As the popularity of home audio continues to grow, so does the variation of best hi-fi speakers on the market. Everyone is looking to improve their listening experience and upgrade their system from time to time, and that most often results in trying to hunt down the very best speakers your money can buy. However, when it comes to selecting a pair of hi-fi speakers, you'll need to make some fairly basic choices up-front.
The two main types to be aware of are passive speakers and active. An active speaker has its own power supply. It can therefore function as a standalone music player. For that reason, they're found in smart speakers for wireless streaming. Passives, on the other hand, need a separate amplifier to provide their power - so if you're here for speakers to add to your existing hi-fi, passives are the way to go. But, with so many shapes, sizes and wattages on offer, what's the right pair for you?
Well, that really comes down to the size, weight and design that will suit your system and decor. Bookshelf speakers are a popular choice as they will fit into most spaces and still pack enough power. Full-size floor-standing models are expensive, large and usually deliver the biggest punch. Compact speakers can suit a wide range of uses, as they'll hook up to small hi-fi systems and slot into the smallest spaces.
Best hi-fi speakers of 2023 at a glance
• Best overall hi-fi speakers: KEF Q350 Bookshelf Speaker (Black) - View on Amazon
• Best budget hi-fi speakers: Monitor 300 3GB Floorstanding Speakers - View on Amazon
• Best floorstanding hi-fi speakers: DALI Oberon 5 Floorstanding Speakers - View on Amazon
• Best compact hi-fi speakers: Q Acoustics 3030i Bookshelf Speaker - View on Amazon
We've organised our recommendations loosely by size, although of course speaker wattages and impedance are going to steer your choice depending on your amp. So, whether you already have one of the best speaker brands in mind or you're new to this, we've rounded up the best hi-fi speakers to suit a range of sizes and systems. So, let's power up the amp, plug in and get ready for serious entertainment - in stereo.
The best hi-fi speakers of 2023
Best overall hi-fi speakers
These KEF Q150s are featured in our guide to the best bookshelf speakers, but these are another step up from the masters of audio at KEF. The Q350 speakers utilise Uni-Q design technology that places the treble unit in the centre of the woofer. The result is a broad and unified sound field that's exceptionally well suited to stereo listening.
KEF has borrowed much from their premium speakers here, particularly the Z-Flex woofer. This creates a well-defined and detailed sound. Design-wise these are a winner too. KEF have avoided unnecessarily fussy details and offers sleek refinement instead. Your music will sound nothing less than fantastic.
Pros
- Sleek KEF design and audio know-how for superior sound
- A practical and flexible size for easy placement
- Exceptional woofer design for enhanced bass response
Cons
- If you want to fill a bigger room with sound, go larger
| Speakers: | 165mm (6.5in.) aluminium Uni-Q<br>25mm (1in.) vented aluminium dome HF |
| Impedance: | 8 ohms |
| Frequency range: | 63 - 28,000 |
| Power: | 120w 87db |
| Dimensions: | 210 x 358 x 306 |
| Extra features: | Optional full-length magnetic grilles |
- Customer review: "I've had these over 2 years and have been blown away every time I use them, I hear details I've never heard with previous speakers. I'm no audiophile but they really are good - tested against some speakers that were much more expensive this really is a sweet spot in terms of value for money. They are paired with an Onkyo streamer/amp, a Cambridge CD player, and a Project record deck. None of the items are big budget but the sound is. "
Best budget hi-fi speakers
These Monitor 300 3GB speakers are really quite a steal, given they're floor-standers. Here, Monitor has delivered a typically high-quality audio solution with a very affordable price tag. As long as you have room for speakers this large, you'll be getting a very rich and full sound.
And that's partly thanks to the 6.5-inch woofer, a ceramic-coated one-inch tweeter, and two 6.5-inch bass radiators that are packed inside. These speakers were made for lower power amps too, with a high overall impedance of 8 Ohms.
Pros
- Very affordable from a premium brand
- Great audio quality thanks to the large cabinet and clever bass port tech
- Shares some features used on the more expensive Bronze range
Cons
- Looks are a little plain
| Speakers: | 5 1/2" and 6 1/2" drivers |
| Impedance: | 8 Ohm |
| Frequency range: | 35 Hz – 30 kHz |
| Power: | From 40 to 150W |
| Dimensions: | 109.2 x 40.8 x 32.8 cm |
| Extra features: | HiVe II (High Velocity, Low Noise Reflex Port) technology – for an improved transient response and tighter bass, Outrigger feet on floorstanding models deliver a sleeker appearance, takes up less floor space and improves stability |
- Customer review: "The highs are clear but not overly pronounced, the midrange is strong and detailed and the low end can be very strong and well-defined for this price range."
Best floor-standing hi-fi speakers
We've looked at floor-standing speakers separately, but the Oberon 5 speakers from DALI are a clear winner in this category. DALI is a favourite brand among both audiophiles and casual listeners. The Oberon's looks are both modern and refined, with impressive power and clarity. At 150 watts, these also have more than enough punch to fill a large room.
The drivers in the Oberon 5 have been engineered for less harmonic distortion. But not at the expense of a nice, wide sound field. You can also expect a deep bass response that's well-balanced with the midrange. All in all, you have power plus audio refinement, all wrapped up in a contemporary design.
Pros
- Deep and powerful bass
- Unrivalled sophisticated yet modern looks
- Room-filling volume
- A choice of Black Ash, Light Oak, Dark Walnut and White
- Less harmonic distortion than others
Cons
- Requires more space to fully appreciate
| Speakers: | Bass / Midrange 2 x 130 mm. Tweeter 1 x 29 mm fabric dome |
| Impedance: | 6 Ohms |
| Frequency range: | 39 - 26.000 |
| Power: | 150w. 108 dB |
| Weight: | 10.8kg |
| Dimensions: | 162 x 830 x 283 |
| Extra features: | Patented SMC disc that greatly reduces mechanical distortion |
- Customer review: "Now nearly run in I continue to be amazed at the musicality of these speakers. Does not matter what genre of music you send them they acquit themselves so well you forget they are there – it is all about the music after all. The soundstage is wide and three-dimensional and the speakers keep bringing out new elements of album tracks that I had previously missed.
"Play them loud or quiet and they seem to adjust; filling the room with music. Worth saying that they are also very handsome and complement the room without being intrusive. They seem very unfussy about positioning, delivering a strong bass line and remarkably detailed upper frequencies. I have nothing negative to say as they have met and exceeded my expectations."
Best compact hi-fi speakers
Q Acoustics is renowned for its professional and state-of-the-art appliances, and the 3030i Bookshelf Speaker is no exception. The audio is incredibly rich and clear for such a small cabinet - they're passive too, despite looking like many wireless options on the market. It also has a beautifully sleek and professional design, with curved edges and a smooth feel.
The engineering inside is up to scratch as well, with a specially reinforced cabinet that focuses the sound for a more accurate soundstage. If the aesthetic is a feature that's key to you, it is available in four different colours; white, black, graphite grey and walnut. It also boasts a large mid/bass driver which allows it to play audio more loudly than others, as well as providing a rich bass sound thanks to its bass extension.
Pros
- Modern design with sleek, curved cabinetry
- Huge sound in a small package
- Plenty of colour options to suit your decor
Cons
- Need running-in for a few days to sound their best
| Speakers: | Passive Speaker Specifications: Enclosure Type: 2-way Reflex, Bass Driver: 165mm (6.5"), Tweeter: 22mm (0.9") |
| Impedance: | 6 Ohms |
| Frequency range: | 46Hz – 30kHz |
| Power: | 25 - 75 W |
| Dimensions: | Each speaker is W200mm x D329mm x H325mm |
| Extra features: | Floor standing or tabletop placement, P2P Bracing gives the soundstage more accuracy. |
- Customer review: "Run them in gently for a few days and then the result will be fantastic. Clear, precise, lively, and deep bass. I have coupled a pair of these (3030) to my Denon amplifier."
Best affordable bookshelf hi-fi speakers
DALI made it back onto our list with these Spektor 2 speakers. They may be compact, but they deliver enough bass to fill a medium-sized room. The larger diaphragm of the 130mm bass/mid driver and the 25mm dome tweeter work together to create a satisfying soundstage.
The spacious sound in these Spektor 2s is achieved by a design that avoids colliding harmonics that can muddy the sound of some similar speakers. DALI also recommends that its speakers should not be angled inward towards the listener - another common cause of clashing harmonics. So, placed squarely against the wall or on a shelf, these will look neat too. All together, the Spektor 2s have power and finesse in perfect balance.
Pros
- Legendary sound from an equally legendary brand
- Excellent room-filling bass and mids
- Compact so plenty of placement options
- Wide sound dispersion
- Includes wall brackets
Cons
- May need 'running in' for 100 hours to sound their best
| Speakers: | 130 mm bass/midrange driver and 25 mm dome tweeter |
| Impedance: | 6 Ohms |
| Frequency range: | 54 - 26,000 Hz |
| Power: | 100w .84.5dB |
| Weight: | 8.4kg |
| Dimensions: | 292 x 170 x 238 mm |
| Extra features: | n/a |
- Customer review: "I needed to replace the speakers I use with my Onkyo A-9010 44-watts per channel amp after they got blown at a children's party. A website called Paarc A Hi-Fi Enthusiast strongly recommended Dali Spektor 2s. I hooked them up earlier this evening, and the sound is magnificent.
"The instruction manual says they need to be “run in” for at least 100 hours before they reach their full capacity. It's hard to believe that it could be much better than it is after the half an hour's listening time I’ve already had! Thanks to what I can only call their tremendous clarity of sound, the speakers enable you to hear aspects and subtleties of the music that you previously would have missed."
Best mid-budget hi-fi speakers
Wharfedale's stellar reputation precedes them wherever their audio products are found, and the Diamond 12.3 floor speaker is a compelling example of excellent build and sound quality. And it's thanks to their fantastic build quality that you can enjoy the rich sound from this relatively humble-looking floorstander. There's some excellent internal bracing to minimise harmonic collision, as well as enhanced crossover tech for distortion-free clarity. Adding these to any hi-fi setup as a mid-budget upgrade will deliver more of a performance improvement than you'd expect - partly due to the advanced PP cone drivers inside.
But don't forget, these are considered mid-budget against some of the five-star audiophile products, so while you'll, of course, need to foot the bill for two of these beauties, as floorstanding speakers go you can't do much better for a little under £1000.
Pros
- Amazing build from a well-renowned brand
- Understated but cutting-edge sonic knowhow make the cabinet and cones work together for clarity
- Cone and driver tech is a step above other run-of-the-mill floor standers in this price range
Cons
- Is only a mid-budget option compared to audiophile systems
| Speakers: | 2 1/2 way, bass reflex, woofer and 13 cm mid-woofer in propylene and mica |
| Impedance: | 8 Ohms |
| Frequency range: | 45 - 20,000 Hz |
| Power: | 150W |
| Dimensions: | 34.8 x 18 x 97.5 cm |
| Extra features: | Rear-ported enclosure is precisely sized so that the internal volume works in harmony with the drive unit system, Intelligent Spot Bracing connects opposite walls with a specific form of the wood brace to achieve an optimal reduction of cabinet resonance. |
- Customer review: "Fantastic sounding speakers, well balanced, I’m hearing voices and sounds in tracks I’ve never heard before, it’s like listening to the track for the first time. Very impressed, thank you."
Best standmount hi-fi speakers
With its Audio SX-60 speakers, Cambridge Audio has yet again employed its attention to detail and audio expertise to deliver excellent standmount speakers that are also amazing value. By utilising Computer Aided Design software, the speaker cabinets have been intelligently braced and strengthened to minimise resonance. That means that everything pumped out by the speaker drivers is directed toward the listener. These are larger units than some other standmount speakers, but that heft is audibly part of their sound profile. And don't forget - if you're a vinyl record fan, having standmounts is a great way of keeping those pesky vibrations away from your tonearm.
Pros
- Powerful bass response for speakers on the smaller side
- Cambridge audio quality build and engineering
- Standmount option makes this ideal for separating vibrations from your record deck
- Also a brilliant budget speaker at this price
Cons
- Some find the bass a little heavy
| Speakers: | Mid bass drivers, soft dome tweeter |
| Impedance: | 8 ohms |
| Frequency range: | 41Hz - 22,000 Hz |
| Power: | 20-100 watts |
| Dimensions: | 20 x 27.2 x 34 cm |
| Extra features: | Custom-designed woofer with powerful bass response, Available in Black or Walnut finish, soft dome tweeter in our standmount speakers made from treated silk |
- Customer review: "Had bought these after my Wharfdale speakers packed in. Look the part. Very sturdy. The sound coming from them are so warm, clear and the tones you get from them are amazing. Heard things I’ve never heard before. With a decent amp the will annoy the neighbours. Glad I bought them."
Best hi-fi speakers of 2023: Buyer's guide
Size is more about looks than power
Speaker technology has come along leaps and bounds in recent years, and with this has come a boost in performance at all sizes. Some of the best smart speakers and bookshelf speakers we've ever seen have had sound you’d normally associate with floor-standing units of old. Unless you’re going with large floor-standing speakers because they have more drivers inside, such as the outstanding Audio Pro A48 speakers we reviewed recently, the chances are you’ll do just as well with some excellent bookshelf speakers.
Match up your speakers with your amp
If you’re buying new speakers to go with your amplifier the most important thing you'll need to do is ensure that the specifications match up. Alongside what we mentioned about size, above, this is another reason why simply matching a 'compact' hi-fi with a 'compact speaker' won't necessarily make sense. No matter what the physical size of your system is, the key thing is that your chosen speakers won't conflict with the wattage and impedance values of the amplifier. Get this wrong and damage could ensue. There's more on
An amplifier is rated for output and audio signal at a certain wattage. There’s also impedance to take into account. There’s more on these terms in our jargon buster below. However, don’t be tempted by speakers because you like the look of them. Check that they're a good match first. It’s possible to do permanent damage to a speaker or the amplifier if you don’t. There's more on impedance and wattage below.
Beware the bling
As with most tech these days, sometimes the cover is better than the story inside. If you find a speaker from a brand you’ve never heard of, but it looks very premium, it might be too good to be true. Equally, we recommend avoiding speakers with too much cosmetic bling; that raft of useless chrome plastic detailing and flashy graphics are probably hiding some very substandard cones and drivers.
Judge for yourself
There really is no substitute for listening to the hi-fi speakers you’re interested in. There are a number of ways to do this; The easiest being to find a friend or colleague who has the same or similar speakers to listen to. As always, we recommend taking your own music with you to test with.
Best hi-fi speakers of 2023: FAQs
Are Hi-Fi speakers worth it?
Absolutely. Yes, you can hook up almost any speaker to any hi-fi, but unless it's been engineered for music and has good enough cones and drivers, you'll be doing your music a huge disservice. You don't have to spend a lot on hi-fi speakers to get excellent sound quality these days, and if your hi-fi system has seen better days, replacing the speakers can be a quick and simple way to vastly improve your sound.
How can I improve hi-fi speaker sound?
Look for speakers that are well-insulated against reverberation. Some speakers will have dampened or spike feet that will stop the floor from absorbing bass. Wall mounting a speaker will help isolate the speaker from the rest of the room and you’ll be getting truer sound reproduction. Also, pairing your speakers with the right amplifier in terms of wattage and impedance will make a massive difference.
Where should I place the best hi-fi speakers?
Although space considerations can prove a challenge. placing them behind furniture, or having the bass ports right up to a wall is a no-go. You should also consider where you’ll be sitting. Some speakers need to be angled inward towards the listener. Others don't. As always, read your speaker manual.
Secondly, look around your room. If you have a very sparsely decorated room without carpets or other things to break up reflections, your audio is probably going to bounce off the walls and create uncomfortable reverb. Solutions include acoustic foam panels, careful furniture placement, or wall hangings.
Speaker jargon buster
Passive speakers
Passive speakers don’t have an amplifier built into them. They therefore require an external amplifier with cabling to work.
Active Speakers
Unlike passive speakers, active speakers have an amplifier built into the speaker. As a result, active speakers require less cabling, keeping your space clean and tidy. They're popular options for bookshelf speakers. But, they often can't be hardwired or paired with a separate amplifier. You'll commonly find these used in smart speakers and, of course, wireless speakers.
Wireless speakers
You could opt for a set of wireless speakers to enjoy the music from a turntable. If you want an entirely wire-free setup, a pair of smart speakers will ensure a clean setup. But remember, Bluetooth speakers require a transmitter to be fitted to your turntable or other source to work.
Impedance
Impedance is measured in Ohms. It is a measure of how much the audio signal is impeded or resisted by the speakers. A 20-watt speaker rated as 4 Ohm will require a little less power from the amplifier to overcome that level of impedance. Therefore, it’s very important to match up the impedance of your speakers with that of your amplifier. You run the risk of damaging speakers by pushing too much power onto them when there’s not enough resistance.
Watt
Wattage in regard to sound output and speaker power is a measure of the strength of the signal that drives the speaker. The wattage between the speaker and traditional separate amp needs to be compatible to avoid potentially damaging both; but of course with active speakers this is all dealt with for you.
Decibels
Sound is measured in decibels (dBs). While it's an accepted measure of volume, it doesn’t correlate with wattage. However, more wattage doesn’t necessarily mean bigger or better volume, or quality for that matter. Usually, manufacturers specify the amount of dBs that a speaker can produce with a single watt of power at a 1-metre distance.
Drivers
A driver is a device inside any speaker, be it the best wired headphones or bookshelf speakers. It converts electrical signals into sound. So it follows, that larger drivers tend to be able to deliver a more powerful sound with greater accuracy. That said, this isn’t always the case as build material quality also plays an important role.
Tweeters
A speaker has two components: a woofer and a tweeter. A tweeter is responsible for producing high-frequency sounds. They're often a dome shape and may even be independently positionable.
Woofers
A woofer is part of the speaker that produces low-frequency sounds. You'll commonly see these described by the width of the cone - in inches or centimetres. This will also give you a slight indication of how much range and power they may have.
Frequency Range
This is a measurement, in Hertz (Hz) of the range of sound frequencies a speaker can reproduce. Our ears can perceive 20 - 20,000 Hz, with the lower number being a lower tone and vice versa.
Chris Duffill is a Tech Product Writer for What's The Best. He specialises in audiovisual, computing, and gadgets. He also writes for Yours.
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