When faced with a choice of buying a new speaker, a lot of factors come into play. That is the case with all audio products and bookshelf speakers are no exception. So with that being said, if you are looking to buy a new bookshelf speaker or you simply want to upgrade your current audio setup, there are a few things you need to keep an eye on. It is not about just looking at the simple specs of the speaker itself. Because bookshelf speakers can be very complex and one can’t just judge and make a decision on raw specs. There are a lot of factors on the speakers design that influence the overall quality of the speaker itself. That is why we did a little research and put together a shortlist of the best bookshelf speakers under $200, to help you in your decision.
It is also worth mentioning that price doesn’t guarantee quality in the audio business. It might sound confusing but relax, we’re here to help you out and tell you all you need to know before making the purchase. Bookshelf speakers can differ in many ways: sound quality, price, durability and so on and so on. It is important that you know your needs, so that you can pick out one of the best bookshelf speakers under 200, that suits you best. It all starts from there, what do you intend to use your new speaker for and what are your needs that you can’t sacrifice to those that you find worth risking. So without further ado, let’s have a look at our top 10 list. In no particular order, here are the best 10 bookshelf speakers under $200.
1. Polk Audio TSi100
Polk Audio TSi100 bookshelf speaker holds the sweet place between sound quality and price range. There are definitely more affordable ones than this one, but this one is probably amongst the best for that price. It sounds way better than speakers that cost a bit less than this one. In addition, it is also better than some speakers that are even 50% more expensive than this one.
The biggest secret behind the amazing audio quality, is that the TSi100 features a silk-polymer 1 inch tweeter, that is backed by a mighty internal amp. All of this results in a crystal clear mid-range, with very bright high-range. In addition, the bass is powered by a 5.25 inch bi-laminate woofer. You can’t go wrong with this bookshelf speaker.
- Great value for money
- 5.25 inch bi-laminate woofer
- 1 inch silk polymer tweeter
- In order to get the most out of the bass you need to place it against a wall
2. BIC America DV62si
BIC America is a well known audio manufacturer, with a reputation of producing quality speakers. They have a renown reputation because of their amazing audio clarity, which is present in every one of their speakers. Even the more affordable lower class speakers sound amazing.
This model, the DV62si, features a 6.5 inch woofer that includes a 6.5 inch polymer graphite woofer. It is flexible and lightweight in order to provide the resonance needed to bounce the lower frequencies from the speaker.
Furthermore, this model is very powerful, with a sensitivity of 90dB it’ll have your windows shaking once you crank it up. This speaker is designed to be used with amplifiers that are capable of handling 10-150W per channel. It is also worth pointing out that the bass is powerful and deep. In addition, the mid and high tones are crystal clear due to the 0.75 inch tweeter.
- 6.5 inch polymer graphite woofer
- Shielded
- 90 dB sensitivity
- Soft dome tweeter
- The bass can sometime overpower the rest of the audio
3. Klipsch R-14M
Moving on with our list, we find the Klipsch R-14M bookshelf speaker. This great bookshelf speaker is characterized with great audio, very fast response and extremely clear mid tones. In addition, it features an aluminum suspension enabled tweeter and a 4 inch IMG woofer.
Due to this, it can deliver a massive bass which will have your chest thumping. Furthermore, it includes 6 ports, which are located on the front panel. All of these features are housed into a brushed black color polymer cabinet. You won’t find a more compact bookshelf speaker in this price category. It is recommended to be used for mid to small size rooms.
- Powerful bass
- Aluminum suspension enabled tweeter
- Brushed polymer cabinet
- Audio output not powerful enough for large size rooms
4. Edifier R1700BT
Over here we’ve got the Edifier R1700BT bookshelf speakers. With this model you’ll get a good taste of everything, for a very affordable price. The Edifier R1700BT includes a built in Bluetooth support. This gives you options where you can set it up easily and configure it to multi-speaker or a multi-room setup.
This model gives you the ability to listen to your favorite track using the mighty 4 inch woofer, supported by 66 W of continuous power. Connectivity is made easier due to the dual AUX inputs. The design of the exterior includes a MDF and is covered by a stylish walnut finish. This gives the speaker a classy look, which will find a place and go well with your room décor in a perfect order.
- Bluetooth support
- AUX connection
- MDF housing plus a walnut finish
- 4 inch sub
- Treble can sound a bit thin
5. Fluance Signature Series HiFi
We’ve got to the middle of our list and here we have the Fluance Signature Series HiFi bookshelf speakers. These speakers are made of quality materials and feature a front port design. In addition, they feature neodymium tweeters, making them one of the best bookshelf speakers under $200.
The secret behind the quality of these speakers is the high attention to detail in the design. High quality copper winding, a special pointed design for the mid dome and the neodymium magnet are all responsible for the quality of the audio coming out of this speaker.
- Neodymium tweeter
- Pointed midrange dome,
- Audio grade wood
- Too big for small desks or shelves
6. Yamaha NS-6490
Next on our list we have audio manufacturing giants Yamaha, with their NS-6490. One very noticeable thing about this amazing bookshelf speaker is it’s 3-way design. What this means that this bookshelf speaker consists of a powerful 8 inch subwoofer, a separate mid tweeter and a dedicated high tweeter. Furthermore, this amazing speaker can produce frequencies from 42 Hz to 23 KHZ.
In addition, it is also able to provide continuous power of about 70W. It is also worth mentioning that the whole interior is shielded magnetically, in order to block interferences from other external sources. Another great thing about this speaker is the design, it is covered by a black satin grill cloth, that is pleasing on the eye as much as it is good for acoustic.
- 3-way design
- 70W continuous power
- Detailed tones
- Lacks in build quality
7. Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000
We’re near the end of our list and here we have the Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000. We’re talking about a small and compact speaker. But don’t let its size fool you, this speaker can bring out quality sound and a blast a powerful bass. Guaranteed to improve and enhance your home audio system.
- Compact size
- Great design
- Amazing audio
- Only one unit
8. Pioneer SP-BS22-LR
Next up we have audio giants Pioneer with their SP-BS22-LR. Pioneer have done it yet again, they created an amazing set that is versatile, affordable and it is guaranteed to enhance your audio experience.
The SP-BS22-LR is a smart system that consists of a crossover speaker, that can break audio input in any range. High, mid, low, you name it. It features an amazing 6-component modulation system, in order to provide the highest possible fidelity. Doing all of this while providing a powerful bass too making it one of the best bookshelf speakers under $200.
- Compact
- Out f the box
- Classy design
- Lacks in connectivity
9. Pioneer SP-T22A-LR
Moving along our list we find Pioneer with another entry, this time it’s their SP-T22A-LR. These speakers are designed to take the role of add-on speakers for a home theater system.
However, they can do an amazing job all on their own. Providing smooth and quality sound for an affordable price. Both design and performance are top notch, couldn’t expect anything less from Pioneer.
- Compact
- Great design
- Smooth sound
- Lacks wireless connection
10. M-Audio AV42
Last, but not least, we have the M-Audio AV42. Some people might argue with this choice, since they are labeled as studio monitors, but in reality, they do not provide the necessary audio quality for that role. However they are still pretty good, if used as bookshelf speakers. That is the reason we’ve put them on our list.
The biggest feature these speakers posses is their RCA connectivity, which allows the user to connect them with gaming systems, computers or tablets. However, they lack bass and the mid-range can sound tinny at times. They feature a 4 inch woofer and a built in A/B type amp with an output of 20W per channel.
- Very compact
- RCA input
- Compatible with phone, computer and tablets
- Lacks sound quality
Conclusion
There you have it folks, our list of the best bookshelf speakers under $200 is complete. We can safely conclude that there is no single best bookshelf speakers out there. All of them are good or bad in a certain way. It is all up to you, you need to know what are your needs in order to find the best speaker for you. What are you willing to risk and what are the things that your ideal bookshelf speaker must have! Hope that after reading this you now feel more informed and ready to make a decision. You can also see our comparison between JBL and Yamaha speakers by clicking on this link here. With all of this information in mind, you can’t go wrong!
