10 Best Powered Bookshelf Speakers 2017

the best powered speaker review!

Updated July 18, 2017

A perfect sound system is of utmost important to those enjoy music and dynamite sound when watching movies and tv. Thus, the best powered bookshelf speakers are an integral part of this setup. They add the mid and treble sized sounds to your experience, while providing a powerful yet subtle bass to the sound. Another important factor is that these differ from non-powered speakers because they have an amplification ability with power.

These speakers can be used standalone as a stereo pair, or integrated into an existing sound system, such as a home cinema. The front facing stereo speakers of course, are most likely the most important part after the center speaker in a home cinema set. These two will provide all the sounds to the movie or tv show, outside of the dialogue. This is what makes it hugely important part of your set. Having the right front facing stereo speakers will change your home cinema set completely.

More importantly, if you’re only looking to integrate these stand alone, they will definitely do that job just as good. Due to them being powered bookshelf stereo speakers. These shelf speakers can also be put on a small bookshelf, which makes them super handy and also very trendy to have. The sound quality should not be underestimated with these bookshelf speakers.

The best powered bookshelf speakers are compact, yet have a great sound to size ratio, providing you with great sound yet have a subtle size to not distract you too much. These can be used alone, or paired with an amplified system to become a great music experience and double as a home theater. This will highly improve your system at home, whether existing, or just starting to become one! Read below for differentiations between the products in our bookshelf speaker review!

What Type of Powered Bookshelf Speakers Are There?

They come in a variety of casings and amps, the difference comes in which type they use. Casings are usually made of wood because this is more absorbent while letting the sound resonate through. Moreover, you’ll find powered bookshelf speakers that have built-in bluetooth, and a multitude of connections! Also, it should be noted that the functionality is per speakers.

The difference between the powered bookshelf speakers and regular speakers is the fact that they have a built in amplifier which allows the speakers to produce a much louder audible noise, because it already has a pre-amp. Compared to speakers which do not require power, they only resonate the sound they are fed through a speaker, where as powered bookshelf speakers have built-in amplifiers, making them absolutely phenomenal for home cinema sets.

Benefits of Best Powered Bookshelf Speakers

The main difference here is between non-powered speakers is that the powered bookshelf speakers have the capability of a pre-amp built in which will deliver a much better sound experience. These will add a plethora of benefits to your home, in terms of music and also as a home theater setup! This is the key difference for the best powered bookshelf speakers.

Of course, it should also be noted that they come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Small bookshelf speakers blend in more to your furniture and your other speakers set. These can also be set on a small bookshelf as they weigh less. They would be called shelf speakers in that case!

Downsides of Powered Bookshelf Speakers

The downsides can vary in terms of if you don’t purchase a good pair of speakers, you might susceptible to distortion and noise issues. The clarity might suffer, so it’s always wise to invest in a pair of powered bookshelf speakers that are built to last.

Another thing to note is that a lot of brands from Asian countries try to make knock off products, and these will definitely come without warranty or any sort of security. Always be careful and do your due diligence before making any purchases! Please read below to see our 10 best powered bookshelf speakers!

Top 10 Best Powered Bookshelf Speakers Comparison Table

Picture ColorPriceRating (1-5)
Audioengine HD3 Powered Bookshelf Speakers (Pair) WalnutBrown$$$$3.5
Kanto YU4 Powered Speakers with Bluetooth and Phono Preamp - Matte WhiteWhite$$$$3.5
Plugable 4" Subwoofer Bluetooth 2-Channel Powered Bookshelf Studio Monitor Speakers - Optical & RCA Aux Inputs, 55W Output PowerBlack$$$4
Audioengine A5+ Premium Powered Speaker Pair (Carbonized Solid Bamboo)Bamboo$$$$$4
Presonus Ceres C3.5BT 2-Way Powered Speakers with BluetoothGrey$$$4
Micca PB42X Powered Bookshelf Speakers With 4-Inch Carbon Fiber Woofer and Silk Dome Tweeter (Pair)Grey$$$4.5
Edifier R1700BT Bluetooth Bookshelf Speakers - Active Near-field Studio Monitors - Powered Speakers 2.0 Setup Wooden Enclosure - 66w RMSBrown$$$$4.5
Klipsch R-15PM Powered Monitor Speakers with Bluetooth (Pair)Grey$$$$$4.5
Grace Digital GDI-BTSP201 aptX Powered Bookshelf Bluetooth Speakers (Set of 2, Black)Black$$$5
Edifier R1280T Powered Bookshelf Speakers - 2.0 Active Near Field Monitors - Studio Monitor Speaker - Wooden Enclosure - 42 Watts RMSBrown$$$5

10. Audioengine HD3 Powered Bookshelf Speakers (Pair) Walnut

To start off our list of the best powered bookshelf speakers is by the Audioengine brand. These speakers are perfect anywhere in your house, or an addition to an already existing system. The speakers have powered drivers and a woofer. They shield themselves with a magnetic technology. Moreover, they can handle a high volume of Watts

The Audioengine HD3 of course is a great brand and a worthy contender in our best powered bookshelf speakers review. They have a step in the audio and music game for a long time and we’re happy to put them in the list amongst the others! Lastly, they also have bluetooth capability as well!

9. Kanto YU4 Powered Speakers with Bluetooth and Phono Preamp – Matte White

Incased a beautiful white casing, the Kanto YU4 Powered Speakers with Bluetooth and Phono Preamp are a fantastic pair of powered bookshelf speakers. These are equipped with dynamic balance drivers and silk composite domes. Moreover, they have built in heatsinks to make sure they don’t over heat when you are pumping them load. A noise reduction system that prevents chuffing and port noise.

A beautiful addition to your home, the Kanto are designed to be sleek and subtle, yet deliver powerful audio into your system. They have balanced drivers that ensure the best audio quality at all times. The heatsink is also a great addition as it will absorb all the heat coming from the amplifier, keeping them cool and powered!

8. Plugable 4″ Subwoofer Bluetooth 2-Channel Powered Bookshelf Studio Monitor Speakers

The next pair is designed by Plugable. Presenting the Plugable 4″ Subwoofer Bluetooth 2-Channel Powered Bookshelf Studio Monitor Speakers. These are produced with custom drivers and woven fiber woofer. These are intricately designed and have a great size to power ratio.

Customers who purchased these are extremely satisfied with them, consistently being surprised by the magnitude of power these bookshelf speakers have! The woofer delivers raw power with its amplification engine, and these make great bookshelf stereo speakers!

7. Audioengine A5+ Premium Powered Speaker Pair (Carbonized Solid Bamboo)

The Audioengine brand is quite well known in the audio industry. These pair known as the Audioengine A5+ Premium Powered Speaker Pair are perfectly compact and capable powered bookshelf speakers. They have 50-Watt power, and a woofer included in each speaker. The connection inputs are RCA and support all sorts of inputs.

These are compatible with a multitude of devices and not limited to computer or hi-fi receivers only! It allows these small bookshelf speakers to be so versatile and adaptable to any system. The RCA connection type of course is the most standard of all connections and will be compatible with all systems!

6. Presonus Ceres C3.5BT 2-Way Powered Speakers with Bluetooth

The Presonus Ceres C3.5BT 2-Way Powered Speakers with Bluetooth are another great pair of powered bookshelf speakers and have superior home theater performance if you need that in your purchase. They have magnetically shielded enclosures to make sure there are no distortions. Moreover, they designed sonically to work with other speakers.

They have a wide range in sounds and a dynamic balancing system with composite tweeter! The design on these makes the a great vibrating sound system and high performing powered bookshelf speakers.

5. Micca PB42X Powered Bookshelf Speakers With 4-Inch Carbon Fiber Woofer and Silk Dome Tweeter

The PB42X is how we take an already great product and make it even better. It is the natural extension of the MB42X’s success – everything we love about the MB42X is there, and now powered. The frontier of affordable high quality sound is pushed ahead even further with the addition of high quality amplification.

Design, Value, Performance
Micca speakers have never been about being cheap, but rather value and performance. This same philosophy guided the design of the amplifier that transforms the MB42X into the PB42X. Using the latest generation class-D chip from Texas Instrument, the PB42X’s amplifier offers a level of performance far superior to existing low cost amplifier products on the market. Its frequency response is smooth and even, along with exceptionally low distortion and noise floor. Together with the included high quality UL-certified 18V/2A power adapter, the PB42X has on tap 15 watts of clean power for each of its two channels.

Versatile and Affordable
The PB42X is designed to be simple to use, with both RCA and 3.5mm stereo input jacks. The rear mounted volume control preserves the clean look that customers have come to love about the MB42X. Use it with your computer, TV, or just plug in your smartphone/tablet. The PB42X is the perfect solution for when your space needs a simple and uncluttered speaker setup. Best of all, it doesn’t break the bank and comes at an extremely affordable price.

Hearing is believing, try the PB42X risk free in your home with your music. Place them along a wall or near a corner of the room for best results. They can be used on desks, book/wall shelves, or on speaker stands. If you are not absolutely delighted with the PB42X’s performance, simply return them for a refund.

 

4. Edifier R1700BT Bluetooth Powered Bookshelf Speakers – Active Near-field Studio Monitors

In number four for our best powered bookshelf speakers review are the Edifier R1700BT Bluetooth Powered Bookshelf Speakers. These are a balanced pair of speakers with woven carbon fiber on the woofer surface for enhance bass. The silk dome tweeter provides for a great sounding treble. It also has bluetooth functionality

These are very neutral and have fantastic vocal clarity. Compact design and beautiful wood! The wood is designed in a way to make sure these perform very well sonically. It has all been taken into consideration to provide you with the best bookshelf speakers, and this is why we believe they belong in the first place of our list! Get your’s now!

3. Klipsch R-15PM Powered Monitor Speakers with Bluetooth

Klipsch, another great brand in the industry presents a very powerful pair of monitors with thick and thumping sound. The Klipsch R-15PM Powered Monitor Speakers that will integrate well into your home. They also have bluetooth technology to link all your mobile devices, while the connections also support optical, RCA and also USB.

Very versatile and capable pair of speakers! The Klipsch speakers that make them that stand is the fact that they have the USB connectivity, and also optical, a very highly regarded mode of audio communication as it transfers in very high quality!

2. Grace Digital GDI-BTSP201 aptX Powered Bookshelf Bluetooth Speakers

In number two for our powered bookshelf speakers we have the Grace Digital GDI-BTSP201 aptX Powered Bookshelf Speakers. These are very balanced pair of speakers and have high performance with its silk dome. The enclosures are ported which deliver an extended bass while cutting down on distortion.

A pair of 18Watt speakers with Class-D amplifier. Moreover, they are very affordable as well! This makes them a great contender in our list of the best bookshelf speakers. The balance and high performance allows them to be very high valued.

1. Edifier R1280T Powered Bookshelf Speakers – 2.0 Active Near Field Monitors

In number one in our powered bookshelf speakers are the Edifier R1280T Powered Bookshelf Speakers. These are classified as 2.0 Active Near Field Monitors and also double as Studio Monitor Speaker. They come in a Wooden Enclosure and have a powerful 42 Watts RMS.

The speakers allow you to control the bass, treble and volume with dials on the speaker. Rich bass and a limited amount of distortion is present in these! The adjustable three way equalizer makes them a stand out product for those audiophiles looking for that perfect balance between sounds, when adjusting and integrating these speakers into their home system!

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