To get amazing sound in your home or listening room, you don’t have to spend a lot of money or have a lot of space. You can get audiophile-quality sound and output from a set of bookshelf speakers without having to sacrifice space or your budget.
The Swans are the Best Bookshelf Speakers Under $2000, combining exceptional sound quality with elegant, durable all-wood housing, and fully-modern connectivity ( >>> Visit Amazon).
Let’s have a closer look at each detail to see how they compare.
Best Bookshelf Speakers Under $2000 – Our top picks
| Picture | Product | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
  | HiVi-Swans M5A | 4.0 | SEE IT NOW |
  | Polk Legend L200 | 4.7 | SEE IT NOW |
  | Triangle Esprit Comete Ez | 5.0 | SEE IT NOW |
  | Dynaudio Evoke 10 | 4.2 | SEE IT NOW |
  | Elac ARB51-GE | 4.2 | SEE IT NOW |
  | KEF Q350 | 4.8 | SEE IT NOW |
Size and weight
Bookshelf speakers are generally smaller and lighter than floor-standing speakers, but there is still a lot to choose from.
The speaker will typically be heavier and more powerful if it has better sound quality and drivers. However, there are exceptions.
The Elac ARB51 -GE and Dynaudio Evoke 10 compact speakers are ideal for those who have limited space.
Each speaker is less than 20 pounds in weight and can be placed on top of your entertainment center without the use of a stand. The Dynaudio Evoke 10 is slightly lighter than the other set, with a weight per speaker of fewer than 15 lbs.
Most compact: Dynaudio Evoke 10
Sound Quality
Each piece of a speaker has an impact on how music and movies sound. But the driver array is the most important.
A 2-way or 3-way design can be used for bookshelf speakers. 2-way speakers have two drivers: a tweeter for highs and a mid-woofer for lows. 3-way speakers add a dedicated middle-range driver.
You can find 2-way speakers that have high sonic detail, and an articulate low end, but a 3-way speaker provides a clearer, more detailed sound across the frequency spectrum.
The KEF Q350/Q650C system’s drivers provide a powerful bass response, with clear highs, and excellent clarity in the mid-range. This puts them at the top of the sound quality rankings.
The Swans M5A 2-speaker set is best for the best sound quality. It has the highest output and a broad frequency range, as well as the most sophisticated 3-way driver array.
Best sound quality: Swans
Connectivity
These bookshelf speakers can all be connected to amplifiers, receivers, or other A/V equipment via cables.
This is the best way to connect speakers with your system. It provides the best sound quality and signal processing.
Wireless connectivity is an important feature of modern home theater spaces.
Both the Swans M5A and the Elac ARB51GE have Bluetooth and Wi-Fi capabilities. The Swans M5A is the better option, as it has a stronger Bluetooth connection and can maintain a better sound quality when using the wireless option.
Best connectivity: Swans M5A
KEF Q350 + Q650C Center Channel Speaker
This KEF three-speaker system is ideal for home theater spaces.
The system includes two KEF Q350 bookshelf speaker pairs and a central Q650C speaker. The three speakers are connected seamlessly and provide clarity and power across the frequency range.
This creates a rich, three-dimensional sound experience for your home.
These speakers use a Unit Q Driver Array with a sophisticated crossover to ensure bass accuracy and cleaner sound across the frequency range.
They all use a dampened tweeter loading tube to keep high-end frequencies well balanced.
To reduce resonance and noise, the Q350’s driver is located in the center of the cabinet. A rear port provides additional clarity. For low-end frequencies, the Q650C uses a closed cabinet design.
It is well-articulated at all dynamic levels and has powerful low-end frequencies.
KEF speakers take up more space than traditional bookshelf speakers.
The entire set is almost 50 pounds in weight and will require a lot of space on the shelves.
Additionally, the placement of the speakers can have a major impact on how loud the sound fills the space.
This may make it less suitable for rooms with limited space or entertainment systems.
Although it is annoying, the grille covers are not included.
However, this is still a small cost and the set is less than $2,000 after this additional purchase.
Pros
- 3-speaker system to create powerful, immersive sound
- Dialog and clarity in the mid-range
- Smooth treble response
- Dual 6.5-inch bass drivers deliver a punchy, full-bodied bass.
- Available in white or black finishes
- Entertainment centers are protected from damage by rubber feet
Cons
- Magnetic grilles need to be purchased separately
- Wireless connectivity is not an option
You maybe want to read:
Best Stereo Speakers: The Best Bookshelf, Floor And Hi-fi Speakers
Elac ARB51-GE Navis
The Elac ARB51 GE Navis Premium bookshelf speakers are a great choice for those looking for lightweight, compact speakers.
The speakers are lightweight at less than 20 pounds and have a small footprint.
These speakers are also attractive and can be ordered in solid black, solid red, or ebony wooden grain finishes.
This makes them easy to integrate into your home’s decor.
The Elac Navis Premium speakers don’t sacrifice sound quality or power in order to save space.
The 3-way design of each speaker includes a designated woofer and midrange driver as well as a tweeter.
This design improves bass response and provides a clear, detailed response across all frequencies.
The sound can be adjusted easily with the three separate EQ buttons on the back. These are for the lows and mids as well as the highs.
Elac ARB51GE speakers are different from other options in that their sound production is entirely analog.
As long as the speaker is connected to a cable, there’s no digital signal processing.
You can also connect wirelessly with services such as Spotify Connect or Apple AirPlay. Although this is a useful feature, the sound quality will be noticeably better if you connect to a wired network.
Pros
- The clear, pure sound throughout the frequency range
- The 3-way design gives excellent bass response
- Three EQ switches allow for fine-tuning of sound.
- You have the option of a wired or wireless connection
- You can stream content through your favorite services
- Lightweight and compact
Cons
- The wireless connection does not offer the same sound quality.
Dynaudio Evoke 10
They are among the most compact high-end bookshelf speakers available, at less than 15 pounds and with a small footprint.
The Dynaudio Evoke 10’s mid-to-upper range is particularly impressive from a sound perspective.
The soft-dome design of the Dynaudio Evoke 10 features Ferrite+ ceramic magnets, which improves the sensitivity.
It produces a bright high end with no distortion or resonance. Precise tuning and an advanced aluminum voice coil ensure a controlled sound that is perfect for music and movies.
Dynaudio Evoke 10’s MSP woofer is very impressive for a 2-way bookshelf speaker.
It has excellent articulation and detail at the lower frequencies.
However, it is not as powerful or deep as 3-way speakers. Those looking for cinema-like sound effects and room shaking will be able to pair the bookshelf speakers with subwoofers.
Pros
- The smooth, controlled sound overall
- Low resonance and distortion
- High-quality sound quality in the upper and mid-ranges
- It is small and easily fits in most entertainment systems
- Modern design available in four finishes
Cons
- Bass power is not as high
- Sensitivity is lower than high-end speakers for bookshelf use
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10 Best Bookshelf Speakers Under 1000
Triangle Esprit Comete Ez
The Triangle Esprit Comete Ez delivers a sound experience similar to floor-standing loudspeakers but in a smaller package.
Its 6.5-inch natural paper cone mid-woofer gives it a nuanced response at low and mid frequencies.
This means that the low-end power is higher, but it also gives the listener a more realistic listening experience.
It’s a great choice for medium-sized home theatres.
The high-end sound quality is just as impressive. Comete Ez features a horn-loaded compression chamber and a TZ2510 ceramic dome tweeter. The upper frequencies are balanced and powerful, but not tinny.
We will admit that these speakers perform best when mounted on stands.
These speakers are light and compact enough to fit in most entertainment centers.
However, they offer the flexibility of a bookshelf speaker set. The Triangle Esprit Comete Ez is a great choice, offering a balanced output and small footprint for a fair price.
Pros
- Design with horn-loaded efficiency
- It produces a great output considering its size
- Powerful low end
- Uses lower power amplifiers well
- Flexibility in room size and placement
Cons
- Resonance is higher than with other options
- High dynamics are a little too boomy at the low end.
Polk Legend L200
Polk is a well-known brand in audio equipment.
The Legend L200 bookshelf speaker from Polk lives up to its reputation for quality.
Pinnacle Tweeter features an improved ring radiator design, which produces natural-sounding highs with outstanding clarity.
The rigid turbine cone woofer produces a punchy, articulate low-end sound.
This allows for the same level of detail and depth throughout the frequency range.
Another plus is the port design of the Polk Legend L200. Polk has changed the port geometry to provide smoother airflow and less noise, distortion, and turbulence than previous port designs.
This improves the clarity at the low end and ensures that you hear only the sound signal, not the speaker.
The grilles are also considered and paid attention to. They are acoustically inert so they won’t make any annoying buzzing or other sounds.
These speakers are heavy, and we’ll admit it. You will need dedicated stands to place them in most places.
This is both a space necessity as well as to ensure the speakers are at the right height for optimal sound quality. A powerful amplifier or receiver can make them sound their best.
Pros
- Hi-Res Audio has a wide frequency range
- Clear, natural sound at the upper frequencies
- Great for dialogue or music, the mid-range is very detailed.
- Acoustically transparent grilles
- No extra noise, powerful bass
Cons
- A powerful amplifier is required (70W+ per channel).
- Other options are not as compact
Hi-Vi Swans M5A
Some bookshelf speakers are not powerful enough to fill large spaces like a home theater.
The HiVi-Swans M5A’s massive sound is perfect for this space.
An 8″ woofer is part of the 3-way driver array, which produces big sound for movie sound effects or grooving basslines.
This driver is paired with a responsive ribbon speaker and a 3″ mid-range driver to create a rich, natural soundscape for your listening room or home entertainment area.
The Swans M5A gives you a lot of control. You can fine-tune your frequency balance using the three EQ knobs at the back. The remote allows for volume adjustments and switching between inputs.
The Swan M5A‘s overall design is also impressive.
The solid wood cabinet of the Swan M5A is precision-made and looks great.
The speakers can also be wirelessly connected with built-in Wi-Fi or Bluetooth HD 5.0 connectivity. These speakers are not recommended for those with limited space.
They’re about the same size as most loudspeakers and weigh in at around the same weight.
Pros
- Three-way driver delivers exceptional clarity and detail
- Adjustment of 3-knob EQ
- You have the option of Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or wired connections
- Easy control via remote
- Solid wood cabinets with leather-coated panels on the front
Cons
- Heavy and large
The Verdict: The Best Bookshelf Speakers Under $2,000
The right bookshelf speaker is not only about how it fits in your space but also about the speakers themselves.
The Swans are strong speakers, with the best sound quality, but they are also heavy ( >>> Get on Amazon). This makes a compact speaker such as the Dynaudio Evoke 10 and Elac ARB51 GE a better choice.
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