Best Bookshelf Speakers For TV, Home Theater and Music 2025

Are you limited on space but really want some fantastic-sounding speakers? Sonus faber’s Sonetto II G2 bookshelf speakers could very well be your ticket to audio utopia. Available in three beautiful finishes and capable of reproducing immersive sound quality, it’s no wonder why this entry grabbed our “Best Overall Bookshelf Speakers” for this model year!

Born in Italy, Sonus faber has been crafting speakers for decades. Their attention to detail and unique offerings have grabbed the eyes (and ears) of many audio enthusiasts. The Sonetto II G2 exude Sonus faber’s capabilities in making great-sounding speakers. Small things like the gold-colored caps to hide the speaker wire connections just add neat little touches.

High-frequency response is delivered via 1-1/8” silk dome tweeters for great extension coupled with smooth sound. You can really begin to hear the nuances of your favorite bits of music. Backup vocalists, rhythm guitars, etc. begin to emerge and perform on their very own stages.

Midrange and midbass performance are handled by the 6-1/2” paper pulp woofers. The huge advantage that paper pulp cones have is that they don’t need gobs of juice to run, so you get full sound throughout the volume spectrum on your amplifier. The paper pulp material also doesn’t color the sound like other materials can. You hear what the artist heard when they were making their track.

The drivers are installed into a beautiful cabinet that is available in Wenge, Walnut, and Black finishes. Both the woofer and tweeter in each speaker are surrounded by a dark leather wrap to complement the cabinets themselves. A base made of concrete gives the speakers solid anchoring points so vibration doesn’t impact your listening experience. Bass response is emphasized via grooves cut into that concrete base (this feature is called Reflex Duct by the Italian manufacturer). Essentially, it’s an in-house designed reflex port.

In terms of power, these 4-ohm bookshelf speakers will handle as little as 30 watts and all the way up to 200 watts.

Size-wise, the Sonetto II G2 speakers are compact, measuring in at 16-3/8”H x 9”W x 14”D. You can either put them on existing pieces of furniture or you can opt to purchase the optional speaker stands for them.

At the end of the day, these Sonus faber bookshelf speakers are absolutely fantastic, and we believe that you will love them as much as we do. Take the plunge - you won’t regret it.

Pros:

• Great sound quality
• Smooth high-frequency response
• Strong midrange output
• Solid bass output
• Beautiful finishes

Cons:

• Could benefit from a subwoofer for better bass extension

Get ready to experience your favorite shows and movies like never before with the SVS Ultra Evolution bookshelf speakers. These compact speakers may look sleek and stylish, but the real magic happens the moment you press play. The Ultra Evo speakers were an absolute shoo-in for our “Best Bookshelf Speakers for Movies” title.

From the quiet tension of a dramatic dialogue to the full-throttle intensity of a car chase, the Ultra Evolution bookshelf speakers bring cinematic sound to life with stunning clarity and depth. You'll catch every word, every sound effect, every detail—exactly as the filmmakers intended. They create a wide, immersive soundstage that makes your living room feel like a movie theater, pulling you right into the action.

Despite their modest footprint, these speakers deliver big, bold audio that fills the room. Explosions have real impact, orchestral scores swell with emotion, and even the subtlest background sounds come through with lifelike detail. Whether you're bingeing a new series, revisiting an old favorite, or watching the latest blockbuster, the Ultra Evolution speakers make every viewing feel like an event.

From a specification perspective, these 6-ohm bookshelf speakers handle up to 150 watts of continuous power.

And the best part? They’re incredibly versatile. Use them as main speakers in a compact setup or as front L/R channels in a larger surround system. Either way, they blend beautifully into any room thanks to their modern, high-end design. We should point out that the Ultra Evos are also available in a Black Oak and Gloss White finish.

With the SVS Ultra Evolution Bookshelf Speakers, it’s not just watching TV—it’s experiencing it. Rich, detailed, and room-filling, they’re the perfect match for anyone who wants their home entertainment to sound as amazing as it looks.

Pros:

• Great sound quality
• Protective grilles included
• Gloss black finish is stunning

Cons:

• A little thin on bass response
• Highs can get a little shrieky at loud, sustained volumes

The M-1 compact bookshelf/satellite speakers from Bowers & Wilkins are the epitome of the saying “great things come in small packages.” If you closed your eyes and listened to these pint-sized speakers, you would think that you’re listening to a traditionally-sized bookshelf speaker set. This is why they stole our “Best Small Bookshelf Speakers” award for this year.

Available in both black and white finishes, the M-1s are designed to be discreet. A metal protective grille (painted to match the speaker) guards the 1” metal dome tweeter and 4” woven glass fiber woofer tucked into each compact cabinet. Out of the box, the speakers have tabletop stands installed, but they do come with wall brackets if you need to take that route. The one thing we really admire about these speakers is that B&W thoughtfully hid the speaker wire connections on the rear of each speaker for a clean look. It’s the smaller touches that really make this ultra-compact speaker set stand out from the pack.

Speaking of the tweeters and woofers, we were excited to hear that they marry together quite neatly for smooth, rich sound. We did notice a thinness in the bass department, so we would 100% recommend a subwoofer to handle that end of things. The Bowers & Wilkins speakers excelled in both music and movie sound reproduction. They also handle up to 100 watts of continuous power and have an 8-ohm impedance, which is compatible with any home audio amplifier.

The M-1 speakers are also available in a matte black finish.

If you have been on the hunt for a discreet, great-sounding speaker, the Bowers & Wilkins M-1 speakers fit the bill quite neatly.

Pros: 

• Sounds great
• Very compact footprint
• Comes with tabletop/wall mounts in the box
• Speaker wire connections are discreet

Cons:

• Thin bass response really requires a subwoofer
• Can sound a little “shrieky” at louder, sustained volumes

What? A pair of Kanto powered speakers in this guide? Yup, and for great reason: they sound incredible and are the most versatile speakers you can get in a bookshelf speaker’s compact footprint. The TUK speakers are the flagship powered speakers from Kanto and offer impressive sound quality and an assortment of inputs and outputs for you to utilize. This is why they clinched the “Best Powered Bookshelf Speakers” spot.

Available in both a matte white and matte black finish, Kanto’s TUK can blend into any environment neatly. A protective grille covers both front panels of the speakers, but leaves access to the headphone output, source lights, and volume knob. Just like Kanto’s other models, the left speaker houses not only the drivers, but also the 130-watt Class D amplifier in addition to the inputs and outputs that the system has to offer. Speaker wire output terminals allow connection to the right speaker. 

The TUK utilizes a 5.25” aluminum woofer and, above that, Kanto’s Air Motion Transformer (AMT) tweeter in each speaker. Don’t let the elegant design fool you - these speakers absolutely rock! We experienced smooth high-frequency response, strong midrange, and decent midbass performance thanks to the bass port located on the rear of each speaker. Whether you gravitate to rock, hip hop, or classical genres of music, these powered Kanto speakers are sure to please any listener.

We briefly mentioned the inputs and outputs of the system, we wanted to take a moment and dive into that a little bit more. On the input side of things, the TUKs have a Toslink™ optical input, stereo RCA inputs, phono input, and a USB-B input. The USB-B input is capable of decoding audio tracks up to 24-bit/96kHz thanks to the on-board digital-to-analog (DAC) converter, and is commonly used to connect the speakers to a computer or laptop. Bluetooth 4.2 is also built into the system for wireless music streaming if you prefer a wireless experience. The lone output that exists on that rear panel is for adding Kanto’s SUB8 powered subwoofer.

We believe that the TUK speakers from Kanto will thrill any listener and, with built-in amplification, make their overall footprint quite small. They are perfect in smaller rooms or sitting on a desk being used as computer speakers. All you have to do is decide on the color you want now!

Pros:

• Great sound quality
• Built-in amplification
• Compact size
• Tons of inputs
• Subwoofer output
• Headphone output

Cons:

• A tad thin on bass response
• No natural finish options

Sleek, bold, and full of personality, the Kanto YU6 powered speakers are more than just a sound system—they're a statement. Whether you're spinning vinyl, streaming your favorite playlists, or upgrading your TV sound, the YU6 delivers a rich, room-filling audio experience that blends effortlessly into any space, which is why they grabbed our “Best Budget Bookshelf Speakers” title for this year!

With their clean lines and minimalist aesthetic, these speakers make a strong impression without grabbing your attention when you enter your room. The matte black finish adds a modern edge—refined yet edgy, they look just as good in a cozy living room as they do beside a desktop or turntable setup. If you wanted to brighten your space up a bit, you can grab the speakers in the matte white or walnut finish.

But it’s not just about looks. The YU6 speakers are all about simplicity and versatility. Built-in Bluetooth lets you connect wirelessly in seconds, while the phono preamp means you can plug in a turntable directly—no extra gear needed. Want to stream from your phone, connect to your computer, or enhance your TV’s poor sound quality? YU6 has you covered with a thoughtful array of inputs, all wrapped in a user-friendly design.

The sound? Clear, balanced, and surprisingly powerful. The YU6s bring warmth to your music and precision to your movies—perfect for casual listening or deep dives into your favorite albums. A handy remote gives you full control from across the room, and the automatic standby mode makes sure they're energy-efficient, too.

If you’re looking for a little more impact during your listening sessions, Kanto offers their SUB8 (in black or white matte finishes) to improve bass response.

Whether you're new to the world of high-quality audio or looking for a stylish, do-it-all speaker system, the Kanto YU6 brings serious performance with an effortlessly cool vibe. It's a sound that speaks volumes—without taking over your space.

Pros:

• Great sound quality
• Built-in amplifier
• Accepts turntable connectivity
• Bluetooth built-in
• Included remote control

Cons:

• No protective grilles
• Can be a tad thin on bass response
• Bluetooth can be a little tricky to pair

Small in size, big on great sound—the Kanto YU2 powered desktop speakers are the perfect audio companion for anyone who wants great sound without the bulk. Whether you're working, gaming, or just vibing to your favorite playlist, the YU2 delivers crisp, clear sound in a compact design that looks right at home on any desk or shelf. By now, you can probably see why the YU2s took our “Best Compact Powered Bookshelf Speakers” award.

Their minimal footprint makes them ideal for tight spaces, but don’t let their size fool you. The YU2s bring music to life with surprising depth and detail, offering a warm, balanced sound that punches above its weight class. They're perfect for adding some serious sonic flair to your home office, bedroom, or dorm room setup.

Wrapped in a clean, modern design, these speakers are just as easy on the eyes as they are on the ears. The simple aesthetic blends effortlessly with any decor, and with a range of finishes available, including black and walnut, there's a YU2 for every style.

Plug-and-play simplicity means you can get up and running in minutes—just connect your computer, laptop, or phone and you’re good to go. There's even a subwoofer output (for Kanto’s SUB8 subwoofer) if you ever want to kick the bass up a notch.

Whether you're zoning in on work, diving into a new game, or just setting the mood with your favorite tunes, the Kanto YU2 offers a refreshing mix of style, simplicity, and sound quality in a size that fits your life perfectly.

Pros:

• Great sound quality
• Ultra-compact design
• Built-in amplifier
• Ready to enjoy in minutes

Cons:

• No protective grilles
• A bit thin in bass response
• No Bluetooth streaming
• Limited in connectivity