound jigsaw tweeter. These speakers deliver a 100-watt output and the sound can extend over 53 Hz to 50 kHz range.

The super tweeter is powerful because of the aluminum wiring coated with copper. Thus, this delivers high frequencies. The bass-reflex is located on the rear side to deliver a powerful sound.

With the good frequency and powerful coverage, these speakers are Sony quality products thriving on the market. The 3-way system also delivers a sophisticated sound using a great crossover system. These are stylish speakers made of natural wood. They also have a front fascia, which is easily removable.

Pros

• High quality build
• Real Wood material
• Excellent sound
• 3-way system
• Wide frequency
• Affordable

Cons

• None

Buying Guide

When it comes to buying the best bookshelf speakers under $200, you need to check for a few features and consider certain factors. There is no point in buying a product that does not provide value for money. Therefore, we have prepared this buying guide for you. This will help you choose the right product. Continue reading!

Wired vs. Wireless

The first thing you need to decide on is whether you want wired speakers or wireless models. A pair of wired bookshelf speakers need a connection to a stereo amp using wire. The amp sends audio signals to the speakers.

The wireless or Bluetooth-enabled speakers have their internal amps. This means you won’t connect them to other things except for a power supply. The choice depends on your specific requirements.

Sound Quality

In general, the standard of speakers is high these days. While it is rare to get speakers, which do not sound passable, you must know their limitations before purchasing them. Bookshelf speakers have limited drivers due to their small size.

They have circular speakers, which create the sound. Typically, they do not come with more than two – i.e. a tweeter to produce high frequencies and a driver to manage the bass and mids. Therefore, it is important to consider the quality of sound by considering these features.

Speaker Size

Although the quality of sound is an important feature, you must also consider the size. A larger size means a big amplification circuitry. The speakers have a larger driver if they are active. If you are looking for high volume, you must look at larger bookshelf speakers.

Smaller speakers, on the other hand, are not quite loud. However, their small size can produce a breeze to move around. In particular, this is important if you want to experiment with better sound.

Volume and Sensitivity

The loudness of the bookshelf speaker depends on its sensitivity. This focuses on the number of decibels (dB) and anything below 86 dB is low – likewise, 87 dB to 96 dB is average volume.

Also, over 95 dB is high volume. So, whatever you choose depends on your personal preferences. Different companies have different ways of measuring sensitivity. So, it is not always easy to compare the sensitivity of the speaker.

Hi-Fi vs. Home Theater

The best thing about bookshelf speakers is that it has double duty. These speakers are comfortable when it comes to playing music. They are also good for surround sound systems. If you have a multi-speaker system, you can use bookshelf speakers to maneuver easily as they take less space. 

Bookshelf speakers can act as front and rear speakers – taking multiple roles. You can also mount them to the walls. Most experts recommend going for a center channel speaker with a dedicated subwoofer for your home theatre system. They are also an excellent choice for HI-FI. So, it always depends on your personal preferences.

Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs

Conclusion

Bookshelf speakers are designed to save space in your room. There are different types of speakers with unique designs, build, and sound quality. Considering the buying guide factors and excellent features, we have reviewed the best speakers available on the market. Good Luck!

Sources:

• Best bookshelf speakers 2020: budget to premium
• Bookshelf Speakers: What You Need to Know
• Is It Really Worth Busting Your Audio Budget On A Great Pair Of Bookshelf Speakers?