Large Size Bookshelf Speakers

This page ranks 44 large size bookshelf speakers. Last updated on 07/22/2025. The large bookshelf class of speakers have woofers above 5.75”. This size class will have the deepest bass of all the bookshelf size speakers. Bigger woofers will have deeper bass but the speaker will generally be bigger and heavier. Note these are ranked to my own preferences which is a flat frequency response, good directivity, reasonable dynamics, good imaging and detail. Others may prioritize these traits differently.

If you don’t plan to put these on a desk or bookshelf, I’d highly recommend looking at Passive Floorstanding Speakers instead. These will have deeper bass and generally be a better all around speaker, although at a higher price.

Keep in mind that the law of diminishing returns applies and the extremely expensive speakers at the top are really just a little better than the more reasonably priced ones. I would not hesitate to recommend the majority of speakers on this page. Just note the ones that are not recommended.

Consider this page to be a work in progress and more speakers will be added.

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#1 GR-Research NX-Studio [Gr-research] [Used Listings]: $3630 or $1500 for the kit with flatpack

  • Positives: Ultra clean burst decay/waterfall plot. Amazingly open sounding due to the semi open baffle Neo3 ribbon tweeter, will image better than any other bookshelf speaker. Neo3 ribbon tweeter is one of the best ribbons around for detail. Bass will be very tight and fast due to the sealed enclosure, but may possibly need a sub.
  • Negatives: Bass will be very tight but won’t be quite as deep as others due to the sealed woofer enclosure.
  • Dimensions: 24”H x 10”W x 14”D
  • Weight: 20.6lbs / 9.3kg each
  • Sensitivity: 87dB
  • Impedance: 8 ohms
  • Tweeter: GR-Research Neo3 Planar Magnetic Ribbon open baffle
  • Woofer: GR-Research M165NQ 6.5” paper cone, non-resonant polymer frame, copper shorting rings and aluminum phase plug sealed enclosure
  • Woofer Cabinet: Sealed
  • Reviews and Comparisons
  • Links

#2 KEF Reference 1 Meta [Kef] [Used Listings]: $10000

#3 March Audio Sointuva AWG [Marchaudio] [Used Listings]: $4150

#4 AsciLab C6B [Ascilab] [Used Listings]: $1145

#5 GR-Research NX-Bravo [Gr-research] [Used Listings]: $1540 kit with finished cabinets (assembly required)

#6 KEF R3 Meta [Amazon] [Used Listings]: $2500

#7 KEF Q Concerto Meta [Amazon] [Used Listings]: $1400

#8 Mofi SourcePoint 10 [Audioadvice] [Used Listings]: $3500

#9 Mofi SourcePoint 8 [Audioadvice] [Used Listings]: $2200

#10 Revel M126Be [Audioadvice] [Used Listings]: $4400

#11 Philharmonic BMR Monitor [Philharmonicaudio] [Used Listings]: $2200

#12 HiVi Swans 3.1A Sehlin Sound Solutions mod [Amazon] [Used Listings]: $364 for the kit (assembly required)

#13 Revel M106 [Used Listings]: Discontinued

  • Positives: Fairly even frequency response. No resonances
  • Negatives: Some directivity error in crossover region
  • Sensitivity: 85dB
  • Impedance: 4 ohms
  • Bass Extension (-3dB): 60hz
  • Bass Extension (-10dB): 43hz
  • Tweeter: 1” (2.5 cm) Aluminum Tweeter with Acoustic Lens Waveguide
  • Woofer: 6.5” (16.5 cm) Aluminum Cone, Cast-frame Woofer
  • Reviews and Comparisons
  • Links:

#14 Arendal 1528 Monitor 8 [Arendalsound] [Used Listings]: $6000 a pair

#15 Wharfedale Super Linton [Audioadvice] [Used Listings]: $3000 a pair

#16 Wharfedale Linton 85 [Audioadvice] [Used Listings]: $1700 a pair

#17 Elac DBR62 [Amazon] [Used Listings]: $800 a pair

#18 JBL HDI-1600 [Crutchfield] [Used Listings]: $1980 a pair

#19 Wharfedale Aura 2 [Wharfedaleusa] [Used Listings]: $3800

#20 Focal Aria 906 [Used Listings]: Discontinued, $1100 a pair on Ebay

#21 KEF Q350 [Amazon] [Used Listings]: $500 a pair

#22 Revel Concerta2 M16 [Used Listings]: Discontinued, about $600 used

#23 Revel Performa M22 [Used Listings]: About $600 used

#24 Buchardt S400 MKII [Buchardtaudio] [Used Listings]: $2400

#25 GR-Research X-LS Encore [Gr-research] [Used Listings]: $1300 or $635 for the kit with flatpack

  • Positives: An amazing value, especially if you managed to snag one of these built by AV123 in the early 2000s for $200-300.
  • Dimensions: 13.5”H x 8.5”W x 12.125”D
  • Weight: 17lbs / 7.7kg each
  • Sensitivity: 87dB
  • Impedance: 8 ohms
  • Bass Extension (-3dB): 64hz
  • Bass Extension (-10dB): 44hz
  • Tweeter: 1” Peerless India T26SG
  • Woofer: 6.5” Peerless M-165 paper composite cone, non-resonant polymer frame
  • Woofer Cabinet: Ported
  • Reviews and Comparisons
  • Links

#26 Infinity IL10 [Used Listings]: Discontinued, about $160 on Ebay

  • Positives: Impressively flat for a budget bookshelf
  • Negatives: Resonances at 600 and 5khz
  • Sensitivity: 85dB
  • Impedance: 6 ohms
  • Bass Extension (-3dB): 59hz
  • Bass Extension (-10dB): 44hz
  • Woofer: 6.5”
  • Reviews and Comparisons

#27 Dynaudio Special Forty [Safeandsoundhq] [Used Listings]: $3600

#28 Elac Debut DB63 [Amazon] [Used Listings]: $500

#29 Polk R200 [Amazon] [Used Listings]: $750

#30 ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2 [Amazon] [Used Listings]: $330

#31 Dynaudio Emit 20 [Amazon] [Used Listings]: $1050

#32 KEF Q3 Meta [Amazon] [Used Listings]: $900

  • Negatives: 3dB bass boost around 120hz. 3dB peaks at 560hz and 700hz. 5dB dip at 970hz. A jagged frequency response through the midrange. Okay vertical directivity. Not really recommended for the price
  • Sensitivity: 87dB
  • Impedance: 4 ohms
  • Bass Extension (-3dB): 52hz
  • Bass Extension (-10dB): 37hz
  • Tweeter: 25 mm (1 in.) vented aluminium dome with MAT
  • Woofer: 165 mm (6.5 in.) aluminium cone
  • Woofer Cabinet: Rear ported
  • Reviews and Comparisons
  • Links

#33 Polk Monitor XT20 [Amazon] [Used Listings]: $250

#34 ATC SCM19 [Tmraudio] [Used Listings]: $3750

  • Negatives: Some stored energy resonance around 500-700hz, 4dB bump around 700hz. Not recommended for the price
  • Dimensions: 17.2”H x 10.4”W x 11.8”D
  • Weight: 39.2lbs / 17.8kg each
  • Sensitivity: 85dB
  • Impedance: 6 ohms
  • Bass Extension (-3dB): 60hz
  • Bass Extension (-10dB): 34hz
  • Tweeter: 1” soft dome tweeter
  • Woofer: 5.9” Super Linear Magnet cone
  • Woofer Cabinet: Sealed
  • Reviews and Comparisons
  • Links

#35 Pylon Jasper Monitor 18 [Used Listings]

#36 Audio Craftsmen Victoria [Pahmeraudio] [Used Listings]: $4000

#37 Sonus Faber Sonetto II G2 [Crutchfield] [Used Listings]: $3500

#38 Klipsch RP-600M II [Amazon] [Used Listings]: $550

#39 Klipsch RP-600M [Amazon] [Used Listings]: $330

#40 Cerwin Vega LA165 [Amazon] [Used Listings]: $270

#41 Wharfedale Diamond 9.1 [Used Listings]: Discontinued

#42 Chesky LC1 [Used Listings]: $1000

#43 Fosi Audio SP601 [Fosiaudio] [Used Listings]: $400

#44 Yamaha NS-10 [Used Listings]