Bookshelf Speakers

Bookshelf Speakers at Abt

Similar to tower speakers, bookshelf speakers are elevated in height in order to circulate sound from above. They are compact in size, but quite powerful, a perfect addition to your stereo setup. You can even place multiple bookshelf speakers around the room to create a surround sound system for your home theater. To get a fuller range of intense audio, try pairing your bookshelf speakers with a subwoofer as well. Some of Abt's selections are two-way speakers or a more powerful three-way. Two-way bookshelf speakers hold two drivers, a woofer for low-frequencies and a tweeter for high frequencies. Three-way speakers add on a mid-range element and therefore produce more well-rounded audio.

The placement of your speakers can greatly affect the projection of sound. While the tweeter sends the audio forward, the woofer tends to send audio outward in all directions. This combination will produce vibrations, so it's vital that your speaker rests on a rigid surface to ensure that these vibrations do not diminish the sound. As their name suggests, you can place these devices on a bookshelf, but there are many other configurations to get the most out of them. You can place them in a corner and send sound bouncing off the walls or you can put them on a speaker stand for higher-quality audio, as the sound waves are able to move freely rather than the shelves absorbing them. Our bookshelf speakers come in all shapes, sizes and colors. Some are small enough to fit in your hand if you're looking for a minimalist device that won't detract from your decor. Modest colors like black, beige, gray or white will assist in your speaker blending in, though we also carry rich colors like red, blue, green and orange for bolder personalities who wish to make a statement with their listening.

Speaker Connectivity

There are two different types of bookshelf speakers: powered and passive. Powered speakers have built-in amplifiers, which means you can easily connect them directly into your audio source. This option is ideal for those who have a lower budget or limited space, as it's an all-in-one product. Passive speakers, on the other hand, require an extra connection that provides a built-in amplifier. These "extra connections" are called receivers. Receivers act as a command center, as they get an audio signal from your source of media, whether it's a TV or a record player, and send it to the speakers. There are also two different types of speaker inputs: analog and optical. Analog refers to your typical AUX cord, like one you may have connected to your car radio. While these are simple to use as they plug directly into your media source, they are more prone to interference like popping, hissing or buzzing while you're listening. An optical input cord transfers audio signals digitally, which not only reduces the chance of interference but also enhances the audio. Several of our bookshelf speakers offer even more advanced technology as some can be controlled by an app or have Bluetooth capabilities that eliminate the need for physical inputs at all.

For questions on how best to set up your stereo and speaker system, speak to a member of our team at 800-914-2061. For guidance on what speaker is best for your lifestyle and listening, explore our speaker buying guide.