The best bookshelf speakers. Speaker systems: Active

By creating the TOP 10 popular bookshelf speakers, we wanted to help you not get lost in the variety of speaker systems and make a choice that you will be satisfied with.

When working on the rating, we listened to the opinions of experts, studied user reviews and relied on our own professional instincts. To get an objective picture, we didn’t just turn the acoustics in our hands and study their characteristics in detail, but listened, listened, listened.

After spending dozens of hours listening to music on different bookshelf speakers, we were able to compile a rating popular models, which included 10 speaker systems.

The sixth-generation Klipsch Reference bookshelf acoustics made it into our rating thanks to its bright, dynamic “hard rock” sound. If you are a fan of bands Led type Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Gorky Park, then you will appreciate the accurate, detailed and lively sound of your favorite performers on these acoustics.

An argument in favor of this acoustics was its power, which has increased compared to the previous generation. The sound of the updated acoustics “covers” a room of 10-12 sq.m. well.

The feeling from listening to this acoustics is as if the sound envelops you and pulls you, as if under water, into its own depth. To where there is no extraneous noise, distracting tones, only clear and deep sound.

This acoustics attracted our attention not only for its clear sound, but also for the fact that it has a speaker from high-end acoustic systems. Fabric, 25 millimeters, with a ferromagnetic cooling system - it minimizes possible distortion and provides a wide range of sound.

And the last argument in favor of the Q-Acoustics Q3020 walnut acoustics is its stylish, laconic wood-look design that will fit perfectly into any interior.

This acoustic captivated us with its musicality and surprisingly natural sound. There are no pronounced sound or timbral jumps, and all transitions occur smoothly and imperceptibly, creating a feeling of musical harmony.

This is a universal acoustic system on which jazz and pop music, hard rock and classical compositions sound equally good. The acoustics control the rhythm well and set a clear direction of the sound, which sounds smoothly and flawlessly not only in the plane of the speakers, but also in the depths of the room.

Powerful, rich bass, with a variety of shades, complements the picture and makes you listen to this acoustics again and again.

The acoustics from the German brand pleased us with the depth of sound, bright dynamics and purely German precision in every note and in every sound transition. No extraneous noise, unnecessary “impurities” or timbres that stand out from the overall picture - only clean, smooth, open sound.

Thanks to enhanced woofers and an increased frequency range, the acoustics produce powerful, bright and assertive sound that covers a room of 25 square meters. Strict, meticulous design will fit equally harmoniously into both a classic interior and a room decorated in high-tech style.

A delicate attitude to sound, a clear indication of note boundaries, and capture of the most subtle changes in tempo - this is what attracted us to the Monitor Audio Bronze 2 acoustics. Play Debussy compositions or other musical classics on this acoustic system, and you will understand what we are talking about.

To appreciate the confident and precise bass sound, Zimmer's soundtrack to the film Inception is ideal. Acoustics with a powerful C-CAM 6.5" bass driver demonstrate convincing lower notes, scale and realism of sound, emphasis on every musical contrast.

This acoustics does not tolerate harshness; it prefers a soft and refined sound. But this does not prevent it from producing a dynamic, driving sound and confidently gliding around all corners. musical themes and give us listening pleasure.

We “invited” this acoustics into our rating for its diplomatic and neutral sound, which looks decent in any musical genre. Hard music like Led Zeppelin and pop jazz by Frank Sinatra sound equally convincing on this speaker system.

The deep soundstage allows you to enjoy harmonious and accurate sound even when away from the speakers. Acoustics clearly distributes the roles of each instrument in the musical theme, allowing them to express their individuality without disturbing the overall sound harmony.

The bass impresses with its power and rich color. The acoustics received such deep sound at lower frequencies thanks to a 17-centimeter speaker with a magnesium-silicate diffuser and a bass reflex located on the rear panel.

This acoustics attracted our attention because of how reliably it sounds at mid frequencies and, without losing credibility, descends to the very bottom.

We were also captivated by the absence of obvious, rough transitions from one frequency register to another. This speaker system seems to smooth out the seams between high and low notes, causing the music to seamlessly flow from one state to another.

The updated tweeter and Poron surround in the speaker system's design made it sound softer and smoother, removing all unwanted resonances. A special insert, which frames the speaker on the front panel, has widened the angle of radiation so you can enjoy precise and beautiful high notes even when away from the acoustics.

Natural, relaxed sound, effortless musicality, smooth transitions and contrasting sound images - these are the qualities with which the Studio 118 acoustics captivated us.

The longer we listened to this acoustic system, the more pleasure we got from the rich timbre palette, bright emotionality and clear musical images that it builds.

For compact bookshelf speakers, this acoustics has a fairly large, textured bass. It delicately emphasizes expressiveness theme song, without pulling the blanket over yourself and maintaining the integrity of the work.

This acoustics produces such a powerful, clear and moving sound that you want to listen to your music collection over and over again. Whether you're a fan of Radiohead, Aerosmith or Amanda Palmer, this speaker will immerse you in realistic sound, filled with detail and musical imagery.

Thanks to the updated design of the high-frequency driver, which came from the top line, the sound “at the top” is characterized by amazing evenness and purity. Downstairs the acoustics are no less convincing. Its elastic bass is so good that you start looking around to see if there is a subwoofer hidden somewhere in the room.

At high volumes, the speaker system still sounds smooth and clear. She accurately outlines the musical contours of each note, subtly senses the slightest changes in rhythm and produces an emotional, well-textured sound.

Clear top notes, a pleasant, soft “middle” and a deep, expressive “bottom”, together with the dynamics and richness of the sound, attracted us to this acoustics.

The sound is detailed to the smallest detail, and even in the most complex musical compositions, individual components are clearly distinguishable. At the same time, analyticity does not go beyond the limits of reason, and the musical work is perceived as the harmony of the whole.

This acoustics is suitable for those music lovers who value energy and dynamics in music, vivid emotionality and the desire to push boundaries. Dali Zensor 3 lacks sophistication and diplomacy, but it has a lot of drive, freedom and variety of musical images.

Conclusion

We compiled this rating based on our musical taste and professional knowledge of high-quality acoustics. We hope that our review will help you navigate the large assortment of models offered and choose the speaker system whose sound will be in harmony with your mood, character and idea of ​​good sound.

Relevance: February 2019

A modern speaker system can turn watching a movie or listening to your favorite audio recordings into real pleasure. Game process also requires clear sound with separation of frequencies of different ranges. Surround sound lets you immerse yourself deeper into dynamic movie scenes. Modern technologies provide wireless connection and combining many devices into single network with central control.

When choosing a speaker system, you need to pay attention to the power and sound quality. The material used to make the column plays a significant role, excluding the influence of negative environmental factors.

We have compiled a list of the best speaker systems based on expert assessments and reviews from real customers. Our recommendations will help you make a choice that suits your needs and desires. There are many competitors in the global technology market, but we have selected the best manufacturers and we recommend paying special attention to them:

Budget / Inexpensive

1. Pioneer

1. Samsung

Expensive/Premium class

1. Sonos
2. Wharfedale

*Prices are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change without notice.

Speaker systems: For home

Sets 5.1 / For home

Main advantages

Improved Reincarnation famous model 2006 KHT3005. New option superior to its predecessor in all respects. Firstly, it is completely used new technology Uni-Q speakers, used in the expensive Blade, including a new crossover and satellite housing.

Secondly, the subwoofer has received almost complete acoustic invisibility in a uniform sound field - however, for this you will have to tinker with the settings. Frequencies supported by the system are from 33 to 45000 Hz. Subwoofer power - 250 W.

The model is perfect for small rooms- with it you can both watch movies with natural sound and listen to music in pristine quality.

Advantages

• Homogeneous sound, the subwoofer hardly stands out
• Good bass
• Compactness
• Interesting design
• Convenient wall mounting

Minuses

• Unimpressive sound at low volumes
• High price

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Speaker systems: Active

Soundbars (Sound panels)/ Active / Wireless / For home

Main advantages

Active soundbar with nine speakers, including six mid-range and three tweeters for HF.

Each speaker has its own class D amplifier. To start working with the model, just plug one cable (optical) into the TV, and the second into a power outlet. If you don't have a TV, no problem, the soundbar can become an independent music center using Sonos Controller, a proprietary application for Windows, OS X, iOS and Android. Thanks to this application, it is easy to integrate the soundbar into any speaker system in your home - at least 3.0, at least 5.1, without any wires.

The sound of the Sonos Playbar is rich and clear. There isn't enough bass, but you can't expect anything else due to the lack of a subwoofer. The best way this model reveals itself in collaboration with other acoustics from Sonos.

Advantages

• Minimum wires
• Easy setup and management
• Great design
• Good sound for beginning music lovers
• Ability to directly play music from cloud storage

Minuses

• Lacks bass
• Limited scope

Soundbars (Sound panels)/ Active / For home

Main advantages

A stylish model of a 2.1 speaker system for a TV in a large apartment.

The 300 W power is unlikely to ever be fully used - the sound bar is not designed for maximum loads and begins to hum and whistle slightly. But at a less violent volume, listening to music or watching a movie with these acoustics is a pleasure.

Bluetooth works perfectly, Wi-Fi is highly dependent on signal quality. You can turn your soundbar into a full-fledged one music Center by connecting a flash drive with music to it. There is a voice enhancement mode.

Advantages

• Decent power
• Good bass
• Clear sound
• Wireless connection
• Easy controls

Minuses

• Small display
• Few sound settings

Active / For home / Sets 5.1

Main advantages

• Ready-made acoustic set with its own amplifier-subwoofer. Can be used standalone to play audio files from USB drives or listen to your favorite radio stations
• The satellites are connected using a standard 3.5 mm jack, so they are compatible with many equipment designed for this power
• The power of the set is enough to provide musical accompaniment to any content in a room up to 20 square meters. m
• The package includes a wireless remote control that allows you to configure all sound parameters for each element of the system separately
• The manufacturer solved the problem of resetting settings during a power outage by installing its own battery. Now you don’t need to reconfigure all the parameters every time

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Speaker systems: Wireless

Active / Wireless / For home / Soundbars (Sound panels)

Main advantages

• The central channel is made in the form of a curved panel with two drivers on the sides. Stylish compact body allows you to place the speaker on a shelf without additional fastenings
• Wireless technology for connecting to the subwoofer via Bluetooth allows you to get rid of wires and remotely control the parameters of the reproduced sound
• Surround Sound Expansion allows you to flexibly customize ambient profiles depending on your room
• Official samsung app Audio Remote allows you to control the device using your smartphone
• The high power of the speaker system allows it to be used for sounding any home events in a large room or house

Active / Wireless / For home / 5.1 kits / Soundbars (Sound panels)

Main advantages

• Implemented spot beam technology that sends a signal to a specific channel corresponding to the location in the source
• For game consoles Playstation 4 and Xbox One ready-made settings templates are provided, which allows you to immerse yourself in the gameplay as much as possible
• Quickly connect rear speakers to create a full surround sound effect
• Compatibility with devices based on Android based. When synchronized via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, you can control the speakers using your smartphone
• Surround sound using the effects of wave reflections emanating from the side speakers from the walls of the room

Show all products in the category "Wireless"

Speaker systems: 5.0 sets

For home / Sets 5.0

Main advantages

• Universal passive system interfaces with any subwoofer and AV receiver
• Magnetic shielding central channel and front speakers protects nearby equipment from the effects of electromagnetic fields generated during the operation of the acoustics
• Practical matte non-staining coating of housings
• Dense monolithic plastic suppresses mid-frequency acoustic resonances
• The original floor-standing form factor of the Pioneer S-11 can be modified, if necessary, for use on walls, racks or shelves (for front and rear speakers), thanks to the standard mounting hardware and anti-slip pads
• Standard equipment capabilities are designed to cover a room up to 30 square meters

Since the first What Hi-Fi? Awards, which took place in December 1983, we met with the most striking evidence of the skill of the creators of the speakers - and each year we awarded the Product of the Year medal to the most talented couple. You can rest assured that all 2015 Award winners will continue this proud tradition.

Of course, as in all other reviews, we choose best model in terms of price and quality ratio. Therefore, strictly speaking, these are simply the most profitable investment options in the corresponding price categories. However, this does not sound nearly as impressive as the phrase in the title.

One way or another, let's take a walk down memory lane and remember the most wonderful speakers of the new century - their list will not only increase your erudition, but will also be useful to you when choosing a pair of speakers on the secondary market. Let's not waste time!

2000

The first holders of the “Product of the Year” title of the new millennium were the Mission 780 - the smallest representatives of the 78 series. We were impressed not only by the rare craftsmanship, but mainly by the indescribable scope of the Mission's sound. They were in equally I like powerful rock compositions and gentle ballads; best option new point it was impossible to think of a countdown.

2001

Mission 780 - £300 as tested

Mission 780 came again, they saw... and they conquered. None of the contenders were able to move them from the top step of the podium in 2001.

2002

However, it was not possible to repeat the success of Mission 780 again; the following year they lost the championship to Quad. The models of this company have gained an excellent reputation in the world High End, and then she decided to go out into more budget segment market. The result was magnificent: functions previously used in premium speakers became available to owners of modest wallets.

All news and reviews about Quad

2003

Quad 11L - £379 as tested

"Effective appearance and excellent sound quality, coupled with affordable price brings the Quad 11L a coveted award” - a quote from our old review will give you an idea of ​​how these speakers managed to repeat their success in 2003.

2004

Wharfedale Diamond 9.1 - £180 as tested

Wharfedale is a name familiar to every serious music fan and the budget Diamond range has played an important role in our Award history.

Like our awards, she was born in 1983 and immediately captivated us; and the 9.1 series has become the new benchmark for speaker quality in the under £200 category.

All news and reviews about Wharfedale

2005

Unlike many of their contemporaries, the iQ5 floor-standing speakers had features such as low-frequency control and midrange realism, which were often sacrificed for bass depth and sound scale. This is a worthy winner of the Product of the Year title.

All news and reviews about KEF

2006

KEF iQ5 - £400 as tested

And this time the KEF model surpassed all competitors, becoming the most star couple of 2006. Its large-scale, convincing and balanced sound despite its surprisingly modest dimensions ensured its confident victory.

2007

It's not that there was a void in this price range, but we didn't see a strong contender from B&W for several years in a row - until the 685 entered the ring in 2007. It made a splash and proved to be able to compete with the most talented competitors in the market. categories up to £1000.

All news, reviews and products from B&W

2008

B&W 685 - £380 as tested

I think we listened to this model more than any other in 2008 separate component, in addition to those included in the reference system. Her many virtues, including her outstanding composure, have given her unrivaled value for money.

All news and reviews about B&W

2009

Wharfedale Diamond 10.1 - £200 as tested

“An astonishing achievement at this price point”: the tenth generation of Wharfedale's budget Diamond range has picked up the baton from its predecessor, the 9.1, outperforming virtually any comparable speaker and many higher-end speakers.

2010

Monitor Audio Bronze BX2 - £250 as tested

The 2010 Award issue was the only one we could not find in preparing this issue. However, this does not change the fact that the Monitor Audio Bronze BX2 was deservedly awarded Product of the Year for its incredibly high quality for its price - and it was so good that it received the Award two years later.

All news and reviews dedicated to Monitor Audio

2011

KEF Q300 - £450 as tested

We were concerned that KEF had released this model too early: its first test took place in early 2011. However, these bookshelf speakers climbed higher and higher month after month, bypassing more and more new competitors.

By the time the awards were presented, the Q300 had fully retained its fighting spirit and received the Product of the Year Award for high quality in all respects.

2012

KEF LS50 - £800 as tested

Since the beginning of the new millennium, KEF has been a serious player in the speaker market. After the iQ5 and Q300, the LS50 was released - Product of the Year 2012. Judging by their 2013 and 2014 Readers' Choice Awards, you'll love them as much as we do.

2013

Q Acoustics Concept 20 - £350 as tested

This was a significant achievement for Q Acoustics, given that it only recently started operations in 2006; and in all subsequent years her columns received at least one Award.

Concept 20 is the main source of pride for the company: awarding this model the title of “Product of the Year 2013” ​​was practically a done deal for us.

All news and reviews about Q Acoustics

2014

B&W 685 S2 - £500 as tested

And finally, the latest addition to our list best speakers– “Product of the Year 2014”, namely B&W 685 S2. This model has many advantages; if we wanted to introduce our friends to the world of hi-fi, we would choose this one. Listen to this couple and you will agree that they deserve to win.

The universal desire for mobility and portability haunts electronics developers. They literally try to reduce everything, and often this can be done with virtually no loss of functionality and with minimal loss of quality. Portable acoustics have been produced for several years now, but they only began to sound really good in Lately. Today the market is experiencing favorable times, and buyers can easily choose from several hundred models.

On the one hand, more and more cheap Chinese goods are appearing, some of which are beginning to catch up with the quality of the initial lines large manufacturers, on the other hand, the companies themselves are showing increasing interest in all price segments, including the budget one, and even the most popular one - the middle one has grown significantly in breadth. A good example JBL can serve here, which in just a few years has increased its range of portable, and at the same time high-quality, acoustics so much that it was able to occupy a fairly large market share.

The largest event of the outgoing year can be considered the purchase of the Harman concern at the end of autumn by Samsung. For those who are not in the know, the concern includes such audio industry giants as JBL, AKG, Lexicon, Soundcraft, Studer, Crown, BSS, DBX and a number of others. Owns Harman Industries and the automotive divisions of Bowers & Wilkins and Bang & Olufsen, which bring him the lion's share of income. In a word, Samsung will definitely not have any problems with sound now.

Despite all the variety of portable acoustics presented today, most of the models were presented last year and the year before, but, of course, there were some new products. Of the famous brands, mostly the same ones distinguished themselves: JBL, Sony, Harman, Bang & Olufsen, which has suddenly become more active in recent years digital format Marshall and Creative. For ease of comparison, we have combined all the speakers under consideration into three groups: compact, medium-sized and large.

Compact

JBL Clip 2

One of the most popular speakers in compact format- JBL Clip, which received a rebirth this year in the form of the Clip 2 model, has been available in domestic stores since September. Unlike the plastic case used in the first generation, the new product has a fabric covering that is more pleasant to the touch, which does not in any way reduce its waterproof properties. The speaker has round shape and is equipped with a large carbine.

Inside there is one 40 mm wideband driver that provides 3 W of volume, and a 730 mAh battery, one charge of which lasts for 8 hours. Both wireless connection via Bluetooth and classic connection are available using a built-in cable with a 3.5 mm jack. It is possible to combine several speakers into a single audio system, as well as use the device as a headset, for which a microphone with noise and echo cancellation systems is provided. Prices for the model start from 2,700 rubles.

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay A1

The Danes also have similar acoustics in their assortment. True, in the traditional B&O manner, with its cost starting from 15,000 rubles, Beoplay A1 claims to be the most expensive compact speaker, more than paying for it with very impressive sound for its tiny dimensions. With a diameter of 13.3 cm and a thickness of 4.8 cm, the speaker houses two 30-W amplifiers capable of delivering 140 W peak per channel, and two speakers.

The operating range declared by the company is 60 Hz - 24 kHz. There is a built-in microphone and a 2200 mAh battery, the capacity of which lasts for 24 hours when operating at medium volume. To connect to a sound source can be used bluetooth module or 3.5 mm jack. The speaker has an attractive design with an aluminum grill, along the perimeter of the base of which there are control buttons and activity indicators.

Harman/Kardon Onyx Mini

Unusual in appearance and more than decent in sound quality, the Onyx line, produced by Harman/Kardon, this year was replenished with a long-awaited compact model, designed in the same form factor as its large-sized brothers. Onyx Mini has a stylish round body with an integrated stand, on the top edge of which there is a control panel and volume indicators. Two 45mm wideband drivers, driven by a built-in amplifier, are responsible for generating sound.

The speaker is capable of reproducing 16 W of power with operating frequency range from 75 Hz to 20 kHz. Both wired and wireless connections are available, as well as combining two devices that support Wireless Dual technology into a stereo system. Its own battery lasts for 10 hours. The picture is complemented by a built-in microphone with echo and noise reduction, allowing you to communicate comfortably via a smartphone or messenger application on a laptop and PC. The official price of Onyx Mini is 8950 rubles.

Medium-sized

JBL Charge 3

Another new product from JBL, first demonstrated along with Clip 2 at CES 2016. Unlike the younger model, Charge 3 is large and powerful, with a good volume reserve, excellent bass development and energetic presentation. The speaker design consists of a pair of 50 mm speakers and two passive radiators loaded onto bass reflexes. This solution allows you to obtain 20 W of power and a covered frequency spectrum extending in the range of 65 Hz - 20 kHz. AC is made in plastic case with a fabric cover equipped with moisture protection certified to IPX7 standard. Externally, the speaker resembles a barrel 185 mm long, with radiators installed at both ends.

The location of the controls and the small stand clearly hint that horizontal arrangement, which interferes with the flow of membranes, is not recommended. Connection: Bluetooth or 3.5 mm. The built-in 6000 mAh battery can provide 20 hours of continuous music listening and also recharge other gadgets. There is a microphone and support for Social Mode, which allows you to pair up to three smartphones at the same time, alternately broadcasting songs to the speaker. You can buy Charge 3 in Russia today from 8,500 rubles.

Creative iRoar Go

Creative company updated its range in September portable models, introducing five new devices at once. In addition to two small speakers from the Muvo line and two Nuno, a very remarkable acoustic system, iRoar Go, was shown, which was 40% more compact than the previous iRoar, on the basis of which it was developed. The speaker is well built and is reminiscent in style of old radios.

The design of two tweeters and one woofer, directed forward, as well as two passive radiators installed on the sides, is responsible for the formation of sound. LF and MF-HF emitters have separate amplification. Present proprietary features SuperWide (forming surround sound) and giving the name to the line - Roar, combining a maximizer, a stereo expander and a bass exciter, together providing an increase in volume and stage width.

The capabilities of the device do not end there. The signal source can be connected with a 3.5mm cable or using wireless connection NFC or Bluetooth. No less useful are USB Audio support, which allows you to play music directly from a computer or laptop, a microSD slot for playing MP3 and FLAC files stored on the card, as well as the Sound Blaster Connect application, which provides access to the equalizer and other settings. The iRoar Go case has many metal elements and is waterproof according to the IPX6 standard. On board there is a microphone, a voice recorder and a 5200 mAh battery that provides 10 hours of operation and supports the use of the speaker as a power bank. You can purchase the model for 15,000 rubles.

Marshall Stockwell

The smallest portable speaker in the Marshall line, at 1.2kg, it's on the verge of portability, but it sounds great and is incredibly attractive. appearance, stylized as the world-famous guitar amps produced by the company for decades, effectively compensate for this. Inside the 26 x 14 cm case there are two 2.25" broadband drivers, two identical sized woofers, the same number of passive radiators and class D amplifiers, together allowing a power of up to 27 W.

There are physical volume controls, as well as HF and LF equalizers, made on large gold-plated potentiometers. Connection to the signal source is available via a wireless Bluetooth connection, a cable with a 3.5 mm jack or via a USB port. The built-in battery lasts for 25 hours. It is possible to recharge other gadgets. The speaker boasts loud and bright sound with good bass and a wide stage, superior to both JBL and Creative. Stockwell costs from 15,000 rubles and above.

Large

Sony GTK-XB7

Acustic systems The GTK lines combine several portable models of varying power, intended primarily for lovers of home parties or outdoor get-togethers. This is hinted at by the dimensions 326 x 650 x 340 mm, weight as much as 12 kg and developed power of 470 W. Customizable via the app will help brighten up your leisure time LED lights, responding to the dynamics of the music being played, and a pair of miniature strobes.

Inside there are two 16 cm LF and three 5 cm MF-HF emitters. Available in both vertical and horizontal orientation, and the device automatically recognizes the position and optimizes the sound performance. Those who like more power can use the Extra Bass function or combine several speakers into unified system, managing them from the SongPal application. Wired (RCA) and wireless (Bluetooth, NFC) connection or playback from a flash drive or PC connected to the USB port is available. All this is complemented by proprietary technologies: DSEE, which improves the quality of lossy files, and ClearAudio+, which automatically performs frequency correction. Prices for Sony GTK-XB7 start at 17,000 rubles.