The best stereo speakers in 2018

As technology continues to advance, audiophiles have not changed a bit: at the end of the day, we want our sound to be clear, complete and true to the original source.

Finding a set of speakers that verifies our list of requirements, however, is much easier said than done.

To find the best stereo speakers on the market, we contacted some of the best audio companies on Earth to review and test a wide variety of stereo speaker configurations, ranging from compact bookshelf speakers to domotic towers with subs . We will review more units in the future and add them to this list, so keep your eyes (and ears) wide open.

The test process

When testing these speakers, we compare each stereo to a comparable power level and test the same tunes, we get a variety of musical genres.

Our test songs covered the dynamic range of music and artists, from John Mayer to Tom Petty, and from the American prog-metal band TesseracT to people like John Williams and Hans Zimmer. Each song was chosen to test the dynamics offered by each group of speakers, and some speakers react better to certain genres than others, according to their design.

Of course, not all speakers have the same function. The BP9080x Definitive Technology towers, for example, are designed to cover a wider frequency range than Edifier speakers with a 4-inch woofer. We use our best judgment to test these speakers according to their individual purpose and affordability, and we rate them with that in mind.

Since the comparison of the speakers of the shelves with the high performance towers is an obvious case of apples and oranges, at least we will try to clarify which speaker is an apple and which is an orange. Sounds good? Good.

Without further ado, these are the best stereo speakers we've tested so far.

1. BP9080x definitive technology

Incredible towers that earn their considerable price

Perfect sound

Dolby Atmos / DTS: Ready X

Amazing bass that you can dial in

Elegant low profile design

Pricy, but back up the price

In life, money is not everything, in sound, however, it is quite important.

Example: the Definitive Technology BP9080x speakers From the first moment we want to make clear that this stereo pair is a luxury item that is made only for the most avid audiophile on the market.

If that's you, d Janos tell you how amazing are these speakers.

From the beginning to the end of the covered frequency range, the BP9080x speakers are sharp, articulated and genuinely mobile. The passive design is aided by an active subwoofer, which gives the user independent control of the volume of the subwoofer in each tower, which means that it can be adjusted to suit any room with any standing wave.

The midrange is as complete and clear as any of the speakers we have ever heard, without overloading or sweeping, regardless of the songs and sounds we throw at it. The perfect tone midrange is perfectly integrated into the beautiful treble frequencies that never became hard, even when the windows trembled with volume. Clarity from the top of the frequency range to the bottom can not be overstated.

In addition to everything (literally) there are two "channel height" speakers that make this a perfect centerpiece for your Dolby Atmos or DTS: X home theater system.

All this audio goodness is wrapped in a tall, slender package made of premium materials that is incredibly unobtrusive, especially considering the amount of volume it can pump. All we can say is that if you're looking to spend the money (and it's a lot of money), we can not recommend the BP9080x speakers from Definitive Technology enough.

2. Klipsch Forte III

Powerful towers with impressive flexibility

Mid crisp with high rounds

No noticeable distortion

Well built and designed

Expensive

Since 1985, Klipsch Forte floor speakers have been the gold standard for Home entertainment Now, Forte III speakers are on the market and they hope to build on the success of their ancestors.

Of course, as expected, these speakers sound fantastic.Klipsch's attention to detail about the fine tuning of the speakers is unsurpassed, I step into a clear and intricate medium-high range. They are also phenomenally designed and constructed, making a great addition to virtually any living room. They are also very heavy which can be a blessing and a curse. Once you discover your place in the living room, these speakers are not going anywhere.

These speakers are designed for bass, with a 12-inch subwoofer and a huge 15-inch passive radiator on the back of the speaker to help disperse low frequencies. To get the most out of the bass speakers in these towers, you must run two separate amplifiers or a single amplifier with several outputs that are strong enough to move the subwoofer. Having bi-amplification or separate control allows the user to control the power sent to the high and low channels, which allows them to obtain the exact balance they desire.

The disadvantage of these speakers is that they are even more expensive than the Definitive Technology BP9080x speakers and do not have the automatic speakers or high-firing speakers that our number one selection has. Part of that bonus is paying for Klipsch's name, but there is quality to back it up: it just does not have enough value or pure sound power to knock down the ultimate BP9080x technology.

3. Klipsch RP-150M

Incredibly clear reference monitors

Clear and crisp high frequencies

Rich media articulation

Lightweight design

Good price

Severe lack

If you are not in the market for complete entertainment giants like Definitive Technology towers, the Klipsch RP-150M speakers are a surprisingly affordable speakerphone option with medium and high frequency clarity that rivals our mainstream selection.

These lightweight and passive reference speakers are beautifully designed and are a continuation of what Klips Ch does better: honest and clear replication without over-coloring the sound. While the 5-inch woofer does not do much in terms of bass, since it does not audibly approach the promise of frequency of 48 Hz in the frequency response, these speakers have a surprising amount of low and medium beats.

The midrange of these Klipsch speakers is completely clear and open, allowing a subtle articulation that could be lost in smaller systems. The upper range never gets raucous and has a natural air underneath that seems to be a signature on Klipsch products.

In general, if you are looking for a pair of stereo speakers to listen to informally, work in the studio or set up an entertainment system, these Klipsch RP-150M speakers are almost as good as they come, especially for the price.

4. KEF LS50 Wireless

An amazing pair of bookshelf speakers that has almost every conceivable input

Impressive sound quality

Beautiful and compact design

Without AirPlay or Google Cast

Slow mobile application

If you are just starting to listen to your music experience more Seriously, it is natural to look for a speaker configuration. That is until you realize that you will have to choose a preamp, an amplifier and a DAC to get the configuration of your dream speakers. It's a lot of research and configuration, which is quite intimidating for a high-fidelity novice.

But what if there was a speaker system that worked from the box? What if all you have to do is connect the speakers to the wall and turn on some music?

Fortunately, this dream system is real and is made by the people of KEF.

After spending several months with the KEF LS50 Wireless, we were impressed by the package that the company was able to design. The speakers offer an amazing sound quality with absolute neutrality, hologram type images and an expansive sound study. In addition, it was very easy to configure and use from any of its sources. While it's not cheap, the wireless LS50 is actually a bargain when taken as a complete package.

Read the full review: Wireless KEF LS50 Speakers

5. Q Acoustics Concept 20

Clear and round bookshelves speakers

Uniform and rich sound

Solid midrange

Discrete design

Not much bass

If you are an audiophile on the market of compact bookshelf speakers, but do not want to sacrifice the sound quality, it's time to look at the Q Acoustics Concept 20 speakers.

These extremely low profile bookshelf speakers are rich in sound from bass to crunchy highs, even with the amplifier connected (at safe power levels) the sound never broke into distortion and remained clear, not shrill. Of course, with any speaker of this size, there were not many basss below the low-middle range to speak, but what there was was full without being muddied.

What could be seen as a pro for some and a scam for others, the Q Acoustics Concept 20 speakers are passive and require an external amplifier.

For audiophiles, this is a great excuse to place even more coins in a high fidelity amplifier to get the best possible sound with these already very good speakers. However, for casual listeners, it may be inconvenient to worry about amplification with what should be small and discreet bookshelf speakers.

After trying songs of every genre imaginable, it is clear that the Q Acoustics Concept 20 loudspeakers are up to any challenge. For those looking to fill the living room with clear, crisp, high-fidelity sound, these Q Acoustics bookshelf speakers are a no-brainer.

6. Polk Signature S60

A more economical and useful alternative to Definitive Technology

Attractive, discreet design

Clear and sharp media

Many highs …

… maybe too many highs [19659002] Pricy for sound quality

Polk Audio's beauty lies in its ability to produce quality loudspeakers that compete with the most renowned brands while maintaining a lower price.These beautiful Polk Signature S60 full-range towers face the dexterity of the Definite towers Technology BP9060x? Well, not exactly, but these are stellar speakers in their own right. [19659002] Polk signature passive speakers for home entertainment are designed to provide full and immersive sound, and for the most part, they hit the nail on the head. The middle range, which is the easiest to muddy, is crystal clear and articulated regardless of the sound that propagates through these towers of almost four feet high.

The high frequency range is certainly animated, occasionally to the point of stridency when the volume is really pressed, but it never becomes too hard for comfort. As for the bass frequencies, the package announces a unique port system that allows more low frequencies to travel more easily. However, to really listen to the bass cut, the volume must be quite high. Still, in general, the sound quality is excellent in these Polk Audio speakers, the frequencies could simply use a bit of adjustment with an external equalizer.

If you're looking for a more affordable alternative to the Definite technology towers, the Polk Audio Signature S60 speakers are a solid choice that will likely outshine any other standard home entertainment system you encounter. While they do not handle the highs and lows as well as our premium selection, we have no doubt that even the most critical ears will be happy with the signal these bad guys push out.

7. Q Acoustics BT3

Surprisingly Complete Bluetooth Speakers

Bluetooth and digital optical audio

Stylish design

Occasionally on the strident side

These stylish and compact Q Acoustic BT3 speakers are the most digitally integrated speakers on our list, with capacity Bluetooth, remote control, 3.5mm input, digital optical input and active speakers, but how does sound quality compare to the rest?

The sound coming out of these small speakers was surprisingly complete.

Q Acoustics designed these speakers mainly as a No convenient shelf speaker, but also as a stereo alternative to the sound bar, and it was clear why. The BT3 speakers covered almost the entire frequency range very uniformly, with the exception of the subwoofer. Even so, the bass that was produced was thick and full and did not cause the signal to become too distorted. The high range was also surprisingly manageable, although a bit more strident than the more expensive Concept 20 speakers or the Klipsch RP-150M.

While the Q3 Acoustics BT3 speakers will not replace your favorite reference monitors in the short term, they were not really designed for. These speakers have a lot of technological integrations that make them a perfect replacement for a traditional sound bar or a simple solution for bookshelf speakers. With the integration of Bluetooth and remote control, the BT3 speakers are perfect in the corner of the living room when you want to quickly transmit your song through the house, and it sounds good doing it.

8. Edifier R1280T

Warm and compact table speakers

Dimensions: 5.75 "x 9.5" x 7 "(W x H x D) | Weight: 12.45 lbs | Dolby Atmos / DTS: X enabled: No | Active or passive: Active | Subwoofer: N / A | Frequency response: 75 Hz – 18 kHz

Affordable and lightweight option

Surprisingly balanced

No hard frequencies

High and medium stockings are cloudy

The Edifier R1280T speakers are a popular choice at Amazon, and for good reason. Compact desk / bookshelf style have an impressive sound bump and look good doing it, all while keeping the price below $ 100 for the pair Ok, they are $ 99.99, but that penny really counts!

The outstanding features here include its active design, its rich mid-range response and its low You are surprisingly competent. Due to the small size of the woofer, these guys obviously do not push much low-end, and due to the design of the tweeter, the maximums are not as clear as the competition we tested. But apart from that, the frequency response and the clarity are quite good.

Although not comparable to the comprehensive power of Definitive Technology BP9080x or even clarity of the Klipsch RT-150M, these compact speakers certainly serve purpose. If you are looking for an affordable set of computer speakers or, better yet, a warm stereo system for your turntable, the Edifier R1280T speakers are a great choice for money.

See our list of the best MP3 players.

These speakers are just part of a great stereo experience, be sure to check out our list of the best turntables.