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Best Stereo Speakers of 2024

The Best Stereo Speakers will give you a full-fledged home musical system with the classic sound of stereo and, in many cases, the extra mod-cons of current tech.

Even casual users will be surprised by how clear, full, and, ultimately, true to the original source that the best stereo speakers can sound. Even though stereo has been around for a long time, audiophiles will tell you that two high-fidelity speakers are much better than one.

Everyone adore the best wireless speakers, but most of them deliver sound from a single box, which just isn’t the same. If you have room for a real stereo pair (especially of larger speakers), you get sound that is more natural and comfortable to listen to while also being louder and more powerful.

It can be hard to find the right sound speakers for you because there are so many to choose from. So, we put the best hi-fi speakers on the market, like those from Definitive Technology, Klipsch, KEF, and Q Acoustics, to the test.

In the guide below, we’ve chosen a variety of choices, from small bookshelf speakers (some of which are in our best computer speakers guide) to tower speakers with built-in subwoofers that can fill a room.

If you want to improve the sound on your TV, our guide to the best soundbars is for you. Or, if you want to know more about the latest Dolby Atmos technology, check out our guide to the best Dolby Atmos soundbars. If not, you can find a model here that fits your needs and price, whether you want speakers to go with a record player or you would like to build the best hi-fi system ever.

The Best Stereo Speakers of 2024.

Here’s the list of Best Stereo Speakers of 2024 you can buy right now.

1). Q Acoustics M20 HD

The Q Acoustics M20 HD speakers are a good choice if you want to improve the sound on your TV but don’t want a subwoofer. They are also a good value. It can be used in more ways. They are a pair of powerful bookshelf speakers, one of which has a digitally amplifier built in. They are easy to set up and sound great in a living area, game room, bedroom, or even in a home office.

One bad thing about these is that they are not “wireless” in the way you might think. You can watch over Bluetooth, but the M20 HD system has a lot of cables. There is a power wire with the active speaker and a four-meter speaker cable in the box. The binding posts on the back of both the active and passive speakers can be used to connect the active and passive speakers together. The active speaker gives the silent speaker its power.

But this sound setup is great for a lot of different things. In our study, we said that “the M20 HD is superb at doing what it does.” We also said, “If you like music as much as you like TV, the system’s pleasant digital sound, treble detail, and balanced sound create a perfect all-round soundstage that works just as well with Nirvana as it does with Netflix.”

Specifications:

Dimensions: 279mm x 170mm x 296mm (HxWxD)
Weight: 23.4 lbs
Dolby Atmos or DTS:X No
Active or Passive: One is busy, and the other is passive.
Subwoofer: N/A
Frequency response: 55Hz – 22kHz

Check out on Amazon

Reasons to Buy	Reasons to Avoid
+ Can be used with any source	– The word “wireless” is deceptive.
+ Streaming aptX HD over Bluetooth	– There are no virtual surround sound modes.

2). Sonos One

The Sonos One is still one of ZDNET’s top picks because it offers reliable, cheap sound in a small, portable package. This bookshelf speaker has two Class-D digital amplifiers and a mix of a woofer and a tweeter for better sound. With a Wi-Fi connection and a four-core processor, you can get to all of your favorite material.

You can easily join if you use an iOS, Android, Mac, or Windows device. This speaker can also handle damp, so you are able to keep it set up in your bathroom if you want to.

Both of Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant can be fully controlled by voice, so you don’t even have to leave your couch to change the song or turn up the volume.

This speaker is also great for music fans because it can stream music from popular apps like Spotify, Pandora, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and YouTube Music. Buy more than one Sonos speaker to build a whole-home system that the whole family can enjoy. This will give you even better sound.

Specifications:

Type of speaker: Bookshelf
Size: 6.36 inches by 4.69 inches by 4.69 inches
Connectivity: WiFi
Type of power: electric with a cord

Check out on Amazon

Reasons to Buy	Reasons to Avoid
+ Superbly clear	– Not compatible with Bluetooth
+ Smart gadgets	– Best when there are several players
+ Compact design

3). KEF LS50 Meta

There wasn’t much wrong with the first LS50 speakers, but after eight years, KEF thought they needed a new look. And with the LS50 Meta, they’ve made a good improvement.

The LS50’s Uni-Q driver array, in which the tweeter sits in the throat of the mid/bass unit, has been completely rebuilt, taking into account all the improvements KEF has made over the past 8 years and adding something new in the form of Metamaterial Absorption Technology (MAT). MAT is KEF’s way of dealing with the sound that comes from the back of the tweeter dome. It is a plastic circle maze of tubes on the back that promises to absorb more sound and make the highs sound cleaner and less distorted.

The basic sound of the Meta speakers is easily recognizable, but they now have a level of clarity and finesse that the originals only hinted at. They sound clean while still having muscle and dynamics.

We loved the first ones, and the LS50 Meta takes their efficiency to a level that has won awards.

Specifications:

Type of Speaker: Standmounters
Uni-Q driver array with a 25mm tweeter and a 13cm mid/bass driver.
Back port: Yes
Bi-wire: No
Impedance: 8 ohms
Sensitivity: 85db
Size: (hwd): 30.2, 20, and 28 cm
Weight: 7.8kg
Different finishes: carbon black, titanium gray, crystal white, and royal blue.

Check out on Amazon

Reasons to Buy	Reasons to Avoid
+Exceptional sound transparency	– Don’t put them in a bookcase or against the wall.
+A message that is subtle and clear	—
+Innovative technology	—

4). Definitive Technology BP9080x

Money isn’t everything, however when it comes to the best sound speakers, it can be important. The Definitive Technology BP9080x stereo speaker system is an expensive item made for the most serious audiophiles on the market. But if that’s the case, these speakers are really great.

The BP9080x speakers are clear, articulate, and really moving from the low end to the high end of the sound range they cover. The passive design is helped by an active subwoofer that lets the user control the subwoofer volume on each tower separately. This means that it can be changed to fit any room with standing waves.

The midrange is as full and clear as any speakers we’ve ever heard. No matter what songs or sounds we played, it never got muddy or overdone. Even when the volume was so loud that the windows were shaking, the treble frequencies never got sharp. The midrange is perfect, and it goes well with the beautiful high frequencies. You can’t say enough about how clear the sound is from the top of the frequency band to the bottom.

On top of everything, there are two ‘height channel’ speakers that make this a great focus for your Dolby Atmos or DTS:X home theater.

All of this great sound comes in a tall, thin package made of high-quality materials that is almost impossible to notice, especially given how loud it can get. We can only say that if you have the money (and it is a lot of money), you should buy the BP9080x speakers from Definitive Technology.

Specifications:

Dimensions: 7″ x 50.5″ x 16″ (W x H x D)
Weight: 62 lbs
Yes, Dolby Atmos and DTS:X are supported.
Active or Passive: If the sub is active, then it’s active.
Subwoofer is a powerful 12 inch
Frequency response: 16 Hz – 40 kHz

Check out on Amazon

Reasons to Buy	Reasons to Avoid
+ These are great!	– Very pricey compared to competitors
+ Ready for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X	—
+ Amazing bass that can be turned up or down	—

5). KEF LSX II

The price tag on these small speakers is pretty high, but they aren’t “just” a pair of speakers. There are HDMI ARC and USB-C inputs, as well as Ethernet, analog and digital inputs, a pre-out for a speaker, and CAT 5 for connecting a pair. If you decide to wire them together, you can get up to 24-bit/384KHz and DSD256. If you connect them wirelessly, you can only get 24-bit/48KHz.

The KEF LSX II has great sound quality, with rich mids, clear highs, and surprisingly strong bass for such small speakers. You can always plug in a subwoofer if you want more low-end thump. Unless your source material is badly recorded or has a very low bitrate, the sound here is very immersive and a lot of fun to listen to.

These aren’t for filling huge rooms with sound, but if you want to turn a desk into a high-quality listening station, these speakers will excite and delight no matter what kind of music you’re listening to, and with five very different finishes, they’ll also look great with any kind of decor.

Specifications:

Dimensions: 240 × 155 × 180 mm (9.5 × 6.1 × 7.1 in.)
Weight: 7.2kg (15.6lbs)
No support for Dolby Atmos or DTS:X
Active or Passive: Active
Subwoofer: N/A
Frequency response: 49Hz – 47kHz
Maximum Output: 102dB

Check out on Amazon

Reasons to Buy	Reasons to Avoid
+ Sound that is loud, clear, and lively	– Costly when compared to solo competitors
+ Properly made in a variety of finishes	—
+ Plenty of wired and wireless links	—

6). Bowers & Wilkins 606 S2 Anniversary

The Bowers & Wilkins 606 S2 Anniversary is still one of the best bookshelf speakers on the market. It’s also the biggest speaker Bowers & Wilkins makes, giving your favorite songs great volume and clarity. It has 88 decibels of awareness and 120 watts of power that keeps your hearing safe while you listening.

With the help of 6.5-inch continuous mid-bass drive units, the 1-inch Decoupled Double Dome Tweeters fill the room with music. A dual-layer metal dome is also included to make great sound. The whole thing is covered by a magnetic grille, which gives it a sleek look that looks great on your desk. With Flowport technology, you can add a two-piece foam plug at any time to make changes. This gives you deep bass.

Specifications:

Type of Speaker: Bookshelf
Size: 13.6 inches by 7.5 inches by 11.81 inches
Type of power: electric with a cord

Check out on Amazon

Reasons to Buy	Reasons to Avoid
+ Deep bass	– You have to buy two.
+ Amazingly clear	– Pricey
+ Clean style	—

7). Klipsch Forte III

Since 1985, Klipsch’s Forte floor-standing speakers have been the best way to listen to music at home. The speakers for Forte III want to expand on the achievements of those that came before them.

The sound from these audio speakers is great. Klipsch pays the most attention to detail when fine-tuning the speakers, which makes the mid-high range clear and full. They are also beautifully made and designed, which makes them a great addition to pretty much any living room. Also, they are very heavy, which can be both a good and a bad thing. Once you figure out where to put these speakers in the living room, they won’t move.

These speakers are made for bass. They have a 12-inch subwoofer and a huge 15-inch passive radiator in the back to help spread the low sounds. To get the most out of the bass speakers on these towers, you need to run two different amps or a single amp with multiple outs that is strong enough to move the subwoofer. Having separate or “bi-amp” controls lets the user decide how much power goes to both low and high channels, so they can get the perfect balance.

The problem that comes with these stereo speakers is that they are even more pricey than the Definitive Technology BP9080x speakers and don’t have the powerful subs or high-firing speakers that our top pick does. Part of the extra cost is for the Klipsch name, but the speakers are good. They just don’t have enough value or sound power to beat the Definitive Technology BP9080x.

Specifications:

Dimensions: 16.5″ x 36″ x 13″ (W x H x D)
Weight: 72 lbs
Yes, Dolby Atmos and DTS:X are supported.
Passive or active: passive, bi-amp, or bridge
Subwoofer: 12 inch subwoofer
Frequency response: 38 Hz – 20 kHz

Check out on Amazon

Reasons to Buy	Reasons to Avoid
+ Clear mids and smooth highs	– Expensive compared to similar models
+ No noticeable distortion	—
+ Well made and planned	—

8). Apple HomePod mini

Yes, there is only one speaker in the Apple HomePod small. But we think it should be on our list of the best stereo speakers because pairing two of these small devices is a great way to avoid getting an expensive home audio system.

It’s important to note that the Apple HomePod Mini is best used within the Apple environment. To get the most out of this speaker, you’ll need an Apple Music subscription. But we found that for the price, the sound quality is pretty good, even if it can’t compare to the bigger speakers in this list.

We loved how the Apple HomePod Mini sounded when we tested it. We wrote, “The main reason to buy the HomePod small is because of how well it sounds. It sounds great for such a small speaker, and it feels like the right mix of price and sound quality. The bass isn’t too heavy, the words don’t get lost in the mix, and when you group two minis, the stereo experienced is really immersive.

Overall, this is a great choice if you want a smart speaker and stereo speakers that are a little less expensive than some of the high-end, audiophile-grade options on this list. Just make sure to get two for maximum effect.

Specifications:

Dimensions: It is 3.3 inches tall and 3.9 inches wide.
Weight: 0.76lbs
No support for Dolby Atmos or DTS:X
Active or passive: Active
Subwoofer: N/A
Frequency response: N/A
Maximum Output: N/A

Check out on Amazon

Reasons to Buy	Reasons to Avoid
+ Cheaper than standard stereo speakers	– It doesn’t have the best sound,
+ Great sound for the price	– it’s only made for Apple devices.

9). Dayton Audio B652-AIR

Even though it’s the best cheap stereo speaker, the Dayton Audio B652-AIR doesn’t skimp on sound quality. This speaker has a folded ribbon diaphragm and uses Dayton Audio’s Air Motion Technology (AMT) to improve the sound quality. It uses the Air Motion Transformer speaker, which makes the sound very clear, so you won’t miss a note. The 6.5-inch woofer also makes deep bass that you can feel.

The Dayton Audio B652-AIR has great sound in a more classic, small, pica vinyl-finished package. Even better, the Dayton Audio B652-AIR works with most devices, such as your smartphone, laptop, PC, and tablet. This makes it easier to connect and faster to watch.

Specifications:

Type of Woofer: Woofer
Size: 13.5 x 8.1 x 11.7 inches
Type of power: electric with a cord

Check out on Amazon

Reasons to Buy	Reasons to Avoid
+ Budget-friendly	– Not good enough at high volumes
+ Simple to use	– Mediocre bass
+ Removable grill	—

10). Fluance Ai61

Another of my favorite Bluetooth stereo speakers for a desk is the Fluance Ai61. The 120-watt amplifier, neodymium tweeters, and 6.5-inch woven glass fiber drivers, along with a bass port in the back, make for an amazing sound.

With a black ebony pica vinyl cabinet finish, it has a nice look and is small enough to fit on any desk.

You don’t have to worry about this extra step because the speaker wires are already there. This speaker makes it easy to connect all your devices because it has extra ports. You can connect via RCA, Optical, or USB Type-C.

The Fluance Ai61 can be connected to a computer via USB, and it can also be connected to a computer via Bluetooth. This makes it easy to use all of your favorite apps and video services, which is even more convenient.

Specifications:

Type of Speaker: Bookshelf
Size: 9.2 by 15.6 by 13.1 inches
Connectivity: Wi-Fi
Power type: Corded Electric

Check out on Amazon

Reasons to Buy	Reasons to Avoid
Brilliant sounds	Mediocre bass
Getting online wirelessly	No partner app
Modern design	—

FAQS – Best Stereo Speakers of 2024

We tested these hi-fi speakers by putting them all on the same amount of power and playing the same songs from different types of music.

From John Mayer to Tom Petty, and from the U.K. prog-metal band TesseracT to John Williams and Hans Zimmer, our test songs covered a wide range of music and acts. Each song was picked to test the dynamics of each set of speakers. Depending on how they are made, some speakers work better with certain genres than others.

Of course, not all people can do the same things. For example, it’s clear that the Definitive Technology BP9080x towers are made to cover a wider range of frequencies than, say, the Edifier desk speakers with a 4-inch woofer. We tested these speakers based on their different uses and prices, and we gave them grades based on what we thought was best.

Since it’s like comparing apples and oranges to compare bookshelf speakers to high-performance towers, we try to make it clear which speaker is an apple and which is an orange.

Q. Which type of speaker do you like best?

There are many different kinds of speakers, so we’ve put together a lot of tips to help you choose the best ones.

If you need a portable speaker, check out the best waterproof speakers and the best Bluetooth speakers. Or, if you want high-quality sound throughout your whole house, check out the best wireless speakers and the best Sonos speakers.

Want to improve the sound on your TV? Check out the best soundbars and the best Dolby Atmos speakers.

Invest in among the best smart speakers, which come with Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, or Siri already built in. This will give you full power over your smart home.

If you have an iPhone or iPad, you might also want to think about getting one of the best AirPlay speakers. With these, you can stream music straight from your Apple device to your speaker. That means you don’t have to set up a complicated way to have fun.

Q. What are Stereo sound speaker?

Stereo speakers play music from two different sources, one on the left and one on the right. That lets you hear instruments as if they’re coming from different places. For example, a guitar might sound like it’s coming from the far left of the room, while a voice might sound like it’s in the middle.

The difference in stereo speakers and mono speakers, which play the same sound on all of them, is huge. It makes music sound much bigger and more detailed, and when you’re watching TV, the sound seems to come from both sides of the room, which makes it seem more real.

Q. What are some benefits of stereo speakers?

Yes, you can. Actually, a few single speakers can send sound all around the room. That’s because there’s multiple speaker drivers inside the case. Speaker drivers are the moving domes that come to mind as soon as you hear the word “speaker.” If the speaker has more than one set of drivers, it can be set up so that one of them plays music to the left audio channel and another plays sound from the right audio channel.

The problem is the drivers that drive the speakers are still very close together. This means that the sound doesn’t fill the room like it does with normal stereo speaker pairs.

Several phones and tablets use smart processing techniques to make their audio sound much bigger than you’d expect from such tiny gadgets, but there is only so much your can do when your speaker drivers are close to each other. We like the sound of stereo speakers much more, and we are sure you will, too.

Q. Can sound speakers be used with a TV?

Yes, and we think it’s a great idea: putting your TV in the middle of a good pair of audio speakers can make nearly everything you watch feel more real. Stereo speakers give you a much bigger sound field and a more interesting (or scary) audio feel than most TVs can. This is true whether you’re listening to the double bass in the Narcos title music or the scary echoes of the clickers in The Last of Us.

Unless your speakers are wireless, you will almost always need to connect your TV to an AV receiver. This is usually done with an optical cable or, more widely, an HDMI cable to the ARC (Audio Return Channel) or eARC (enhanced Audio Return Channel) on the receiver. With ARC/eARC, everything on your TV, like streaming TV apps, games on your console, and material from set-top boxes or streaming sticks, is sent to your speakers.

If you go with an AV player, you can also add more speakers to make the sound even better in the future. We did that with our setup. What started out as a simple but great-sounding stereo system is now a more simple but even better-sounding system with a subwoofer, two rear surround speakers, and two upward-firing Dolby Atmos speakers.