This page ranks 20 medium size powered bookshelf speakers. The Medium Bookshelf class of speakers generally have woofers between 4” to 6”. These speakers will generally be the best size/performance trade-off for most people. The Bookshelf class have no battery, come in pairs and generally will sound better than most portable battery Bluetooth speakers. Bigger woofers will have deeper bass but the speaker will generally be larger and heavier. They all come with a built in amp so you can play directly from your phone or laptop.
For general listening I would not hesitate to recommend any of these speakers on this page except for the ones at the bottom labeled not recommended. Nearly all of these sound fantastic. Studio monitoring use is more critical and I would generally recommend something near the top and consider adding a subwoofer.
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#1 Genelec 8020D: $1100 a pair
- Positives: Slightly better than the HS5 for neutrality with deeper bass.
- Negatives: High price
- Frequency Response: 56 Hz - 25 kHz (-6 dB)
- Dimensions: 9.5”H x 5.8”W x 5.6”D
- Weight: 7.1lbs / 3.2kg each
- Watts: 100w Per Speaker
- Woofer Size: 4.1”
- Inputs: XLR
- Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Links
#2 Neumann KH80 DSP: $1100 a pair
- Positives: Near identical sound to the 8020D. 8020D is slightly cleaner, KH80 is slightly warmer.
- Negatives: High price
- Frequency Response: 57 Hz - 25 kHz (+-3 dB)
- Dimensions: 13.6”H x 10.8”W x 9.6”D
- Weight: 9.1lbs / 4.1kg each
- Watts: 140w Per Speaker
- Woofer Size: 4.1”
- Inputs: XLR
- Comparisons and Sound Samples
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vewagQNrZmU
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4YU1iw1pys
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LcldXF0mx0I
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9tzZdjAKF4
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAR19TSCt_I
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3b_NpkDflrM
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1SjysuzN0w
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sur8aYvYUOg
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PyRYDE3Skd8
- Links
#3 Focal Alpha 50 EVO: $600 a pair
- Positives: More neutral than the great HS5
- Frequency Response: 45 Hz - 22 kHz (+-3 dB)
- Dimensions: 12.2”H x 9.0”W x 9.4”D
- Weight: 13.1lbs / 6.0kg each
- Watts: 60w Per Speaker
- Woofer Size: 5”
- Inputs: XLR, TRS, RCA
- Comparisons and Sound Samples
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKMhczUc0I8
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KvXRMa0YY8
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MspK8S2avGE
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeRI_hA1DWg
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJouTjwd9gk
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujQLiYA0p20
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51jzb9IpZNE
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STR16lZhipg
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HwCiWldgW4
- Links
#4 JBL 305P MKII: $300 a pair
- Positives: A fantastic value in studio monitors. Insanely close to the Focal Alpha 50 EVO, almost indistinguishable.
- Negatives: Possible slight hissing from the amps at low levels. Rear ported, can be an issue close to walls.
- Frequency Response: 49 Hz - 20 kHz (+-3 dB)
- Dimensions: 11.7”H x 7.3”W x 9.1”D
- Weight: 10.4lbs / 4.7kg each
- Watts: 81w Per Speaker
- Woofer Size: 5”
- Inputs: XLR, TRS
- Comparisons and Sound Samples
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJouTjwd9gk
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHG0wv9pOdU
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nK9j7fr2N7o
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6EWbE8VmT4
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4G2knzEXOLc
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdWLggXfHDc
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEGVXHRXcfw
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bk2JkYbW_NE
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-R-l588zmg
- Links
#5 Adam Audio T5V: $352 a pair
- Positives: Better than the HS5 in terms of vocals detail and better low end.
- Frequency Response: 58Hz – 24kHz (-3dB)
- Dimensions: 11.7”H x 7.0”W x 11.7”D
- Weight: 12.6lbs / 5.7kg each
- Watts: 70w Per Speaker
- Woofer Size: 5”
- Inputs: XLR, RCA
- Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Links
#6 Yamaha HS5: $400 a pair
- Positives: Very neutral. Excellent for mixing and anything needing a neutral output.
- Negatives: Not quite as deep of bass as some of the others in this size class. Slight midrange boost.
- Frequency Response: 58Hz – 24kHz (-3dB)
- Dimensions: 11.2”H x 6.7”W x 8.7”D
- Weight: 12.1lbs / 5.5kg each
- Watts: 45w Per Speaker
- Woofer Size: 5”
- Inputs: XLR
- Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Links
#7 Presonus Eris E5: $400 a pair
- Negatives: More HiFi sounding than the HS5 and not quite as detailed, although with deeper bass and a more fun listen.
- Frequency Response: 53Hz – 22kHz
- Dimensions: 10.2”H x 7.0”W x 7.7”D
- Weight: 10.2lbs / 4.6kg each
- Watts: 80w Per Speaker
- Woofer Size: 5”
- Inputs: TRS, XLR, RCA
- Comparisons and Sound Samples
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qThZxLqb5EI
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWT-9LfiRGc
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzbGVcNilCs
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fk8P8EtqDEk
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ok-l7lnMmA
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-R9l3z7qIvM
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohggtzC1Kuk
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3nVPXLBhQE
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DfhioKq68Y
- Links
#8 KRK Rokit 5 G4: $337
- Positives: Deeper bass than the HS5
- Negatives: Not quite as detailed as the HS5, not as good for mixing. A little more hifi sounding
- Frequency Response: 58Hz – 24kHz (-3dB)
- Dimensions: 11.2”H x 7.5”W x 9.5”D
- Weight: 10.7lbs / 4.9kg each
- Watts: 55w Per Speaker
- Woofer Size: 5”
- Inputs: TRS/XLR
- Comparisons and Sound Samples
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeRI_hA1DWg
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6EETP-YrAY
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHV9UeN_x84
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vgYmj3ZmDY
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzGYLmCXjeg
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vF_z1f5Idbk
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSnQcUAkMDo
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PyRYDE3Skd8
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYlf6rlVack
- Links
#9 Presonus Eris E5 XT: $300 a pair
- Negatives: More HiFi sounding than a studio monitor. Not as good as the E5. Very close to the Rokit 5, but these sound slightly colored.
- Frequency Response: 53Hz – 22kHz
- Dimensions: 10.2”H x 7.0”W x 7.7”D
- Weight: 10.2lbs / 4.6kg each
- Watts: 80w Per Speaker
- Woofer Size: 5”
- Inputs: TRS, XLR, RCA
- Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Links
#10 IK Multimedia iLoud MTM: $800 a pair
- Positives: The absolute deepest bass out of a speaker this narrow
- Negatives: Boosted bass, more hifi sounding than neutral
- Frequency Response: 50 Hz - 24 kHz (-3dB)
- Dimensions: 10.4”H x 5.1”W x 6.3”D
- Weight: 5.5lbs / 2.5kg
- Watts: 100w Per Speaker
- Woofer Size: 2x 3.5”
- Inputs: XLR
- Comparisons and Sound Samples
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fxj1hDRUkQY
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdZ9gPdXjZI?
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUirqMFmyVw
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFWrTMH5hIQ
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAR19TSCt_I
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOEPf1j7h6o
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jhm85bHp9_c
- Links
#11 Edifier S2000MKIII: $550 a pair
- Positives: High resolution digital input up to 192khz/24bit
- Frequency Response: 45Hz-40KHz (-3dB)
- Dimensions: 13.5”H x 7.8”W x 10.8”D
- Watts: 65w RMS Per Speaker
- Woofer Size: 5.5”
- Inputs: Bluetooth, 2x RCA Input, Digital Optical, Digital Coax
- Outputs: None
- Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Links
#12 Edifier S1000W: $450 a pair
- Positives: High resolution digital input up to 192khz/24bit. Wifi
- Frequency Response: 45Hz-40KHz (-3dB)
- Dimensions: 13.6”H x 7.6”W x 11.6”D
- Weight: 37.0lbs / 16.8kg
- Watts: 60w RMS Per Speaker
- Woofer Size: 5.5”
- Inputs: Bluetooth, Wifi, 2x RCA Input, Digital Optical, Digital Coax
- Outputs: None
- Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Links
#13 Edifier S1000MKII: $400 a pair
- Positives: High resolution digital input up to 192khz/24bit. Very close to the S2000MKIII, almost no reason to pay more
- Dimensions: 13.6”H x 7.6”W x 11.6”D
- Weight: 37.0lbs / 16.8kg
- Watts: 60w RMS Per Speaker
- Woofer Size: 5.5”
- Inputs: Bluetooth, 2x RCA Input, Digital Optical, Digital Coax
- Outputs: None
- Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Links
#14 KRK Classic 5: $280
- Positives: Good soundstage
- Negatives: More hifi than studio monitors
- Frequency Response: 56Hz-30KHz (+-3dB)
- Dimensions: 9.7”H x 7.4”W x 11.2”D
- Weight: 13.0lbs / 5.87kg
- Watts: 50w RMS Per Speaker
- Woofer Size: 5”
- Inputs: RCA, TRS, XLR
- Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Links
#15 Audioengine HD6: $700 a pair
- Negatives: A bit of an accentuated treble and bass. Slight dip in the midrange.
- Frequency Response: 45Hz-40KHz (-3dB)
- Dimensions: 13.6”H x 7.6”W x 11.6”D
- Weight: 17.5lbs / 7.9kg
- Dimensions: 11.75”H x 7.25”W x 10”D
- Watts: 50w RMS Per Speaker
- Woofer Size: 5.5”
- Inputs: Bluetooth, Aux, RCA Input, Digital Optical
- Outputs: RCA Output
- Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Links
#16 Edifier R2000DB: $250 a pair
- Negatives: Slight lacking of bass and treble, slight inverted V EQ profile
- Frequency Response: 55Hz-40KHz (-3dB)
- Dimensions: 13.6”H x 7.6”W x 11.6”D
- Weight: 17.5lbs / 7.9kg
- Dimensions: 11.25”H x 7.5”W x 9.5”D
- Watts: 60w RMS Per Speaker
- Woofer Size: 5”
- Inputs: Bluetooth, 2x RCA Input, Digital Optical
- Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Links
#17 Edifier MR4: $104 a pair
- Positives: More balanced than the R1280DB. The value king.
- Frequency Response: 60 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB)
- Dimensions: 9.0”H x 5.5”W x 7.6”D
- Weight: 9.9lbs / 4.5kg
- Watts: 42w RMS Per Speaker
- Woofer Size: 4”
- Inputs: Bluetooth, 1/4” Balanced, RCA, Aux
- Outputs: Headphone
- Comparisons and Sound Samples
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C04EP1z7PPw
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NuLO145dsI
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEGVXHRXcfw
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZqLVCBXgyw
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNBQXkxIJNc
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpdGTjNgtnA
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfItNlPYv-U
- Links
#18 Edifier R1700BT: $180 a pair
- Negatives: more V shaped, not quite as neutral sounding as the Edifier MR4
- Frequency Response: 60 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB)
- Dimensions: 10”H x 6.1”W x 8.4”D
- Weight: 14.5lbs / 6.6kg
- Watts: 66w RMS Per Speaker
- Woofer Size: 4”
- Inputs: Bluetooth, RCA Input
- Outputs: None
- Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Links
#19 Edifier R1280DB: $150 a pair
- Negatives: Not quite as neutral sounding as the Edifier MR4
- Frequency Response: 55 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB)
- Dimensions: 9.2”H x 5.7”W x 7.7”D
- Weight: 10.8lbs / 4.9kg
- Watts: 42w RMS Per Speaker
- Woofer Size: 4”
- Inputs: Bluetooth, 2x RCA Input, Digital Optical, Digital Coax
- Outputs: None
- Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Links
#20 Audioengine HD4: $400 a pair
- Negatives: Not a great sounding speaker for the high price.
- Frequency Response: 60 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB)
- Weight: 7.2lbs / 3.3kg
- Dimensions: 9”H x 5.5”W x 6.5”D
- Watts: 50w RMS Per Speaker
- Woofer Size: 4”
- Inputs: Bluetooth, Aux, RCA Input
- Outputs: RCA Output
- Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Links
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