The Best Bookshelf Speakers in Canada

In today’s world, there are many ways to listen to music. Some people prefer wireless earbuds or headphones, while others opt for the convenience of a Bluetooth speaker. But one of the best audio systems you can use is a pair of bookshelf speakers. Most models have superior sound quality that is crisp and full of detail. However, selecting a pair of bookshelf speakers can be challenging. There are many options to choose from, as well as various factors to consider. That’s why we created this buying guide for the best bookshelf speakers in Canada. We listed our top picks in various categories. You will also see some of things you should look for when shopping for bookshelf speakers. So, without further ado, let’s get started.

Size: Bookshelf speakers tend to be small in size, but larger models are available. The size you select will depend on your current set up. In other words, do you have enough space to fit the speakers. Most speakers will fit on stands, shelfs, or cabinets. Your best bet is to research a speaker’s dimensions and see if you have the appropriate space.

Price: This can influence the quality of the bookshelf speaker. Expensive speakers usually have better sound quality. Cheaper options have decent sound quality, but they typically are inferior when compared to higher end models. Affordable bookshelf speakers sometimes are made with less durable material. Another factor to consider is whether you need to purchase additional items like audio cables or an amplifier. This can add to your budget.

Active or passive: There are two types of bookshelf speakers, active and passive. Active speakers have built-in amplification, which means they do not require an amplifier to be powered. Simply plug them into a outlet and they are ready to go. Passive speakers must be paired with an amplifier in order to operate. The two are usually sold separately, and most times you will need to buy additional audio cables. Active bookshelf speakers are good for people who do not want to buy additional components. Plus, they are popular for their convenience and their ease of use. But passive speaker give you more freedom in adjusting the sound quality. You can experiment with different amplifiers to change the speaker’s sound. You also get more flexibility in your set up. Since active speakers plug into an outlet, they must be always close to it. Passive speakers can be placed further away from the amp.

Deciding between the two comes down to your budget and personal preferences. If you don’t want to deal with extra items, then you should go with active bookshelf speakers. If you want greater control over sound quality and your home audio set up, then passive speakers are for you.

Terminology: The audio world is full of complex terms that refer to various things. Trying to learn all of them can be confusing. However, here are four terms you should know about when researching bookshelf speakers:

• Hertz and Kilohertz: These terms will tell you a speaker’s frequency response. In other words, the range of sound it produces that is audible to the human ear. The difference between the two is that hertz usually measures bass frequencies, while kilohertz deals with higher frequencies. The lower the hertz, the more bass a speaker will have. If a speaker has a low kilohertz measurement, it will be very high-pitched. Try to find speakers with a balanced frequency response. An example would be 40Hz-20khZ.
• Watts: This term tells you how much electrical energy the speaker can handle. If you exceed the maximum limit, the speaker will overload and break down. Many bookshelf speakers have watt ratings of 100W and higher. Wattage is measured in either peak or RMS value. The difference is that peak values have shorter durations, while RMS values are continuous. Also, the peak value is much higher than the RMS. That’s why a speaker be more or less powerful than what is listed. Your best bet is read the product booklet for the full specs.
• Ohms: Ohms measure a speaker’s impedance. This represents the difficulty in powering the speaker. A lower impedance rating means the speaker is more efficient in moving the electric signal through its system. Most bookshelf speakers are rated either six or eight ohms. Cheaper versions are typically rated at four ohms.
• Drivers: Also knowns as a transducer, the driver is the mechanical part of the bookshelf speaker. Their job is to convert the electrical energy of the audio signal to mechanical energy. This is done by moving air to create sound. Two driver components are the woofers and tweeters. The former produces bass, while the latter deals with higher frequencies. Some bookshelf speakers have a midrange driver. These models have a fuller, balanced sound.

Break in period: Once you’ve purchased a pair of bookshelf speakers, the first thing you’ll probably want to do is play some music. However, new speakers actually go through a break-in period in which the sound quality and response changes. It mainly affects the two flexible parts of a speaker, the spider and the surround. The spider holds the voice coil, which moves the speaker cone forwards and backwards. The surround is the material around the woofer. It connects the speaker cone to the cabinet. At first, both the spider and the surround are a bit rigid. Therefore, they initially work harder when playing audio. That is why the sound of new bookshelf speakers is not as good. Over time, the stiffness loosens, and the moving parts operate more effectively. You should also see an improvement in sound quality. The experts at Fluance recommend you set aside a 10-hour window to break in new bookshelf speakers. They also suggest playing bass heavy music at a volume where you can see the cone move back and forth. This forces the spider and surround to operate at their maximum level. But be careful to not overdo the volume. Playing new speakers at an extremely high volume might damage the components. It is better to start at a normal volume and gradually increase it over time. Besides music, you can also play special burn in tracks which play white, black, or pink noise. You can download them off the internet or find them on YouTube.

If you don’t want to play your speakers for 10 hours straight, you can gradually break them in as you use them.

Please Note: Sound is subjective; everyone hears things differently. One person might hate how a speaker sounds, while another person will thoroughly enjoy it. Keep this in mind when you are shopping for bookshelf speakers. Consider what your personal preferences are when it comes to audio quality. This will help narrow down the right bookshelf speaker for you. If possible, test out the speakers in store. This will give you true sense of how they sound and whether you like the quality.

For this buying guide, we spent over eight hours researching various bookshelf speakers. We only considered models rated four or more stars. Our team consulted several audio websites to learn more about bookshelf speakers. We also read many customer reviews to get a sense on what people look for in bookshelf speakers. In the end, we tried to select speakers that balanced good audio quality, easy of use, and affordability.

What is a bookshelf speaker?

Bookshelf speaker are basically compact loudspeakers. As their name suggests, they are typically placed within a bookshelf. They can also rest on a table, tv stand, desk, or other elevated areas.

What are bookshelf speakers best used for?

Bookshelf speakers are capable of many things. People primarily use them to play music, whether it be from their computer, smartphone, or record player. Bookshelf speakers also work well when paired with a tv. Gamers have also included bookshelf speakers in their gaming set up. However, some models may not perform well in a home theatre setting; the loud volume required for this set up can cause crackling and distortion.

How to set up bookshelf speakers?

This is a very important question to ask. Your set up can impact several factors, and it can influence how much enjoyment you get out of your bookshelf speakers. While set ups can differ for each listener, here are some good tips to follow.

Despite their name, placing bookshelf speakers in an actual bookshelf may not be the best idea. Sound may resonate within the confined space, which will distort the audio. Some good options for speaker placement are media stands or wall mounts. The position of bookshelf speakers within a room can affect the sound you get in return. Placing them close to a wall amplify the bass. The strength decrease the further the speakers are from the wall. Try to find a balance between the bass and the other frequencies. The goal should be to have a clean stereo sound with a bit of punch to it. One thing you should not do is place bookshelf speakers in a corner. Doing this will create a muddy sound. A general rule of thumb is to angle the speakers inward to your normal listening spot. The speakers should also be equidistant from each other. Aim for the tweeters to rest at ear level. This position will give you the best sound imaging possible.

As mentioned earlier, most bookshelf speakers need a break in period for their components to stretch out and warm up. Break in times can vary between each model. Some speakers only need 24 hours, while others need 72 hours or more. Whatever the case may be, play the speakers at a reasonable volume level. Playing them at an extremely loud volume right of the bat might damage the speaker.

Speaker cables are something you should not overlook. Make sure you have the right length to link your speakers together and with other devices (like an amp or subwoofer). Also ensure you have enough cables to wire your bookshelf speakers to your stereo system.

At the end of the day, setting up bookshelf speakers takes a lot of time and experimentation. Be prepared to make minor adjustments and tweaks to the speaker placement. But the time and effort you put in is worth it. You’ll end up with a great sounding speaker system.

For an in depth look at setting up bookshelf speakers, check out this article from WhatHifi.com.

What is the best way to hide bookshelf speakers?

There are a couple of reasons why people hide their bookshelf speakers. The speakers might not mesh well with the room’s décor. Some people do not like the look of visible speakers. Whatever the reason, here are some ways you can camouflage your bookshelf speakers with out compromising their sound quality.

Grille clothes are a great way of disguising your bookshelf speakers. They are pieces of fabric that attach to the front of the speaker; they conceal the tweeter and woofers. While grille clothes do not completely hide your bookshelf speakers, they can make them look more appealing. You can also find cloths that match the style of the room.

Cabinets can be ideal places to hide bookshelf speakers. Just make sure that the door is perforated so the audio can come through. If the door is completely solid, you can swap it out with a speaker screen or grille.

There are other creative ways you can hide your bookshelf speakers. One DIY method is to make framed fabric speakers. They are designed to look like picture frames, except they actually house a bookshelf speaker. This method does require you to disassemble the speaker. Plus, it is best used for small models. But the end result looks amazing.

An example of a framed fabric speaker. Source: Shelterness

One thing to be aware of when hiding bookshelf speakers is wiring. The speakers may be concealed, but the wiring might still be seen. Wiring also limits you in where you can hide your speakers. They still need to be close to their power source, whether it be a wall outlet or amplifier. If you want to avoid the wiring headache, consider using Bluetooth bookshelf speakers instead. Cables are not required to connect devices, and you have greater freedom in where you conceal your speakers.

If you want to learn more about concealing bookshelf speakers, check out this article by The Klipsch Joint.

Sources used

The Klipsch Joint: Bookshelf Speakers: What You Need To Know

B&H Photo, Video, Audio: What About All Those Speaker Specs?

What Hi-Fi?: How to set up and position your speakers in four simple steps