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Why "bookshelf" sspeakers?

This is not a rhetorical question. I’m asking because I don’t know.

The question is this: What is the point of "bookshelf" style speakers if they are not going on a bookshelf or table? In other words they are on speaker stands.

Here is the reason I’m asking. For a short time I had a pair of Aerial Acoustics 5T speakers along with a pair of Aerial Acoustics 6T towers (which I still have).

I listened to each set of speakers through a Bryston AV amp. I felt like the 6Ts sounded much better. More bass. Fuller sound. (I think a subwoofer would have resolved that easily for the 5Ts.)

The 5Ts are not exactly small and would barely fit on most bookshelves (although they are front ported and recommended for bookshelves by AE). The ones I listened to were on heavy metal stands which made them almost as big and heavy as the 6Ts.

So why buy smaller speakers which need to go on large heavy stands that make them as big as a floor standing speaker and not sound as good? Space saving does not seem to be the answer and I see some ’bookshelf’ speakers that are a good bit bigger than the AE 5ts.

I’m sure there must be a good reason since I see many people with them. And of course my assumption that a floor stander sounds better than a bookshelf might be wrong.

I guess cost comes into play somewhere in the equation as well.

Interested in people’s thoughts on this.

n80
mark200mph
73 posts
 

I have bookshelf with ribbons and like it.sometimes I put them on top of my 8 feet tall speakers and the feel better almost like it's there safe space.i put some on my usher d2 and made it into a d3 saved alot of cash there.i stack speakers all the time with antivibrational material between them.i hope they have babies and I can get more speakers.i have delivered a few babies in this life but never a baby speaker yet. Enjoy the music stay healthy, relax,humor and the literature medical is full on how humor helps the immune system. Dr. Carson who separated the first conjoined twins said music helped him study and focus. Great documentary watch it.as surgens low music in the background help in the operating room.it relaxes the staff.

waytoomuchstuff's avatar
waytoomuchstuff
997 posts
 

Reminds me of the study a few years ago that concluded: "DUCT TAPE NOT GOOD ON DUCTS!"

So, now: "BOOKSHELF SPEAKERS NOT GOOD ON BOOKSHELVES?"

 

boxcarman
322 posts
 

So lets call them standmount speakers instead.  Hardly anyone puts them on a bookshelf.

vthokie83
659 posts
 

OP, for many reasons stated above: easier to move around, easier to store when not in use, less expensive, easier to place as they are usually "two way" speakers, seem to pair well with subwoofers.

I'd also add they are better at imaging and soundstage, and maybe that is because of their flexibility at placement.....because I didn't have to worry about one box providing deep bass, vocals, and highs

n80 OP
2,107 posts
 

Thanks for all the replies. A couple of thoughts:

I know the term "bookshelf" my be antiquated or inaccurate but looking around I do see several high end makers that call their own "small" speakers "bookshelf speakers" and some claim they will work against a wall.

Aerial Acoustics calls their 5Ts "small" speakers. "Small" being relative of course. With their sand filled stands they were no smaller or lighter than the 6T floor standers and with the stands not a bit more flexible in terms of positioning.

As for adding subs to bookshelf speakers on stands, I personally don’t see how that is any better than medium towers with subs. Same size, same space, same flexibility.

I do understand that cost can be a factor with small vs floorstanding speakers but when you add the cost of high end stands and the necessity of subwoofers then the savings aren’t as big as they seem.

So for me, unless a small speaker will perform well on a shelf or a table and not absolutely require subs, I don’t see a great appeal.

But some of that can be chalked up to my inexperience. If you have bookshelf speakers on stands with subs and you are happy with how they sound then the form factor is irrelevant.

 

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