Best bookshelf speakers 2023: budget to premium

Home cinema speaker package: Triangle Borea BR03 5.1
(Image credit: Triangle)

There are plenty of places to start when buying or upgrading a hi-fi system (turntable, streamer, amplifier), but the one component you'll always need is a pair of stereo speakers. And standmount speakers (or bookshelf speakers, as they're also known) are the easiest, most versatile ways to being your search.

Big speakers might give you the meatiest sound, but not everyone has the space, budget or inclination for a set of floorstanders. Thankfully, a small set of speakers can give you a pretty amazing listening experience, too (and fit into most spaces).

They're commonly known as bookshelf speakers, as some are small enough to fit in/on a bookshelf, or even on to desks. But a bookshelf isn't necessarily where you should put them.

How to choose the best bookshelf speakers for you

Why you can trust What Hi-Fi? Our expert team reviews products in dedicated test rooms, to help you make the best choice for your budget. Find out more about how we test.

Some speakers demand a bit more space in order to perform at their best, so you need to decide what size and set-up you plan to have them in. Make sure you check the manufacturer's recommendations and speaker dimensions before buying, to ensure they will fit in the space you've marked out for them. Our recommendation is that all of these speakers will benefit from being placed on a dedicated pair of speaker stands

KEF LS50 Meta

Featuring innovative technology and exceptional sound, these KEFs are the best speakers for the money. (Image credit: Future)
What Hi-Fi? Awards 2022 winner. Stunning, transparent standmounters that set a high standard.

Specifications

Drive units: Uni-Q (25mm tweeter and 13cm mid/bass)
Ported: Yes (rear)
Bi-wire: No
Impedance: 8 ohms
Sensitivity: 85db
Dimensions (hwd): 30.2 x 20 x 28cm
Weight: 7.8kg
Finishes: 4 (carbon black, titanium grey, mineral white, royal blue)

Reasons to buy

+
Exceptional sonic transparency
+
Subtle and precise presentation
+
Innovative technology

Reasons to avoid

-
Don't place them inside a bookshelf or up against a wall - they'll sound better on stands

The KEF LS50 Metas don’t look any different from the LS50s, and in many ways they aren’t. The company considered revising that beautifully made enclosure but concluded that little could be improved.

The one area ripe for improvement was the LS50’s Uni-Q driver array, where the tweeter sits in the throat of the mid/bass unit. This has been thoroughly reworked, taking in all the refinements that KEF has developed over the past eight years and adding something new in the form of Metamaterial Absorption Technology (MAT) – KEF’s way of coping with the sound that comes off the back of the 25mm aluminium tweeter dome.

It doesn’t take long to realise that the LS50s have improved significantly. While the basic sonic character is instantly familiar, the new ones have gained a level of clarity and finesse the originals only hinted at.

Read the full review: KEF LS50 Meta

Best bookshelf speakers: Elac Debut B5.2

A talented and unfussy pair of budget speakers that are worthy Award-winners.
What Hi-Fi? Awards 2022 winner. Arguably the most capable standmounters we’ve heard at this budget price.

Specifications

Drive units: 25mm tweeter, 13cm mid/bass
Ported: Yes (front)
Bi-wire: No
Impedance: 6 ohms
Sensitivity: 86dB/W/m
Dimensions (hwd): 34.1 x 18 x 23.4cm
Weight: 5.9kg
Finishes: 1 (black ash)

Reasons to buy

+
Detailed and organised sound
+
Solid build
+
Unfussy nature

Reasons to avoid

-
Some might prefer the richer midrange tone of the Dali speakers

Elac has been in the speaker business since the 1980s and has made many fine products in that time. It’s fair to say that these new Debut B5.2 speakers should be considered one of the company’s finest efforts. 

The Elac Debut B5.2s are brilliant performers for the money. The speakers feel solid, they're unfussy about placement, and they take any music you throw at them in their stride. They have the dynamic expression, detail resolution and tonal sophistication to handle it all, and enough stretch in their abilities to get even better with a system above their natural price range. For this sort of money, they're exceptional.

Read the full review: Elac Debut B5.2

Best speakers - B&W 606 S2Anniversary Edition

Proof that small upgrades make a big impact, these B&W speakers sound even more precise and natural than before. (Image credit: Bowers & Wilkins)
What Hi-Fi? Awards 2022 winner. B&W hones its 606 speakers to great effect.

Specifications

Drive units: 25mm tweeter, 16.5cm mid/bass
Ported: Yes (rear)
Bi-wire: Yes
Impedance: 8 ohms
Sensitivity: 88dB
Dimensions (hwd): 34.5 x 19 x 30cm
Weight: 6.9kg
Finishes: 3 (black, white, oak)

Reasons to buy

+
Excellent clarity
+
Agile and articulate bass
+
Impressive dynamic punch

Reasons to avoid

-
Minor upgrades over previous model

The Bowers & Wilkins 600 range is now 25 years old. On paper, the low-key nature of the revisions to the 606 S2s leaves us underwhelmed considering the significance of the anniversary. Cosmetically, they amount to the addition of an oak finish to go along with the existing black and white options, and an inscription on the tweeter surround to mark the Anniversary status. 

The only performance related change is an upgraded crossover that now features better-quality capacitors, some of which were originally seen in the recently announced and more premium 700 Signature series.

Given the modest nature of the engineering changes we weren’t expecting much of a difference in the sound. We were wrong. While retaining a broadly similar sonic character, the 606 S2 Anniversary Editions prove significantly more capable than their predecessors.

Read the full review: B&W 606 S2 Anniversary Edition

Best bookshelf speakers: Bowers & Wilkins 607 S2 Anniversary Edition

If you can find a speaker better than the Bowers & Wilkins 607 S2 Anniversary Edition for the price, we'll be impressed. (Image credit: B&W)
What Hi-Fi? Awards 2022 winner. A happy anniversary for these upgraded B&W 607 S2 speakers.

Specifications

Drive units: 25mm tweeter, 13cm mid/bass
Ported: Yes (rear)
Bi-wire: Yes
Impedance: 8 ohms
Sensitivity: 84dB
Dimensions (hwd): 30 x 16.5 x 23.1cm
Weight: 4.7kg
Finishes: 3 (black, white, oak)

Reasons to buy

+
Improved clarity and detail
+
More expressive than predecessors
+
Tighter, more agile bass

Reasons to avoid

-
Small updates over previous model

Try finding a better-sounding pair of speakers for less than half a grand – we dare you. Little has changed between last year's B&W 607 and this year's Anniversary Edition, other than some new capacitors and an inscription around the tweeter, but the sonic gains have been huge.

This is a cleaner, more insightful and overall more engaging performance from a pair of speakers that were already among the best you could buy for their outlay. The older versions would have remained on top of the tree, had they not been knocked off by the 607 S2 Anniversary Edition. But when you have both pairs in the same listening room, it’s difficult to go back.

If you’re looking for a pair of lower-midrange speakers and the B&W 606 S2 are just out of your budget range, then these are a superb option – and a pair of speakers worthy of celebrating any silver anniversary.

Read the full review: Bowers & Wilkins 607 S2 Anniversary Edition

Best bookshelf speakers: Mission 770

Mission’s resurrected 770 speakers offer an excellent alternative to the established class leaders. (Image credit: Future)
What Hi-Fi? Awards 2022 winner. Taking inspiration from the old ways can give great results.

Specifications

Drive units: 28mm tweeter, 20cm mid/bass
Ported: Yes (front)
Bi-wire: No
Nominal impedance: 8 ohms
Sensitivity: 88dB
Dimensions (hwd): 59 x 30 x 30cm (with stands)
Weight: 19.2kg
Finishes: 2 (black, walnut)

Reasons to buy

+
Articulate and insightful performance
+
Impressive bass clarity
+
Dedicated stands included in price

Reasons to avoid

-
Big and wide by current standards

We think these new Mission 770 are right up there with the very best at this price. Mission takes design inspiration from the original 770 speakers launched in the 1970s, but has improved and modernised every other element: from the cabinet design to the drivers and even new dedicated stands.

While the retro link will be the main attraction for some, for us that’s put in the shade by the speakers' excellent all-round performance. The 770 have a range of sonic talents that sets them apart from most rivals and earns them a warm recommendation.

They have so much finesse when it comes to delivering extended bass. They sound taut and agile, but also delicate in the way they paint bass textures and resolve low-level information. There's plenty of punch and power, too. The speakers have a slightly forward balance, especially with the clear and expressive midrange, that sounds lively and engaging – but thankfully never too aggressive.

Songs are delivered with wide-ranging dynamics, impressive authority and scale. It’s a musically cohesive presentation that’s controlled and nicely organised. If you have the budget - and space - for these speakers, they're worth an audition.

Read the full review: Mission 770

Dali Spektor 2 lifestyle

One of the best entry-level speakers, delivering sophistication, nuance and passion. (Image credit: DALI)
Fine build, great sound and a bargain price.

Specifications

Drive units: 25mm tweeter, 13cm mid/bass
Ported: Yes (rear)
Bi-wire: No
Impedance: 6 ohms
Sensitivity: 85dB
Dimensions (hwd): 29.2 x 17 x 23.8cm
Weight: 4.2kg
Finishes: 3 (walnut, black ash, white)

Reasons to buy

+
Agile, articulate and expressive sound
+
Good detail resolution
+
Unfussy nature

Reasons to avoid

-
Low rated sensitivity, so needs care with amplifier pairing

On paper, these Dali speakers tick all the boxes, but get them going and it's clear they go above and beyond a decent pair of budget bookshelf speakers. They offer a range of skills that few at this price can match. 

Vocals are distinctive and powerful, delivered with nuance and precision, and there's plenty of energy to the performance. They handle dynamics with aplomb, while the soundstage is impressively expansive. They're easy to partner kit with too, although we'd suggest an amplifier packing a decent amount of poke. 

A neat alternative to the Elac Debut B5.2 and the budget B&W and Triangle models, these Spektor 2 speakers are highly recommended.

Read the full review: Dali Spektor 2

Best bookshelf speakers: Elac Debut 2.0 B6.2

The Elac Debut 2.0 B6.2 speakers will let the musicality and character of what you're listening to shine through. (Image credit: Future)
A mature and understated pair of speakers.

Specifications

Drive units: 25cm tweeter, 16.5cm mid/bass
Ported: Yes (front)
Bi-wire: No
Impedance: 6 ohms
Sensitivity: 87dB
Dimensions (hwd): 36.9 x 19.2 x 26.4cm
Weight: 8.3kg
Finishes: 2 (black, walnut)

Reasons to buy

+
Hugely transparent
+
Don’t force their own character
+
Rhythmic and dynamic

Reasons to avoid

-
Unforgiving of poor sources

The bigger brothers of those Elacs featured at the top of this page, the B6.2s are a wonderfully transparent pair of standmount speakers. Content not to colour your music with their own character, they offer a mature performance that will shine a light on the electronics in the rest of your chain. 

That can prove a problem if the rest of your system is not quite up to scratch, but you'll struggle to find a more honest pair of speakers at this price. They’re fairly basic and unassuming, but that is representative of how they operate, presenting your music faithfully and uncoloured.

Punchy and rhythmic, unfussy with volume, and with heaps of dynamic expression on offer: these Elacs simply echo the information they’re being fed. Impressive at this price.

Read the full review: Elac Debut 2.0 B6.2

Best bookshelf speakers - Dali Menuet SE

For those that want premium hi-fi sound but are short on space, these petite Dalis are terrific. (Image credit: Dali)
Tiny, premium bookshelf speakers that pack plenty of sonic talent.

Specifications

Driver units: 28mm tweeter, 11cm mid/bass
Ported: Yes (rear)
Bi-wire: No
Impedance: 4 ohms
Sensitivity: 86dB
Dimensions (hwd): 25 x 15 x 23cm
Weight: 4kg
Finishes: 1 (high gloss walnut)

Reasons to buy

+
Excellent detail resolution
+
Class-leading agility and precision
+
Terrific build and finish

Reasons to avoid

-
Size limits sonic authority and bass
-
Needs pampering to excel

For those who are tight on space, the choice of speakers is pretty limited. One of our favourite options in this situation is the long-running Dali Menuet range. We originally reviewed them over a decade ago and they have remained essentially unchanged since then.

Rather than replace them, Dali has now added this SE model. It’s clear that the company didn’t want to mess with a winning recipe, so the changes are relatively subtle.

These Dalis are tiny speakers, and that means bigger alternatives will invariably give more when it comes to low-end muscle, sonic authority and dynamic reach. But, when it comes to detail, agility and dynamic expression, particularly in the midrange, these are as good as it gets for the premium price.

Read the full review: Dali Menuet SE

Best bookshelf speakers - Wharfedale Linton

The modern Wharfedale Linton takes an old-school approach to style and sound that plays and looks great. (Image credit: Wharfedale)
The best of old hi-fi combined with the best of the new.

Specifications

Drive units: 25mm tweeter, 13.5cm midrange, 20cm bass
Ported: Yes (rear)
Bi-wire: No
Impedance: 6 ohms
Sensitivity: 90dB
Dimensions (hwd): 56.5 x 30 x 33cm
Weight: 18.4kg
Finishes: 3 (black, mahogany, walnut)

Reasons to buy

+
Effortless bass production
+
Detailed, open soundstage
+
Authentic good looks

Reasons to avoid

-
Looks won't be to everyone's taste

If you want a new speaker that's built using modern methods and materials, but that takes an old-school approach to styling and sound, then you might well want the new version of the Linton, launched to celebrate Wharfedale's 80th anniversary. 

A pair of rear-firing reflex ports aid a big, bassy sound, without skewing the balance, and they pair wonderfully with the bespoke, vinyl-carrying stands. We get a brilliant sense of scale and space from the Lintons; it’s such a fantastically open presentation of the music that our listening space feels bigger than it is. Agile rhythms, effortless weight and clean precision - it all combines together with a marvellous level of detail. 

These speakers do an impressive job of capturing something of an older, fuller, more easy and open style of hi-fi sound without forgetting to make the music exciting. Pair with some energetic electronics and you can buy with great confidence.

Read the full review: Wharfedale Linton

Triangle Borea BR03

The Triangle Borea BR03s won't break the bank, but they will impress with their sophisticated sound. (Image credit: Triangle)
Offering impressive scale and sophistication, these speakers are serious alternative contenders.

Specifications

Drive units: 25mm tweeter, 16cm mid/bass
Ported: Yes (front)
Bi-wire: No
Impedance: 8 ohms
Sensitivity: 90dB
Dimensions: 38 x 20.6 x 31.4cm
Weight: 6.3kh
Finishes: 4 (black, white, light oak, walnut)

Reasons to buy

+
Sophisticated, detailed sound
+
Impressive sense of scale
+
High-quality, agile bass

Reasons to avoid

-
Aesthetic won’t be for everyone
-
Slight peakiness to treble

We love a surprise like this. French speaker manufacturer Triangle has entered a tough, crowded part of the stereo speaker market – and come out with flying colours. This pair of affordable bookshelf speakers truly deserves a spot on anyone's shortlist.

The Triangles deliver a huge sense of scale, much larger than rivals such as the formidable B&W 607. They can also boast impressive separation and precision. There’s detail and insight across the frequency range and, given their size, the quantity of bass is perfectly acceptable. Where previous Triangle speakers may have sounded hard or bright, these are perfectly balanced. 

A distinctive design, which is finished to a good standard, the Borea BR03 are savvy musical performers with a great sense of scale and an even greater appetite for presenting music in a transparent and mature manner. Well worthy of consideration.

Read the full Triangle Borea BR03 review

Best bookshelf speakers - JBL 4309

These high-octane, retro-styled JBL 4309 are the most entertaining speakers we've heard at this price. (Image credit: JBL)
A seriously entertaining pair of compact, retro-styled bookshelf speakers.

Specifications

Drive units: 25cm horn-loaded compression tweeter, 16.5 cm mid/bass
Ported: Yes (front)
Bi-wire: Yes
Speaker terminals: bi-wire
Sensitivity: 87dB
Impedance: 4 ohms
Dimensions: 42 x 26 x 23cm (HXWxD)
Weight: 25.5kg
Finishes: 2 (black, walnut)

Reasons to buy

+
Thrilling, forthright and dynamic sound
+
Impressive clarity and resolution
+
Solid build

Reasons to avoid

-
Retro appearance isn’t to all tastes
-
Not the most refined listen
-
Require careful system matching

The looks of the JBL 4309 might be a little divisive, but they are fantastic bookshelf speakers that produce a punchy, dynamic and exciting sound. For the money, You'll struggle to find a pair that sound quite like the JBL 4309.

These speakers convey dynamics exceptionally well; there's an authority with large-scale shifts while low-level nuances are delivered with all the finesse you could wish for at this level. Bass is full-bodied, taut and tuneful and all the elements of a track are precisely placed in the soundstage.

Push the JBLs hard and they show no signs of stress although there's a slight lack of refinement which you just need to be aware of when it comes to system matching and the quality of music you play through them. All in all, though, the 4309 are a fun, captivating and seriously entertaining listen.

Read the full JBL 4309 review

How we test bookshelf speakers

At What Hi-Fi? we have state-of-the-art testing facilities in London, Reading and Bath where, as a team of audio experts, we review of hundreds of products every year, including one of the most prolific hi-fi products of all – bookshelf speakers.

We judge products on a performance-per-pound basis, so during our testing we always compare products to similarly priced class leaders to help us settle on a star rating for the review and the order for these five-star performers in these buying guides.

We often review bookshelf speakers by them using at least two systems – our reference system, to reveal the best they can sound when fed the most accurate signals, and a more price-comparable one to see how they perform in real-world scenarios. Our choice of test music is varied, too, to see how pairs sound when playing a variety of different music. 

Whether we're reviewing a set of bookshelf speakers that cost a few hundred pounds or a fair few thousand, our review philosophy doesn't change, and you can be sure that any five-star speakers (and particularly What Hi-Fi? Award-winning ones) will offer up a fantastic performance for the price.

As a rule, no input from PR companies or sales teams is taken into account during reviews, maintaining What Hi-Fi?'s decades-long reputation for delivering honest, unbiased critical feedback.

You can read more about how we test and review products on What Hi-Fi? here.

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Kashfia Kabir
Hi-Fi and Audio Editor

Kashfia is the Hi-Fi and Audio Editor of What Hi-Fi? and first joined the brand over 10 years ago. During her time in the consumer tech industry, she has reviewed hundreds of products, been to countless trade shows across the world and fallen in love with hi-fi kit much bigger than her. In her spare time, Kash can be found catching up with TV shows, tending to an ever-growing houseplant collection and hanging out with her cat Jolene.

With contributions from
  • James Robinson
    This is a nice collection of small speakers, but it would be good to see a review of actual bookshelf/wall-mounted speakers, particularly at the higher end of this price bracket. Here many of the higher end speakers actually require stands and the reviews suggest that their performance would be significantly compromised if they were positioned close to/on a wall (or on a bookshelf!).
    Reply
  • scene
    I know what you mean. I was recently looking for some (albeit cheaper) bookshelf speakers - to actually go on Billy bookshelves. I wish that (WHF) reviews differentiated more clearly between "stand-mounters" and "bookshelf" speakers - or at least indicated whether a speaker was suitable for Bookshelf/Desk-standing/Wall-mounting/Stand-mounting. There are probably few small speakers that wouldn't sound better on a stand - but some are designed for it. Others are very much designed to be placed well away from walls...

    And a lot of people want speakers to go on walls/shelves as it's the only practical place to put them.
    Reply
  • James Robinson
    I currently have a pair of Dali Mentor Menuets that are designed to go on the wall, which I've been very pleased with; I also have some on the bookshelves in another room, where they also sound good - they were quite pricey, but worth looking out for secondhand. It would be nice to have some upgrade options, though...
    Reply
  • scene
    Due to budget constraints, my (new) bookshelves are the Q3020i - which are excellent for their price (in my opinion :))
    The Menuets look great - and I'd love to try some... if I had the cash.
    Reply
  • jjmcubed
    I to would love to know which speakers need to be stand mounted. Was about to pull the trigger on Revel M105's, but then I saw the rear ports. I only have approx 8 inches behind the speakers and they have to be on top of a dresser. Have a feeling the Revels will need more room.
    Reply
  • nick12
    If you have the cash, the Focal Aria 906 is definitely worth a demo. I have a pair that sit on shelves very close to a wall and I really couldn't be happier with them - a very detailed and spacious sound with a great sense of scale and authority (and Richer Sounds currently have an excellent deal on these speakers in the walnut finish: £749 compared to £899 in black). I agree though with posters above - an article on *true* bookshelf/close-to-wall speakers would be immensely helpful.
    Reply