The difference between the best speakers for vinyl and those lower down on the quality scale can turn your listening experience from disappointment to sonic joy. The market for vinyl records is booming right now. New record production is quickly overtaking CDs, and vinyl sales are the highest for thirty years. Record Store Day is fuelling the interest with plenty of new and limited releases, too.
This is a huge achievement for a music format that was nearly dead and buried just a few years ago. And its success here doesn't take the second-hand record market into account, which is equally huge. There's never been a better time to rediscover your love of analogue music. So, you've dug out your deck and dusted off your record collection – but which speakers are best for vinyl when it comes to capturing the warmth and musicality you're after?
Best speakers for vinyl in 2024 at a glance
• Best overall: DALI Oberon 5 Floorstanding Speakers – View at Peter Tyson
• Best budget: JAM Bluetooth Turntable Speakers – View at Amazon
• Best compact bookshelf: Edifier R1280T Powered Bookshelf Speakers – View at Amazon
• Best budget floor-standing: Wharfedale Diamond 12.3 Passive Floor Speakers – View at Peter Tyson
It's possible to get great sound out of a record player costing under £350, but only if you choose your speakers wisely. And that involves a little bit of know-how, from looking at active or passively powered speakers to wireless Bluetooth connectivity, wattages, impedance, and more. Perhaps the most obvious choice is cabinet size – ranging from compact bookshelf speakers to imposing floor-standing units. We've put together a guide plus some FAQs to help you narrow things down.
From admiring the large-scale artwork to flipping to the B side and cueing up the next track, analogue music on vinyl is both nostalgic and a refreshing change to the digital age. So, let's position that tonearm and get ready to drop the needle on the best speakers for vinyl this year.
Best speakers for vinyl in 2024
All prices are correct at the time of writing. Prices, stock and deals are subject to change without notice.
These floor-standing speakers from DALI don't just look great, they have the cones to deliver the sort of rich sound you want from your records. And that's mainly thanks to the two 5.25-inch wood-fibre woofers and wide frequency response. Together with the well-designed cabinets here, the Oberon 5s deliver a detailed and well-integrated soundstage that has also been designed to be heard off-axis – so you have more freedom with your listening position. You will, though, need to give these room to breathe, as they really sound their best in a larger space.
These speakers also have a 29mm tweeter for great clarity at the high end, There's a selection of four finishes too, so you'll have no issues choosing a great match for your music room. All in all, we think these are fantastic speakers if you’re looking for quality.
Pros
- Detailed and dynamic performance from DALI
- Large 5.25-inch drivers give plenty of depth
- Amazing design and build that looks the part with any vinyl setup
Cons
- Will need some room around them to enjoy the sound on offer
| Drivers | (Per cabinet) 2x 5 1/4-inch woofers, 29mm tweeter |
| Output power | 30 - 150w |
| Impedance | 6 Ohms |
| Frequency range | 39 - 26,000Hz |
| Active / Passive | Passive |
| Dimensions | 35 x 45.5 x 94 cm |
| Weight | 10.8kg |
We don't often see compact Bluetooth speakers as well specified as these. Designed like much larger speakers, the JAM Bluetooth Turntable Speakers have small 36cm high cabinets that house some four-inch drivers and 0.75-inch tweeters. The output power of 25w may not be up to that of much larger speakers, but the combination of drivers, Rear bass ports, and overall design delivers a satisfying sound for your vinyl setup.
Best of all, if you light your system to be compact and clutter-free, you can connect your record player via Bluetooth if it has it. Vinyl purists might not appreciate the Bluetooth connection, though, given that it will compress your sound quality. But, if you want to connect other equipment without Bluetooth, the RCA and Aux connection points on the back panel will do the job.
Pros
- Great for a clean wireless setup
- Compact and inconspicuous next to your deck
- Works well with RCA and auxiliary inputs too
Cons
- Vinyl sound quality over Bluetooth won't be as good as a wired set
| Drivers | 4-inch bass drivers, 0.75-inch tweeters |
| Output power | 25w |
| Impedance | N/A |
| Frequency range | 46-40,000Hz |
| Active / Passive | Active |
| Dimensions | 36.6 x 36.5 x 34 cm |
| Weight | 5.39kg |
These Bluetooth speakers from Edifier also support wireless music connectivity from your compatible turntable and will look great on the bookshelf. We love that there's no need for a separate amplifier, as these are active speakers, so you're ready to play right out of the box.
Each boasting a 42W amplifier, the 4-inch drivers and 0.5-inch silk dome tweeter deliver that typical Edifier quality, frequency range and soundstage. The side-mounted inset controls are practical, too. Some users do think that the bass can be a little overbearing at times, but depending on your listening tastes, others love the depth on offer. All in all, these really are a great-looking bookshelf speaker that makes for a genuine alternative to needing a separate amp, So, save yourself the extra cash and pick up a pair – they're an absolute steal.
Pros
- Small and compact – the perfect bookshelf speakers
- Excellent styling and connectivity, from Bluetooth to phono
- Easily accessible controls
Cons
- Some find the bass a little overbearing at times
| Drivers | 4-inch |
| Output power | 21W |
| Impedance | 6 ohms |
| Frequency range | 75Hz - 18kHz |
| Active / Passive | Active |
| Dimensions | 146mm x 234mm x 196mm |
| Weight | 4.9Kg |
These Wharfedale Diamond 12.3 Passive Floor Speakers may be considered to be entry-level in the world of floor standers, but we love them for their balance of budget-friendly price and fantastic build quality. Once again, to fully enjoy these floor-standers, you'll need to give them enough space to perform, so smaller listening rooms may not suit these. That said, as you'd expect from Wharfedale, there's some full-bodied and wide-ranging sound on offer here.
The two 5-inch cones that cover the bass and midrange are excellent for delivering a well-defined frequency range, and they use the brand's bespoke Klarity cone material that's capable of a faster and better-defined response than many others. Tech aside, we love the look of these – and if the lighter colour scheme here doesn't sit well with your vinyl step, they also have it in two other finishes.
Pros
- Great all-round floor standing speaker option that won't cost the earth
- Beautiful design and solid build
- Plenty of bass power, thanks to those generous 5-inch cones
Cons
- As with all floor-standing speakers, they demand a lot of space to sound their best
| Drivers | 5-inch woofer, 5-inch midrange, 1-inch tweeter |
| Output power | 30-150W |
| Impedance | 8 Ohms |
| Frequency range | 45 - 20,000 Hz |
| Active / Passive | Passive |
| Dimensions | 34.8 x 18 x 97.5cm |
| Weight | 19.5kg |
If you already have an amplifier attached to your record player, check out these Passive Turntable Speakers from Edifier. The elegant wood finish of these speakers isn’t just easy on the eye, it’s specifically designed to reduce cabinet resonance and interference with your sound.
As the first Edifier speaker to be passive, this is something different in the lineup too. The 4-inch bass driver and 3/4-inch silk dome tweeter are more capable than many active speakers when it comes to bass, with the addition of a bass reflex port for more oomph. So, if your record player already has an amp that can drive these 5-20w beauties, you'll be all set for a compact yet satisfying listening session. Some users report that they will need running to sound their best, but they sound great beforehand so this isn't much of a headache. They can even be wall-mounted, too.
Pros
- Excellent frequency response for such a small speaker
- Effective design to reduce cabinet resonance
- Edifier build quality is solid and looks great
Cons
- May take some time to break in and sound their best
| Drivers | 4-inch |
| Output power | 5W – 20W |
| Impedance | 6 Ohm |
| Frequency range | 55 – 20,000 Hz |
| Active / Passive | Passive |
| Dimensions | 128 x 238 x 168mm |
| Weight | 6kg |
In our review of the KEF Q350s bookshelf speakers we found that the experts at KEF had taken the same tech that featured in the smaller Q150 model and made it a force to be reckoned with. Once again we have the Uni-Q design technology that places the treble unit in the centre of the woofer for much better unified sound. As a result, these KEF Q350 speakers have a wide and detailed sound field that's ideal for vinyl listening sessions with lots of punch. They can, however, take longer to break in than some – but the results are worth it.
Another feature borrowed from KEF's premium speaker line is the Z-Flex woofer which has been experetly designed to beef up the overall soundstage. We love the whole KEF design ethos, too. As a refreshing change from more overt fussy designs, here we have that trademark KEF refinement and quality materials and finish. They demand a higher price for good reason, if you love vinyl these speakers are just stunning.
Pros
- Refined KEF design will fit into any music room and is available in three colours
- KEF audio know-how and build for superior vinyl sound
- A very good size and at the larger end of the bookshelf category
Cons
- May take over 50 hours to reach their full potential
| Drivers | 165mm (6.5in.) aluminium Uni-Q. 25mm (1in.) vented aluminium dome HF |
| Output power | 120w 87db |
| Frequency range: | 63 - 28,000Hz |
| Impedance | 8 ohms |
| Active / Passive | Passive |
| Dimensions | 210 x 358 x 306mm |
| Weight | 7.6kg |
House of Marley takes an ecological approach to its products based on the philosophies of Bob Marley himself. The materials used here are truly top-notch, with recycled fabric, reclaimed hemp, reclaimed organic cotton and recycled plastics. It's all underpinned by a bamboo cabinet, too.
Eco-ratings aside, inside they're packing mains power and battery power for 25 hours of playback time, so if you do fancy spinning some tunes while you're off-grid this will do it. If you need to connect via Bluetooth you could even take them outside while your deck does its work from the safety of your home. RCA and aux inputs are there too, if you just want to hook things up the analogue way. There's a reasonable 15w of power to be heard, but some users say there's a delay in the Bluetooth connection so if that's likely to bother you, we recommend you go wired.
Pros
- Excellent eco-friendly build based on sustainable materials
- A compact size with a choice of attractive finishes
- A 25-hour battery life for flexible playback and portability options
Cons
- Some delay in the Bluetooth connection
| Drivers | 3.5-inch woofer, 1-inch tweeter |
| Output power | 15W per speaker |
| Frequency range: | 20Hz - 20kHz |
| Impedance | 6 ohms |
| Active / Passive | Active |
| Dimensions | 200 x 140 x 160mm (HxWxD) |
| Weight | 2.9kg per speaker |
DALI make it back onto our pick of the best here as a great mid-budget offering for anyone looking to bring out the best in their vinyl collection. These DALI Spektor 2 speakers may be compact enough to fit onto a bookshelf but don't underestimate their power and range. are incredibly versatile due to their size and the sound quality is fantastic, thanks to their tweeter and speaker build. They boast enough bass to fill a medium-sized room thanks to the larger diaphragm of the 130mm bass/mid driver.
We're particularly impressed with the internal design, as DALI say this helps to overcome harmonic distortion. As for placement, DALI recommends that its speakers should not be angled inward towards the listener which means they can sit on any bookshelf without restricting your listening position. The Spektor 2s do, though need a fair bit of breaking in to sound their best – with some owners claiming 100 hours. But, after that, you'll have a soundstage that's well-defined with plenty of power.
Pros
- Legendary sound from an equally legendary brand
- Excellent room-filling bass and mids in a medium-sized package
- Wide sound dispersion, ideal for clarity in any room
Cons
- May need running in for 100 hours to sound their best
| Drivers | 130 mm bass/midrange driver and 25 mm dome tweeter |
| Output power | 100w .84.5dB |
| Impedance | 6 Ohms |
| Frequency range | 54 - 26,000 Hz |
| Active / Passive | Passive |
| Dimensions | 292 x 170 x 238 mm |
| Weight | 8.4kg |
We love a bit of new speaker tech wrapped up in a vintage case, and the JBL L52 speakers are just that. The Quadrex-style foam grill and overall look directly echos the JBL L100 that launched in 1970. The unashamedly blocky look of these will really make people ask whether they're genuinely vintage, so if you're all about the authentic analogue vinyl experience, they could be the best-looking brand-new speakers you'll ever own. Others, though, may find the design a little too retro for modern record decks.
Behind that grille is a generous 5.25-inch woofer, a front-firing bass reflex port, and a 0.75-inch titanium dome tweeter. But, one feature we really like (given that this isn not an active speaker) is the built-in high-frequency attenuation control. It'll enable you to tweak down the treble on the speakers to taste. All in all, if you want a great combination of vintage 70s aesthetics with modern sound quality, the JBL LK52 speakers are just, well, groovy.
Pros
- Amazing retro design that harks back to the original 1970s model
- Built-in level attenuator for treble adjustment
- The front-facing bass reflex port delivers enhanced sound
Cons
- Retro grill design may be too blocky for some tastes
| Drivers | 5.25-inch woofer, 0.75-inch titanium dome tweeter |
| Output power | 60W |
| Frequency range: | 47 Hz - 24 kHz |
| Impedance | 4 ohms |
| Active / Passive | Passive |
| Dimensions | 330 x 197 x 216mm (HxWxD) |
| Weight | 5.4 kg |
KEF are one of the undisputed masters of the home audio market. This LS50 Wireless II system may be far from a budget option; But, when it comes to wireless high-quality audio, these are nothing short of wondrous. The design is typically sophisticated too, with a huge sound crammed into a smaller-than-expected form factor. Over Wi-Fi, they'll link up with Amazon Music, Spotify, Apple Music and many more. But, for the vinyl listener, what makes these LS50s worth the slightly eye-watering price tag?
Well, they're active - so no external amp is required of course. But, secondly, they have plenty of wired connection options. That means the LS50s will connect to a record deck using a phono to 3.5mm jack cable. In terms of the internal amp, KEF's Uni-Q speaker tech has been paired with its Metamaterial Absorption Technology. This eliminates 99% of unwanted noise from the rear of the driver, resulting in a more natural sound. And last but not least, they blast out 200 watts per speaker. The bass isn't quite as heavy as some might want, but for the rest of us it's a well-balanced KEF soundstage. If it's compact, premium vinyl listening you're after, this is it.
Pros
- The sound quality is nothing short of incredible
- Amazing design and build
- Wireless and analogue inputs
Cons
- Very heavy bass-lovers may still want a subwoofer
| Drivers | 1x 25mm tweeter, 1x 130mm mid/low |
| Output power | 200 watts per speaker. 108dB |
| Impedance | N/A |
| Frequency range | 40Hz – 47kHz |
| Active / Passive | Active |
| Dimensions: | 30.5 x 20 x 31.1cm |
| Weight | 7.2 kg |
How to choose the best speakers for vinyl for you
One thing is for certain: a record will only sound as good as the setup it’s played on. Of course, the record player itself is vital to a good sound, but the speakers are equally important. With so much jargon to deal with, we’ve broken down the basics for you to help you narrow things down.
Speaker types
There are several different types of speakers that work with turntables. It’s important to get the right type to fit your turntable as the wrong speakers may require additional hardware to work.
Passive speakers – Passive speakers are named as such because they don’t have an amplifier built into them and therefore require an external amplifier with further connective cabling to work. The extra kit needed to use passive speakers should not deter you as the speakers themselves are often light and can be cheaper than their active counterparts.
Active Speakers – Unlike passive speakers, active speakers have an amplifier built into the speaker itself, sparing the need for another box to be added to your hi-fi setup. As a result, active speakers require less cabling to work, keeping your turntable space clean and tidy while reducing the potential for interference with less internal wiring - they are popular options for bookshelf speakers for this reason.
Wireless speakers – Alternatively, you could opt for a set of wireless speakers to enjoy the music from your turntable. If you want an entirely wire-free station, a pair of smart speakers will ensure a clean hi-fi station but be advised that Bluetooth speakers require a transmitter to be fitted to the turntable to work. Turntables can be bought with Bluetooth transmitters fitted at the factory or you can purchase the transmitter and retrofit it yourself.
Choosing active speakers? Check that you have a preamp
Depending on your existing kit, you’ll either have an amplifier or a deck (or both) with a built-in phono preamp. A turntable preamp amplifies the low-power signal provided via a record deck's phono connectors. If you're looking at speakers which are active (they have their own internal amplifier) it may not include a phono preamp as well. If not, you'll need a deck with a preamp – like the Cambridge Audio Alva ST turntable we reviewed, amongst many others – or an external one to give the signal the boost it needs. We've covered this in more detail in our article on how to tell whether your record deck needs a preamp.
Top tip: Pay special attention to wattage and impedance
Wattage – With sound output and speaker power, Watts is a measure of the strength of the audio signal that drives the speaker. A speaker rated for 80w - 120w will obviously be able to handle the power provided by a 100w amp. So, speaker and amp wattages must be a good match to avoid potentially damaging both. Remember, wattage is a range; You'll be fine as long as the maximum output won't exceed that of your speakers; and conversely, the minimum should deliver the lowest wattage your speakers need.
Impedance – Measured in Ohms, this is how much the audio signal is impeded or resisted by the speakers. So, if your turntable amplifier is built to deliver 20 watts of power at 8 Ohms it will be pushing out more power to account for the 8-ohm speaker resistance. Therefore, a 20-watt speaker rated at 4 Ohm will require a little less power from the amplifier to overcome this impedance. It's crucial to match the impedance of your speakers with that of your amplifier.
Thankfully, active speakers from some of the best speaker brands are self-amplified, so impedance won't be an issue here. The same is true of smart speakers as they're always self-contained and rarely allow for external speaker connections.
FAQs
What speakers are best for vinyl?
There's no simple answer to this question, as speakers come in so many varieties – from design and build to technical capabilities and brand. But, in general, we recommend passive speakers plus a separate amplifier for sheer sound quality. That said, the best active speakers are also highly capable and, crucially, smaller and more affordable than many passive speaker setups. Ultimately, it's all down to the sound – so if you can try before you buy.
Are floor-standing or bookshelf speakers best for vinyl?
Along with bookshelf speakers, floor-standing speakers are also hugely popular for turntable hi-fi setups. The two speaker types have been compared with each other at great lengths, but ultimately they both come out on top over a few key qualities.
Thanks to their size, floor-standing speakers can house more drivers that not only push a bigger and louder sound but a richer tone by virtue of a better bass response. For immersion value and a great soundstage, floor-standing speakers are by far the better of the two - as we covered in our article looking at whether larger speakers are better for sound.
However, the virtues of floor-standing speakers come at a premium, not just in price but floor space too. They are far larger and more expensive than bookshelf speakers, but also surplus to the requirements of most casual vinyl listeners.
For less powerful hi-fi setups, or those with limited floor space (or limited space in general) bookshelf speakers are a great option. In fact, many so-called bookshelf speakers are actually quite sizable and would struggle to fit on the average bookshelf. They can often have the same or similar drivers to floor-standing versions, so although some may lack the sheer presence of larger floor-standers, they can often sound just as good. The choice really comes down to your personal taste in what looks best, you budget and available space.
Are passive speakers better for vinyl?
As mentioned earlier, we think that passive speakers are a great option for use with record players simply because separate amplifiers can be better than those inside active speakers. But, one huge caveat to this is budget. It's entirely possible to buy cheap and nasty passive speakers (and amps) – but when comparing speakers from leading brands and similar budgets, passive is usually the best option in terms of sound quality.
How we chose these products
We selected our pick of the best speakers for vinyl based on reliable and trusted brands, average user reviews, price, and suitability for each use case. We look carefully at the technical specifications of all products before we recommend them to ensure that they will meet buyers' needs without requiring modifications or costly additions to function as intended. With speakers for vinyl, our main focus is on sound quality, build quality, overall design and connectivity options. Our writers also choose products based on hands-on experience where we own or have reviewed them ourselves – such as the KEF Q350 above. Retailers are selected based on price, availability and reputation as reliable and trusted sellers.
Chris Duffill is a Senior Tech Writer and Reviewer for What's The Best. His background includes writing, editorial, marketing, design, video production and photography.
He specialises in home entertainment and audiovisual tech, including speakers, amplifiers, turntables, streaming media players, and TVs. He is also one of our resident experts in computing (PCs, tablets, smartphones, smartwatches), DSLR photography and all kinds of digital cameras. He also writes about retro gaming, game consoles and various electronic gadgets. If it plugs in, lights up or makes a noise, he’ll write about it.
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