For Music
If you are thinking of which one can produce maximum sound and bass just for music?
Then, bookshelf soundbars are what you should consider. Not only is their sound volume higher at default, but they also are upgradeable- if you know how to do that.
Whereas, soundbars are not basically pleasing to people who love to keep the music going on- Unless you choose an expensive one that comes with separate sub speakers. Definitely, you will have to pay extra for that.
Not to mention, soundbars are not easily upgradeable, so that’s something you should keep in mind.
For TV
Both produce a sound that is packed with bass- immersive sound quality. If getting superior sound from movies is your primary objective, soundbars and bookshelf speakers perform differently.
Soundbars usually come up with at least one channel-centric position, which is why it produces nice and clear sound- dialogue clarity.
This is not the case with speakers. In bookshelf speakers, background music often goes too high to listen to the dialogue.
Size
The size of both is vital to understand as they differ both in look as well as in the process of setting them up.
Soundbars are flat, horizontally wider, and in the back, they have hooks that are for mounting them. It’s always essential to be mounted near a LED- a few inches below.
Bookshelf soundbars come up with a compact design and shape- look like a box. Opposed to soundbars, they can be positioned at any corner of the room as opposed to soundbars, but being close to the monitor can enhance the audio experience.
Sound Quality
On the surface, so far, there is nothing to complain about their sound quality only, if you know how to use them at their best.
When put side by side with bookshelf speakers, the soundbar stands out while comparing dialogue clarity features. For this purpose, they have built-in channels that automatically balance background music.
Even though bookshelf speakers are good, just because it’s aimed at bass, many people don’t like listening to podcasts as they require amplification- which they lack.
Connectivity Options
Both units come up with multiple connectivity ports, HDMI, CEC, and wireless connectivity, including Bluetooth and wifi.
However, setting up a soundbar is more convenient than a bookshelf speaker because mostly the HDMI ports do the trick.
Channels
Soundbars have multiple channel options to opt for. Which includes 2;1, 5;1, even nowadays you can find a soundbar with a 7:1 channel. They’re all geared toward making a room into an entertainment center, a concept most people are enthralled by.
This isn’t how bookshelf speakers are rated. Instead, they are measured by how loud and strong the bass is. In particular, gamers are drawn to.
Pricing
Regardless of the fact, there are cheap options available for both products. Still, if you dig down to look for quality and features, you can get soundbars and shelf book speakers.
You will find speakers will cost you more money than soundbars, even with the same features.