Best Stereo Speakers for 2023 - CNET
$60 at Amazon
Best bookshelf speaker under $100
Dayton Audio B652-AIR
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$157 at Amazon
Best home theater on the cheap
Monolith by Monoprice Encore B6
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$549 at Amazon
Best bookshelf speaker under $600
Q Acoustics 3030i
View details
Powered speakers and soundbars are perfect for consistent use at home. But if you are 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.
<div content="LIST ITEM" superlative="Best stereo speakers" description="
Though you will often see them on sale, even at their regular price of $400 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.
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Editors’ choice
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Though you will often see them on sale, even at their regular price of $400 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.
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<div content="LIST ITEM" superlative="Best bookshelf speaker under $100" description="
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.
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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.
Show expert take Show less
<div content="LIST ITEM" superlative="Best home theater on the cheap" description="
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 $157 (each) the Encore B6 is up there with the Elac Debut in providing audiophile quality within reach of the rest of us.
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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 $157 (each) the Encore B6 is up there with the Elac Debut in providing audiophile quality within reach of the rest of us.
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<div content="LIST ITEM" superlative="Best bookshelf speaker under $600" description="
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.
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Editors’ choice
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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.
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<div content="LIST ITEM" superlative="Best floorstander under $600" description="
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.
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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.
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<div content="LIST ITEM" superlative="Best bookshelf speaker under $1,000" description="
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.
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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.
Show expert take Show less
