Best Active Bookshelf Speakers: Buying Tips For Audiophiles
Bookshelf speakers are a great go-to if you do not only want excellent audio quality, you also value and appreciate the tasteful aesthetic. According to their make, there are many kinds of bookshelf speakers, the amount of power they put out, and the sound quality they can deliver. But one of the fundamental categories of bookshelf speakers – and all speakers – that you need to consider is whether they are active or passive. In this article, we will briefly pore over these basics and look at the best active bookshelf speakers available.
Tips on Choosing the Best Active Bookshelf Speakers
Standard speakers usually fall under the 'Passive' category. As passive speakers, they need an external amplifier so they can produce sound. On the other hand, active speakers have built-in amplifiers to play music or produce sound without the need to link up to an external device. In terms of sound output, active speakers create clearer and more precise audio.
To choose the best active bookshelf speakers, you need to look at several factors for the right fit. Here are a few pointers you can consider as you select among the many active bookshelf speakers in the market today.
Size
There are bookshelf speakers larger than the usual models designed to fit seamlessly on shelves. They are quite taller than the typical bookshelf speaker height of approximately 9 inches, but not big or heavy enough that they're no longer safe for the shelf. This allowance in size among bigger bookshelf speakers makes them accommodate more power and thus produce greater sound. Yamaha bookshelf speakers, for example, are larger than they are typical. It's up to you, depending on how you want to balance sound quality with size.
Wattage
As a general guideline, the higher the wattage, the more powerful your bookshelf speakers are. Higher power translates to bolder volume, precision, and clarity in the sound your speakers produce. Usually, bookshelf speakers give out 200 watts, but you can stick to a unit that puts 150 watts for home use.
Sound
Your bookshelf speakers have built-in drivers with different functions in terms of the kind of sound they produce and amplify. Tweeters are drivers that capture high-frequency sounds, while woofers take care of the lower bass tones. Your purpose for these speakers will guide you in choosing whether you prefer a bookshelf speaker with a bigger woofer or vice versa. You may also look for bookshelf speakers that have a third driver other than the woofer and tweeter. This third driver takes care of midrange tones. Having three drivers in a bookshelf speaker strikes a wonderful balance.
Wireless or Not?
Bookshelf speakers can also be connected via Bluetooth, so this is a practical choice if you plan to play music from your phone. But for high-definition audio when you watch movies on your TV or play games that need precise and sharp sound effects, it's still a wise choice to have the trusty old cable wire options available in your speakers.
The Look
One important characteristic of the best active bookshelf speakers is, of course, the look. Since bookshelf speakers are also aesthetic fixtures in your home's entertainment room, it is also crucial to choose their cabinet material. However, the cabinet material is not only for show but also aids in keeping your bookshelf speakers at optimum condition. Wooden cabinets, for example, help speakers temper their sound and acoustic resonance.
Having said these pointers, what are the best active bookshelf speakers in the market today? There are quite a number of them, but here are a few options for you:
- Edifier R1280T Powered Bookshelf Speakers. They are great to display on a bookshelf and also produce great sound quality, with the convenient features of precise remote control and wired connectivity. Considering their price, quality, and design, they would make a wise purchase decision.
- Edifier R1700BT Bluetooth Bookshelf. If your priority is Bluetooth connectivity, then this is the speaker set for you. It has Bluetooth 4.0 connectivity, fuss-free remote control, and is outstanding in capturing bass tones. This Edifier unit also comes with a two-year warranty.
- Edifier R1280DB Powered Bluetooth Bookshelf Speakers. This is another sleek beauty! Its best feature is the crisp, high definition sound that it delivers and its optical and coaxial inputs. It also has Bluetooth connectivity.
Conclusion
Finally, as you hunt for the best active bookshelf speakers, it clarifies what you want to experience out of these devices. Are they for enhancing your movies or music? Will these speakers be for intense gaming? Or will these be used to amplify voice for the live events that you host? By stating what you need your active bookshelf speakers for, early on, you will also have an idea about which devices you will have to connect these too, where to set them up in your space, and most importantly, how much would be a fair amount to spend on these things. Find out more best bookshelf speakers here!
