Bookshelf speakers became popular in the 1960s. Audiophiles in smaller homes wanted high quality audio without the need for large speakers. Manufacturers developed more compact speakers, which led to the birth of bookshelf speakers. By the 1990s, bookshelf speakers became a standard in home audio.
Active Speakers | Passive Speakers |
---|---|
Require power to function. | Do not require power to function. |
Have built in amplifiers. | Need external amplifiers. |
Have active crossover networks which deal with line level audio signals. | Have passive crossover networks which deal with amplified speaker level audio signals. |
Have separate amplifiers for each crossover band. (x2 for stereo) | Require an external stereo amplifier. |
Heavier. | Lighter |
More expensive. | Cheaper |
Only work with an internal amplifier | Work with all kinds of amplifiers |
Require fewer external components. | Require more external components & cabling. |
This is the first thing to consider. A stereo amplifier must be connected to a pair of wired speakers because the amp transmits and powers the audio signal to the speakers. A set of wireless speakers, on the other hand, have their own internal amplifiers.
If you’re opting for wired speakers, you’ll need an amplifier that feeds it the right amount of power. Each set of speakers will have a recommended wattage value you can refer to.
Bookshelf speakers have a restricted number of drivers. They usually just have a tweeter for high frequencies and an "all-range" driver for mids and bass. If the music you listen to doesn't place a lot of emphasis on the bass, a set of bookshelf speakers should suffice. But you can easily pair your speakers with a subwoofer. Both wired and wireless bookshelf speakers work with subwoofers.
Bigger speakers do not automatically give out better sound. However, They do equal more volume. If the speaker is active, a larger size means larger drivers and more room for the amplifier. If you give volume importance, you can get a larger bookshelf speaker. Smaller speakers may not be as loud, but they are much easier to move around.
There are a few things to consider while positioning your speakers. If the speaker has an open bass port in the back, leave a small amount of space. The tweeter should be at ear level when the speakers are placed. This is why they are typically put on bookshelves, but you can also use speaker stands.
Bookshelf speakers are intended to be placed at ear level for best sound reproduction. Place the speakers at a suitable height, usually at your seated ear level. Use speaker stands or wall mounts if necessary.
Consider pointing the speakers slightly inward towards the listening area to improve stereo imaging and focus the soundstage. Experiment with various angles to discover the best placement for your speakers and listening position.
Aim for symmetry and balance in speaker placement. If you have two bookshelf speakers, place them equally away from the listening area to maintain a balanced sound staging. This will aid in the creation of a consistent and accurate audio experience.
Place the speakers away from the walls to avoid excessive bass accumulation and to improve soundstage and imaging.
You may need to experiment with positioning to discover the sweet spot that works best for your room and speaker characteristics.
Bookshelf speakers can be used for music production and studio monitoring, particularly in tiny recording studios or home studios. They offer a compact and precise reference for audio monitoring and mixing. However, professional studio monitors built for critical listening and accurate sound reproduction provide superior performance and accuracy for studio use.
Yes, Bookshelf speakers can be used with PCs as well as mobile devices. Using an appropriate audio cable, they can be connected directly to the headphone jack or audio output of your computer, laptop, smartphone, or tablet. For improved sound quality, connect them to a dedicated amplifier or a powered audio interface.
While bookshelf speakers are mainly intended for indoor use, There are models designed for outdoor use. These outdoor bookshelf speakers are typically weather-resistant.