Speakers: The SpeakersMag Buying Guide

Bookshelf, floorstanding or in-wall

Bookshelf speakers use a smaller cabinet and typically a two-driver design. They disappear into a room, work well on stands either side of a television, and suit rooms up to roughly twenty square metres. What they give up is deep bass, which a subwoofer can restore.

Floorstanders carry more drivers and more cabinet volume, so they reach lower without help and hold their composure at volume in bigger rooms. They need breathing space behind and to the sides, so they are a poor fit for a room where the sofa is against the back wall.

Active versus passive

Passive speakers need an external amplifier, which means an extra box and extra cost, but also complete freedom to upgrade either half later. This is still the standard route for hi-fi and home cinema.

Active speakers have amplification built into the cabinet, matched by the designer to the drivers. They are simpler, often cheaper overall, and tend to be the better buy for desktops, small rooms and anyone who does not want a rack of equipment.

Sensitivity and impedance in plain English

Sensitivity, quoted in decibels, tells you how loud a speaker plays for a given input. A higher-sensitivity speaker gets louder from a modest amplifier, which matters if you are pairing with a low-powered receiver.

Impedance, quoted in ohms, is the electrical load the speaker presents. Most home speakers are nominally 6 or 8 ohms and work with anything. A 4-ohm speaker demands more current, so check your amplifier is rated for it before you buy.

• Low-powered amplifier — prioritise higher sensitivity
• Large room or loud listening — prioritise cabinet size and driver area
• Nearfield or desktop listening — prioritise active speakers and imaging

Placement makes or breaks the result

Aim for an equilateral triangle between the two speakers and your listening seat, with tweeters near ear height when seated. Toe the speakers in slightly until vocals lock into the centre.

Distance from the wall changes the bass more than any tone control. Pulling speakers 20 to 30cm further into the room usually tightens the low end noticeably, and stands with proper mass stop bookshelf speakers smearing detail into the furniture.

Matching speaker type to room and use

Buying checklist

• Measure the room and how far the seat sits from the speakers before choosing size
• Check your amplifier's minimum impedance if you are drawn to 4-ohm speakers
• Budget for stands with bookshelf speakers — they are not optional
• Leave 20cm or more between the cabinet back and the wall where you can
• Set tweeters at seated ear height and toe in until the centre image locks

Frequently asked questions

What makes a good speaker?

Even tonal balance across bass, midrange and treble, a cabinet rigid enough not to add its own colour, and drivers matched sensibly to your amplifier and room size. Specifications matter less than a design that suits the space you will use it in.

How much should I spend on speakers?

Spend the largest share of a system budget here, because speakers change the sound far more than sources or cables. Entry-level pairs handle casual listening well; the step up to mid-range brings the most audible improvement per pound.

Are bookshelf speakers good enough without a subwoofer?

For music and everyday television, usually yes. For films and games, adding a subwoofer restores the bottom octave a small cabinet cannot physically produce.

Do I need matching brands for surround sound?

Matching the front three speakers matters most, because dialogue and effects pan across them. Surrounds and subwoofers can come from a different brand without the join being obvious.

Does speaker cable make a difference?

Gauge and length do. Use a thicker gauge for long runs so resistance does not eat power. Beyond a sensible, well-terminated cable, the returns fall away sharply.

Can I use hi-fi speakers for a TV?

Yes, and they usually sound better than a soundbar. You need an amplifier or AV receiver with the right input, and a centre channel if you want dialogue anchored to the screen.