Cube, bookshelf, satellite speakers

[saurabh]

It seems so silly to ask this but just out of curosity what is the difference between cube, bookshelf, satellite speakers, is it only the shape, size or sound qualities also. Any pictures to show dissimilarities would be really helpful.

 

[jaxvon]

All 3. Cubes are, well, think Bose. They have junk for sound quality though.

Bookshelf speakers are normal, small speakers.

Satellite refers to basically any non-subwoofer speaker in a 5.1 system.

 

[Shadow_Ferret]

But what about these? Are these considered cubes or bookshelf?

http://www.aadsound.com/Products Page/E Series Product/E30 product page.html

 

[warpdrive]

I'd say cube

The differentiation of the three types are speakers is arbitrary, but in my opinion

Cubes usually have one driver, and are always sold with a sub.

Satellites are two way and usually have bass driver 4 inches or less and have a low frequency limit around 70Hz and up, and must be used with a subwoofer. Mostly they come in a package with a sub. But sometimes are sold as a set of 5 speakers.

Bookshelf speakers usually have bass drivers that are 5 or more inches and have a low frequency range of 60Hz or better. They are usually sold in pairs.

 

[markw]

Many options, many opinions. Hare's mine.

Cube speakers - as the name implies, generally a small cube as illustrated in the picture. May be considered "full range" considering their size although, due to their diminutive size, will probably be lacking in the bass department.

Satellite speakers - smaller speakers of varying shapes that are specificaly designed to be part of a three (or more) piece system and require a separate woofer.

Bookshelf speakers - Although any of the above could fall into this category, they are generally any speaker larger than the above but not specificaly designed for floor placement. These are sometimes also referred to as "stand mount" as well.

 

[Tex-amp]

Cube speakers - as the name implies, generally a small cube as illustrated in the picture. May be considered "full range" considering their size although, due to their diminutive size, will probably be lacking in the bass department.

You need to reach into the 30Hz range before a speaker is considered "full Range"

 

[markw]

You need to reach into the 30Hz range before a speaker is considered "full Range"

Tell that to the Lowther entheusiasts. It's all semantics and there are no hard fast rules.

By your standards, Athena F1's which are rated "only" to 40 hz, most other floor standing speakers and no "bookshelf" speakers would not be considered full range although many are happily enjoyed daily by many people without a subwoofer.

It's all semantics and there are no hard fast rules.

 

[Tex-amp]

Your right it is all opinions. I was talking to a speaker designer and his definition of full range was getting into the 30s cleanly. I re-read my post and I did not mean for it sound like hitting 30 itself but dipping into the upper 30s.

 

[markw]

Again,...

...that's his opinion, not a fact. Some people don't consider a car a car unless it meets up to BMW standards.

 

[Rock&Roll Ninja]

satellite is just a way to describe a small speaker in a multi-speaker system.

A bookshelf speaker is a speaker that is meant to be placed on a (book)shelf or stand, because they are too short to be used on the floor.

So a bookshelf can be used as a satellite, and all satellites could be used as bookshelves.

 

[Tex-amp]

...that's his opinion, not a fact. Some people don't consider a car a car unless it meets up to BMW standards.

Yes it is but since he has a number of speakers in the market place and has been designing speakers for years. I'm adopting his defination.

 

[markw]

What speakers?

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

Bookshelf = 2 or more drivers. Cube or satellite has one driver. One isn't necessarily better than the other. Depends on the brand.