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How to choose speakers for your home stereo system

How to choose speakers for your home stereo system

2022-12-16 15:57:00 903 20
Author:

It сan be challenging not to get lost in huge variety of speakers. However, guided by simple rules, you can effortlessly find your perfect sound. Introducing our succinct guide to choosing home speakers


Floorstanding or bookshelf speakers?



The larger the area of the listening room, the more appropriate will be the powerful floor speakers, capable of filling the entire space with sound and forming a full-fledged stereo panorama. For small rooms, shelf speakers are usually enough. They can be installed both on a table or bedside table, and on special stands that contribute to optimal vibration isolation with the floor surface and thereby improve the sound


Active or passive speakers?



Speakers with built-in amplifier (active speakers) are becoming increasingly popular and in demand. It is enough to connect a signal source to them (for acoustics with built-in Bluetooth, a smartphone with a streaming subscription is also suitable) - and you can listen to tracks with good sound.


As for the more familiar passive speakers, you will need to purchase an amplifier or receiver for them. Many modern amplifiers are equipped with Bluetooth receivers, so you can listen to your favorite tracks with decent sound quality even from a smartphone. The advantage of passive acoustics is greater flexibility: such models can be combined with a variety of amplifiers and other audio components to your taste.


Two or three way?



 

Speakers are most often two-way or three-way. In other words, the frequency range of the speaker system is divided into two or three subranges, each of which is reproduced by frequency-optimized sound drivers (speakers).


The two-way configuration is more often used in shelf speakers, while the three-way one is usually used in floorstanding speakers. Both solutions have their advantages and disadvantages, but the most important thing is the quality of implementation of a particular model. A well-designed two-way speaker will be better than a mediocre three-way speaker, and vice versa.


As a rule, three-way speakers boast deep bass and higher rated power. On the other hand, they require the use of more complex separation filters (crossovers) and sometimes cannot boast of the same fused sound as their two-way counterparts. By the way, ways of the speakers can be less than two, and more than three, but such solutions are relatively rare. In any case, it is best to get acquainted with the speaker system you liked in showroom, assessing its capabilities before buying.


Bass reflex or closed box?



 

Most modern speakers are equipped with a bass reflex. This is a specially designed port in the body of the speaker system (most often, made in the form of a pipe), allowing you to expand the woofer range and reproduce richer bass.


On the one hand, the bass reflex increases the efficiency of the speaker system. On the other hand, it can lead to negative consequences: this is the noise of the air flow during playback, and more "blurred" low frequencies. In addition, if the port is removed from the back of the body of the speakers, it is not recommended to put them close to the wall.


However, there are other options for acoustic design: an open box, a closed box and all kinds of solutions with passive emitters, as well as a transmission line. However, the sound is no longer influenced by the technical solution, but rather by the quality of its implementation. In other words, speakers with a bass reflex can be both better and worse than acoustics with a passive emitter or transmission line. The point in the choice of one or another option can be put by a comparative audition before buying.


Look at the numbers


 


When choosing speakers, pay attention to several important parameters:


  • Impedance (it must be suitable for the amplifier you choose)
  • Sensitivity (the higher this parameter, the louder the speakers will play at the same power supply)
  • Frequency response (generally, the wider the frequency range, the better)
  • Recommended input power (a parameter to consider when choosing an amplifier)


Design and finishes



 

Design is an important factor, since speaker systems somehow form the interior of your home. The higher the class of speakers, the better the quality of the finish. And, like it or not, variants of finishes with natural veneer and other premium materials will cost more than vinyl finish.

Bowers&Wilkins Nautilus Floorstanding Loudspeaker White

Bowers&Wilkins Nautilus Floorstanding Loudspeaker White

Nothing looks, or sounds, quite like Nautilus. A revolution when it first launched 30 years ago and ..

AED 301,970.00

Bowers&Wilkins Nautilus Floorstanding Loudspeaker Red

Bowers&Wilkins Nautilus Floorstanding Loudspeaker Red

Nothing looks, or sounds, quite like Nautilus. A revolution when it first launched 30 years ago and ..

AED 301,970.00

Bowers&Wilkins HTM71 S3 Center Channel Loudspeaker Mocha

Bowers&Wilkins HTM71 S3 Center Channel Loudspeaker Mocha

Bowers & Wilkins' flagship centre-channel speaker features a Carbon Dome drive unit housed ..

AED 9,645.00

Bowers&Wilkins 707 S3 Standmount Loudspeaker Mocha

Bowers&Wilkins 707 S3 Standmount Loudspeaker Mocha

707 S3’s space friendly design makes it easy to accommodate in smaller spaces, but thanks to its Car..

AED 7,280.00

Bowers&Wilkins 706 S3 Standmount Loudspeaker Mocha

Bowers&Wilkins 706 S3 Standmount Loudspeaker Mocha

Thanks to 706 S3’s decoupled Carbon Dome tweeter and carefully upgraded crossover, it provides excep..

AED 9,689.00

Bowers&Wilkins 705 S3 Standmount Loudspeaker Mocha

Bowers&Wilkins 705 S3 Standmount Loudspeaker Mocha

705 S3’s Carbon Dome tweeter is housed in a Solid Body Tweeter-on-Top enclosure evolved from the lat..

AED 14,489.00

Bowers&Wilkins 704 S3 Floorstanding Loudspeaker Rosenut

Bowers&Wilkins 704 S3 Floorstanding Loudspeaker Rosenut

The slimmest tower loudspeaker Bowers & Wilkins makes, 704 S3 still packs a mighty punch. Its tw..

AED 16,890.00

Bowers&Wilkins 703 S3 Floorstanding Loudspeaker Rosenut

Bowers&Wilkins 703 S3 Floorstanding Loudspeaker Rosenut

The 703 S3 now features the iconic Tweeter-on-Top configuration for the first time, alongside a..

AED 24,091.00

Bowers&Wilkins 702 S3 Floorstanding Loudspeaker Rosenut

Bowers&Wilkins 702 S3 Floorstanding Loudspeaker Rosenut

702 S3's Carbon Dome tweeter is housed in an all-new Solid Body Tweeter assembly, while with its new..

AED 31,289.00

Heco In Vita 3 Bookshelf Speakers Piano White/Satin White

Heco In Vita 3 Bookshelf Speakers Piano White/Satin White

The In Vita 3 is a compromise only in terms of size, but the ideal solution for those who can not ac..

AED 3,996.00

Heco In Vita 3 Bookshelf Speakers Piano Black/Satin Black

Heco In Vita 3 Bookshelf Speakers Piano Black/Satin Black

The In Vita 3 is a compromise only in terms of size, but the ideal solution for those who can not ac..

AED 3,996.00

Heco In Vita 9 Floorstanding Speakers Piano White/Satin White

Heco In Vita 9 Floorstanding Speakers Piano White/Satin White

The In Vita 9 is the perfect choice for the audiophile music fan who wants to enjoy the full frequen..

AED 11,990.00

Heco In Vita 9 Floorstanding Speakers Piano Black/Satin Black

Heco In Vita 9 Floorstanding Speakers Piano Black/Satin Black

The In Vita 9 is the perfect choice for the audiophile music fan who wants to enjoy the full frequen..

AED 11,990.00

Sonos Surface Outdoor Loudspeaker by Sonance (Pair) Black

Sonos Surface Outdoor Loudspeaker by Sonance (Pair) Black

Get full, detailed sound in your backyard or on your patio all year round with this pair of passive ..

AED 3,799.00

Sonos Era 300 R2 Black

Sonos Era 300 R2 Black

Experience premium audio with this compact smart speaker featuring Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity,..

AED 2,099.00

Sonos Era 300 R2 White

Sonos Era 300 R2 White

Experience premium audio with this compact smart speaker featuring Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity,..

AED 2,099.00

Sonos Smart Loudspeaker Era 100 R2 Black

Sonos Smart Loudspeaker Era 100 R2 Black

Introducing a compact smart speaker with exceptional sound quality, featuring Wi-Fi and Bluetooth co..

AED 1,149.00

Sonos Smart Loudspeaker Era 100 R2 White

Sonos Smart Loudspeaker Era 100 R2 White

Introducing a compact smart speaker with exceptional sound quality, featuring Wi-Fi and Bluetooth co..

AED 1,149.00

Sonos Portable Smart Loudspeaker Roam SL Black

Sonos Portable Smart Loudspeaker Roam SL Black

Stream at home or on-the-go: Experience immersive sound wherever you go with the Sonos ROAM SL porta..

AED 749.00

Sonos Portable Smart Loudspeaker Roam SL White

Sonos Portable Smart Loudspeaker Roam SL White

Stream at home or on-the-go: Experience immersive sound wherever you go with the Sonos ROAM SL porta..

AED 749.00

Loewe We.HEAR 2 Wireless Speaker

Loewe We.HEAR 2 Wireless Speaker

The We. HEAR 2 Bluetooth speaker has a total power of 60 watts, provides super sound and a rich soun..

AED 879.00

Loewe We.HEAR 1 Wireless Speaker

Loewe We.HEAR 1 Wireless Speaker

An emanation of Loewe, the We brand offers with the We HEAR 1 a stereo Bluetooth speaker, with 180° ..

AED 635.00

Loewe Klang MR5 Wireless Speaker

Loewe Klang MR5 Wireless Speaker

The Loewe klang mr5 speaker is the easiest way to create the perfect interplay of music in several r..

AED 3,364.00

Loewe Klang MR3 Wireless Speaker

Loewe Klang MR3 Wireless Speaker

The Loewe klang mr3 speaker is the easiest way to create the perfect interplay of music in several r..

AED 2,878.00

Loewe Klang MR1 Wireless Speaker

Loewe Klang MR1 Wireless Speaker

The Loewe klang mr1 speaker is the easiest way to create the perfect interplay of music in several r..

AED 2,190.00

Ruark Audio R7 Hifi Speakers MK3 Rich Walnut

Ruark Audio R7 Hifi Speakers MK3 Rich Walnut

Multi Format CD player Our audio heritage has enabled us to understand the synergy of cabinet, ampli..

AED 9,999.00

Ruark Audio R5 Hifi Speakers Soft Gray

Ruark Audio R5 Hifi Speakers Soft Gray

Embodying our knowledge of the past with our vision of the future, R5 is the perfect ‘all-in-one’ sy..

AED 4,799.00

Ruark Audio R5 Hifi Speakers Rich Walnut

Ruark Audio R5 Hifi Speakers Rich Walnut

Embodying our knowledge of the past with our vision of the future, R5 is the perfect ‘all-in-one’ sy..

AED 4,799.00

Ruark Audio R2 MK4 Hifi Speakers Light Cream

Ruark Audio R2 MK4 Hifi Speakers Light Cream

The new R2 brings one of our longest-established models right up to date, while retaining key featur..

AED 2,099.00

Ruark Audio R2 MK4 Hifi Speakers Espresso

Ruark Audio R2 MK4 Hifi Speakers Espresso

The new R2 brings one of our longest-established models right up to date, while retaining key featur..

AED 2,099.00

Ruark Audio R3S Wireless Hifi Speakers Rich Walnut

Ruark Audio R3S Wireless Hifi Speakers Rich Walnut

Building upon its already impressive performance for 2023, R3 has been further refined and is now na..

AED 2,999.00

Ruark Audio R1 MK4 Hifi Speakers Light Cream

Ruark Audio R1 MK4 Hifi Speakers Light Cream

Using a precision moulding process has allowed us to gently profile the enclosure providing a fresh ..

AED 1,099.00

Ruark Audio MRX Hifi Speakers Soft Grey

Ruark Audio MRX Hifi Speakers Soft Grey

With great sound and a wide range of abilities, on its own MRx makes a perfect system for your loung..

AED 1,999.00

Ruark Audio MRX Hifi Speakers Rich Walnut

Ruark Audio MRX Hifi Speakers Rich Walnut

With great sound and a wide range of abilities, on its own MRx makes a perfect system for your loung..

AED 1,999.00

Ruark Audio MR1 MK2 Hifi Speakers Rich Walnut

Ruark Audio MR1 MK2 Hifi Speakers Rich Walnut

Class leading and with multiple awards, our MR1 active speakers will provide remarkable sound in mul..

AED 1,299.00

Ruark Audio MR1 MK2 Hifi Speakers Soft Grey

Ruark Audio MR1 MK2 Hifi Speakers Soft Grey

Class leading and with multiple awards, our MR1 active speakers will provide remarkable sound in mul..

AED 1,299.00

Emotiva Airmotiv T-Zero+ Pair Floorstanding Tower Loudspeakers

Emotiva Airmotiv T-Zero+ Pair Floorstanding Tower Loudspeakers

The Airmotiv T-Zero+ are two-way floor standing tower loudspeakers that deliver a superb listening e..

AED 1,900.00

Acoustic Energy Wall Speakers AE105 Walnut

Acoustic Energy Wall Speakers AE105 Walnut

The AE105 is the latest addition to the all-new 100 Series. A versatile, 2-way loudspeaker primarily..

AED 1,000.00

Acoustic Energy Wall Speakers AE105 White

Acoustic Energy Wall Speakers AE105 White

The AE105 is the latest addition to the all-new 100 Series. A versatile, 2-way loudspeaker primarily..

AED 1,000.00

Acoustic Energy Wall Speakers AE105 Black

Acoustic Energy Wall Speakers AE105 Black

The AE105 is the latest addition to the all-new 100 Series. A versatile, 2-way loudspeaker primarily..

AED 1,000.00