There is of course no shortage of tech to be found on the internet, including some of the best speakers on Amazon. Let’s face it, the right audio kit can make all the difference. Swapping out those battered old hi-fi cones for a set of the best speakers can liven up a party with that playlist you spent so long creating, immerse you into the action of your favourite movies and give you crisp immersion for those competitive video games.
No matter what you need them for, Amazon can be a bit of an overwhelming shopping experience with so many competing products to sift through. Thankfully, we’ve looked at the best speakers on Amazon to suit everyone, from home cinema setups to compact smart speakers. But, you’ll still need to consider your needs before you buy.
Best speakers on Amazon in 2023 at a glance:
• Best overall speakers on Amazon: KEF Q350 (Black) - View at Amazon
• Best budget speakers on Amazon: Amazon Echo Dot (5th generation, 2022 release) - View at Amazon
• Best home cinema speakers on Amazon: Wharfedale DX-2 5.1 Speaker System - View at Amazon
• Best bookshelf speakers on Amazon: DALI Spektor 2 Bookshelf Speaker - View at Amazon
Thankfully, there’s always a size, shape and price to suit your needs as Amazon is heaving with the best speakers for all occasions. The aforementioned gamers might want a compact surround system with RGB lighting, a Netflix subscriber might want a new TV soundbar speaker to amp up their entertainment, and music fans may want to pipe their tunes wirelessly around the house.
We’ve put together a buyer’s guide at the end of the article to help you choose. Floorstanding speakers and bookshelf speakers need careful pairing with your amplifier if you have one. And if you’re taking your speaker outside for a party you’ll need some waterproofing. We’ve thought of it all, so here’s our pick of the best speakers on Amazon to really give your audio the boost it deserves.
Best speakers on Amazon in 2023
Best overall speakers on Amazon
![KEF Q350 (Black) - one of the best speakers for music](https://images.bauerhosting.com/affiliates/sites/8/2023/05/5-2.png?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Despite being the most difficult category to fill in our list, given the sheer range of speaker types, we've gone for a good old-fashioned stereo pair. When we wrote our guide to the best bookshelf speakers we looked at the KEF Q150s, but here the experts at KEF have taken things up a notch. Featuring Uni-Q design technology that places the treble unit in the centre of the woofer, the Q350 speakers have a wide sound field that's detailed and punchy - ideal for stereo listening.
Inside we have the Z-Flex woofer - another feature borrowed from KEF's premium speaker line. This helps to create their detailed and expansive soundstage. With the design, KEF has avoided overly detailed and fussy styling, instead offering its trademark refinement. Just stunning pieces of audio kit.
Pros
- Sleek KEF design will fit into any decor
- KEF audio know-how and build for superior sound
- The right size for many applications and spaces
Cons
- If you want to fill a bigger room with sound, go larger
Speakers: | 165mm (6.5in.) aluminium Uni-Q. 25mm (1in.) vented aluminium dome HF |
Impedance: | 8 ohms |
Frequency range: | 63 - 28,000 |
Power: | 120w 87db |
Weight: | 7.6 |
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 speaker on Amazon
Unsurprisingly, given that Alexa is Amazon's own technology, we have an Echo on this list. But it wouldn't be here if it wasn't both incredible value for money and a fantastic all-rounder - including smart features and voice activation. At well under £60 (or less, if you keep an eye out for Amazon promotions) it's an absolute steal. If you have the budget, buy as many of these as you like and they'll all link up for multiroom audio.
The Alexa app makes it very easy to set things up, and the Echo Dot will sit on any desk, nook or cranny. Extended tools include being able to set alarms and timers, and of course, you can ask it all manner of questions. If it's sheer power you want, this is probably not it, but for everything else, the Echo Dot is hard to beat at this price
Pros
- Pairs easily with other devices via the Alexa app for ease of use
- The inconspicuous design will fit into tight spaces
- Easy to set up and use
- Surprisingly loud and bassy for the size
Cons
- Not for serious music listening
- The bass starts to creak at higher volumes
Speakers: | 1.73” (44m) front-firing speaker |
Connections: | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (2.4 and 5 GHz), Bluetooth. |
Power: | 1.2w |
Weight: | 303g |
Dimensions: | 3.9 inches x 3.9 inches x 3.5 inches |
Extra features: | Dolby Atmos |
- Customer review: "I didn't think I would use the Alexa functionality as much as I have. I thought I would just be using it as a smart speaker - it came out very well in a recent Gadget Show blind test. I have one sitting on my piano in the lounge, for quickly learning songs, as well as streaming music to relax to. But it also talks to my Eufy video doorbell and various other useful functions and Alexa has been more handy than I imagined for adding songs to playlists among other things. Great price at the time and so bought one each for my kids as well. Great sound for such a small speaker."
Best home cinema speakers on Amazon
When you're looking for home cinema speakers, there's budget - and then there's cheap. These are most definitely the former, with a price tag that is clearly designed to be an affordable alternative to systems in the audiophile category. Most importantly, these are from the audio experts at Wharfedale.
An entire Wharfedale 5.1 speaker system that packs big cinema sound into a compact system for under £400 may sound too good to be true, but here it is. There's a punchy engaging sound on offer here, thanks to the space-saving DX-2 Satellite Speakers, augmented by an additional pair for rear surround. There's an equally impactful DX-2 Centre Speaker that houses two 75mm mid/bass drivers. The smaller size of this system, even including the subwoofer, means it will sit alongside the majority of televisions in most rooms too. But if you have the space, this can be expanded using more DX-2 Satellites to a 7.1 system. The looks are somewhat generic, but all in all, this represents excellent value and great quality from a respected brand. What's not to love?
Pros
- Relatively compact and powerful - a great alternative to bulkier home theatre systems
- The understated design fits with most decor
- Well-built kit from a top brand for superior audio
Cons
- Not the most powerful compared to more premium systems
Speakers: | DX-2 Satellite: Bass Driver - 3" (75mm) woven polypropylene bass cone. Treble Driver - 3/4" (19mm) silk dome | DX-2 Centre: Bass Driver - 3" (75mm) woven polypropylene bass cone x2. Midrange Treble Driver - [-]3/4" (19mm) silk dome | WH-D8: Bass Driver - 8” (200mm) long-throw cone |
Impedance: | DX-2 Satellite: 4 ohm | DX-2 Centre: 4 ohm | WH-D8: Line in 10kΩ LFE 5kΩ |
Frequency range: | DX-2 Satellite: 120Hz 20kHz | DX-2 Centre: 80Hz 20kHz | WH-D8: 40 - 120Hz ±3dB |
Power: | DX-2 Satellite: 20-60W 84dB | DX-2 Centre: 20-100W 86dB | WH-D8: 70W |
Weight: | DX-2 Satellite: 2kg | DX-2 Centre: 2.7kg | WH-D8: n/a |
Dimensions: | DX-2 Satellite: 190 x 120 x 122 mm | DX-2 Centre: 120 x 310 x 122 mm | WH-D8: n/a |
Extra features: | Autopower facility switches out of standby when a signal is sensed and back again when it stops. |
- Customer review: "This speaker system is surprisingly good. You could also purchase extra surrounds and use them as height speakers if you have the amp and wall brackets. Unless you are downgrading from a high-end speaker package, I’m not convinced you’ll beat it. Just read any review.
"The centre channel is crisp and clear with ample mid-high range, the surround is full of detail. I’m hearing sounds that were missing in my old setup. The frequency range is pretty impressive all around (with a bit of tinkering). I’m using this with Atmos, and the sound is fantastic. Sure there are probably other packages out there for more moeny but at this price, I think you’d find it difficult to beat."
Best bookshelf speakers on Amazon
Are you looking for something that will really let you appreciate every facet of your music? These DALI Spektor 2 speakers will do just that. These Hi-Fi speakers are incredibly versatile due to their size and the sound quality is fantastic, thanks to their tweeter and speaker build. These DALI Spektor 2 speakers may be compact, but they boast 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 soundstage of sheer beauty.
Their spacious sound overcomes harmonic distortion in the very way they're built thanks to the internal design. DALI also recommends that its speakers should not be angled inward towards the listener. There really is an authentic musical experience at the heart of the Spektor 2s, with more than enough power and detail to the soundstage. Brilliant.
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
- 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 portable Bluetooth speaker on Amazon
![Marshall Middleton Bluetooth Wireless Portable Speaker - one of the best speakers for music](https://images.bauerhosting.com/affiliates/sites/8/2023/05/Marshall-Middleton-Stock.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
In our review of the Marshall Middleton, we found it to be one of the heaviest and loudest Bluetooth speakers on Amazon. Power and retro style crammed into a case that can pretty much be lifted in one hand. Inside the typically amp-inspired design are two 3-inch 15W woofers and two 3/5-inch 10W tweeters; add to that a couple of passive radiators for even more spaciousness to the audio.
Water and dust resistance is also a feature here - great since it'll be out and about quite a lot. A battery life of around 20 hours is going to keep your music rolling for a whole weekend and a bit more. There's only one more reason to splash out on this mighty yet mini Marshall - the sound. Somehow this is much more than the sum of its parts, and it'll keep you rocking out in style.
Read our full Marshall Middleton review
Pros
- Excellent, expansive sound for such a small unit
- Robust build and battery life to match for more portability
- Timeless design is ideal for lovers of retro tech
Cons
- Too heavy to be super portable
Speakers: | 2x 3” 15W woofers, 2x 3/5” 10W tweeters, 2x passive radiators |
Connections: | Bluetooth 5.1, Aux-in |
Charge: | USB-C |
Battery: | 20+ hours |
Weight: | 1.8kg |
Dimensions: | 109 x 230 x 95 mm |
Extra features: | IP67, Available in Black and Brass, Cream, Two 20 Watt Class D amplifiers for the woofers, Two 10 Watt Class D amplifiers for the tweeters |
- Our review: “The Marshall Middleton claims to be the loudest portable Bluetooth speaker around. While I don’t have any stats to back that up, it feels like Marshall might be right. The Middleton kicks out a huge sound, which is made all the more spectacular by the fact it’s portable.
“I’ve been using the Middleton to listen to nearly everything, from chilled soul classics to brutal-breakdown hardcore and hyped-up house. It handles all with ease - the EQ controls on the top help you balance bass and treble to suit the music. The quality of the audio and volume has meant it’s perfect for filling my office or living room. Even in the garden, where bass tends to lose its oomph, the Middleton delivered.
“Recently, I managed to take advantage of the huge battery life too. I was heading off on a camping trip in a van lacking a decent radio. So, I stashed the Middleton on the overhead shelf and had a great time during the eight-plus hours of driving without a worry that the music was going to drop. - “An epic speaker - no doubt about it.” Tried and tested by William Lobley, Deputy Tech & Fitness Editor
Best TV soundbar on Amazon
![Sony HT-S40R - 5.1ch Soundbar with Subwoofer and Wireless Rear Speakers](https://images.bauerhosting.com/affiliates/sites/8/2023/05/5-3.png?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
An immersive surround sound experience is probably every TV owner's dream, but not all sets are very good at delivering it. Here we have the ideal addition to make the best of your TV setup. The Sony HT-S40R system balances rich and clear sound with a discreet design that will be quite inconspicuous below your screen. The real star here is the power. The standalone subwoofer is capable of rattling the floorboards if you need it to.
A real plus here are those two rear surround speakers. Sporting a separate dedicated amplifier, not only do you have a separate power supply (so check our socket availability) but you also have a wireless connection to the soundbar. True 5.1 sound without cables trailing through the room is a real bonus for a clutter-free setup. Sony knows its stuff when it comes to great TV sound, so as top speaker brands go, you can expect this to be one of the very best systems to enhance your TV.
Pros
- Seriously clever tech for a superior surround experience
- Independently powered rear speakers for less wiring clutter
- Great layout flexibility and stylish looks
Cons
- Requires rear speaker cabling to the independent amp
Speakers: | 3ch soundbar, subwoofer and two wireless rear speakers |
Connections | USB port, Bluetooth, HDMI ARC, Optical, Analogue |
Wall mountable: | Yes (soundbar) |
Power: | 600w |
Weight: | 14.02kg (whole system) |
Dimensions: | Soundbar: 900 x 52 x 74.5 mm |
Extra features: | Dolby audio. Cinema, Music, Voice and Night modes. Separate wireless amp for rear speakers. Playback from USB |
- Customer review: "Whilst having ARC HDMI output on your TV will be required, it does NOT need to be a Sony TV. I have a Samsung TV and the output is awesome. As far as the system goes, it may not be up there with the £1k+ sound systems but for the price, it is perfect for me. I tried Dolby Atmos sound bars but just couldn't hear the effect of the overhead sounds and didn't really get the surround effect either so decided to go with "proper" rear speakers. It makes a huge difference to me and we are very happy with this product."
Best multiroom speakers on Amazon
Amazon is back on the list with yet another addition to its range of Echo smart speakers. Here we have a fully-featured multiroom audio solution - the Echo Studio. Incredibly, given its size, it has Dolby Atmos and 3-D sound that projects audio in all directions. Spread several of these smart powerhouses around your home and give each zone a name. Then, send your music to them all at once, or to each room, to suit. And, of course, Alexa voice control is always there for home automation and more. Bass is good, but we recommend adding the optional Echo Sub if you're hungry for more. For us, the ease of use and simple setup means Amazon Echo Studio takes the multiroom speaker crown.
Pros
- Neat and inconspicuous but large enough to deliver more than the average smart speaker
- Great modern design will fit with all kinds of interior design
- Very easy to set up and use
- Massive well-rounded three-dimensional sound for immersion
Cons
- If you want greater clarity, go for a larger standalone Active speaker
Speakers: | Three 51 mm midrange speakers, a 25 mm tweeter, a 133 mm woofer with bass aperture to maximise bass output. |
Impedance: | n/a |
Frequency range: | 100 kHz |
Power: | Peak output 330 W |
Weight: | 3.5 |
Dimensions: | 206 x 175 mm |
Extra features: | Dolby Atmos, Wi-fi, Bluetooth |
- Customer review: "Very, very good sound, particularly from such a compact device - being honest, I cannot really tell it apart from the system it replaced - an older high-end hi-fi separates system. Plenty of volume available in most normal sized rooms - works perfectly okay in ours, a large walk-through lounge/ dining room. Plenty of bass too, which was a big surprise - I'd mentally ticked off treating myself for Christmas with the Bass booster unit, available, but doubt I would bother now.
"Its been tried in several locations, including on the floor in the corner of the room, stood on furniture unit, and also on a large, solid bookshelf - location makes no discernable difference to volume, bass, or quality, as the on-board electronics are adaptive and very clever (and due to get a free online software upgrade, too) Set-up was simple enough if you just follow the instructions."
Best speakers on Amazon for gaming
![Logitech Z906 5.1 Surround Sound Speaker System,](https://images.bauerhosting.com/affiliates/sites/8/2023/05/15-1.png?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
PC gamers love to upgrade on a regular basis, and console gamers like a simple setup. Here, Logitech has given both camps the sort of surround sound system that would normally be seen on a small home cinema setup. This Logitech Z906 system is THX, Dolby and DTS certified - so enabled games, or even movie watching later, will sound phenomenal. Yes, you could go for one of the best speakers for gaming under £100 - but this is totally worth the extra spend. With 1000 watts of peak power and a 165-watt subwoofer at your command, there's a handy control unit with multiple inputs too. So, if you have multiple consoles and devices, you'll be able to hook up six of them. This thing is going to bring immersion and clarity to your games, so give yourself the gaming edge and bag yourself a Z906.
Pros
- Complete surround system in one package for an easier setup
- DTX, Dolby and THX certification for cutting-edge cinematic sound
- Powerful with plenty of reach and clarity to give you the edge
Cons
- You'll need a fairly large desk to spread these out for best effect
Speakers: | Subwoofer, x5 Satellites |
Impedance: | n/a |
Frequency range: | Not specified |
Power: | 500 watts (RMS) |
Weight: | 16.619 kg |
Dimensions: | (package) H:43.82 cm x W:43.10 cm x D:38.40 cm |
Extra features: | THX, Dolby & DTS Certified |
- Customer review: "If you're a hardcore PC gamer then seriously consider these speakers as they truly immerse you in your virtual surroundings with pinpoint detail and accuracy.
"Arrange the forward and rear speakers accordingly, load up your favourite FPS, and you can hear exactly where everything or everyone is around you with awesome clarity. This was my primary reason for purchase but I then found out just how useful they are in other regards as well. If you also enjoy high-quality music, they're a great choice for excellent clarity and depth, they really will surprise you!!"
Best party speaker on Amazon
The JBL PartyBox 310 is one of the most powerful speakers on the market, packing 240 W of output power, it's absolutely ideal for massive gatherings, whether inside or outdoors. As you'd expect, this is quite party-proof, thanks to the robust build. More exciting options include hooking up guitars and microphones, but whatever you use it for, there's a booming bass response to be had here. 65 mm tweeters and 176 mm subwoofers are well-balanced too, and the PartyBox 310 will keep on blasting for 18 hours of playtime. Your outdoor parties are going to go down in history with this making a guest appearance. You can even link JBL speakers together, providing even more volume to spread around.
Pros
- Incredible bass for a relatively small unit
- A rich, powerful sound that will carry to all corners of your party
- Solid battery life so the vibe won't get killed halfway through your get-together
Cons
- Very bulky so find a safe spot for it
Dimensions: | 32.6 x 36.8 x 68.8 |
Weight: | 18.4 kg |
Connections: | Bluetooth 5.1, Aux-in, USB |
Battery Life: | 18 hours |
Waterproofing: | IPX4 - splashproof |
Available Colours: | Black |
Additional Features: | Light effects, mic and guitar inputs, equipped with wheels and handle, True Wireless Stereo |
- Customer review: "I listen to all kinds of music and have to say that it all sounds incredible through this speaker! The sound is deep and clear. Classical music is rich, dance music has great bass. It is a monster of a speaker: robust, heavy, well made and a great looking product."
Best waterproof speakers on Amazon
![Bang & Olufsen Beosound Explore](https://images.bauerhosting.com/affiliates/sites/8/2023/05/19-1.png?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
The last thing you want from an outdoor speaker is for it to die after a summer at the poolside. Bang & Olufsen - the luxury speaker brand that's usually associated with high-end lounge listening, has come up with the Beosound Explore. Combining cutting-edge audio tech with a portable all-in-one speaker, the B&O design is refined yet delivers satisfyingly rich sound. This is thanks, in part, to its cylindrical grill and 360-degree sound projection.
Thankfully, this is also a dust and waterproof rechargeable speaker, so it will survive those summer downpours or spilt drinks and more. In addition, Bang & Olusfen offer these in five colour variations, all with carry handles and clips for easy portability. Battery-wise, this is a beast - lasting up to 27 hours on one charge. Lastly, if you pair this with your smartphones you can control all the music with maximum convenience. It's probably too nice to take into the shower with you though, but our pick of the best shower speakers will sort that out.
Pros
- Very easy to carry so flexible for many uses
- Waterproof and dustproof - ideal for any portable speaker
- 360-degree soundscape generates an enveloping sound field
- Long battery life and solid companion app means you'll have less to worry about
Cons
- No 3.5mm jack audio input
- Short charge cable
Speakers: | 2 x 1.8” full-range drivers |
Impedance: | n/a |
Frequency range: | 56 – 22,700 Hz (-10 dB) |
Power: | 2 × 30 W. 91 dB |
Weight: | 631 g |
Dimensions: | 124mm x 81mm |
Extra features: | 360-degree sound, Bluetooth, 27-hour battery life |
- Customer review: "Beautifully made with a satisfying weight in a diminutive form factor, and really easy to set up. Forget the reviews that say it's lacking in bass - this unit has bass which perfectly matches its clear, balanced sound. If you particularly require noticeable bass then look elsewhere. Its sound is refined, very clear and correctly balanced. You can adjust the sound profile from within the B&O app if you wish but the default setting of 'optimal' should be just fine.
"With credentials of good water, dust and impact resistance and a very long battery life between charges, this little speaker can be wholeheartedly recommended by someone who classes themselves as an audiophile. The B&O Explore speaker certainly satisfies the parameters of a portable and rugged product with great battery life and a refined sound - I can't fault it."
Best speakers on Amazon in 2023: Buyer’s guide
Different types of speakers will fit different needs. Are you off to university and need something cheap but reliable for parties? A portable speaker that uses Bluetooth is the way to go. Do you want your speaker to be controlled via voice recognition? Pick up an Amazon Echo. But, thanks to Amazon Prime’s one-day delivery – which you can join here for a free trial - you can be sure that the speaker will arrive in time.
Plan how many speakers you'll need
The number of speakers you’ll need is all about what you’ll be listening to and how. So, if you’re into home cinema you may already have an amplifier with connections for multiple speakers and an additional subwoofer. Perhaps it will also output surround sound like Dolby Atmos which will support even more, like ceiling speakers. If you’re all about music and hi-fi, there are multiple speaker options here too. But for many a stereo pair is a great starting point. If you're into multiroom audio then you may need to budget for multiple speakers for whole-house coverage. Thankfully you won't need to worry about connections as these are wireless and self-powered, such as the Amazon Echo Studio.
The best speakers need space
Having chosen speakers that look and sound great for your room, they will still need to fit. They'll need enough wriggle room for careful placement too, to deliver the best sound.
Firstly, measure your available shelf, floor or wall space. Then compare this with the speaker dimensions. Easy, right? Almost. Something that trips up even seasoned hi-fi enthusiasts is banana plugs or (in the case of active speakers) RCA connectors. Depending on your speaker's cabinet design, your connectors may be inset or not. The result may be that your banana plugs will stick out of the back to some degree. So, if the depth of your shelf or furniture is limited, factor in the depth of your connectors.
Choose active or passive
The terms active and passive refer to the power that the speaker needs to function. Most hi-fi and home cinema speakers will be passive - so you’ll need an amplifier to make the speaker work. Active refers to speakers with built-in amplification. Therefore, you’ll normally find these in ceiling speakers or portable devices that connect wirelessly for streaming audio. Consider what you need from your speakers. Generally, better audio quality is driven by a separate amplifier for power and performance.
![](https://images.bauerhosting.com/affiliates/sites/8/2023/09/Untitled-design-2023-09-22T153345.659.png?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Best speakers on Amazon in 2023: FAQs
Where is the best place to put speakers?
There are a few elements that can negatively impact the sound quality of even the best speakers. Firstly, position. It goes without saying that anyone who angles their speakers facing a wall or corner at close range is going to be ruining their experience. As is placing them behind furniture, or having a speaker’s bass ports right up to a wall. But you should also consider where you’ll be sitting to listen. Some speakers recommend angling them inward towards the listener. Other models are engineered to do this without being angled at all. As always, read your speaker manual. If you're a gamer you will probably need to plan the placement of your PC speaker system for maximum surround effect.
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. Thankfully, there are a number of solutions to this, the most obvious are acoustic foam panels, careful furniture placement, or wall hangings.
Why are my speakers distorted at high volumes?
Assuming your speakers aren’t damaged or broken, the most likely reason is that your amplifier is too powerful for the speaker’s drivers and cones. Essentially, attempting to get more volume out of a speaker by feeding it more power is the same as trying to make your car go faster by cramming more fuel into the tank until it overflows. The speaker can only handle so much power. Push it too hard and the cones will reach their structural limits, stop producing nice vibrations, and start producing uncontrolled ones. Thus, you're treated to distorted sound.
What are bass, midrange, and treble?
Bass, midrange, and treble are sometimes referred to as lows, mids, and highs. These terms refer to the different sound frequencies found in audio.
Bass, or low, is the boomier sections of sound, the frequencies that people can most often 'feel'. Without adequate bass, the audio will sound very empty and 'tinny'. Too much bass and music can sound rumbly, overpowering, and woolly.
Midrange, or mid, is all the stuff that happens in the middle - guitars, vocals, and speech. Balancing this with bass brings audio to life. So, if you struggle to hear vocals in music or conversation in podcasts, boosting the midrange can bring these out for you without having to play with volume.
Treble, or highs (hi), is higher frequencies. These are important for picking out details in audio, but if they are too high they can annoy and be painful to listeners.
![](https://images.bauerhosting.com/affiliates/sites/8/2023/09/Untitled-design-2023-09-22T153521.602.png?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Speaker jargon buster
Passive speakers
A passive speaker has no active power or amplifier circuitry. So, you will need to route your sound to them via an external amplifier. Some speakers, like the Edifier R1280T, are active speakers. They don’t require an external amplifier.
Active speakers
Likewise, an active speaker is one that has its own power supply and amplifier function. This means that you can hook up any sound source directly to the speakers, usually via an auxiliary input connection; such as an audio jack or twin phono plugs in the case of speakers for a record player. Because these speakers actively power themselves, they can amplify the music you pipe into them. This of course includes all-in-ones like Bluetooth portables and some ceiling speakers.
Watt
Wattage in regard to sound output and speaker power is a measure of the strength of the audio signal that drives the speaker. A 100w amplifier will have a maximum output of that many watts and a speaker that is rated for a range of, say, 80w - 120w, will be able to handle that power input. The wattage between the speaker and amp needs to be compatible to avoid potentially damaging both.
Decibels
Sound is measured in decibels (dBs). While it's an accepted measure of volume, it doesn’t correlate with wattage. 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, or headphones, that 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. So, a tweeter is responsible for producing high-frequency sounds. Because their domes are small enough to fit into all speakers, they may also be independently positionable.
Woofers
A woofer is the 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. Consequently, 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 that 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.
Subscribe to the What’s The Best Newsletter to keep up to date with more of the latest reviews and recommendations from the rest of the What’s The Best team.