Method Bookshelf
Price shown is for a single speaker:
Quantity: 1 = single speaker
Quantity: 2 = critically matched pair (left & right)
Method Bookshelf is (by our measure) a small loudspeaker. But being that it’s Zu, it boasts high efficiency, heroic dynamics and world-class timing—effortlessly able to recreate big full music, despite the bantam size. Being small and still sounding as large as life—that’s Method.
Within the easy-to-love size you will see we shoehorned in an exceptional eight inch [204mm] coaxial driver, designed to best work within the wide-mouth short-pipe front-ported cabinet. The coaxially mounted tweeter is batched to match and filtered using a unique triple-pole electrical high-pass and acoustic diffuser and filter. There are no electrical filters on the main driver save the reactive aspects of the voice coil assembly.
But how’s the sound? Astonishingly resolving and holistically connected throughout the sonic spectrum and soundfield. Method realizes a wide and uniform radiation pattern, with legendary Zu dynamics and efficiency. What you get with this six-slice toaster-sized speaker really is so much more than just size friendly—it fills most any room, from most any spot, with a compelling, you’re there, life-sized sound.
[At this time we do not have the hickory and American walnut finishes ready for photos. These finish options are the same as we offer in our other speakers.]
Price shown is for a single speaker:
Quantity: 1 = single speaker
Quantity: 2 = critically matched pair (left & right)
Method Bookshelf is (by our measure) a small loudspeaker. But being that it’s Zu, it boasts high efficiency, heroic dynamics and world-class timing—effortlessly able to recreate big full music, despite the bantam size. Being small and still sounding as large as life—that’s Method.
Within the easy-to-love size you will see we shoehorned in an exceptional eight inch [204mm] coaxial driver, designed to best work within the wide-mouth short-pipe front-ported cabinet. The coaxially mounted tweeter is batched to match and filtered using a unique triple-pole electrical high-pass and acoustic diffuser and filter. There are no electrical filters on the main driver save the reactive aspects of the voice coil assembly.
But how’s the sound? Astonishingly resolving and holistically connected throughout the sonic spectrum and soundfield. Method realizes a wide and uniform radiation pattern, with legendary Zu dynamics and efficiency. What you get with this six-slice toaster-sized speaker really is so much more than just size friendly—it fills most any room, from most any spot, with a compelling, you’re there, life-sized sound.
[At this time we do not have the hickory and American walnut finishes ready for photos. These finish options are the same as we offer in our other speakers.]
Price shown is for a single speaker:
Quantity: 1 = single speaker
Quantity: 2 = critically matched pair (left & right)
Method Bookshelf is (by our measure) a small loudspeaker. But being that it’s Zu, it boasts high efficiency, heroic dynamics and world-class timing—effortlessly able to recreate big full music, despite the bantam size. Being small and still sounding as large as life—that’s Method.
Within the easy-to-love size you will see we shoehorned in an exceptional eight inch [204mm] coaxial driver, designed to best work within the wide-mouth short-pipe front-ported cabinet. The coaxially mounted tweeter is batched to match and filtered using a unique triple-pole electrical high-pass and acoustic diffuser and filter. There are no electrical filters on the main driver save the reactive aspects of the voice coil assembly.
But how’s the sound? Astonishingly resolving and holistically connected throughout the sonic spectrum and soundfield. Method realizes a wide and uniform radiation pattern, with legendary Zu dynamics and efficiency. What you get with this six-slice toaster-sized speaker really is so much more than just size friendly—it fills most any room, from most any spot, with a compelling, you’re there, life-sized sound.
[At this time we do not have the hickory and American walnut finishes ready for photos. These finish options are the same as we offer in our other speakers.]
Order-to-Ship Time Span [updated April 8th]
Satin Black - 1 week
Satin White - 1 week
Nextel Brown - 1 week
Nextel Olive - 1 week
Mercury Orange - 2 weeks
Rustic Hickory - 2 weeks
Ruby Red Hickory - 2 weeks
Electric Blue Hickory - 2 weeks
American Walnut - 4 weeks
Other finishes - 7 weeks+
Method Bookshelf is a high-performance bookshelf loudspeaker of typical size, eager to deliver great sound in a variety of positions and situations. It matches up very well with the vast majority of good-sounding modern and vintage amplifiers and receivers. For its size, it’s quite efficient and has solid bass chops, Method really only needs a handful of watts to bring your recordings to life. Sure, more power is fun—and Method is both capable and comfortable with high power—but anything more than a 20-watt amp is certainly not a requirement to put the concert right in your home or other space.
Method Bookshelf are compact yet yield a very compelling, unified, wide and large soundfield with concert level dynamic range—attributes that let it perform in spaces bigger speakers can’t. Hell, they do things much larger (and more expensive) speakers don’t. Voices and instruments sound natural and real. Not warm, not cool. Your recording, the room and your electronics choices are in the sonic drivers seat—not the speakers. And while Method are not all that picky about amplification, those looking for better fidelity through amps and associated playback gear will be rewarded: Method Bookshelf are exquisitely resolving.
To keep Method Bookshelf running their best, just play them, check the connection in the back once a year or so, dust them as you like, and keep the rain and beverages off. Those that are finished in real wood veneer: less direct sunlight is better than more.
The size and design of Method affords highly flexible placement. You can place them right next to walls, out on your desk, or even inset into a nook, cabinet or soffit. And yes, they will do the hi-fi, bring them clear out into a room resting on stands and swim through your sound thing. In each location, they will sound different due to room interplay and the tight timing and batch matching of Method, but in each spot, when compared to other speakers of similar size, damn if Method doesn’t sound preeminent.
Method may be used outdoors, but we recommend they not come in contact with more than a misting of water or dusting of snow. If they will be used exclusively outdoors, under a pavilion for example, keep the grilles on, and it’s best that you seal the gap between the grille and the cabinet with thin adhesive-backed weather seal. This will keep the bugs out. There is likely to be a “built for the outside” grille, but as of publication, this option is not available.
Method Bookshelf has very similar shove and familial tone as our DW speakers. If you are looking for a more traditionally-sized center channel to match your other Zu speakers, Method is it. Also true of your effects channel needs.
All sides of the cabinet are finished. You can make the “bottom” whatever side you like.
One feature, not common for us, is quick burn-in. Method Bookshelf is crafted to sound as designed within a week of you lighting them up.
Method Bookshelf, like all the loudspeakers we make, are designed and built to last a lifetime. Cabinet materials, adhesives, driver assemblies—every component is tested and proven to be an extremely high-quality part. Building a great-sounding, value-visible, well-built loudspeaker that will satisfy and amaze decade after decade is rewarding in and of itself—others enjoying that effort furthers the sense of satisfaction. There are no serviceable parts inside. Even the capacitors used in the tweeter’s high-pass network will last your lifetime.
* Critically Matched Pair - Matched drivers to an average deviation of less than .2dB. High-pass networks on the tweeter are also group matched to a tolerance of .3%.
METHOD BOOKSHELF SPECIFICATIONS
Method Bookshelf Mk.I [no revision]
Size: 15” tall, 8.75” wide, 11” deep
Weight: 20 pounds each
Packaged (pair): 50 pounds [23 kg], 18 x 19 x 23 inches [46 x 49 x 59 cm]
Impedance: 8 ohm
Power Handling: 100 watts
Efficiency: 94dB(Z) @1m, 1W
Max SPL: 110dB-Z (slow) average
Bandwidth: 40 - 20k Hz typical listening room, stand-mount
Bandwidth: 60 - 20k Hz typical open floor plan, stand-mount
Radiation Beam Width: ±45˚
Radiation Beam Height: ±45˚
Driver Design: coaxial, dual motor, single paper cone
Driver-Cabinet Acoustic Design: reflex short-pipe front port, equal diameter/depth
Main Driver: 8” coax HE (Eminence/Zu)
HF Driver: Eminence ASD-1001, batch matched
Acoustic Crossover: 5k Hz
High-pass Electrical Filter: minimal power loss tri-pole w/ acoustic phase factoring
Acoustic Filter / Tweeter: ultrasonic absorption/diffusion
Low-pass Filter: no-pole (electromechanical of 8” driver only)
Binding Posts: 5-Way CE compliant. Accepts bare wire, banana plugs, standard and oversized spade lugs (fork).
Grilles: removable, magnetic
Grille Acoustic Filtering: none
Est. Life Span: 100 years (daily home-audio usage)
Warranty: 5 years
Question & Answers
Updated Feb 15, 2025 - newest to oldest
I don’t see the color I am looking for, do you do custom finishes? Yes! Please email or call and we can give you a price and a timeline.
When is the owner’s manual going to be ready? Owner’s manual is complete, just getting proofed. It will publish here, and on the Downloads page Thursday.
How do Method Bookshelf compare to DWX and DW6 in performance? There are four main performance differences: deep bass performance, radiation patter/beam width, differences in midrange resolution, and dynamic range.
Bass - the bass on Method Bookshelf is excellent—for its size, excellent efficiency and high volume potential. Depending on your room and program material Method Bookshelf may push you in the direction of adding a subwoofer. DWX and DW6 dig deeper and most find they do not need a subwoofer, even for big full music.
Polar Response - Method Bookshelf has a bit wider and totally symmetric beam pattern (polar response) which is desirable for applications where you need the wide-angle soundfield. Center channels, effects channels for example, and when you’re speakers are mainly used to fill the whole room for everyone to enjoy, not just the sweet spot or couch width. DWX and DW6 do a great job at filling a room with sound, but there is more treble attenuation as a listener walks off axis.
Midrange Resolution - Method Bookshelf does have improved midrange resolution over DWX and DW6. Also, Method Bookshelf is not leaning into being warm, not like the DWX and DW6 do. That’s not to say the Method is not warm, they are a touch warm by most peoples standards (amp, rig and room influenced, of course) but there is less inherent warm one in them when listening back to back with DWX and DW6. This is due to the smaller cone of the Method, which has lower cone-mode distortions when compared to the 10” [260 mm] driver when used at typical in-home power levels. Also, there is a much smaller driver-to-cabinet area ratio, so you hear less of the cabinet’s contribution and more of the driven membranes (cones) with Method Bookshelf.
Dynamic Range - DWX and DW6 have a bit more than twice the dynamic range (program being full-scale music without filtering and assuming the power amplifier is capable of feeding all that is required). Those that like the club or concert in their living room, and do not want a sub, and have a space that does not reinforce bass waves, may are much more likely to be satisfied with DWX or DW6 over Method Bookshelf. [Yes, to the audio engineers out there, you can run a high-pass and add subs. A two-pole high-pass line-level filter to the Method Bookshelf, at say 60Hz, will dramatically raise the dynamic range potential—the voice coil assembly is tough, as is the cone, internal high-pass and tweeter, 250W program is quite satisfying in such configuratrions.]
Do they come with grilles? Yes.
Can I get the grille in another color than brushed black? Not at this time.
How do the grilles attach? Magnetically. Magnets are pocketed into the grille and on the front of the speaker are 5/16” [8mm] diameter low-profile steel pins (visible on the no-grill speaker photos.
If I order two (quantity = 2) will they be critically matched? Yes. We anticipate the majority will be ordered in pairs, and so they are packaged in pairs in one box.