Bookshelf speakers and monitors
Push Past Basic Audio With High-Quality Bookshelf Speakers
Sick of sound that barely fills the room? Bookshelf speakers give you the sweet spot between big-speaker energy and a smaller footprint. Great for music, better for movies, even good for gaming, these compact speakers bring detail, weight, and the kind of clarity that budget soundbars just can’t fake.
So if you're chasing clean mids, crisp highs, and all-out high-fidelity energy, JB and JB Marketplace offer a mix of online-only and in-store legends handpicked for all-out home entertainment setups. Think big names like KEF, Edifier, Wharfedale, Marley, and more brands that actually pull their weight. Keen to get it right the first time? Let’s cut through the noise and talk specs, sound, and what fits where.
What Are Bookshelf Speakers?
Bookshelf speakers deliver proper sound without needing a whole wall to do it. They either sit on shelves, consoles, or desktops, or set up as proper stand-mount speakers, firing out clean stereo without needing to be hidden behind a TV or stacked next to the couch.
Inside, you’ll usually get a two-way driver setup: a woofer for lows, a tweeter for highs, and a setup that keeps the mix tight. But what makes them different?
It’s all in the build. A well-tuned speaker box keeps the lows tight and the mids sharp, while a removable grille lets you show off the drivers or keep things low-key. The result? Proper high-performance sound quality from a compact form that won’t take over your setup.
Are Bookshelf Speakers Better Than a Soundbar or Floorstand?
That depends on the room you’re working with, how much control you want over your sound, and how deep you’re going with your audio system. Here’s how the three stack up:
- Bookshelf speakers – Punchy, flexible, and way more capable than they look. Ideal if you want proper stereo, still have shelf or stand space, and care about imaging and separation. Strong pick for music-first setups, home cinema on a smaller scale, or dialled-in listening with less gear spread.
- Soundbars – Fast fix for flat sound. They’re tidy, easy to mount, and don’t need much thinking. Great for renters or quick living room upgrades. You’ll get better clarity and volume from most models, but less freedom to customise how your setup sounds or grows.
- Floorstanding speakers – Bring height, extra drivers, and deep low-end that’ll shake the walls if you let them. Great for big rooms and full-blown home theatres, but especially good if you’re already working with subwoofers, amps, and a studio monitor speaker or two.
Can I Use Bookshelf Speakers as Surround Speakers?
For sure! The right pair of bookshelf speakers can punch well above their size, especially when dropped into a surround setup. Rear surrounds, front L/R channels, or even as part of a 5.1 starter pack, they do the job with way more clarity and presence than tiny satellite kits ever could.
Plenty of the models in this lineup are built to slot straight into your surround sound setup. Some are passive and ready to run with your amp and speaker cables, others are powered and perfect for more modular hifi systems. Add a sub, run it all through your receiver over HDMI, and you’ve got cinema vibes without needing to stick holes in the wall or commit to massive towers.
How To Setup Bookshelf Speakers
Setting up bookshelf speakers doesn’t need to turn into a research rabbit hole. Here’s how to get it sorted without blowing out your weekend:
- Lock in the layout. Line the tweeters up with your seated ear height. That could mean bookshelves, a TV unit, or proper speaker stands. Just don’t wedge them in too tight or jam them against a wall.
- Run your cables. Passive loudspeakers need speaker wire and an amplifier to drive them. If you’ve grabbed powered speakers, skip the amp and plug straight into your gear.
- Match them to your setup. Spinning wax? Plenty of models here can run through external preamps or work with turntables from names like JBL, Monster, and Marley. Prefer streaming? You’ll find stacks of options with Bluetooth, line-in, or optical in the mix.
Sound matters, but so does the vibe. Want something clean and minimal? Go for gloss white, satin white, or carbon black. After something a bit more classic? Gloss black or black ash will slot right in with the rest of your setup.
Are Wireless Bookshelf Speakers Worth It?
Don’t want to mess around with wires? Wireless bookshelf speakers are a clean way to get it done. Most are all-in-one, so the amp’s already built in. You’ll find plenty of active speakers in the mix here that give you volume, clarity, and just enough control to dial things in your way. Some go even further with features like multi-room streaming and smart connectivity.
While you won’t get the same custom path as you would with separates, the trade-off is convenience that still holds its own, including decent bass and clean high-frequency response from well-tuned drivers.
Big Sound, Small Footprint, All Here
Bookshelf speakers hit the spot for just about every setup, from casual streaming to full-blown audiophile builds. Whether you're chasing clean audio for your work desk or piecing together a high-end system as your next weekend project, this range brings the sound without blowing out your space.
Big names, sharp finishes, and serious performance. Browse the full collection and back your setup with gear that actually delivers!
^Discounts apply to previous ticketed / advertised price prior to the discount offer. As we negotiate, products will likely have been sold below ticketed / advertised price prior to the discount offer. Prices may differ at airport stores.