- Great speakers don't just look good - they bring your audio experience to a new level.
- Speakers are available in a variety of sizes to suit different listening and budget needs.
- Popular speaker types include floorstanding speakers, bookshelf speakers, smart speakers, and Bluetooth speakers.
- Thanks to their stylish design and room-filling audio performance, the Klipsch RP-8000F floorstanding speakers are our top pick for the best speakers you can buy.
A great speaker or speaker system can transform your listening experience. Most people don't realize how much depth and clarity they're missing from their music until they hear it on a pair of speakers that accurately deliver all frequencies.
Of course, different speakers are better suited to different situations. You don't want to buy computer speakers to use with your TV, and you probably don't want to use home theater tower speakers in a small office. That, however, is why we've put together this guide: To help you find the best speakers for your situation.
There are a few things to consider when you're buying speakers. As mentioned, the first thing you'll want to figure out is what you're going to be using the speakers for - whether they're for casual listening, for more critical music playback, or for use as a digital assistant. This will also help determine whether you want a stereo pair for the best listening experience, or a single speaker solution geared more toward smart features and less demanding audio needs.
You'll also want to decide where you plan to use your speakers. This will help narrow down what size fits best for your room or whether you need a portable speaker model with an integrated battery. Your wireless connectivity needs should also be considered. Built-in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are increasingly common in certain speaker models, particularly smaller ones, making it easy to stream music from a mobile device. Digital assistants, like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, are even integrated on some speakers for convenient smart home use.
Amplification is another important factor to think about. Smaller speakers designed for wireless playback or for use with computers can typically be powered by simply plugging them right into an outlet or charging their batteries. Many bookshelf speakers and floorstanding speakers, however, require a separate amp or receiver unit to power them.
Last but not least, you'll want to think about how much money you're willing to spend. When it comes to home audio, you often do get what you pay for. If you can afford more expensive speakers, you're likely to get a better overall sound quality. That said, there are some real gems that sound a whole lot more expensive than they cost.
Generally speaking, if you're most interested in audio performance, you'll want to stick with larger floorstanding and bookshelf speaker pairs, since they are are able to deliver more bass and a larger frequency range than smaller speakers. Meanwhile, those who favor smart features and portability, will likely be better off with a simple one-speaker solution.
Whether you want a pair of full-fledged home theater towers for more critical listening, or a portable smart speaker for casual use, we've selected the best speaker options on the market for a variety of needs and budgets.
Here are the best speakers you can buy:
- Best speakers overall: Klipsch RP-8000F
- Best Bluetooth speaker: Sonos Move
- Best smart speaker: Amazon Echo (Third Generation)
- Best bookshelf speakers: Q Acoustics 3020
- Best computer speakers: Audioengine A2+
Updated on 02/25/2020 by Steven Cohen and Christian de Looper: Added Klipsch RP-8000F, Sonos Move, and Amazon Echo (Third Generation). Updated buying advice. Prices and links are current at time of posting.
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