Top-7 Newest Bookshelf Speakers – Fall 2025 Rating

Our new expert selection of acoustics is dedicated to modern bookshelf speakers – there are quite a few new models on the market in 2025, so the editors have compiled a rating of the most impressive loudspeakers for you. Those that sound vibrant, gentle and natural – regardless of the price range.

7. Polk Audio Reserve R100

Pros – decent dynamics, lively presentation

The Polk Audio Reserve R100 speakers are a striking example of cutting-edge engineering. The model uses the developments of the flagship Legend series of speakers and sports an MDF case with many stiffening ribs and a reinforced front panel, a tricky 25 mm tweeter with a PINNACLE ring radiator and a midrange/low-frequency driver with a 133 mm TURBINE CONE polypropylene diffuser. Add a cascade crossover, a patented X-Port phase inverter, magnetic grills and nickel acoustic terminals - and we get very impressive candidates for purchase. Moreover, the Polk Audio Reserve R100 sounds dynamic and engaging.

6. Wharfedale EVO 5.2

Pros - great sound

The Wharfedale EVO 5.2 acoustic systems offer a full-fledged three-way design with an Air Motion Transformer ribbon tweeter, a dome midrange on a medium-rigidity suspension and a long-stroke woofer with a 150 mm Kevlar diffuser and a fixed phase plug. The model provides, perhaps, the best separation of sound images in its price group, ideally builds the stage.

5. Elipson Heritage XLS 15

Pros - amazing bass

Although the Elipson Heritage XLS 15 are called bookshelf loudspeakers, their dimensions hint more at the “intermediate” models of the mid-seventies of the twentieth century – the use of a huge 300 mm woofer with a cellulose diffuser, a 55 mm midrange driver and a 22 mm dome tweeter (similar to the one used in the flagship Prestige Facet Elipson model) imposes some requirements on the dimensions of the system. 92 dB of sensitivity at 6 Ohms of impedance will not be a big load for amplification – and in terms of bass, the competitors of the group simply have nothing to oppose to the approach of the Elipson Heritage XLS 15.

4. Monitor Audio Gold 100 6G

Pros - crystal clear and superbly detailed sound

The Monitor Audio Gold 100 6G loudspeakers will offer an exceptionally detailed picture across the entire audible spectrum - along with impressive timbres and overall clarity of delivery, it will be hard not to fall in love with the speakers. Compared to their predecessors, the speakers boast a new crossover design, a midrange driver body made of steel and aluminum, a precisely tuned HiVe II phase inverter port - and, of course, the proprietary HDT (Hexagonal Diaphragm Technology) diaphragm manufacturing technology and an MPD III tweeter based on a Heil emitter.

3. Focal Kanta N°1

Pros - vibrant and refined sound

The Focal Kanta N°1 bookshelf acoustic systems immediately take the bull by the horns - their charming performance character with excellent world dynamics goes straight to the soul. The model uses the company's favorite beryllium 27 mm lAL3 tweeter, 165 mm Flax driver and plays from 42 Hz. The front panel of the speaker cabinet is made of high-density polymer, eliminating standing waves and unwanted vibrations.

2. Piega Coax 411

Pros - impressive detail, open sound character

The Piega Coax 411 acoustics uses a radically updated set of drivers - the coaxial ribbon C112+ emitter is responsible for high and mid frequencies, and a 160 mm UHQD woofer works for low frequencies. The main feature of these speakers is the use of TIM and TIM2 mounting technologies, which dampen vibrations. The loudspeakers cabinets are made of aluminum by pressing and subsequent processing. In general, everything literally screams about quality - and the sound of the model literally amazes with its resolution.

1. JBL Summit Ama

Pros – large-scale and exceptionally dynamic sound, full-fledged sound wall

The impressive JBL Summit Ama crowns our rating – we haven’t seen new High-End speakers from JBL for a long time, but the wait was worth it. The sound of the JBL Summit Ama can be confused with large floorstanding speakers – the musical canvas is so large and hyperrealistic. The loudspeakers use a 38 mm patented dual-range compression speaker D2815K with a double diaphragm and two drivers, and a 200 mm woofer HC4 with a three-layer carbon fiber diffuser. Add chic cases and IsoAcoustic isolating supports – and here it is an engineering masterpiece.

Stas Ustenko