May 2023

Bookshelf Speakers: MetaRanking

This page highlights the aggregate summary of Speakers rankings posted by key online experts, as of May 2023.

Summary

Between 2 May 2023 and 2 May 2023, ReviewFinder team examined a total of 92 Speakers endorsements from 10 reputable publishers.

66 Bookshelf Speakers were endorsed in total, only 14 made it into this month's ranking (ReviewFinder requires a minimum of 2 endorsements to be included).

As of 2 May 2023, Q Acoustics 3020i takes the cake as the most critically-acclaimed speakers with 5 expert endorsements. 2 experts out of 5 recommended it as the '#1 speakers' this month. It is followed by Elac Debut 2.0 B6.2 and Kef LS50 , with 5 and 4 expert endorsements respectively.

Brand breakdown
Show all brands

Price breakdown
As can be seen in the chart below, lowest high-ranking bookshelf speakers start at $44.98 (Dayton Audio B652) and go up to $1599.98 (Kef LS50). Median speakers cost $387.99 (Edifier S1000MKII).
$44.98
$1599.98

At a glance - May 2023 Ranking

Scroll horizontally to browse this ranking table
Rank Change Price Speakers
Wirecutter
HiConsumption
Pitchfork
Max Your Home Time
SoundGuys
T3
Gear Patrol
Rolling Stone
The Master Switch
What Hi-Fi
1
- $449
Q Acoustics 3020i
1
-
7
1
-
-
8
-
5
-
2
- $329
Elac Debut 2.0 B6.2
-
-
9
5
2
-
-
-
1
8
3
- $1600
Kef LS50
-
-
-
-
-
7
2
-
10
1
4
- Check price
Bowers & Wilkins 606 S2
-
-
-
-
-
5
6
-
7
3
5
- Check price
Dali Spektor 2
-
-
-
-
-
2
11
-
-
6
6
- Check price
Triangle Borea BR03
3
-
-
-
-
-
10
-
-
7
7
- $455
Klipsch The Fives
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
1
17
-
13
- $60
Dayton Audio B652 AIR
-
-
8
-
-
-
-
-
3
-
14
- Check price
Bose 301
-
2
-
10
-
-
-
-
-
-
15
- Check price
Bowers & Wilkins 607 S2
-
-
-
-
4
-
-
-
-
4
16
- $800
Kanto TUK
-
-
-
3
-
-
-
-
13
-
17
- Check price
Q Acoustics Concept 300
-
8
-
-
-
-
4
-
-
-
18
- Check price
KEF LS50 Wireless II
-
-
6
-
-
6
-
-
-
-
19
- $588
Kef Q150
-
-
11
-
-
-
9
-
-
-

Sorted by price:

Position in ranking Price Speakers
#13 $59.98 Dayton Audio B652 AIR [buy] [more info]
#6 $274.12 Triangle Borea BR03 [buy] [more info]
#2 $328.98 Elac Debut 2.0 B6.2 [buy] [more info]
#1 $449 Q Acoustics 3020i [buy] [more info]
#7 $455 Klipsch The Fives [buy] [more info]
#14 $468 Bose 301 [buy] [more info]
#19 $587.98 Kef Q150 [buy] [more info]
#16 $799.99 Kanto TUK [buy] [more info]
#5 $907.09 Dali Spektor 2 [buy] [more info]
#3 $1599.98 Kef LS50 [buy] [more info]

We ranked Q Acoustics 3020i #1 in May 2023 because:

  • 5 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Bookshelf Speakers” rankings.
  • Out of those, 2 experts ranked Q Acoustics 3020i as #1.
Critic endorsements:
Wirecutter

The best passive bookshelf speakers

Go to ranking

Pitchfork

Go to ranking

Max Your Home Time

Best Overall and Best Bookshelf Speakers Under 300

Pros
The Q Acoustic 3020i delivers incredible sound across a remarkably broad range.
While not cheap, they are affordable.
Well designed and attractive, especially minus the grilles.
They are compact.

Cons
Not much.

Go to ranking

Gear Patrol

Pros
Fantastic value
Excellent sound quality
Easy to drive

Cons
Sometimes difficult to find

Go to ranking

The Master Switch

Best Bookshelf Speakers for Vinyl

Pros
Great looks
excellent treble
compact build.

Cons
Sound quality can be fatiguing at high volumes.

Go to ranking

We ranked Elac Debut 2.0 B6.2 #2 in May 2023 because:

  • 5 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Bookshelf Speakers” rankings.
  • Out of those, 1 expert ranked Elac Debut 2.0 B6.2 as #1.
Critic endorsements:
Pitchfork

Go to ranking

Max Your Home Time

Runner-Up Bookshelf Speakers Under 300

Pros
Moving the bass port at the front of the speakers is a smart move, and one, other designers should note.
The pair offers excellent bass performance for bookshelf speakers.
The price is great for the quality of the sound offered.
The speakers are constructed very well.

Cons
The retro design of these speakers might impress someone else, but not me.

Go to ranking

SoundGuys

Best design

Pros
Minimal, all-black design
Sound quality

Cons
Requires an app

Go to ranking

The Master Switch

Best Overall Bookshelf Speakers

Pros
Almost everything you could want out of a bookshelf speaker

Cons
The design and looks are a little dull compared to other models.

Go to ranking

What Hi-Fi

A mature and understated pair of speakers.

Pros
Hugely transparent
Don’t force their own character
Rhythmic and dynamic

Cons
Unforgiving of poor sources

Go to ranking

Methodology: combine opinions of key experts

Identify Experts

We identify key publishers and experts that consistently review and recommend Bookshelf Speakers.

Capture Rankings

For each publisher we find a currently recommended "top 10" list of Bookshelf Speakers, it must be updated in the last 9 months.

Aggregate Rankings

We put all those lists together and aggregate them. The more frequently a product is recommended, the higher it is in our ranking

Experts chosen for May 2023 ranking

We ranked Kef LS50 #3 in May 2023 because:

  • 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Bookshelf Speakers” rankings.
  • Out of those, 1 expert ranked Kef LS50 as #1.
Critic endorsements:
T3

Awesome passive speakers for a high price

Pros
Exceptionally clear sound
Stunning design

Cons
Pricey, even without an additional amp

Go to ranking

Gear Patrol

Best upgrade

Pros
Gorgeous
Elite sound quality

Cons
Larger than your average bookshelf speakers
Expensive

Go to ranking

The Master Switch

Pros
-A genuine improvement on a classic.

Cons
-Still massively pricey, outperformed in some areas by more affordable models.

Go to ranking

What Hi-Fi

These bookshelf speakers set new standards at the price.

Pros
Exceptional sonic transparency
Subtle and precise presentation
Innovative technology

Cons
Don't place them in a bookshelf or up against a wall

Go to ranking

We ranked Bowers & Wilkins 606 S2 #4 in May 2023 because:

  • 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Bookshelf Speakers” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
T3

The best passive bookshelf speakers for a premium setup

Pros
Clear sound
Punchy bass
Sleek looks

Cons
Might be too deep for some shelves

Go to ranking

Gear Patrol

Pros
Elite sound quality and clarity
Big and punchy bass
Available in several premium finishes

Cons
A touch expensive

Go to ranking

The Master Switch

Pros
Elegant detail and soundstage, and the light and compact frame make these a joy to use.

Cons
Unforgiving nature, fussy with positioning.

Go to ranking

What Hi-Fi

B&W hones its 606 standmounters to great effect.

Pros
Excellent clarity
Agile and articulate bass
Impressive dynamic punch

Cons
Minor upgrades over previous model

Go to ranking

We ranked Dali Spektor 2 #5 in May 2023 because:

  • 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Bookshelf Speakers” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
T3

The best passive bookshelf speakers for most people

Pros
Affordable
Detailed and expressive sound
Compact size

Cons
Not available in white
No wireless or smart features

Go to ranking

Gear Patrol

Pros
Excellent value
Compact design
Surprisingly detailed sound

Cons
Design might not be for everybody

Go to ranking

What Hi-Fi

Fine build,great sound and a bargain price.

Pros
Agile, articulate and expressive
Small
Unfussy

Cons
Low rated sensitivity, so needs care with amplifier pairing

Go to ranking

We ranked Triangle Borea BR03 #6 in May 2023 because:

  • 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Bookshelf Speakers” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
Wirecutter

A step up in sound quality

Go to ranking

Gear Patrol

Pros
Excellent value
Big sound with impressive clarity

Cons
Design (especially without grille covers) won't be for everybody

Go to ranking

What Hi-Fi

These bookshelf speakers are serious contenders.

Pros
Sophisticated, detailed sound
Impressive sense of scale
High-quality, agile bass

Cons
Aesthetic won’t be for everyone
Slight peakiness to treble

Go to ranking

We ranked Klipsch The Fives #7 in May 2023 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Bookshelf Speakers” rankings.
  • Out of those, 1 expert ranked Klipsch The Fives as #1.
Critic endorsements:
Rolling Stone

Best Overall

Go to ranking

The Master Switch

Pros
One of the simplest ways to create a combined TV/hi-fi system.

Cons
Uncontrolled bass and hit-and-miss mids.

Go to ranking

We ranked Dayton Audio B652 AIR #8 in May 2023 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Bookshelf Speakers” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
Pitchfork

Go to ranking

The Master Switch

Best Budget Bookshelf Speakers

Pros
Excellent detail and clarity for a sub-$100 speaker

Cons
Slightly weak bass, and the binding posts are irritating to use

Go to ranking

We ranked Bose 301 #9 in May 2023 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Bookshelf Speakers” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
HiConsumption

Go to ranking

Max Your Home Time

Pros
These speakers feature a fresh horizontal design and small size.
I like the idea of automatic protection of my drivers.

Cons
I am not a fan of the rear-facing driver and muddy sound.
Also, for its price, you do not expect a cheap finish.

Go to ranking

We ranked Bowers & Wilkins 607 S2 #10 in May 2023 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Bookshelf Speakers” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
SoundGuys

Best Sound

Pros
Sound quality
Design

Cons
Price

Go to ranking

What Hi-Fi

A happy anniversary for these upgraded B&W 607 S2 speakers

Pros
Improved clarity and detail
More expressive than predecessors
Tighter, more agile bass

Cons
Small updates over previous model

Go to ranking

We ranked Kanto TUK #11 in May 2023 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Bookshelf Speakers” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
Max Your Home Time

Best Bookshelf Speakers Under 1000

Pros
Best looking speakers
Performance at high frequencies is simply extraordinary due to the use of the AMT tweeter.

Cons
These speakers aren’t exactly affordable, but as mentioned, I do believe the price is justified.
The Bluetooth version used is outdated.
Volume control could be easier to use and offer extra precision.

Go to ranking

The Master Switch

Pros
A genuine evolution for Bluetooth speakers.

Cons
Volume issues
Bluetooth 4.2 only.

Go to ranking

We ranked Q Acoustics Concept 300 #12 in May 2023 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Bookshelf Speakers” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
HiConsumption

Go to ranking

Gear Patrol

Pros
Epic sound
They are a statement piece

Cons
Incredibly pricey
Larger than your average bookshelf speakers
Tripod stands add an extra cost

Go to ranking

We ranked KEF LS50 Wireless II #13 in May 2023 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Bookshelf Speakers” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
Pitchfork

Go to ranking

T3

Incredible, premium wireless bookshelf speakers

Pros
Great design
Lots of connectivity, including HDMI for TVs
Wonderful sound quality

Cons
Existing KEF owners might prefer a newer design

Go to ranking

We ranked Kef Q150 #14 in May 2023 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Bookshelf Speakers” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
Pitchfork

Go to ranking

Gear Patrol

Pros
Big sound with wide soundstage
Bespoke and unique design

Cons
Doesn't come with speaker grilles

Go to ranking