Christmas is a time for treats – be that for yourself, or a loved one. And a pair of great value bookshelf speakers that won’t break the bank, but will still offer excellent delivery in spaces of any size make for an excellent gift for even the most discernible audiophile in your life. Are you, or your loved one – ready to step into a pair of serious bookshelf speakers? Well then, now is the time to consider an upgrade.
But which way to go? There are so many options out there in the £350 – £900 bracket, and here are just a few of the best options. They come with both our, our customers’ and the all-important critic’s seal of approval. The only question is: how high do you want to go?
1. Wharfedale Denton – £395
These traditionally styled Wharfedale Dentons are quite the thing to behold. Beautifully crafted, these speakers were released to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Wharfedale by releasing a complete overhaul of the original Dentons, which maintain the same demur charm. The original Denton was reputed for its warm, rich and natural sound and the edition retains that character but blends it with an open, detailed performance that will surprise and enthral.
Why do we like them?
Nothing beats a class. Except, maybe, a revamped classic! These speakers sound as beautiful as they look, and far exceed their price tag.
Why do they like them?
‘Warm, extremely detailed and very musical, the new Wharfedale Denton is a superb speaker for the price – highly recommended’ (Hi-Fi World Magazine)
2. Focal Aria 906 – £758
Next up, we have the smallest bookshelf speaker in Focal’s range. The Aria 906 has plenty of awards under its belt, all owed to Focal’s expertise in the field and the plethora of new technologies also used on the rest of the Aria range, such as the innovative flax cone which delivers refined high-end acoustics. Sure, you can go cheaper, but if sound and build quality are as important to you as they are to us, we think the 906 is worth your consideration.
Why do we like them?
There is something very special about Focal’s speakers, and these little monsters are no different. They deliver a big, neutral and detailed sound that will surprise and enthral, time after time.
Why do they like them?
‘It’s a mature, stable performance with considerable polish. And yet, the Focals aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty. Far-reaching dynamics ensure there’s strong kick where necessary, and a keen sense of timing drives tracks along confidently without seeming pushy.’ (What Hi-Fi? Magazine)
3. KEF LS50 50th Anniversary – £799
Whenever a reputable (read: iconic) brand such as KEF release an anniversary edition, you know you’re in for something pretty special. And the LS50s are definitely quite something to behold! And the critics agree – they have scooped pretty much every award in their field, and are still turning heads to this very day. For starters, they look like no other bookshelf speaker – or indeed any sort of speaker – out there. And they offer a rich, deep and detailed sound that their compact size cleverly shields from expectation. A great buy, on every level.
Why do we like them?
Quite frankly, these are our favourite bookshelf speakers under £100. They look and sound amazing, and they’re quite the statement piece.
Why do they like them?
‘Explicit details of myriad sound effects cut easily throgh the mix. This is a cracking little speaker,sweetly voiced yet highly revealing of source quality, it surprises and delights in equal measure. And it sounds big, defying its compact dimensions. It deserves to be a runaway success for KEF.’ (Hi-Fi News Magazine Yearbook 2012)
4. Dali Mentor Menuet – £849
These tiny little speakers are the smallest in Dali’s Mentor range. Boasting the smallest footprint on this list, you could say that these mini marvels would be perfect for a small space. Of course, you’d be right. But to say that these little speakers are suited to small spaces alone would be diing them an injustice, as the sound they produce is pretty darn enormous. Quite frankly, they have set a new precedent for what a bookshelf speaker is capable of, in terms of the quantiyi of sound. And the quality is just as high as you’d expect from a Dali speaker: warm, full bodied and rich.
Why do we like them?
They very surprising, and we like surprises. And we’re not joking when we say these set a new standard – they really do.
Why do they like them?
‘Cohesive and entertaining sound; great build and looks…a speaker that entertains and sounds far larger than its small size suggests’ (Hi-Fi Choice Magazine December 2013)
5. Linn Majik 109– £935
It’s a kinda Majik! Linn are a new brand under the AA wing, but we’re already massively impressed with their looks, the build quality and – of course – their sound. There’s a reason why they are one of the most popular hi-fi brands in the world, and their bookshelf speakers embody that beautifully. Yes, their small. But their sound is room filling and about as natural as anything you will find at this price. Beautiful, timeless speakers that will entertain for years to come, and a perfect gift for Christmas – or for any time!
Why do we like them?
They carry every bit of quality we have come to associate with Linn, and are definitely worth the price. Tiny speakers – huge potential.
As gifts go, a pair of bookshelf speakers are an excellent starting point. But if your loved one is minus a complimenting system, we have a few recommendations for adjoining gifts. If you’re in need of an integrated amplifiier, we would recommend the Yamaha A-S501, the latest ‘purist’ amplifier from Yamaha, and a worthy replacement of its predecessor, the multi-award winning A-S500. If you fancy stepping it up a notch, we have the timeless Quad Vena, one of the best sounding (and feature-laden) amplifiers of 2014. If you want to take it even further still, we can whole-heartedly recommend the simply stunning Arcam A19, our favourite integrated amplifier for under £1000 and an excellent match for any of these speakers.
See? No as daunting as you may have first thought. And a guaranteed smile come Christmas day.