7 Cool New Bookshelf Speakers to Keep on Your Wishlist

KEF, Dali and Ruark are a few audio makers to have released bookshelf speakers in the last few weeks.

Published October 19, 2024

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Bookshelf speakers are arguably one of the most hottest hi-fi components right now, given their mostly affordable price and superb versatility — you can use them in a traditional hi-fi system or AVR-based home theater, or even pair them with a desktop amp and use them as elite computer speakers.

That’s a big reason why audio manufacturers are still churning them out, even in the age of wireless streaming. Just in the last several weeks, some of the biggest names in hi-fi have released new models of their own.

Below, you’ll find the best and coolest new bookshelf speakers that have released (or just announced) in the last few weeks.

Ruark Sabre-R

Ruark Sabre-R

Specs

Speakers	Two-way passive bookshelf speakers
Recommended Power	25 — 100 watts
Frequency Response	50Hz — 20KHz (+/- 3dB)

$899 at Ruark

Release date: October 2024

The British audio company Ruark is best known for its wireless music systems and compact radios nowadays. But its Sabre-R passive bookshelf speakers mark its return to more traditional hi-fi — and they actually pay homage to the company’s original Sabre loudspeakers from 1985. The two-way speakers have old-school flair and are actually designed to match the Ruark R160, the company’s gorgeous new streaming amplifier.

Arendal 1528 Bookshelf 8

Specs

Speakers	Three-way passive bookshelf speakers
Recommended Power	up to 500 watts
Frequency Response	42Hz — 20kHz (+-2dB)

$4,500 at Arendal Sound

Release date: October 2024

The Norwegian hi-fi company has released its new flagship 1528 range of loudspeakers — of which, the 1528 Bookshelf 8 are the standout bookshelf speakers. The three-way speakers feature a 28mm lithium-magnesium tweeter, 5-inch carbon-graphene midrange and 8-inch aluminum bass drivers. According to the brand, they’re designed for “critical hi-fi listening.”

Totem Acoustics KIN One

Totem Acoustics KIN One

Specs

Speaker	Two-way passive bookshelf speakers
Recommended Power	20 — 100 watts
Frequency Response	65 Hz — 22 kHz (± 3 dB)

$599 at Totem Acoustics

Release date: September 2024

At $599/pair, the KIN One are the Canadian hi-fi company’s most affordable bookshelf speakers to date. They leverage trickle-down technologies — with respect to driver technology, cabinet design, and crossover circuitry — from the company’s legendary Model One (whose spiritual successor is the $3,500 Signature One) and Element Fire v2 ($8,450) loudspeakers. And are available in five different satin finishes.

KEF Q1 Meta

Specs

Speakeres	Two-way passive bookshelf speakers
Recommended Power	10 — 150 watts
Frequency Response	47Hz — 20kHz (-6dB)

$600 at KEF

Release date: October 2024

KEF overhauled its entry-level line of loudspeakers. The new Q Series Meta — which replaces the 2017-released Q Series — features the company’s 12th-generation Uni-Q driver with Metamaterial Absorption Technology (MAT), which is the same driver tech used in its higher-end R Series Meta range. The Q1 Meta (shown) is the most affordable line of bookshelf speakers in the new line.

Dali Epikore 3

Specs

Speakers	Three-way passive standmount speakers
Recommended Power	40 — 250 watts
Frequency Range	42Hz — 34kHz

$15,000 at Dali Speakers

Release date: October 2024

The Dali Epikore 3 are 3-way standmount loudspeakers (stands sold separately) that feature the same Evo-K hybrid tweeter module — a 35mm soft dome tweeter positioned below a planar magnetic tweeter — that’s in the company’s $120,000 Kore loudspeakers. The midrange-and-bass driver has trickle-down tech from its high-end models, too.

Technics SC-CX700

Specs

Speakers	Two-way active speaker system
Recommended Power	100 watts per channel
Frequency Response	(Not available yet)

$2,999.99 at Technics

Release date: December 2024

The Technics SC-CX700 are the Japanese hi-fi maker’s first wireless active speaker system (making them the only non-passive bookshelf-sized speakers on this list). They have a wealth of wired and wireless connections — including HDMI eARC for hooking up to your TV — and are positioned as rivals to the KEF LS50 Wireless II ($2,500) and the Bowers & Wilkins Formation Duo ($5,000).

KEF Q Concerto Meta

KEF Q Concerto Meta

Specs

Speakers	Three-way bass reflex bookshelf speakers
Recommended Power	15 — 180 watts
Frequency Range	40Hz — 20kHz

Release date: October 2024

The KEF Q Concerto Meta are technically part of the company’s new entry-level line of loudspeakers: the Q Series Meta. However, they’re a little bit of an outlier because they’re three-way (not two-way) bookshelf speakers that get their “Concerto” name after the British hi-fi maker’s original 3-way bookshelf speakers from 1969.