Listening to sounds is a way of life for a lot of people.
The whole speaker set can be intimidating, and ear pods can cause ear fatigues.
Your perfect solution is to invest in a bookshelf speaker that can provide you both the luxury of superb sounds and convenience.
I have tried and reviewed 10 of the market’s best bookshelf speakers – all under $200, and the Edifier R1280T is my top choice and favorite.
You may concur or differ with my review, and to be fair, here is the rest of my reviews to decide on your own.
Contents
The Best Bookshelf Speakers under $200
- Edifier R1280T Powered Bookshelf Speakers – Best Speakers Overall
- Sony SSCS5 3-Way – The Natural Home Choice
- Behringer Studio 50USB 5 inch Powered Studio Monitors – The USB Connecting Speaker
- PreSonus Eris E4.5 4.5 inch Powered Studio Monitors – The Great Sound and Good Price Speakers
- Edifier R1280DB Powered Bluetooth Bookshelf Speakers– Best Bluetooth Speakers
- PreSonus Eris 3.5 BT 3.5 inch Powered Studio Monitors – Best Small but Powerful Speaker
- Alesis Elevate 5 MKII 5 inch Powered Studio Monitors – Best Beginner’s Monitor
- Mackie CR5-X 5 inch Multimedia Monitors – Best Solid Beginner Choice
- JBL 1 Series 104-BT 4.5 inch Compact Powered Monitors – Best Beautifully Designed, Powerfully Made Monitors
- Yamaha HS5 5 Inch Powered Studio Monitor – Best Mighty Speaker
Also Great | Editor's Choice | Budget Pick |
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Edifier R1280T Powered Bookshelf Speakers
If you want an enhanced version of your trusted desktop speakers, the Edifier R1280T is what you need.
Described as basic but with oomph, this bookshelf speaker comes with 4-inches main woofers and a dedicated tweeter for each unit to share 42 Watts of power.
The inputs of this speaker are straightforward, with 2 RCA audio jacks that are continuously active.
Making adjustments is as basic and easy with the right speaker holding the knobs for treble, bass, and volume.
The left speaker holds the speaker wire jack, and the other controls to complete this set are your power switch and remote control.
This speaker makes the ideal sound system for smaller applications and medium-sized spaces because it doesn’t have enough power to be that loud in a massive room.
Set this to half its maximum power for best use, as setting it to all high can cause some distortion to the sound.
You will be impressed with how balanced the left and right speakers are in producing sounds for their price.
In functionality and looks, this Edifier speaker is a real winner because it has this classic design that can beautifully fit the contemporary interiors of your office, apartment, or bedroom.
This is the perfect example of sounding good and looking good.
Pros
- Aesthetically beautiful
- Dual inputs
- Front panels are removable
Cons
- Power cable is fixed
- Distortion on the low bass
Sony SSCS5 3-Way
Sony has been a household name forever, and this SSCS5 series is an excellent addition to your small home or office.
This 3-ways speaker boasts a mid-range driver that can deliver you the best sound quality possible for such a compact design.
This Sony bookshelf speaker will fit nicely in your contemporary home and immediately spruce up your space with its elegant and modern design.
The speaker’s first-class quality structure is both for appearance and functionality, given that the SSCS5 is designed on a sound foundation.
Thanks to its solid and ported enclosures, you can enjoy crystal clear and deep resounding acoustics without the unwanted buzz and sounds of other speakers.
This speaker’s impressive 5.12-inch woofer expertly delivers that Sony signature deep and rich sound.
Additionally, Sony integrated a “Super Tweeter” in this speaker’s design to expand the soundstage.
This is not your usual and boring technology because Sony went back to square one to achieve that additional balance and precision for your sounds.
As another bonus, Sony also addressed the issue of low sound pressure, which is common in bookshelf speakers.
Sony’s answer is to create a balance between using the latest technology, weight reduction techniques, and a smart speaker design for that enhanced sound pressure.
Pros
- Compact design so it fits anywhere
- Beautiful modern design
- 3-way, 3-speaker bass-reflex system
Cons
- Some may need a subwoofer
Behringer Studio 50USB 5 inch Powered Studio Monitors
Studio monitors are a must-have for any music enthusiast.
It is considered the windows into your music, and the clearer your “glass,” the more you can hear.
You can’t get as much clarity as Behringer’s Studio 50SUSB speakers since they are bi-amped with 150 watts.
It also comes with an extended Kevlar-cone 5-inch woofer and a 1-inch silk dome tweeter, with each speaker having its amplifiers.
With the brand’s innovative waveguide technology, you can ensure that these studio monitors will fill your room with quality sounds.
You will like how clear and well-defined the mid-tones are with this speaker, and the vocals are clear-cut with zero muddiness,
The instrumental parts of your sounds are well-rounded and rich sounding without causing any ear fatigue after extended listening periods.
The monitor inputs are XLR and TSR, with an additional USB making it more convenient to connect to today’s audio resources.
For a low-budget speaker, you will be happy knowing that you have some level of control when it comes to its tuning options because you can adjust the level of your Behringer to +2, -2, and -4 to achieve that sharpness that you desire.
This speaker is reasonably attractive for aesthetics, with its plastic component offering a textured finish to thwart fingerprints.
Its all-black casing is a classic and can fit in any kind of home and interior.
Pros
- USB connection
- Adjustable tuning
Cons
- Scratchy sound in higher volumes
PreSonus Eris E4.5 4.5 inch Powered Studio Monitors
The first thing you will rave about will be how light the PreSonus is.
At 6.4 pounds, you can bring this anywhere with you despite the left speaker housing the amplifiers, connections, and controls.
But not because it is lightweight means that the construction is questionable because you can be sure that the PreSonus is solidly built.
Another advantage of the speakers being lightweight is that you can conveniently set it on a work surface and enjoy the sounds without worrying about that flat surface enhancing the bass.
The rotary controls are at the back of the left speakers, so you dial in up to 6dB and tune the speakers to whichever environment, either a soothing acoustic environment or a modest fun party.
The inputs of the PreSonus Eris include an RCA, TRS, and a 3.5mm stereo jack so you can still connect your smaller devices.
A huge plus is its Bluetooth 5.0 radio and a pairing button because you can go for wireless streaming.
This is a user-friendly feature when you are keen on listening from your portable devices sans being restricted by the connection wires.
This bookshelf speaker is exactly what you need if you are looking for great-sounding speaking without breaking the bank.
It is multi-purpose, and you get a reasonably decent deal with its price.
Pros
- Impressive sound quality
- Plenty of input options
- High and low boosts
Cons
- Minor mid-range deficit
Edifier R1280DB Powered Bluetooth Bookshelf Speakers
Another bookshelf speaker that you can’t miss is the Edifier R1280DB.
Although this one is ideal for desktop PCs, it has enough power for your entire apartment or office to ad power to your TV or gaming stations.
The perfect size between your usual bookshelf speaker and PC speakers, the R1280DB sits right through your current interiors thanks to its solid MDF construction with its wood-textured vinyl wrap.
The speakers have rounded corners which are a significant upgrade from the usual wood-textured sides common to Edifier speakers.
It has both digital and analog inserts and a Bluetooth connection to maximize all your audio resources.
It is easy to set up and highly portable, so you can bring this with you whenever you need some additional power for your sounds.
Slightly bigger than your average PC speakers, you can expect that its sound is more powerful and full.
The output of these speakers is even with no uneven boost to either the treble or the bass, and you get an even sound throughout with even warmth and depth.
Regardless of your music genre, you can be guaranteed a warm tone all through your listening sessions.
Pros
- Plenty of features
- Bluetooth connectivity and remote
- Affordable upgrade
Cons
- Remote is all plastic and has no LED indicator
PreSonus Eris 3.5 BT 3.5 inch Powered Studio Monitors
Surprisingly small, the 3.5 inches PreSonus BT is good news if you work with very minimal space – either in your home or just on top of your working table.
The speaker sports an all-black design making it a perfect add-on for your existing gadgets and devices.
When it comes to features, this PreSonus model has plenty of features to offer.
And the most obvious of all is the “BT” or Bluetooth on its name, and using this wireless capability is very easy as you need to enable it by pushing the pair button at the back of your left speaker.
Once enabled, you can connect your phone or PC and continue to multitask while having your listening session.
Mind you, the sound quality of these speakers is excellent, and it is capable of delivering that impressive balance in all frequencies.
Its response time is clear and clean, and the highs are also a thumbs-up because it doesn’t have any tinniness towards the end, with the mids sparkling sans the muddy tones.
Although the low end is smooth, you won’t get that sought-after depth, but again, this is a 3.5-inches speaker you are investing in.
Pros
- Solid build quality
- Bluetooth connection
- Balanced and crystal clear sounds
Cons
- Slim sweet spot
Alesis Elevate 5 MKII 5 inch Powered Studio Monitors
If you are after crystal clear sound quality, then the Elevate 5 MkII is the one for you.
These speakers produce your sounds with a perfect balance between frequencies and neutral sounds, making this one of the best sounding speakers and a must-have for beginner producers learning the craft.
You will appreciate how clean and distinctive is the low clean with no boominess in it.
Thanks to its Bass Boost feature, you can listen to your sounds with that extra oomph and intensity.
The mids are also well-defined, with the instrumentals clear and crisp, and you don’t need to extend an ear listening for any muddy tones.
The build quality is solid and workable for a budget bookshelf speaker because the speaker’s cabinet feels solid and reliable.
And with its textured front, you won’t have to stress over scratches and fingerprints constantly.
Pros
- Consistent clear audio in low, mid, and high frequencies
- Excellent and functional housing
- Integrated Bass Boost feature
Cons
- No defined tuning options
Mackie CR5-X 5 inch Multimedia Monitors
Exceptional quality is a given for the Mackie CR5-X.
With its 5-inch woofers, you can expect nothing but more than enough bass that is satisfying and pleasing to the ears.
This is the ultimate toy for beginners because you get plenty of clarity and warmth in the mids, making it a solid choice for studio and editing purposes.
Despite the price, you will get a solid build quality from these speakers.
Its MDF wood cabinet is decent and sturdy but not massive and heavy giving you a premium feel without compromising convenience and portability.
This speaker is also fun and modern in design thanks to its iconic and unique green lining design, and Mackie is a genius for not making the colors too loud but instead just a subtle one to achieve that polished look still.
You can maximize this speaker with the possible connections that are possible. It has an unbalanced RCA connection, balanced/unbalanced TRS, a Stereo-In option, and a headphone port in front.
You can also pair your devices via Bluetooth for that liberating, hands-free, and wire-free listening session.
Pros
- Comes with isolation pads
- Superb sound balance
- Clean and defined bass
Cons
- Sound degradation with Bluetooth
JBL 1 Series 104-BT 4.5 inch Compact Powered Monitors
Bookshelf speakers are always the best way to enjoy your computer and your other devices’ sound without the need to invest in the entire and massive hi-fi system.
And JBL’s compact powered speakers fit perfectly when it comes to beautiful music from a beautiful set of speakers.
For starters, the JBL speakers are not boring and not the bookish type.
You’ll love its unique ovoid design in black or white finish.
The physical build is not as compact as well because of its wide looks, and inside the units are its low-frequency driver and soft dome tweeter.
Powered with 60 watts of amplification, you can be sure that these speakers can fire up your sounds inside your medium-sized space.
You’ll like the idea that you can use this set of speakers, either wired or wireless, since it has Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity aside from the typical aux and balanced TRS and RCA inputs.
If there’s one thing to describe, this speaker is chilled.
When you plug it in, you will hear lively and clear sounds but without feeling forced and pushed.
The sounds are vibrant and without strain, so even after hours of nonstop listening, you won’t experience ear fatigue.
Pros
- Attractive design
- Upfront and clear sounds
- Excellent feature set
Cons
- Loses some pizzazz when set to low volumes
Yamaha HS5 5 Inch Powered Studio Monitor
The smallest speaker in the Yamaha HS product line is an enhanced version of all those that came before it.
Both beginners and professionals can use it, and each time, you will love its balanced and effortless sound.
Yamaha HS5’s 5-inch woofer and 1-inch dome tweeter are bi-amplified, and this tiny pair can make a surprisingly loud sound for the entire room to room.
To get the most out of the power and flattest response, you should situate your HS5 at least 5-meters from the wall.
The build standard of these speakers is nothing short of what you can expect from Yamaha, which is already a reputable household name.
It is made of a solid MDF board that helps reduce unsolicited resonance so you can have crystal clear listening sessions every time.
You will also be pleased knowing that as small as these speakers are, you are still provided control when it comes to their tuning.
You are also not limited to just placing it on a flat surface; you can mount these speakers in the wall, which is a plus in audio clarity.
Pros
- Mounting the speaker is possible
- Superior build quality
- Perfect for mixing and mastering
Cons
- No cables included
Buying Guide
Here are some of the dependents and factors you need to weigh before purchasing your bookshelf speaker, all under $200.
Overall Value
There is no set definition of what excellent value is and what’s not.
This all depends on you as the buyer and what you are looking for in your bookshelf product.
Some would look at the price directly to the quality and value, while others have zero bearings on the price tag.
Connection Options
The more devices you can connect and use with your speakers, the better.
Aside from the standard inputs of XLR and TSR, having a Bluetooth and USB connection is always a plus.
Drivers
For the sounds to be produced, you need to have drivers, and the more your speaker has, the better.
Remember that all frequencies need to be produced in crystal clear clarity, and the drivers are responsible for that.
Also Read:
10 Best Bookshelf Speakers Under $500
10 Best Bookshelf Speakers Under $2000
FAQs
Can bookshelf speakers be used outdoors?
Yes, you can, but not all bookshelf speakers are designed for the outdoors.
If you intend to use it in your garden or park, look for a speaker that is both waterproof and weather-resistant, so you don’t have to worry about damaging your speakers.
Are bookshelf speakers just for the computer?
No, you can use your bookshelf speakers for almost all devices. You can connect it to your TV, gaming devices, and even on your phone.
These speakers can be used for wired and wireless connection and with USB and Bluetooth; you can conveniently pair up your devices and let the speakers produce the sounds.
Do I need to purchase supplementary accessories to make the speakers work?
This depends on the type of bookshelf speakers you have, or you are planning to buy.
If it is a passive speaker, then yes, you need an amplifier and other in-box accessories to make it work, but if your speaker is an active one, you can automatically use it as is.
Editor’s Pick
The best bookshelf speaker for me is the Edifier R1280T Powered Bookshelf Speakers.
It does what it’s expected to do, and the clarity and balance of the sounds coming from these speakers are simply pleasant to the ears.
The build and sound quality can go head to head against more expensive bookshelf speakers.
It has the looks, sound quality, and features that you need for a seamless listening session.
What’s best is it’s under $200, so it can fit right into the budget.