Bookshelf speakers and satellite speakers are two worthy opponents. Both of these work the best in some specific settings. However, they possess some pros and cons which separate one from the other.
You might be thinking how does a bookshelf speaker integrate with my home theater? How much does a satellite speaker cost? Are satellite speakers wireless? All of your intriguing questions will be answered in detail so that you can easily choose the one speaker which suits your needs.
How you will be using them, will also influence your purchase decision. So, today we will be dissecting both of these speaker systems in front of you! We will be neutral and explore almost every possible perspective which the speakers possess.
Also Read: 10 Best Speakers for Record Player of 2021
Before we go into the side-to-side comparison, it is better to have an independent understanding of the speakers. Therefore, we will firstly discuss the satellite speaker in detail. After that we will move towards the bookshelf speaker and analyze what it has to offer!
Contents
Satellite Speakers And How They Work?
First things first, the satellite speakers belong to the smaller-sized speakers. Although they are smaller in size, they still have excellent sound optimization and production. These speakers are generally suitable for individual listening as you can put them on the side of the room.
Well, generally when it comes to performance a woofer and a subwoofer play a major role in making the sound crystal clear and ambient. For a satellite speaker, you will have to pair them up with a separate woofer/subwoofer. Because this variety of speakers doesn’t generally come with an inbuilt subwoofer.
With regards to pricing, you can easily check online, the satellite speakers are much more affordable than the bookshelf speakers.
When it comes to their construction, although these strike as the flimsy and less durable ones. They generally tend to last for years which is an added assurance in itself.
Size:
The satellite speaker is smaller in size in comparison to a bookshelf speaker. These are generally 6 inches or less and can easily be placed anywhere. This also adds to their portability aspect.
Frequency Range:
The satellite speaker usually focuses on the mid-bass and mid-range frequencies. The satellite systems are designed in such a way that they focus on higher frequencies and ensure low sound distortion.
Placement:
In terms of placement, satellite speakers are small in size and lighter in weight. This makes them easier to place anywhere or mount them on the wall.
Musical Brilliance:
Satellite speakers are better off in producing clearer sound in your surroundings. This is the reason why these are the preferable options for an in-house movie night.
2.1 Satellite Speaker Vs 5.1 Satellite Speaker
You may have come across these terms while shopping satellite speakers online. A 2.1 satellite speaker is a configuration in which two satellites are using a single subwoofer. This type of configuration is suitable for stereo audio. On the other hand, the 5.1 type configuration includes five satellite speakers using a single subwoofer. The 5.1 satellite is costly in comparison to 2.1 models and it has better audio enhancement and seamless output.
Are Satellite Speakers Wireless?
While surfing the internet if you come across a satellite speaker it might seem to you that these are wireless speakers at once. It’s their compact design and smaller size which fool the eyes. But these are wired speakers. So, if you are looking to build a wireless home theater system you might have to make some adjustments.
Bookshelf Speaker And What Makes Them Great?
Bookshelf speakers as apparent from their name are meant to be placed on shelves and tables. Their construction and assembling are such that they perform the best on elevated surfaces. So, anywhere but the floor is where these speakers are meant to stay.
Bookshelf speakers provide a complete music experience. These generally have an inbuilt subwoofer which is like icing on the cake. The internal subwoofer not only adds clarity into the mix but the overall sound performance is exceptional.
Hardcore music fans tend to side with bookshelf speakers as oppose to satellite speakers because these offer a lot. If you live in small to midsized spaces, bookshelf speakers should be your go-to option. As these, use the compactness of the space available to disperse the sound in such a manner that gives it a much more natural aesthetic touch.
Bookshelf speakers are better integrated as they can work with all levels of frequencies. So, if you are a music purist you would love the experience which is offered on a bookshelf speaker. The manufacturers have made sure that the speakers cover every possible aspect which a hardcore music fan would love to have in a speaker. What more does this speaker have? How does it perform in contrast to the satellite speaker? You will find this out and much more as we are going to share some refined details with you!
Size:
When it comes to size, the bookshelf speakers are much bigger than your average satellite speaker which is around 6 inches or less. So, if you want to have a full-on home theater kind of vibe, the bookshelf speaker will serve you better.
Frequencies:
With respect to handling frequencies, the bookshelf speakers cover a wide range of the spectrum. As these are full-range speakers, they are built with enclosures that are equipped with both high and low-frequency drivers. They have an inbuilt-subwoofer and they do not require any additional woofers or subwoofers to deliver high-pitch sound. Their average frequency range coverage is between 50Hz and 20 kHz.
Placement:
In terms of placement, the bookshelf speakers have to be placed on furniture or tables. If you don’t have either the furniture or the tables in the room, you might have to invest in a speaker stand.
Music Brilliance:
In terms of playing the music, the bookshelf has an extensive acoustic range and they are more suitable for listening to music. You get completely submerged into the music as it is being played on your bookshelf speaker.
Reasons to Choose Bookshelf Speakers over Satellite Speakers
- Bookshelf speakers are better for a home theater system. These can be used as surround, front, or height sound drivers. These provide much more flexibility in up-gradation and performance. So, if you are into upgrading your home theater system. These should be your go-to speakers.
- Bookshelf speakers have their own complete identity. What I mean by this is that, while satellite speakers are built as a complementary piece to other speakers. With bookshelf speakers, you can achieve a higher pitch and a louder volume of sound.
- The next advantage which a bookshelf speaker has over a satellite speaker is in a 2-way system. If you want to have a 2-way, crossover design featuring a tweeter and a woofer. There is no better choice than to opt-out of a bookshelf speaker.
- Last but not least, a bookshelf speaker has a built-in subwoofer which has a very important feature. It takes charge of the lows. This allows the main speaker to handle the highs and the mids only. And hence, you hear a much more optimized and seamless sound which gives you an amazing aesthetic music experience.
Reasons to Choose Satellite Speakers over Bookshelf Speakers
- Satellite speakers have an easy integration of the system. If you have some other speakers, you will find the satellite speakers to be much more flexible in connectivity.
- If you have plans on setting up your speakers on the ceilings or the walls. I would recommend you get a satellite speaker. These are cute little compact speakers which can easily fit anywhere. This way, you can enjoy your favorite tunes from almost anywhere conveniently.
- The satellite speakers are a tad cheaper than the bookshelf speakers. These are a little smaller and have a little less functionality than the bookshelf speaker. So, if you do not want to invest heavily at the moment. You can get a good quality satellite speaker which will last for years for about 100-300$ bucks.
- The satellite speakers are a little better in design and they can easily match the interior of your room in comparison to a bookshelf speaker. If you are the sort of person who pins points and tries to match stuff. You should opt-out of a satellite speaker.
By analyzing the pros of both the speaker it is pretty clear that choosing between these two speakers depends on your usage as well as some other factors. If you have some other speakers installed in your home, you might pay some careful attention when you are choosing between these two. In this scenario, it is optimal to pair up your speakers with satellite speakers as it will optimize your sound quality to higher levels. On the other hand, if you don’t have a dedicated subwoofer or woofers installed go for a bookshelf speaker as they come with an inbuilt subwoofer.
Your choice selection also depends on the size of your room. You might be thinking how does that affect my speaker choice? Well, to break your bubble the clarity and crispiness of most speakers are greatly affected by the size of the room.
If there is a piece of furniture in your room, then the obvious choice would be to set up the bookshelf speakers on it. On the flip side, if your space is severely compromised then you can opt-out for a satellite speaker which will easily accommodate.
The Price Perspective:
Another aspect which is quite essential to discuss is the price range in which you are looking to buy a speaker. Well, in this regard, the prices of some top-notch bookshelf and satellite speakers are in a similar bracket. But, in general, the satellite speakers are a tad cheaper than the bookshelf speakers. These are a little smaller and have a little less functionality than the bookshelf speaker. So, if you do not want to invest heavily at the moment. You can get a good quality satellite speaker which will last for years for about 100-300$ bucks.
So, it is up to you to decide which one falls into your budget and go with that option. Later on, you can upgrade when the price is right.
Casual Listener Vs Hardcore Music Enthusiast!
This part of the article is not informative but rather it is to provide you an outlook of how the speaker will work for you. If you are a casual listener who doesn’t bother a lot with what their speaker does and how it can be upgraded. Then, in that case, you should go for a minimalistic speaker i.e. the satellite speaker. It costs less and has a solid crisp and clear sound output. So, you will hardly be disappointed with your decision.
On the flip side, if you are a purist and a DIY person. Then, the satellite speaker might not be a good option for you. In this case, I would recommend you to spend your bucks on the bookshelf speaker as it has much more room for upgrading. The bookshelf speaker has multiple features.
Not only can it be upgraded as per need, but it can also integrate with another speaker system which you might have at home. So, for a full experience and better sound output, you might have to spend extra bucks and grab one of these bad boys.
Some Last Words:
We have weighed in both the speakers on different scales and the results are in front of you. Both the speakers have characteristics that separate them from each other. The satellite speaker being more compact and cheaper can be an option if you are restricted on budget. Alternatively, the bookshelf speaker has a wide range of features and better sound performance. These can cost you a little more but they are worth every penny spent. If you have any queries about the article feel free to share with us.
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