To a home recording enthusiast, installing your first set of ‘proper’ monitors has that very same effect – but as this guide will prove, you don’t need to rely an unlimited bank balance or an amazing studio space to get a great sound anymore. Both options are built for the budget-conscious music producer, and have features geared specifically towards making sure you get the clearest, most precise image of your mix.
They don’t take up loads of space on your studio desk and would happily pull double duty for gaming or watching films if you needed them to. The IK Multimedia iLoud Micro monitors prove that, producing a clear, accurate sound from a small 3” driver. Bluetooth inclusion is nice, and makes them versatile, but judged solely on their monitoring performance the iLoud Micro set is well worth your consideration. They have a wide frequency range, room correction features, and even a nifty built-in LED light to ensure you have them set up at the right angle for your ears.
If you’re putting together a music studio on a budget, and are looking for speakers whose main aim is to provide clarity and accuracy when it comes to mixing and recording, then the M Audio BX5 D3 might just be the perfect set for you. JBL One Series 104 Compact and portable budget studio monitors Specifications Launch price: $179/£199/€190 Frequency response: 60Hz – 20kHz Speaker configuration: Two-way Driver size: 4.5” Tweeter type: ¾” soft dome Inputs: Stereo RCA, Stereo TRS, 1/8” jack, Bluetooth TODAY’S BEST DEALS Check Thomann Check Plugin Boutique Reasons to buy + Good connectivity + Wide frequency range Reasons to avoid – Not much
These affordable studio monitors offer a variety of connections, and the onboard EQ correction is superb to find at this price point. Alesis Elevate 5 MKII Updated budget nearfield monitors deliver serious volume Specifications Launch price: $129/£103/€156 Frequency response: 56Hz – 20kHz Speaker configuration: Two-way Driver size: 5” Tweeter type: 1” silk dome Inputs: RCA, Stereo TRS TODAY’S BEST DEALS £105 View at Thomann Check Plugin Boutique Reasons to buy + Well made + Bass boost is useful Reasons to avoid – Unboosted bass is a bit thin The Alesis Elevate 5 MKII proves this point, but that doesn’t have to be a dealbreaker; the Japanese firm has included a dedicated bass boost switch for those moments when you are listening for pleasure, rather than for reference. Overall, the Elevate 5 set performs well across a range of listening situations, and would make a superb addition to any studio or gaming setup.
Rest assured though, that the improvement in performance and sound reproduction from the ‘true’ budget speakers makes these definitely worth your attention. Mackie CR3-XBT Affordable offering from the studio specialists Specifications Launch price: $119/£108/€139 Frequency response: 70Hz – 20kHz Speaker configuration: Two-way Driver size: 3” Tweeter type: ¾” silk dome Inputs: Stereo RCA, Stereo TRS, 1/8” jack, Bluetooth TODAY’S BEST DEALS £115.75 View at Gear 4 Music Check Thomann Check Plugin Boutique Reasons to buy + Wide range of connections + Look great Reasons to avoid – No major flaws!
It’s built a solid reputation over the years for delivering quality gear at affordable prices, and that remit extends to their range of monitor speakers. The Mackie CR3-XBT monitors hit that sweet balance between price and performance, offering a great selection of input options, including Bluetooth, with features that producers need like a wide frequency range and solid build quality. The 3” main driver isn’t going to be troubling the sub-bass end of the spectrum, but we were still impressed by the clarity and accuracy of a number of reference tracks we tested. Fostex PM0.3 Small footprint monitors are ideal where space is an issue Specifications Launch price: $149/£156/€160 Frequency response: 110Hz – 20kHz Speaker configuration: Two-way Driver size: 3” Tweeter type: ¾” fiber glass Inputs: 1/8” jack TODAY’S BEST DEALS £154 View at Thomann Low Stock £156 View at Gear 4 Music Check Plugin Boutique Reasons to buy + Surprisingly loud + Good value Reasons to avoid – Don’t expect deep sub bass reproduction
Adding a large set of studio monitors into the mix complicates things further, which is why the Fostex PM0.3 are such an attractive proposition. They are there to sweeten the audio they’re fed, either through gently boosting bass and treble frequencies or by applying other predefined EQ settings.
Best studio monitors 2021: 12 budget-spanning studio speakers for musicians and producers
We’ve all put in the hours on a pair of bargain bin monitors, spending ages working on a track, and after fine-tuning the mix, you’re pretty happy with how it sounds. But then you listen to it somewhere else – in a different studio, through your phone, on your car stereo, over PA speakers in a club – and the mix sounds utterly awful. Of course, we have to point out that studio monitors can be less pleasant-sounding, and in some cases more fatiguing to the ears, than standard hi-fi speakers, where the tonal balance is designed to enhance music for the average listener. Elsewhere, the new IK Multimedia iLoud MTM speakers offer great all-rounder performance for home and bedroom studios, and for not an awful lot of cash.
KRK Rokit RP7 G4 Affordable nearfield monitors that are perfect for electronic music Specifications Price: $239/£208/€209 (each) Frequency response: 42 Hz – 40 kHz Speaker configuration: 2-way Driver size: 7”, 1” Tweeter type: Kevlar Inputs: Combo input XLR / 6.3mm balanced jack Powered: Yes (145W) Digital connectivity: No TODAY’S BEST DEALS Check Thomann Check Plugin Boutique 7 Amazon customer reviews ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reasons to buy + Graphic EQ at this price-point is fantastic + Bass sounds are quite phenomenal Reasons to avoid – There are monitors better suited to non-electronic music production If you’ve ever stepped foot inside the studio domain of an electronic music producer, the chances are you’re familiar with the famous yellow speaker cones of KRK.
The Rokit series – now in its fourth generation – is the Gibson-owned brand’s affordable nearfield range, and has a selection of neat features which make it worthy of note. In-built digital signal processing (DSP) offers a suite of tools, including a room analyser, to ensure the speakers’ output compensates the space you’re mixing in for any dead-zones or sonic blind spots you may be unwittingly harbouring. Available in 40, 50 and 65 flavours, the latter of which we’re reviewing here, the Shapes, from Focal, now sit between their budget-friendly Alpha series and the Solo6 Be – another 6.5″ two-way monitor – in terms of price.
The main speaker cabinet is black-painted MDF with a luxurious walnut veneer, appearing less ‘studio spaceship’ and more ‘hi- connoisseur’ – in fact, they’d look just as at home in a domestic cinema setup as in a production environment. They come with tiltable Iso-Pod rubber stands attached, simultaneously taking care of axis angle and transmission reduction. HEDD Audio Type 20 Best high-end all-rounder studio monitors Specifications Price: $1,999/£1,499/€1,719 (single) Frequency response: 32 Hz – 50 kHz Speaker configuration: 3-way Driver size: 7.2″, 4″, 1″ Tweeter type: Air Motion Transformer Inputs: XLR, RCA Powered: Yes (300w) Digital connectivity: HEDD Bridge, Dante, AES67 TODAY’S BEST DEALS Check Thomann Check Plugin Boutique Reasons to buy + Sharp stereo image + Enormous bottom-end + Great all-rounder Reasons to avoid – Expensive but competitive
With a frequency response of 32Hz to 50kHz, their front-ported three-way design (7.2” woofer, 4” midrange driver and 1” ‘Air Motion Transformer’ tweeter) kicks out a scrumptious full-range presentation that completely blew us away. IK Multimedia iLoud MTM The best all-rounder monitors for home studios Specifications Price: $349/£369/€349 (single) Frequency response: 40 Hz to 24 kHz Speaker configuration: 2-Way/3-speakers bi-amped Driver size: 3.5″ x2, 1″ tweeter Tweeter type: low distortion, back chambered silk dome Inputs: 1x combo XLR-1/4” TRS balanced input; 1/8” TS ARC microphone input Powered: Yes (LF power: 70w RMS, HF power: 30w RMS) Digital connectivity: 1 x USB type-B (service use only), input for omnidirectional, mems based precision measurement microphone DSP: Yes (tuned bass reflex) Calibration: Yes (fully automatic and built-in digital calibration, microphone included) TODAY’S BEST DEALS £298 View at Thomann £315 View at Thomann Low Stock £359 View at Gear 4 Music Reasons to buy + Affordable and compact + In-built calibration system + Perfect for home studios Reasons to avoid – Possibly lost in a large control room IK’s latest addition to its growing monitor range, the iLoud MTMs are crammed with tech that belies their relatively low price point. The ‘MTM’ bit refers to the D’Appolito configuration, which, in this case, places a 1” tweeter in between two 3.5” mid-range woofers, with a bass reflex port around the back.
The MTMs are clinical and brutally ‘honest’ and take imaging to a level that we’d expect to hear from monitors costing three times as much. Subtle mid/high details that previously went unnoticed become perfectly audible, making corrective targeting of individual elements within the mix almost supernaturally easy.
For those with limited desk space, or seeking a surgical secondary pair to their main ‘fun’ monitors, the iLoud MTM really is a truly incredible solution. Of course, times have changed and even modern entry-level monitors will do a job, but the appeal of owning a piece of genuine studio history is strong. The compact 3.5” (BX3) and 4.5” (BX4) Kevlar LF drivers and 1” silk dome tweeter offer a surprisingly good bass response and precise high-end frequencies – especially considering the price. Output Frontier A very stylish set of monitors Specifications Price: $1,399/£1,259 Frequency response: 45Hz to 25kHz Speaker configuration: 2-way Driver size: 6.5″ woofer, 1″ tweeter Tweeter type: Coaxial aluminum alloy Inputs: 1x RCA, 1x XLR/ Jack Powered: Yes (100W) Digital connectivity: No TODAY’S BEST DEALS Check Thomann Check Plugin Boutique Reasons to buy + Built in conjunction with Barefoot Audio + Stylish modern look + Fantastic mid-range detail
The release of the Frontier nearfield loudspeaker sees Output enter the studio monitors arena, with a little help from their friends over at Barefoot Sound. The 6.5”/1.25” coaxial aluminium alloy drivers offer a superbly flat response which is usually reserved for a much higher-end speaker – it makes sense when you consider it was designed with Thomas Barefoot himself!
Fluid Audio FX8 The best value studio monitor speakers with a coaxial design Specifications Price: $249/£299/€399 (single) Frequency response: 35 Hz – 22 kHz Speaker configuration: 2-way Driver size: 8″, 1″ Tweeter type: Silk dome Inputs: XLR, 1/4″ TRS, RCA Powered: Yes (woofer 80w, tweeter 50w) Digital connectivity: None TODAY’S BEST DEALS Check Thomann Check Plugin Boutique Reasons to buy + Sharp imaging + Plenty of power + Comprehensive input options Reasons to avoid – No EQ control – There’s a newer model available Clarity of sound is very good across the frequency range and the 8-inch woofers, combined with the port, will give you plenty of bottom-end; although if you think it’s too much for your situation, there’s no bass cut facility to help sort it. This new model includes a new contoured baffle enclosure design, a 30mm silk dome tweeter in a coaxial configuration for improved off-axis response, boundary control EQ switches to enhance mixing in different spaces, plus Class-D amplification which makes for cleaner, more reliable power.
Mackie XR624 The best value mid-range 2-way monitors Specifications Price: $399/£386/€399 (single) Frequency response: 45 Hz – 22 kHz Speaker configuration: 2-way Driver size: 6.5″, 1″ Tweeter type: Black anodised aluminium Inputs: XLR, 1/4″ TRS Powered: Yes (woofer 100W, tweeter 60W) Digital connectivity: None TODAY’S BEST DEALS Check Thomann Check Plugin Boutique Reasons to buy + Excellent build quality + Effective onboard EQ + Bespoke foam isolation pads Reasons to avoid – Bass extension not as good as XR824
A sister product to the original single-box iLoud, this two-speaker setup is billed as “the smallest active studio reference monitoring system in the world,” and is designed to be used in small “makeshift” working spaces. Adam Audio T5V Affordable nearfield monitors that are great for small rooms Specifications Price: $199/£298/€339 (pair) Frequency response: 45 Hz – 20 kHz Speaker configuration: 2-way Driver size: 5″, 4″ Tweeter type: Ribbon Inputs: RCA, XLR Powered: Yes (50W) Digital connectivity: None TODAY’S BEST DEALS £289 View at Gear 4 Music Check Thomann Check Plugin Boutique Reasons to buy + Clear precise top end with EQ adjustment if required + Sensible choice of inputs for either balanced or unbalanced connection + Compact footprint for 5” monitor Reasons to avoid – Rear mounted power LED a bit pointless
The electrical signals coming out of a home studio mixer or audio interface are fairly weak, which means monitors need the help of an amplifier. If you opt for active monitors, they usually feature jack, XLR, phono, digital and/or USB connections, which are designed to be hooked straight into your audio interface or computer.
5 of the Best Bluetooth Speakers for Musicians
At about the size of a larger paperback novel, it has the low-end clarity of a top-rate home studio reference speaker and enough raw power (40 Watts!)
The 21 Best Indoor Bluetooth Speakers for Every Home
The best Bluetooth speakers used to be relegated to small, portable music players with often subpar sound, but the market has exploded in recent years. Or maybe a multi-room array like the systems Sonos specializes in, so you can wake up, brush your teeth, eat breakfast, and head into your home office, all without missing a single measure of Pharaoh Sanders’ life-giving melodies. For listeners leery of Bluetooth’s audio quality—and it’s true that the technology uses lossy codecs, though many won’t notice the difference—a growing number of products connect directly over your wifi network to utilize Apple’s higher-resolution AirPlay system. Emily Lazar, a Grammy-winning engineer who has mastered records for Haim, Vampire Weekend, Clairo, Beck, and more, likes the Sonos One for its sound and versatility.
The Best Bluetooth and Wireless Speakers for 2021
Big, small, portable, expensive, cheap, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi…the sheer amount of choice can seem overwhelming. Bluetooth is a point-to-point wireless system, pairing a transmitter (your phone or computer) with a receiver (your speaker) to play music.
It’s very direct and easy to set up, and can stream pretty high-quality music thanks to technological advancements that have greatly improved audio fidelity over what it was a few years ago.
It can also integrate into your home network, so you can easily play audio from any device connected to your Wi-Fi without pairing anything. It’s worth noting that the new Sonos Move supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth streaming, so compatibility isn’t an issue at all. With some exceptions, any speaker you pick up at an electronics store will be able to stream audio either over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.
They let you easily stream from your iPhone or iPad at better quality than Bluetooth, but if you’re an Android user, you won’t find much utility in it. Like Chromecast, setting up multi-room Echo audio is performed through the same app as your voice assistant and smart home devices, only it’s all Alexa instead of Google.
These usually aren’t as complex or robust as Wi-Fi multi-room systems, but they’re a simple option that can provide an alternative to using your home network to stream music. Larger speakers generally offer fuller sound and richer bass, but they can be more expensive and are often not portable. For a speaker to be portable, it needs to both be small and light enough to easily carry around, and be equipped with a battery so it can run without being plugged in. Since Wi-Fi speakers rely on a separate network to enable multi-speaker and multi-room audio playback, they’re rarely portable.
Look for speakers with IPX ratings and guarantees of water and shock resistance if you want to carry them around to the beach, the lake, the slopes, or the sewers. Our guide to IP ratings explains what those numbers mean, so you can know whether your speaker can handle getting dunked in the pool, or if it simply will stay intact in a light drizzle.
Big bass isn’t for everyone, but unless your speaker is downright tiny, it should be able to reproduce low frequencies accurately without distorting at high volumes. Clarity is more important than sheer power, and a balanced, clean sound should be your goal when shopping for a speaker. They also generally support third-party skills that let you do anything from order pizza to play trivia games. The most prominent first-party voice assistant speakers like the Amazon Echo and the Google Home don’t have batteries.
Don’t be afraid to look for similar speakers to the ones on this list, either; a number of the options included here have solid predecessors that you can now find for much less since they’ve been replaced.
Best wireless speakers 2021: wonderful wi-fi speakers for the home
When it comes to driver-housing sonic boxes (cylinders, oblongs, spheres, wedges, jewels and teardrops) if you just want something for blasting out tunes in the kitchen, there are now some splendid options out there for little money. But if you need a wi-fi speaker for home with a bit more versatility and have a slightly more malleable budget, you can get a whole host of features plus better sound and multi-room capabilities for marginally (or substantially) more outlay. That means they’ll be at your beck and call when it comes to shopping, weather forecasts or taking charge of smart home appliances including your lights and thermostat. Specifications Dimensions: HxWxD (cm): 13.8 × 26.9 × 4.7cm Power: : 2 x 25W Features: Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX, apt X HD, USB-out for device charging, battery life of 30 hours Connections: 3.5mm aux, dedicated mains charging port and adapter with UK, EU and US adapter plugs TODAY’S BEST DEALS £299 View at Richer Sounds £299 View at Peter Tyson Low Stock £329 View at Audio Visual Online Reasons to buy + Excellent clarity + Impressive bass weight + Classy build and finish Reasons to avoid – No daisy-chaining for multiple Katch G2s
Audio Pro Addon C10 MkII Audio Pro adds Google Cast and AirPlay 2 to a winning recipe Specifications Dimensions: HxWxD (cm): 16.6 x 32 x 18cm Power: 2x20W + 40W Digital class D Features: wi-fi, multi-room, Bluetooth, Spotify Connect, Apple AirPlay 2 Connections: RCA, sub out TODAY’S BEST DEALS £349 View at Electricshop Prime £349.62 View at Amazon £359 View at Richer Sounds Reasons to buy + Levelled-up streaming support + Greater clarity + Cleaner and tighter bass Reasons to avoid – Lacks the fun of the original The 2021 update (sensibly titled MkII) to the three-time Award-winning Audio Pro C10 (also listed, below) adds AirPlay 2 and Google Cast to complete a multi-room home run and gain a 2021 What Hi-Fi?
We’re happy to report that it’s still the case today – if £500 ($500) is your maximum budget, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a speaker that comes close to the Audio Pro C10 MkII. We miss the leather handle and fun, slightly rock’n’roll aesthetic and sonic presentation of the original, but we can’t argue with three options for multi-room streaming (AirPlay 2, Google Chromecast and Audio Pro’s own slick and functional app) or the levelled-up grippy bass and improved hi-fidelity performance.
Apple HomePod Mini Apple’s new Siri-powered smart speaker is small but mighty Specifications Dimensions: HxWxD (cm): 8.4 x 9.8 x 9.8 Power: 20W Features: Bluetooth 5.0, Siri, Apple Music, AirPlay 2, music over wi-fi Connections: None TODAY’S BEST DEALS £89 View at John Lewis £89 View at argos.co.uk £99 View at O2 Mobiles Reasons to buy + Sophisticated, engaging sound + Substantial smart skills + Impressive music discovery Reasons to avoid – Limited third-party service support – Lacks a full control app Get its swirling orb of coloured light up and running (when Siri is listening or processing) though, and you realise you’ve got a classy performer on your hands. From the moment we start playing music, it’s clear that the HomePod Mini comfortably outperforms its size and price, quite frankly embarrassing its direct competition with the sophistication and maturity of its sound. Naim Mu-so Qb 2nd Generation Just a few tweaks make for a superb second version Specifications Dimensions: HxWxD (cm): 21 x 22 x 21 Power: : 300W Features: Apple AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Tidal, Roon Ready, Hi-res up to 24-bit/384kHz, remote control Connections: 3.5mm aux, USB, optical S/PDIF, Ethernet TODAY’S BEST DEALS £749 View at Sevenoaks £749 View at Richer Sounds Prime £1,519 View at Amazon Reasons to buy + Open, detailed and expressive + Loads of streaming options + Multi-room ready Reasons to avoid – Nothing at this price
You can now choose between an Olive, Terracotta or Peacock grille alongside the standard black, but the best tweaks Naim has made go far deeper. Remove whatever colour grille you’ve gone for and you’ll be rewarded with upgraded and optimised midrange and bass drive units, all powered by a total of 300W of amplification. Belying its box-like dimensions with a punchy bass alongside sparkling and rich tones across frequencies, the Mu-so Qb 2nd Generation scooped up a 2020 What Hi-Fi?
Linn Series 3 The best-sounding wireless speaker we’ve heard Specifications Dimensions: HxWxD (cm):25 x 29.6 x 20.6 Power: : 2x100W Features: Wireless integrated Linn DSM player, Exakt digital crossover Connections: Ethernet, USB, HDMI ARC TODAY’S BEST DEALS £2,690 View at Peter Tyson £2,999.99 View at Selfridges Check Amazon Reasons to buy + Wonderfully articulate + Luxury design + HDMI ARC for TV connection Reasons to avoid – No analogue inputs – No Tidal Masters support
Bowers & Wilkins Formation Wedge This wireless speaker beats the competition by some distance Specifications Dimensions: HxWxD (cm):25.4 x 28 x 26 Power: : 4x40W + 80W Features: proprietary mesh-system wi-fi, multi-room, Bluetooth v4.1 aptX HD, Spotify Connect, Apple AirPlay2, Roon ready Connections: Ethernet, USB TODAY’S BEST DEALS £749 View at Richer Sounds £899 View at Sevenoaks Check Amazon Reasons to buy + Detailed, balanced sound + Multi-room integration + Quality build Reasons to avoid – Limited B&W app – Expensive Yes, it’s pretty expensive for a one-box proposition, but the B&W Formation Wedge offers the kind of detailed, balanced, cohesive sound that cannot be ignored – making it a class-leader in its category.
It has the same minimalist looks that the Scandinavian company is known for, complete with textured surfaces and embossed leather carry handle, but the wireless tech adds a whole new dimension to your listening. JBL Link Portable For a great, affordable, durable home smart speaker, you’ll be hard-pushed to find a product that can match JBL’s Link Portable Specifications Dimensions: HxWxD (cm): 17 x 8.8 x 8.8 Power: 20W Features: waterproof, Bluetooth v4.2, Google Assistant built-in, Chromecast, AirPlay 2, music over wi-fi Connections: 3.5 mm stereo TODAY’S BEST DEALS £139.99 View at Acer UK Check Amazon Reasons to buy + Expansive sound + Packed with features + Premium design Reasons to avoid – No JBL Connect support – Fussy over placement Dynaudio Music 5 A superb sonic performance from a distinctive speaker Specifications Dimensions: HxWxD (cm): 20 x 66 x 18.5 Power: 250W Features: 2x 25mm tweeters, 2x 8cm midrange, 13cm woofer, multi-room options, NoiseAdapt, RoomAdapt Connections: mains power, analogue audio jack, Toslink optical digital audio TODAY’S BEST DEALS Check Amazon Reasons to buy + Expansive, weighty and accurate + Great for larger rooms + Top-notch build Reasons to avoid – No AirPlay 2 – No Spotify Connect Love or loathe the way it looks, (think huge, Indiana Jones-style ruby or the objects in the abstract chamber in Pixar’s Inside Out) we can’t help but be won over by how the Dynaudio Music 5 sounds.
While the Award-winning Naim (above) just edges it for both subtlety and a slightly livelier sound, there isn’t much in it – and the Dynaudio Music 5 boasts superiority in other ways. Depending on your room size and requirements, the Dynaudio Music 5 brings a meatier – and more easily adaptable – performance to the table.
Bowers & Wilkins Formation Duo Wonderfully accomplished, sophisticated wireless speakers Specifications Dimensions: HxWxD (cm): 39.5 x 19.7 x 30.5 Power: 2x 125W per unit Features: Bluetooth aptX HD, wi-fi, multi-room, Spotify Connect, Apple Airplay 2 Connections: USB, Ethernet TODAY’S BEST DEALS £3,499 View at Sevenoaks £3,499.99 View at John Lewis Check Amazon Reasons to buy + Excellent multi-room features + Snappy timing + Tight, authoritative bass + Transparent performance Reasons to avoid – No fully featured app They’re not cheap and the aesthetic won’t appeal to everyone, but if you want a wireless pair of standmounts that nothing comes close to right now in terms of sound, you’ve just found them.
The multi-room feature set, while not perfect (we’d prefer a single app to handle every function), is more than made up for by the superb audio performance. This is actually an all-in-one system, comprising a network streamer, Bluetooth receiver and amplifier, all built into a pair of stereo speakers.
A Sonos One without voice control is still a great wireless speaker, whether stereo paired, added to a home theatre set-up or used solo. KEF LS50 Wireless II KEF’s revisions have paid off; these sequels are among the most thrilling speaker systems we’ve heard Specifications Hi-res support: 24-bit/384kHz Streaming services: Spotify Connect, Tidal, Google Chromecast, Qobuz, Deezer, Roon ready Bluetooth: 4.2 with aptX Inputs: USB, TOSLINK optical, RCA, ethernet, HDMI eARC Finishes: 4 Dimensions: 30.5 x 20 x 31.1cm (each) Weight: 10kg (each) TODAY’S BEST DEALS £2,499 View at Sevenoaks Prime £2,499 View at Amazon £2,499 View at Richer Sounds Reasons to buy + Big performance leap + Clean, punchy sound + All-encompassing connectivity Reasons to avoid – Nothing at this price Tidal is one of many streaming services directly accessible from the new KEF Connect app – you have Amazon Music, Qobuz, Deezer and Spotify, as well as internet radio and UPnP servers, at your fingertips too. Their Uni-Q driver array, beautiful Carbon Black, Titanium Grey, Mineral White and Crimson Red Special Edition finishes, and curved front panel all combine to create a thorough head turner – and really, they ought to be.
Audio Pro Addon T3 Another compelling wireless speaker from Audio Pro Specifications Dimensions: HxWxD (cm): 11.5 x 21.5 x 13.5 Power: 2x 5W + 15W Digital class D Features: Bluetooth V4.0 Connections: 3.5mm stereo, USB TODAY’S BEST DEALS £179 View at Currys Check Amazon 411 Amazon customer reviews ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reasons to buy + Good balance + Expressive and dynamic + Faultless build Reasons to avoid – Size won’t suit everyone The bass, made feasible by that larger chassis, doesn’t ruin the balance, instead it does just what it should, offering extra stability. And that is where the upgrade on something such as the Roll 2 is justified – the noticeable leap in audio quality will have you enjoying music much more readily than on a smaller speaker. The soundstage is gloriously spacious, giving each instrument enough room to breathe, and the sound is bathed in rich detail and fluid dynamics.
Although we’re prepared to give it some good-natured ribbing for an aesthetic that abandons the dashing handsomeness of other Audio Pro speakers, the Drumfire is put together very well. The big bottom portion of the Drumfire houses a 20cm subwoofer powered by a 200W Class D amplifier to pump bass into the room. Add in multi-room connectivity and the option to extend the Audio Pro family and you have an enticing, excellent high-end speaker. The multi-room titan’s first travel-friendly speaker (the 2019 Sonos Move is technically portable but weighs a hefty 3kg to the Roam’s 430g) isn’t short on connectivity or features. Specifications Hi-res support: 24-bit/96kHz Streaming services: N/A Bluetooth: 4.0 with aptX Inputs: RCA, 3.5mm, optical digital Finishes: 2 Dimensions: 26 x 17 x 15cm (each) Weight: 4kg (each) TODAY’S BEST DEALS Check Amazon 4 Amazon customer reviews ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reasons to buy + Detailed, agile sonics + Spacious soundstage + Plenty of features Reasons to avoid – Don’t feel premium – Bluetooth issues – Pricey With Bluetooth, a 3.5mm headphone jack, compatibility with TVs, and an optical input that supports 24-bit/96kHZ files, you’re not short of choice when it comes to sources you can add.
You’re also spoiled when it comes to placement – the Xeo 10s have a switch that optimises their performance depending on where you put them, be it close to a wall, in a corner or out in open space. DSP and analogue combine to great effect in these wireless wonders, and there are some nice design flourishes to show off (such as the ability to change volume by running your finger along the front edge of the top panel).
To get the most from them, you’ll need Dali’s Sound Hub, which is basically a wireless preamp that adds Tidal, Qobuz and Deezer music streaming, plus Bluetooth. It won’t leave you disappointed – the sound is dripping with drive and energy, while the bass has plenty of precision, agility and texture.
The best wireless speaker 2021: our top picks from Sonos, Bose, Google, and more
The best wireless speakers in 2021 come in a huge range of shapes and sizes, from compact voice assistant-enabled desk buddies right through to big multi-room models that’ll fill your home with sound. Sonos One The best wireless speaker you can buy Specifications Weight: 4.08 lbs Dimensions: 6.36 x 4.69 x 4.69 inch / 161.45 x 119.7 x 119.7 mm Drivers: 1 x tweeters, 1 x woofer Supported Connectivity: AirPlay, Bluetooth 4.2, Google Cast, Spotify Connect, 3.5mm, RCA Aux-in: Yes USB: No TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Amazon View at Best Buy View at Walmart 2 Amazon customer reviews ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reasons to buy + Full-bodied, rich sound + Alexa and Google Assistant + Combine two for stereo setup Reasons to avoid – Expensive for its size Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin (2021) The best wireless speaker for a detailed sound Specifications Weight: 6.5kg Dimensions: 210 x 650 x 194mm (H x W x D) Drivers: 2 x 1-inch tweeters, 2 x 3.5-inch midrange, 1 x 6-inch subwoofer Supported Connectivity: AirPlay, Bluetooth 5, Spotify Connect, Bowers & Wilkins Music App (with Deezer, Qobuz and TIDAL support) Aux-in: No USB: No TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Crutchfield View at Amazon Reasons to buy + Balanced, detailed, full-range sound + Very acceptable control app Reasons to avoid – Not quite the stereo separation we were led to expect – Would suit an HDMI input nicely While it isn’t a substitute for an actual pair of stereo speakers, the Zeppelin serves up a wide, well-defined and endlessly engaging sound, no matter the genre of music.
Sonos Play:5 The best-sounding wireless speaker from Sonos Specifications Weight: 13.8lbs Dimensions: 8.03 x 14.33 x 6.06 inch / 204 x 364 x 154 mm Drivers: 3 x tweeters, 1 x woofer Supported Connectivity: AirPlay, Bluetooth 4.2, Google Cast, Spotify Connect, 3.5mm, RCA Aux-in: Yes USB: No TODAY’S BEST DEALS Check Amazon 288 Amazon customer reviews ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reasons to buy + Easy to setup + Powerful sound Reasons to avoid – Simple design – Too big for some spaces Pure Evoke C-F6 The best wireless speaker with a radio Specifications Weight: 9.2lbs Dimensions: 14.9 x 5.7 x 8.7 inch / 380 x 145 x 223 mm Drivers: 2 x 3″ full range Supported Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Aux-in: Yes USB: No TODAY’S BEST DEALS Check Amazon Reasons to buy + Modest and attractive design + Incredible playback options + Built-in radio Reasons to avoid – No Google Cast support There’s a dazzling array of audio source options on offer here, with the biggest draws being Spotify Connect, DAB, Internet radio, Bluetooth and old faithful CD playback. Sonos Roam The best Bluetooth speaker that comes with Wi-Fi Specifications Weight: 0.95lbs Dimensions: 6.5 x 2.5 x 2.5 inch / 168 x 60 x 62 mm Drivers: One tweeter, one mid-woofer Supported connectivity: Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5 Aux-in: No USB : Yes (USB-C) TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Crutchfield View at Walmart Prime View at Amazon Reasons to buy + Powerful audio performance + Easily portable design + Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Reasons to avoid – Bass can be overwhelming
The Sonos Roam is our pick for the best Bluetooth speaker on the planet, with a powerful sound, rugged design, excellent connectivity features, and smart home control.
A bass-heavy audio performance makes it ideal for use outdoors, while a clever Automatic Switching feature means it’s easily used indoors, too – though audiophiles may dislike the overwhelming low frequencies and rhythmic handling. Its slick design means the Sonos Roam won’t look out of place in your home, while a rugged, waterproof and dustproof build and a decent battery life make it ideal for listening to music outdoors. Naim Mu-So Qb The best wireless speaker for stylish homes Specifications Weight: 12.3lbs Dimensions: 8.26 x 8.58 x 8.24 / 210 x 218 x 212 mm Drivers: 1 x Woofer, 2 x Mid-range, 2 x Tweeter, 2 x Passive Radiator Supported Connectivity: UPnP, AirPlay, Spotify Connect, Bluetooth aptX Aux-in: Yes USB: Yes TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Walmart Check Amazon 122 Amazon customer reviews ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reasons to buy + Amazing looks + Full and vibrant sound + Small form factor Reasons to avoid – Setup isn’t seamless
You might not have heard of it before, but Naim audio is a company that produces some of the most stylish connected speakers in the business, and we think the Mu-So Qb is the best they’ve put out yet. But even if you don’t have your phone in hand, this wireless speaker is still controllable using its sleek touch-screen which allows you to access internet radio stations, for example. Sonos Arc The best wireless speaker for your TV Specifications Weight: 24.6lbs Dimensions: 3.4 x 45 x 4.5 inch / 1141.7 x 87 x 115.7mm Drivers: 11 high quality drivers Supported Connectivity: Apple AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi Aux-in: No USB: No TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Best Buy View at Walmart Prime View at Amazon Reasons to buy + Dolby Atmos, TrueHD and Dolby Digital Plus + Discrete all-in-one soundbar + Amazing surround sound and music playback Reasons to avoid – Doesn’t suit every room
It then enhances the 3D soundscape using Dolby Atmos object tracks to bounce certain sounds off the walls around you so they feel like they’re coming at you from all angles. While all this might sound complicated, the Sonos Arc setup couldn’t be simpler, involving just a couple of steps on the smartphone app. The minimalist cable connections and all-in-one system construction add to this no-fuss feeling and streamlined aesthetic – making it the best soundbar you can buy in 2021 that doubles up as a fantastic wireless speaker for your TV.
Google Home Max The best Google Assistant home speaker Specifications Weight: 7lbs Dimensions: 13 x 7.3 x 5.9 inch / 335 x 187 x 150 mm Drivers: 2x Tweeters, 2x Woofers Supported Connectivity: DLNA, Spotify Connect, Bluetooth, USB, 3.5mm Aux-in: Yes USB: Yes TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Bed Bath & Beyond View at Musician’s Friend Check Amazon Reasons to buy + Sounds incredible + Google Cast built-in + Bluetooth compatible Reasons to avoid – Better sounding speakers are available KEF LS50 Wireless II The best stereo wireless speakers Specifications Weight: 44.31lbs Dimensions: 12 x 7.9 x 12.2 inch / 305 x 200 x 311 mm Drivers: Uni-Q Driver Array, low frequency aluminium cone, high frequency vented aluminium dome with Metamaterial Absorption Technology Supported connectivity : Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2, Google Chromecast, ROON Ready, UPnP Compatible.
Add to this a vastly improved app, the ability to adjust the EQ settings, and blissfully easy setup, and you have yourself a pair of stereo speakers that can really do no wrong in our eyes. Marshall Stanmore The best speaker for rock lovers Specifications Weight: 10.3lbs Dimensions: 13.8 x 7.3 x 7.3 inch / 350 x 185 x 185 mm Drivers: 2x Mid-to-high range, 1x Woofer Supported Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth aptX, USB, Toslink/3.5mm Aux-in: Yes USB: Yes TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Verishop Prime View at Amazon Prime View at Amazon 2 Amazon customer reviews ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reasons to buy + Lots of connectivity options + Great retro design Reasons to avoid – Big heavy build – Pricey compared to better-sounding options The Amazon Echo Studio is an impressive offering – a smart-speaker and Dolby Atmos immersive sound home cinema unit, all in one tidy package. Some of its experiments with upmixing stereo sources can sound a bit confused, but it’s otherwise a very powerful, feature-rich smart speaker – especially considering the price.
But that’s a huge expense, and not practical for all living room arrangements, making the powerful Echo Studio an impressive value option. [Update: We’ve just reviewed the Amazon Echo Show 10, which comes with a rotating screen and can double up as a home security camera.] Apple HomePod mini The best wireless speaker for Siri Specifications Weight: 0.76lbs Dimensions: 3.3 x 3.9 x 3.9 inch / 8.43 x 9.79 x 9.79 cm Drivers: Full-range driver and dual passive radiators for deep bass and crisp high frequencies Supported connectivity : Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5, AirPlay Aux-in: No USB: No TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Walmart View at Best Buy View at Staples Reasons to buy + Incredible sound + Sleek design + Only smart speaker with Siri built-in Reasons to avoid – Needs Apple Music for full function – Small number of compatible smart home devices Braun LE01 The best one-box hi-fi system Specifications Weight: N/A Dimensions: 27.5 x 10.6 x 3.89 inch / 700 x 271 x 99mm Drivers: 3 x front-firing drivers, 2 x passive radiators and 3 x class D amplifiers Supported connectivity : Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2, AirPlay, Chromecast Aux-in: Yes USB: No TODAY’S BEST DEALS Check Amazon Reasons to buy + Refined sound and build quality + Apple AirPlay 2 and Chromecast streaming Reasons to avoid – Needs to be set up using Google Home – Basic app
That’s a good thing, because the LE01 smart speaker comes with only Bluetooth 4.2; there’s no sign of aptX hi-res audio streaming. The Devialet Phantom I is a continuation of the French audio brand’s iconic range of wireless speakers, which come with powerful side-firing bass reflex ports that pulse in time to your music.
The sound is nothing short of outstanding, and a good range of connectivity options and an easy-to-use app make the Phantom I easy to recommend – if you have a lot of money to spare, that is. This speaker packs a real punch, presenting a powerful, immersive sound, thumping bass, smooth mids and detailed trebles. If you’re looking for room-filling sound, check out models that feature 360-degree grilles and disperse audio at all angles; the Amazon Echo Studio or the Sonos One are good places to start.
The Best Portable Speakers For Music Production – Producer Society
For that reason, I would argue that it’s best to either have a very small speaker system, or high-quality headphones like the Audio Technica ATH-M50x or Beyerdynamic’s DT 990 PROs. When it comes to purchasing a compact speaker system to take on the road, I couldn’t recommend IK Multimedia’s iLoud Micro Monitors from Amazon enough. The iLoud Micro Monitors from IK Multimedia are the best portable speakers for music production on the market right now due to their size and overall quality and price. Thus far, similar to PianoForAll which I believe is the best way to learn piano for music production, the iLoud Micro Monitors have received stellar reviews right across the board from everyone who has either used them in the past or is still using them today.
Due to their small-size and subtle design, it’s easy to pack these speakers into a bag and take them on the road with you, and, as I mentioned already, they also have the option for Bluetooth if the situation calls for it. Admittedly, I’m not a big fan of BlueTooth speakers for music production (with the exception of the Audio Technica ATH-M50xBT from Amazon) due to latency issues which I’ve discussed elsewhere on the site and also the loss in fidelity, but the option is there.
The Bluetooth option is great if you want to hook them up quickly without plugging everything in, moreover, you can connect other devices to it as well. I find the Bluetooth connection comes in handy for when I want to sit somewhere else in my room with my laptop (by the way, this is the MacBook Pro I recommend from Amazon).
Despite their relatively small size, the IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitors have a pretty good reputation for creating stellar audio.
Some people might argue that the iLoud Micro Monitors aren’t meant to be the primary speakers in your home studio, but I honestly feel they’re good enough to serve that purpose. They’re meant primarily for people working in a small room, or for those of us who are traveling and creating music on the go. In the case that you want the slightly bigger and louder version of these speakers, IK Multimedia has the STM monitors on Amazon which will serve this purpose perfectly.
As audio engineers may know but beginners may not, studio monitors are meant to sound accurate, rather than good. These speakers are perfect for what they’re supposed to do: offer an accurate sonic image of the music so we can make informed decisions in the mixing process. While they might not have the lowest lows, they’re still capable of hitting much lower frequencies despite how small they are, which is really impressive considering their size.
The mid-range, arguably the most important part, is clear and without any mud or obfuscation, to the point where you can listen for a long time and you won’t become exhausted.
However, regardless of the brand of speaker monitors, ear fatigue is inevitable at some point, usually after 2-3 hours of listening. The detail of the mid-range on these speakers are worth mentionning because imperfections in the mix are really going to jump out at you, which is ultimately what you’re after when choosing a pair of studio monitors.
With that said, they’re going to work just fine for higher frequencies, and you won’t feel limited because there is enough detail to get everything done efficiently and with accuracy. Depending on how you want them to sit, either elevated slightly or completely flat on your desk, there is an EQ switch that compensates for this change in positioning. Interestingly, the iLoud Micro Monitors have the same look as some of the speakers that used to come with desktop computers around twenty years ago. In summary, the structure of the speakers isn’t affecting the natural sound quality of the room. They’re not made out of wood like other studio monitor cabinets, but you don’t have to worry about these breaking or falling apart on you. Then go into your computer’s system preferences, select Bluetooth, and the iLouds will show up in the menu along with the “Connect” button.
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