The content originally appeared on Mashable for American audiences and has been suitable for British audiences.
There is an undisputed truth about audio technology: not all speakers are equal. But that’s the same for the audience. Some people are happy with their audio consumption and any speaker will do it as long as they hear what is being played. But audiophiles fall into a completely different category. Speakers need to provide a rich voice full of nuance.
Thankfully, we understand the needs and expectations at both ends of the speaker’s spectrum. This is helpful for your keen listener, as buying speakers is not easy. Actually, if you have never done it before, the purchase of speakers requires some research. Many different speakers are available, and there are many features and specifications to consider.
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We assume you are here because you don’t have time to do all of this. Don’t worry, because we did a lot of hard work on your behalf and looked at some of the best speakers on Amazon. Here is a useful guide for everything you need to know, and suggestions for speakers that sound cute.
Do you need a new speaker?
This is always a good time to upgrade your technology. The real problem is Which one Do you need a new speaker? Consider whether you plan to use your speakers for music, TV and movies, or both. You should decide this now, as this will lead to which speaker you end up buying. For example, if you’re looking for something that can pair with your TV, the note bar would be a good choice, but if you want more music-centric stuff, consider a pair of bookshelf speakers or portable Bluetooth options.
Also, you need to pay attention to the quality of sound you need – whether it’s the sound around you, the Dolby Atmosphere or just plain old stereo (this is great too, if you really don’t need it, don’t feel like something that you really like if you don’t need it). Not all speakers produce the same sound quality, so it is important to know exactly what listening experience you want to get rid of.
What are passive and active speakers?
The difference between passive and active (sometimes called “drive”) is very simple, but be careful. Passive speakers don’t have any built-in amplification, which means they need to be connected to a stereo receiver to work. The active speaker has everything built in from the start, including preamps, volume controls, and inputs. If convenience is one of your top priorities, choose active speakers as they require fewer settings and other devices to get them to work properly.
How many speakers do you need?
Having two great speakers is always a better result than having five regular speakers. Also, too many speakers around just take up unnecessary space. If you have a room, the two speakers are perfect numbers. This is especially ideal if you listen to a lot of music that is usually recorded for stereo settings – so it makes you feel weird to have left and right channels. If you have less space, a very good speaker is OK.
Do you need a subwoofer?
The short answer is no. You may not be need one. But should you get one? Well, that’s a different question, and we’ll answer: Of course, why not? Adding a subwoofer can make the sound of any audio settings better (but not all audio is compatible, so make sure to check it out before you buy it first). The subwoofer improves the power of the bass, thus improving quality and adding more depth and space to your output. Sometimes, adding a high-quality subwoofer to the speaker settings is more helpful than upgrading the speaker itself.
What is a smart speaker?
These speakers double as smart devices that can be connected to Alexa or synchronized with other smart home devices. They are great in themselves, but they are not always the best way to listen to music (sorry, Alexa). If you can’t live without a smart assistant in your speaker settings, we recommend using Bluetooth and connecting to your smartphone stuff. This way, you can get the privilege of the smart assistant built into your phone without having to lower the speaker itself.
What is Dolby Atmos?
This is worth knowing because you will see it mentioned frequently when buying the latest speakers. Essentially, it’s the surround sound technology of a home cinema. The basic idea is that it is not just about making sounds at you from every angle, but rather putting specific sounds and sounds in a specific place around the listener. The sound can also move in a three-dimensional sound field. It takes fully immersive surround sound to a whole new level. It’s closely related to spatial audio (you’ll also read below), but Dolby Atmospheric is its own specific technology.
What is the best speaker?
We are glad you asked. We picked a favorite from each of the most popular speaker categories – from bookshelf to Bluetooth speakers and everything in between – and for the best you can consider.
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