Active Bookshelf Speakers

Active bookshelf speakers have the amplifier built right in, so you can plug them into a computer, TV, turntable or phone without any extra equipment. They run on mains power or USB, and you connect them to your audio source with a cable or over Bluetooth. Here you'll find pairs from Edifier, Klipsch, Jamo, Swan, Victrola, FiiO, Kanto and Thomson. The range goes from small Edifier R20BT speakers powered over USB-C up to large systems with an 8" woofer, such as Klipsch The Nines or Swan H8. Most models have Bluetooth, and many also offer an optical input or HDMI for your TV.

What is the difference between active and passive bookshelf speakers?

An active speaker has its own amplifier and power supply, so you connect it directly to the audio source. The amplifier usually sits in one speaker of the pair, and the second speaker connects to it with a cable. You adjust the volume, and often the bass and treble as well, on the speaker itself or with a remote control.

A passive speaker has no amplifier of its own, so it needs a separate amplifier or AV receiver plus speaker cables. If you already have an amplifier at home, take a look at passive bookshelf speakers.

How do you connect active bookshelf speakers to a TV, computer or turntable?

• TV: connect them through the HDMI ARC input found on models such as Edifier M90 and R2750DB MKII, Jamo C705 MKII, C707PA MKII and Mini MKII, or Klipsch The Fives, The Sevens and The Nines. Otherwise, use an optical cable.
• Computer: Edifier R20BT carries both power and audio over a single USB-C cable. You connect Edifier R1280T, R980T or Kanto YU2 to your sound card or headphone output with an analogue cable.
• Turntable: Klipsch The Fives, The Sevens, The Nines, R-40PM and R-50PM have a phono input with their own preamp, so you can plug the turntable straight in. For the other models, you need a turntable with a built-in preamp or a separate phono preamp. You'll find the full selection on the Record player speakers page.
• Phone and tablet: most models have Bluetooth, and Victrola Tempo speakers also support Auracast for linking several speakers at once.

How big should active bookshelf speakers be for a desk or a living room?

For a desk next to your computer, compact models with a woofer of up to 4" are a good fit, for example Edifier R20BT (2.75"), Jamo Mini MKII (3") or Edifier R1280T (4"). They sit comfortably beside a monitor and don't take up much space.

For the living room, alongside a TV or turntable, go for a larger woofer of 5.25" or more. Klipsch The Sevens (6.5") and The Nines (8") are built this way, as is the 3-way Edifier R2750DB MKII with its 7" woofer. Many models have a subwoofer output, so you can boost the bass later. You'll find more types in the Hi-Fi bookshelf speakers category.