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
- DSAUDIO.review: Genelec 8020D vs Yamaha HS5 Soun & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Genelec 8020D vs Yamaha HS8 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Neumann KH80 DSP vs Genelec 8020D Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: IK Multimedia iLoud MTM vs Genelec 8020D Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: KEF LSX vs Genelec 8020D Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Genelec 8020D vs Adam Audo T5V Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- 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
- DSAUDIO.review: Neumann KH80 DSP vs Genelec 8020D Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Neumann KH80 DSP vs Yamaha HS8 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Neumann KH80 DSP vs Focal Shape 40 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Neumann KH80 DSP vs IK Multimedia iLoud MTM Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Neumann KH80 DSP vs JBL 305P MKII Sound & Frquency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: KEF LSX vs Neumann KH80 DSP Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Adam Audio A3X vs Neumann KH80 DSP Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Neumann KH80 DSP vs KRK Rokit 5 G4 RP5G4 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- 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
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs Adam Audio T5V sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review APS Klasik 2020 vs Focal Alpha 50 EVO sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs Focal Alpha 65 EVO sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs KRK Rokit 5 G4 RP5G4 sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs JBL 305P MKII sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Adam Audio A5X vs Focal Alpha 50 EVO sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs Eve Audio SC205 sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Kali Audio LP-6 V2 (2nd Wave) vs Focal Alpha 50 EVO sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs KRK Classic 5 CL5G3 sound.DEMO
- 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
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs JBL 305P MKII sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: JBL 305P MKII vs Yamaha HS5 6-Track Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review JBL 305P MKII vs KRK Classic 5 CL5G3 sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: JBL 305P MKII vs Adam Audio T5V 6-Track Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Adam Audio A5X vs JBL 305P MKII sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Kali Audio LP-6 V2 (2nd Wave) vs JBL 305P MKII sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier MR4 vs JBL 305P MKII sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: Kali Audio IN-5 vs JBL 305P MKII Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: JBL 308P MKII vs JBL 305P MKII Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- 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
- DSAUDIO.review: JBL 305P MKII vs Adam Audio T5V 6-Track Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Kali LP-6 vs Adam Audio T5V Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Adam Audio T5V vs Yamaha HS5 5 Track Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Adam Audio A5X vs Adam Audio T5V sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs Adam Audio T5V sound.DEMO
- 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
- DSAUDIO.review: Adam Audio T5V vs Presonus Eris E5 5 Track Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Yamaha HS5 vs Presonus Eris E5 Sound Demo
- DSAUDIO.review: Fluid Audio F5 vs Presonus Eris E5 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: M-Audio BX5 D3 vs Presonus Eris E5 5 Track Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: PreSonus Eris E5 XT vs PreSonus Eris E5 (new vs old) Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: JBL 305P MKII vs PreSonus Eris E5 6-Track Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Mackie CR5 BT vs Presonus Eris E5 Sound Demo w/ Bass Test
- DSAUDIO.review: KRK Rokit 5 RP5G3 vs Presonus E5 Sound Demo w/ Bass Test
- DSAUDIO.review: JBL LSR305 vs Presonus Eris E5 Sound Demo
- 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
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs KRK Rokit 5 G4 RP5G4 sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: KRK Rokit 5 G4 RP5G4 vs Adam Audio T5V Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review KRK Classic 5 CL5G3 vs KRK Rokit 5 RP5G4 sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: KRK Rokit 5 G4 RP5G4 vs Yamaha HS5 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: KRK Rokit 5 G4 RP5G4 vs Presonus Eris E5 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: PreSonus E5 XT vs KRK Rokit 5 G4 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Genelec 8020D & KRK Rokit 5 G4 PR5G4 - Same, same, but different Sound & Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Neumann KH80 DSP vs KRK Rokit 5 G4 RP5G4 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Tannoy Gold 5 vs KRK Rokit 5 G4 RP5G4 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- 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
- DSAUDIO.review: New PreSonus E5 XT and Yamaha HS5 could not sound any more different! SOUND AND RESPONSE COMPARISON
- DSAUDIO.review: Bright and brighter. PreSonus E5 XT takes on Adam Audio T5V SOUND & FREQUENCY RESPONSE COMPARISON
- DSAUDIO.review: PreSonus Eris E5 XT vs PreSonus Eris E5 (new vs old) Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: PreSonus E7 XT vs PreSonus E5 XT Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: PreSonus Eris E8 XT vs PreSonus Eris E5 XT Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: PreSonus E5 XT vs KRK Rokit 5 G4 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- 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
- DSAUDIO.review: IK Multimedia iLoud MTM vs Genelec 8020D Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdZ9gPdXjZI?
- DSAUDIO.review: IK Multimedia iLoud MTM vs KRK Rokit 5 G4 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: IK Multimedia iLoud MTM vs Edifier S3000 Pro Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Neumann KH80 DSP vs IK Multimedia iLoud MTM Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Adam Audio A3X vs IK Multimedia iLoud MTM Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Yamaha HS8 vs IK Multimedia iLoud MTM Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- 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
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier S1000MKII vs Edifier S2000MKIII sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier S2000MKIII vs Klipsch The Three II sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier R2850DB vs Edifier S2000MKIII sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: Edifier S2000MKIII vs Edifier S3000PRO Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- 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
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier MR4 vs Edifier R1280DBs sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier MR4 vs Edifier R1700BT sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier MR4 vs JBL 305P MKII sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier MR4 vs Presonus Eris E3.5 sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier MR4 vs iLoud Micro Monitor sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier MR4 vs Presonus Eris E4.5 sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier MR4 vs Mackie CR4-X sound.DEMO
- 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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