home theater speaker: Top Bookshelf Speakers for Under $100

By Scott Kessman
Aug 11 2006 09:19AM

We all want to hear good quality, crystal-clear audio from our stereo systems, but we don't want to have to purchase giant speakers or spend a large sum of money. The good news is, unless you are extremely particular about your audio to the point of being an audio fanatic, you don't have to worry about size or pricing. You can find a good set of bookshelf speakers that produce great sounding audio but are compact enough to sit comfortably on a shelf, out of the way.

There are a number of good sets of bookshelf speakers for under $100, capable of delivering astounding audio at a minimal cost, and superbly powerful despite their smaller size. Bookshelf speakers are not intended to be the equivalent of a top-of-the-line, full-on audio experience that will leave you breathless, but they are capable of producing excellent sound, even at a rather small size and moderate cost. Perfect for dorm rooms, small apartments, offices, or for anyone who simply doesn't want to clutter their home with large speakers, bookshelf speakers are an ideal option.

Be sure to visit the websites of the following manufacturers for more precise technical details regarding the bookshelf speakers. Prices may be better at online stores rather than traditional retailers.

The Sony SS-MB350H Bookshelf Speakers manages to achieve excellent audio with its 3-way acoustic suspension speakers, which pack 120 watts of power. Clean and crisp, the audio also manages to convey a proper bass without sounding too booming or distorted, and the high and low frequencies of sound are accurately represented. Offering a full range of sound, the Sony Bookshelf Speakers are a little larger than most bookshelf speakers, but not too large to be subtly placed in the corners of a room if desired and still be out of the way and unobtrusive.

They also work great as an inexpensive alternative to a full set of surround sound speakers, or most notably as the rear pair of surround sound speakers. The three-way format helps to spread the sound evenly throughout the room, providing a very enjoyable listening experience. An additional subwoofer is also available for purchase.

Another great set are the POLK AUDIO R15 Bookshelf Loudspeakers. Capable of delivering home theatre performance at a fraction of the cost of a home theater speaker system, the high-quality of the Polk Audio Bookshelf Speakers are ideal when paired with a subwoofer for the complete surround sound package.

Offering impressive wide frequencies with low distortion, the Polk Audio Bookshelf Speakers fill the room with high performance audio, with sharp details and clear vocals.
The Polk Audio Bookshelf Speakers can be set on the floor or a shelf, or they come with a variety of hook-up options for mounting or hanging. Use them separately or add them to an already existing speaker system as an accompaniment.

The JBL Northridge E20 2-Way 5-Inch Bookshelf Speakers are impressively small, and deliver outstanding audio performance. Loud, clear, and absent of distortion, the JBL Bookshelf Speakers are the ultimate in compact quality audio, and is available in a number of finishes to better match the decor of your room, such as Black Ash, Beech, or Cherry. The exquisite craftsmanship coupled with a vast assortment of high-technology features combine to form a harmonious pairing of sound and function.

With the JBL E20 Bookshelf Speakers, you can easily afford that stunning JBL quality and design. Paired with a subwoofer or existing speakers, they will enhance your audio to the extreme, filling the room with sharp, clear sound, but as a separate set, the JBL speakers still do a fine job of bringing out the subtle tones of audio that would otherwise be lost on lesser speakers.