The KEF LS50 quickly became regarded as some of the best-sounding passive speakers when they were released in 2012. (For our picks of the best active speakers, check out our guide.)īelow, we've rounded up our favorite passive bookshelf speakers of 2021. However, because active loudspeakers are an entirely different breed - they have numerous wired and wireless connectivity options, and demand a significantly higher price tag - we've omitted them from the below list. One thing is for certain, there is no shortage of affordable passive or active bookshelf loudspeakers for all types of spaces. Active loudspeakers also require at least one of the loudspeakers to be plugged into the wall limiting how you set the speaker up in your space.
There is no way to try another amplifier or DAC (Digital-to-Analog Converter) to alter the sound. The trade-off with any active loudspeaker is that you are committed to how the final product sounds. Active loudspeakers are a better option for listeners who don’t want the added expense of multiple components, and an equipment rack filled with cables. Passive loudspeakers are more flexible as you can experiment with different types of amplifiers, DACs, and placement options. If you really care about sound quality, there are plenty of passive (which require amplification) and active (with built-in amplification) loudspeakers to select from. If you can afford them, we highly recommend them.
If you want a well-priced Bluetooth speaker that doesn’t just meet but exceeds expectations, this is the one we recommend.The KEF LS50 Meta is one of the best bookshelf speakers you can buy. However, power users and technophiles aside, the Flip 5 has exactly the rich sound quality and feature set that the average Joe is looking for. Just keep in mind that the Roam has even less total battery life than the Flip 5, clocking in around 10 hours only. You’re also getting AirPlay 2, for increased iOS utility. The Roam offers Wi-Fi playback for better sound quality, it can link up with other Sonos speakers in a group, it can be controlled via voice commands, and even supports wireless (Qi) charging. You can get the JBL Charge 5 for $60 more, which will not only net you 20 hours of battery life, but also comes equipped with a pass-thru charging function that will allow you to charge your phone or tablet off of the speaker itself.Īdditionally, for $50 more you could grab the Sonos Roam and considerably increase your feature utility.
With only 12 hours of battery life, the Flip 5’s playback time is good-not-great.
Of course, if you want even more utility, there are other options to consider. While there are a ton of decent Bluetooth speakers available for less cash if you want stellar design and sound quality, the Flip 5 is worth the investment.
The Flip 5 does more than just get the job done: it’s intelligently designed, sounds terrific, and is exceedingly easy to use. Should you buy it? Yes-if you just want a Bluetooth speaker that works A dust protection level of 5 or higher can mean increased longevity for your devices. This isn’t a huge issue, as it’s fairly standard treatment for a lot of Bluetooth speakers, but interested buyers should know that the protective design does have limitations. The Flip 5 can hang with the best of them where waterproofing goes, but it lacks dust resistance.