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Choosing between bookshelf and tower speakers
We frequently see questions about the differences and benefits of bookshelf speakers and tower speakers. Choosing between bookshelf vs. tower speakers (also called desktop and floorstanding speakers) can sometimes be confusing, as each type offers specific advantages in different situations.
It’s not that one is better than the other; the point is that – depending on the space, your budget and your sound preferences – it’s easier to choose when you match the speaker to your specific situation.
With that in mind, here are the three most important factors to consider when choosing between bookshelf and tower speakers.
Space
The amount of space available in a room is obviously an important consideration when choosing between bookshelf and tower speakers. But it’s not just about where you want to place the speakers and whether you have enough room, it’s also about the dimensions of the room and how the frequencies and sound level will fill the space.
If you have a small room, bookshelf or desktop speakers will suffice just fine, especially if the listening area is mostly nearfield (close to the speakers). With a larger room, especially if there is a lot of seating available, tower speakers are the better choice because of their higher volume and output capacity and fuller bass sound, without necessarily needing a subwoofer with them.
If you don’t have floor space for tower speakers but could use a shelf or piece of furniture, the choice is already clear. Still, there are a few things to keep in mind:
Bookshelf speakers can be placed on stands if suitable furniture is not available or if it better suits the desired arrangement.
The vertical shape of tower speakers and the fact that they do not require a stand can sometimes make them more space-efficient than bookshelf speakers on stands.
If you already have a subwoofer or plan to integrate one to amplify the bass with your desktop (or tower) speakers, you also need to consider additional shelf or floor space and the ideal placement for it.
Budget
An important factor in choosing between bookshelf and tower speakers is, of course, your budget.
Speakers can range from about $50 to more than $100,000. This huge difference is related to the various structural and mechanical elements of a speaker system and the huge variation in the quality of materials that can be used for all those elements.
High-performance floorstanding speakers usually start around $500 each. However, if you have a tighter budget, you’re probably better off with desktop speakers, which start at around $150 for mini bookshelf speakers (also called satellite speakers) and $250 for full bookshelf speakers.
Sound Quality
Last but not least is the quality and type of sound you are looking for.
In general, a speaker with great sound quality should always have some core characteristics to provide a truly immersive and compelling experience. These include accuracy, refinement and the ability to stay true to the content – to deliver subtle details gently while delivering a dramatic but believable soundstage when needed. Any good bookshelf or tower speaker must also be able to fill a room and possess an excellent dynamic range, from sparkling treble to powerful and well-defined bass.
On a more emotive level, a great speaker should convey the emotional and sensory experience the director, musician or sound engineer had in mind, without interfering. You should be so absorbed in the content that you forget you are listening to speakers – that is the true sign of an excellent speaker.
When looking at the sound differences between desktop and tower speakers, there are two important factors to consider:
Volume
The sound level of a speaker (also called “output” or “loudness”) is a function of the speaker’s sensitivity. “Sensitivity” refers to how efficiently the speaker converts power (in watts) from the amplifier into sound level (in decibels). The more sensitive the speaker, the less power is required from the amplifier to play loudly. tower speakers are generally more sensitive and therefore can produce more volume than desktop speakers. So if you want to crank up the volume considerably and let your neighbors in on the fun, you’re probably better off choosing tower speakers.
Bass and overall sound quality
For audiophiles and speaker enthusiasts, this is perhaps the most controversial and hotly debated topic when choosing between tower speakers or desktop speakers.
Many people swear by the superior sound quality of bookshelf speakers combined with a subwoofer for bass, while others find that tower speakers are the best choice for fuller sound without the need for a subwoofer. Ultimately, it depends on what you are looking for in terms of sound reproduction and what your personal preferences are.
One of the most important aspects of the sound quality of speakers is their ability to reproduce bass – and that is also directly one of the trickiest parts to get right. The larger enclosure of tower speakers allows them to move more air through the drivers than desktop or bookshelf speakers, typically resulting in deeper, more powerful bass than with stand-alone bookshelf speakers. tower speakers also typically have more woofer drivers, which can generate even more bass. So if deep and powerful bass is important to you and you don’t want to add a subwoofer, tower speakers are probably the best choice.
Keep in mind, however, that there are also many fullrange bookshelf speakers that do not require a subwoofer. So a subwoofer is not necessarily necessary. But if you still want that extra low-frequency punch that only a good subwoofer can provide, this is an excellent option.
