Our Picks
Powered speakers and soundbars are perfect for consistent use at home. But if you're looking for the best possible sound quality, a set of top tier passive speakers fueled by an amplifier or AV receiver should be on your radar. It doesn't matter your budget, either. There's a pair of speakers out there for you -- whether it's the adorable $60 Dayton Audio B652-AIR or the absolutely stunning $999 Bowers & Wilkins 606 S2 Anniversary. You can buy them as a basis for a surround system in the future or use them on their own. It's your call.
Whether you're looking to amp up your movie night or simply want to enhance your music listening experience, these are the best stereo speakers I've tested at CNET between $50 and $1,000.
Best stereo speakers
Pros
- Excellent sound for the price. Solid build quality and attractive finish. Front bass port allows close placement to walls.
Cons
- Big, boxy design. Not as forgiving or versatile as competitors.
Though you will often see them on sale, even at their regular price of $390 these speakers are still the best for the money. The step up from the $60 Dayton Audio (see below) to the Elacs puts you as a listener in a whole new ballpark. These little audiophile speakers can challenge even the best on this list. Best proverbial bang for the buck by far.
Best bookshelf speaker under $100
If you're looking to fit out a workspace or children's room, the Dayton Audio B652-AIR offers a great deal of performance for the price of a meal for two. They don't look cheap, either, with that striking folded-metal tweeter at the top. Sure, you can always do better, but if the budget's tight, these are the ones we'd choose.
Best home theater on the cheap
Monoprice has been producing audio products from the day it started, but with its offshoot brand, Monolith, the company has shown it wants to compete with the big names. The Encore 6 is a fantastic speaker with an excellent build and a sweet, seductive sound perfect for vinyl. The only unusual thing about this speaker is that it's rated at 4 ohms instead of the industry norm of 8 ohms, but it shouldn't pose a problem for a $500-or-so receiver. At its price of $163 (each) the Encore B6 is up there with the Elac Debut in providing audiophile quality within reach of the rest of us.
Best bookshelf speaker under $600
Pros
- Excellent performance for the money
- Huge, detailed sound
- Plenty of bass power
- Tidy, attractive cabinet
Cons
- Longer than normal break in period.
We love the Elac Debuts, but to hear them at their best, they really need a good (read: expensive) amplifier to partner with. If you're looking for something that's a little more even-handed, the Q Acoustics 3030i offers great looks and a satisfying amount of bass. They'll also perform well with budget receivers, making them perfect for an AV setup.
Best floorstander under $600
Pros
- Big, generously proportioned speakers
- Excellent sound quality perfect for long binge sessions
- Nothing holds a candle to it for the money
Cons
- Could be smoother, especially with its lower register
- Dustcaps didn't quite line up
The Fluance XL8F offers an exceptional value for floorstanding speakers: They boast both a high-level finish and involving sound quality. If your budget is under a grand and you have the room, these speakers should be at the top of your audition list.
Best bookshelf speaker under $1,000
Pros
- Superb finish and build quality
- High-end transparency and dynamics
- Easy to drive with a midrange receiver
Cons
- Can expose harsher sonic elements in some material
- More expensive than similar speakers from Q Acoustics and Elac
Bowers & Wilkins has been at the forefront of speaker manufacturing for a lifetime. The best part about this company is that when it invents a new technology -- such as the silvery Continuum drivers that appeared on its flagship models -- the tech ends up trickling down to the mainstream. Better for everyone! The 606 Anniversary look amazing, thanks in part to the drivers, and they sound great, too. Currently on sale for $200 off at $800.
Also consider:
- JBL L82 $2,750: More dynamic than the Q Acoustics 3050i floorstanders and with better vocal articulation than our favorites, the Bowers and Wilkins 606. What they don't do is razor-sharp imaging -- instead these are rock and roll speakers. They're for kicking back and enjoying your records rather than intensive listening sessions, and for that they're great. The cheaper JBL L52, at a third of the price, offer a similarly "rock focused" performance and are a much better value.
- Q Acoustics 3050i $999: The Q3050i are excellent performers, and relatively slim as far as floorstanding speakers go. While a speaker like the $999 JBL L52 bookshelf may offer more dynamics, these speakers offer great imaging and impressive bass. As a result the Q Acoustics are my current reference speaker in the CNET test labs. At the time of writing they're listed as out of stock.