Bookshelf Speakers - Bowers and Wilkins

Bookshelf speakers, or standmount speakers, are an excellent alternative to floorstanding speakers for smaller rooms or those wanting something smaller. In many cases, they are an excellent choice for accurate sound and many studios use bookshelf sized speakers for monitoring.

We prefer to call them "stand mount" rather than "bookshelf" as they generally sound better on dedicated speaker stands which prevent a "boomy" sound in smaller spaces. You can control bass response by choice of stands. All speakers here are passive and require a suitable hi-fi amplifier. While we usually recommend this type of system (hi-fi separates and passive speakers) for the very best sound quality, we also sell excellent wireless and active speakers. Prices include free mainland UK delivery and full 30 day money back guarantee if you change your mind, so buy with confidence.

Bowers & Wilkins is a leading audio brand established over 50 years ago. They have received numerous awards and excellent reviews for class leading products. Their current range includes the latest 600 S3 and 700 S3 loudspeaker ranges.

Bowers & Wilkins was originally founded over 50 years ago by John Bowers and Roy Wilkins, who met while serving in the Royal Corps of Signals. Bowers & Wilkins was originally an electronics radio shop and over time John Bowers became more involved in speaker design, initially with an assembly line at the back of their shop. Bowers then started a separate business for the manufacture of the speakers, with Wilkins involved in the UK distribution of the brand among others.

John Bowers dreamed of making the perfect loudspeaker. That is a speaker which is faithful to the artists original intent in the studio or to the sound of the live performance. Such a speaker should reveal the true sound of the recording, with every nuance and without anything being added or taken away.

Over the resulting 50+ years of loudspeaker design and manufacturer, Bowers and Wilkins has had an obsessive focus on perfection. The design has to be the very best, nothing less will suffice. John Bowers said 'If you make a better product, you will sell it'

This same persuit for perfection runs through everying Bowers & Wilkins do today. They explore every possible technical, design and engineering option to ensure the resulting product is greater than the sum of its parts and the best it can possibly be. As a result, they have won numerous awards and several of their speakers are class leaders - offering the best possible performance in their price bracket.

An aspirational brand, we are proud to add their products to our range, with a good selection of products in stock and on demo in our showroom.

Traditionally, floorstanding loudspeakers are considered the ultimate to Hi-Fi with bookshelf speakers being largely perceived as too lightweight or compact to compete with their larger counterparts. However, the past 20 years has seen a drastic improvement in manufacturing and miniaturisation techniques so these standmount speakers can compete with floorstanders adding their own advantages as well.

Bookshelf speakers typically have more attack and rhythm than floorstanding models so they are more suited to complex tracks and rhythmic music. This is often viewed as a compromise between the weight and dynamics of a floorstanding speaker and the musicality possible with a bookshelf speaker.

Driver design and material is crucial when selecting a bookshelf speaker. There are various driver materials from Kevlar to paper – the top distinction being metallic or non-metallic drivers. A metal driver, typically aluminium, benefits from accuracy and precision. However, some listeners may describe this as "bright" or "analytical". Non-metallic drivers generally feature more engaging musicality and warmth at the expense of the absolute precision of a metal driver.

Tweeter design also hugely impacts the sound signature. Typically, entry-level and mid-range models incorporate a dome-shaped tweeter while higher-end speakers use a ribbon tweeter incorporating a diaphragm of stretched metallic ribbon. This delivers more lucid and broadly-dispersed highs, for better imaging and soundstage.

Most configurations employ a main bass/mid frequency driver paired with a separate tweeter handling high frequencies. However, some manufacturers choose to house the tweeter in the centre of the main driver to improve dispersion and imaging and make positioning easier and more versatile.

Dedicated speaker stand are ideal to position bookshelf speakers at the optimal listening height with the tweeters at ear level from the usual seating position. This achieves best imaging and ensures coherency and integration between the woofer and tweeter. They also add weight and authority to enhance bass extension. Many stands are fillable, letting you add weight and mass to further tweak the bass performance of your speakers. Base spikes ensure isolation from the floor and stop unwanted resonance from degrading the sound of your speakers.

Don't forget to buy a suitable pair of speaker stands and a good speaker cable as well! Call or e-mail us if you need any further help in choosing your new pair of speakers.