They are not designed to be placed on the floor. The design of bookshelf speakers is to maximize sound by placing them at ear height. Placement at that height affects their operation and, therefore, their sound. Nowadays it is not necessary to spend a lot to have a decent system. There are many good manufacturers offering quality products. In this roundup we will take a look at our top choices in the under $200 price range. With this budget, you will have to make a compromise between audio fidelity and power (volume), but rest assured that there are some really good options available. Below we have mentioned the Best Bookshelf Speakers Under $200.
Here is the list of Best Bookshelf Speakers Under $200
Sony SSCS5 3-Way 3-Driver
There are not many companies in the world where the mere expression of the name says so much. But this is the case with Sony. Established as one of the world’s leading suppliers of consumer and professional audio, they are an outstanding organization. They tend to design no-frills speakers, and the SSCS5 is a good example. Overall, this is one of the best bookshelf speakers under $200 that you can buy right now. They are relatively small, measuring 13 inches by 7 inches by 9 inches, and they also have a good weight for a shelf. Each cabinet weighs just under three pounds. What is interesting about the cabinets is that they are not made from the usual MDF fiberboard. They are made of solid wood. The internal frame is very solid. Due to the design and materials used, the cabinets tend to absorb any unwanted resonance or vibration. It is a three-way cabinet with a five-inch woofer and a foam-reinforced quarter. There is also a one-inch soft dome tweeter, and the final piece of the sound puzzle is the ¾-inch “super tweeter.”
Polk Audio T15 100 Watt
They are perhaps among the best bookshelf speakers available, while models that match their definition usually cost much more. Polk T15 speakers are as versatile as few, delivering incredible home theater sound and concert-quality music, all with a classic look. Polk recently added a 1-inch ring tweeter, which adds pristine detail for realistic imaging.
Polk Signature Series S15
Easily one of the best bookshelf speakers under $200, Polk s15 loudspeakers are known for being affordable yet capable of delivering excellent sound. The Signature Series S15 is the best sounding speaker in the sub-$200 price range and is one of the top choices for audiophiles, along with the ELACs mentioned above. They feature an MDF cabinet and 5.25-inch woofers and 1-inch terylene dome tweeters. These “dynamic balance” drivers were developed with the help of John Hopkins University sound engineers and are designed to reduce the impact of vibration on the speaker cones. The unique “Power Port” makes the S15 different from a conventional speaker with rear ports. The port is covered by a plastic device with fins. This not only increases bass response by 3dB, but also makes the speaker less sensitive to placement problems.
BL Arena 120 Black 2-Way
JBL has made a name for itself in the loudspeaker category and with the Arena 120 takes the top spot in our ranking of the best bookshelf speakers under 200 euros. The emphasis has not been on providing a very attractive configuration that draws attention away from everything else in the room. Instead, the goal is to provide a product that blends well with its surroundings and offers superior performance in terms of sound quality. The Arena 120s are constructed to offer multiple placement options, including any flat, elevated surface such as a table or shelf, or they can be wall-mounted with the help of the included mechanism.
Edifier R1280T Powered
Edifier was founded in 1996 in Beijing and initially served only the Chinese market. It has since expanded its operations and now has a worldwide customer base. It is currently one of the leading audio equipment manufacturers in China. They have a wide range of quality speakers, and the R1280T is a good example. These are good-sized bookshelf speakers, measuring 9.2 inches by 5.7 inches by 7.7 inches with attractive wood veneer on the sides. The speakers are constructed of MDF. The removable grilles are fabric with a gray finish and add a simple but impressive style. Currently, this is one of the best bookshelf speakers under $200 that you can buy right now.
Klipsch R-41M
You might be surprised to find a pair of speakers with small 4-inch woofers recommended for those who fill larger rooms with sound. However, the R-41Ms have a big advantage because of their size. The R-41M is an upgrade of the R-14M. These new models are equipped with more powerful amplifiers and a dynamic bass equalization function, which balances low frequencies with volume to improve low-volume listening. Although the new R-41M is designed to have a better sound, the difference in sound quality from the aforementioned R-15M is not that great. In our opinion, the difference in sound is not so great as to compensate for the difference in power. Therefore, we would personally choose the R-15M, unless you want a smaller form factor or just don’t like to have the latest thing.
Cerwin-Vega SL-5M
With more than 50 years of experience in the industry, Cerwin-Vega products are designed to give you the best possible experience, no matter how you use them. Incredibly lightweight and available at an affordable price, the SL-5M bookshelf speakers are two-way system design speakers featuring an attractive red and black body and a removable grille. Thus, this product is one of the best bookshelf speakers under $200 available right now. The speakers feature a 5¼-inch low-frequency driver to ensure great clarity and power at all times. A soft-dome tweeter collaborates with this speaker to deliver crisp high notes that can elevate the overall listening experience. In addition, the bass reflex cabinet helps to enhance low notes.
Yamaha NS-6490
Easily one of the best bookshelf speakers under $200, The Yamaha NS-6490 is the only pair of 3-way speakers on this list. This means that instead of having only a woofer and a tweeter, the NS-6490 has an 8-inch woofer, a 4-inch midrange cone, and a ⅞-inch dome tweeter. For reasons of space, very few bookshelf speakers are 3-way, a luxury usually afforded only to larger floorstanding speakers. Consequently, the NS-6490s are not small. It is a significantly larger cabinet than this list. But the bass is more powerful, and the mids and highs are also well defined. With a high sensitivity of 90 dB and the ability to handle a nominal/maximum input power of 70 W / 140 W, larger rooms can be easily filled with these speakers. Most impressively, all this is offered at a lower price than most of the smaller speakers on this list.
Klipsch Synergy Black Label B-200
Easily one of the best bookshelf speakers under $200, The Klipsch Synergy Black B-200 bookshelf speakers offer users a well-rounded sound experience. The tweeter is decoupled from baffles to reduce the risk of interference. The speakers incorporate a point-to-point bracing system, which helps keep the cabinet noise-free for more accurate sound. These speakers perfectly deliver high-fidelity sound that fills the room without sacrificing aesthetics. You can have a beautiful set with amazing sound to match their appeal, all at an unbeatable price. Small enough to fit anywhere and powerful enough to envelop a room with jaw-dropping sound.
Edifier R1700BT Bluetooth
Another Edifier speaker set that made the list due to its superior performance within the above budget is the Edifier R1700BT Bluetooth bookshelf speakers. This product offers the perfect combination of performance flexibility and high audio quality, ideal for those who do not want to invest in a separate amplifier to go with the speakers. A clear advantage of these speakers is the Bluetooth support, which has become an essential element of any good speaker set. As for the design of these speakers, the company has chosen a bold move, trying to combine classic style with a playful touch of wood. The only issue that arises is the strength and clarity of the bass, but this is a common problem with many bookshelf speakers in this price range.
Final Words
After reviewing all the different options, you will notice that there is something for everyone in our range of the best bookshelf speakers under $200! Choosing the right set of bookshelf speakers for you is not just a matter of picking a product at random and trying it out. You can examine a number of different factors, such as frequency range, power, price, aesthetics, and so on, before choosing the option that best suits your personal needs.
