The best stereo speakers provide a complete home music system experience, combining the expansive sound of traditional passive speakers with the latest in (often wireless) tech. While classic hi-fi speakers that require separate components such as pre- and power amplifiers, NAS drives or turntables still have their place, modern stereo speakers in 2024 offer up more flexibility and convenience – many can even be used as mixed media speakers.
Even casual music enthusiasts will be amazed at how expansive, detailed, and true-to-life the best stereo speakers can sound. While we love the best wireless speakers, most deliver sound from a single unit, and audiophiles know that two dedicated hi-fi speakers provide a much richer audio experience. If you have room for a proper stereo speaker setup, especially larger floorstanding models, you'll enjoy more natural, textured, and agile sound. Plus, when it’s time to crank up the volume, these speakers won't disappoint.
We’ve tested each product in this guide, drawing on our experience with top audio brands like Dali, KEF, JBL, and Q Acoustics. This selection includes everything from compact bookshelf speakers – some of which also feature in our best computer speakers guide – to powerful, room-filling towers with built-in subwoofers.
I've reviewed over 150 audio products since becoming a tech journalist, ranging from super-budget earbuds to high-end Hi-Res Audio music players. Before joining TechRadar, I spent three years at What Hi-Fi? testing everything the world of audio had to offer; before that, I was a professional dancer. My love of music ties it all together.
Recent updates
December 3, 2024
Switched the Definitive Technology BP9080x for the Dali Rubikore 2 as our best all-around speakers pick based on our recent testing. Also added the Q Acoustics 3020c in place of the Klipsch RP-150M.
The best stereo speakers 2024: the list
To many an avid music fan, the Q Acoustics M40 HD's arrival will be akin to finding the holy grail: floorstanding speakers that neither take up much space (they're gloriously svelte) nor require separate amplifiers cluttering up your den. Built on the success of the excellent M20 HD (listed below, at no. 3 in this buying guide), the M40 HD take things all the way to the floor – and do an exceptional job at relaying your music, however you choose to listen.
These are powered speakers (there's a 'master', with amplification for both towers squirrelled inside it plus controls on the top plate, and a 'slave' speaker) that offer both wired and wireless connectivity options as well as hi-res audio capability through both the digital optical and USB-B inputs. 200 watts of power is more than enough for most households and you're also getting Q Acoustics' revered Continuous Curved Cone (C3) driver, plus aptX HD and aptX Adaptive over Bluetooth.
OK, some users will be disappointed to see the lack of wi-fi action or a control app, but there’s more than enough to be excited about for this money – and as far as the sound quality is concerned, they're a zealous and articulate listen, provided you give them a bit of room to operate and don’t position them too close to a rear wall.
Read our full Q Acoustics M40 HD review
The Dali Rubikore 2 are compact stand, shelf or furniture-mount loudspeakers. They show Dali’s commitment to making high-end audio technology more accessible. Incorporating advancements from Dali's eye-wateringly expensive Kore series, they aim to deliver premium sound quality at a more accessible price point.
These speakers are packed with features, including a 6.5-inch mid-bass driver utilizing Dali's Clarity Cone technology. A soft dome tweeter ensures precise high-frequency reproduction, while a rear-firing bass port with a continuous flare design contributes to deeper bass.
The Rubikore 2 has a sleek design with gently curved front and rear panels, available in four different finishes. Measuring 350 x 195 x 335 mm and weighing 10.5 kg each, the cabinets are braced, providing a solid and refined look and build.
In terms of sound, the Dali Rubikore 2 delivered impressive bass extension and tonal accuracy during our testing, offering a balanced and engaging listen we described as “consistently good fun” in our review. At times, the soundstage did lack some depth compared to rivals. Overall, the Rubikore 2 provides excellent value for anyone looking for high-quality audio in a compact form, which is why we’d rate them as our top all-rounder pick for most people looking for a flexible speaker system.
Read our full Dali Rubikore 2 review
The Q Acoustics M20 HD speakers from Q Acoustics are a good value option and also a solid choice if you’re looking to upgrade the audio on your TV but don’t want a soundbar. It’s certainly more versatile. They’re a pair of powered bookshelf speakers — one with a digital amplifier built-in — and they make for an easy-to-use and impressive-sounding audio solution for a living room, games room, bedroom or even a home office.
One drawback here is they’re not ‘wireless’ in the sense you may imagine. You do get Bluetooth streaming, but the M20 HD system involves significant cabling. In the box is a mains cable for the active speaker and a four-meter speaker cable for linking up the active and the passive speakers via binding posts on the reverse of each. The active speaker essentially powers the passive speaker.
However, this sound system is a fantastic all-rounder. As we wrote in our review, "the M20 HD is great at what it does." We also said: "If you’re as much into music as you are TV, the system’s warm digital sound, treble detail and balanced sound delivers an ideal all-round soundstage that’s as adept with Nirvana as it is with Netflix."
Read more: Q Acoustics M20 HD review
These little speakers have a pretty big price tag, but these aren't "just" a pair of speakers. There's HDMI ARC and USB-C, Ethernet, analogue and digital inputs here, and there's a pre-out for a subwoofer and CAT 5 for wiring a pair together. If you do decide to wire them up, you get up to 24-bit/384KHz and DSD256; wireless connection downsamples to 24-bit/48KHz.
The sound quality on offer from the KEF LSX II is spectacular, with rich mids, detailed highs and surprisingly punchy bass for speakers so small — and you can always use that subwoofer out if you need more low-end thump. Unless your source material is pretty poorly recorded or very low bitrate the sound here is immersive and incredibly enjoyable.
These aren't for filling massive rooms with sound, but if you want to turn a workstation into a high quality listening station these speakers will excite and delight no matter what kind of music you're listening to — and with five very distinct finishes they'll look great with any kind of décor too.
If we’re cutting to the chase here (and that is what this guide is for) then we’ll just go ahead and say the Ruark MR1 MkII is basically all gain, no pain. It’s small enough to sit happily on any remotely tidy desk, it’s built and finished to a standard that belies its fairly modest asking price (so pride of ownership is more-or-less guaranteed) and it sounds very accomplished indeed.
You've got aptX Bluetooth support here and don’t let the Ruark’s bijou size fool you – the MR1 MkII is all business. It sounds fuller, more open and more convincing than seems remotely likely. Given a fighting chance with some digital audio over Bluetooth or optical, the Ruark creates an open, quite spacious soundstage, with plenty of detail handed over and a very agreeable sense of clarity to its overall presentation.
'Musical’ might seem a redundant term when describing a pair of speakers when they’re playing music, but there are some alternatives that don’t sound anything like as musical as the MR1 MkII – it’s a revealing, confident and entertaining listen.
Read our full Ruark MR1 MkII review
The Q Acoustics 3020c speakers are part of the company's 3000c series, aiming to deliver high-quality sound at an affordable price. Available in four finishes, they feature braced, elegantly curved cabinets that are slightly longer than tall, with satin nickel driver surrounds and magnetically attached grilles for an upscale appearance.
Each speaker houses a 22mm decoupled soft dome tweeter and a 120mm mid/bass driver utilizing Q Acoustics' 'continuous curved cone' design, first seen in the brand’s higher-end models. A rear-facing bass reflex port enhances low-frequency response, and the speakers offer a frequency range of 60Hz to 30kHz. The rear panel includes a single pair of low-profile cable binding posts.
Measuring 279 x 175 x 281mm and weighing 5.5kg each, the 3020c speakers are compact yet sturdy. Their unconventional dimensions contribute to a rather distinctive look compared to rivals, and the build quality reflects some thoughtful design principles we rated in our review.
In performance, the 3020c speakers delivered an assertive and detailed sound during our testing, with impressive stereo focus and soundstage capabilities. While they may lack some low-end punch and dynamic power compared to rivals, our expert team found they provided an engaging and insightful listening experience, making them a strong contender in this affordable price range.
Read our full Q Acoustics 3020c review
Yes, the Apple HomePod mini is just one speaker. However, we think it deserves a place on our best stereo speakers list because pairing two of these compact devices can be an excellent alternative to buying a pricey home audio system.
It's worth mentioning here that the Apple HomePod Mini is optimized for use within the Apple ecosystem, so you'll need an Apple Music subscription to get the most out of this speaker. But we found that the sound you get for the price is pretty exceptional, even if it doesn't rival the larger speakers in this guide.
During our testing, we loved the sound of the Apple HomePod Mini. We wrote: "The audio performance is the key reason to buy the HomePod mini. It's excellent for a speaker that's so small, and it really feels like the right mix of value for money and sound quality. The bass isn't too heavy, vocals aren't lost in the mix, and when you pair two minis, the stereo experience is really immersive."
Overall, this is a great alternative if you're looking for a smart speaker and stereo speaker option that's a little more affordable than some of the luxury, audiophile-grade options on this list. Just be sure to get two for the most impact.
Read more: Apple HomePod Mini review
If you’re an audiophile and in the market for compact bookshelf speakers but don't want to sacrifice on sound quality, take a look at the Q Acoustics Concept 20 speakers.
These extremely low-profile bookshelf speakers are rich in sound from the low-mids to the crispy highs. Even with the amplifier cranked (to safe power levels) the sound never broke up into distortion and remained clear, not shrill. Of course, with any speakers this size, there wasn’t much bass below the low-mid range to speak of, but what was there was full without being muddy.
What could be seen as a pro for some and a con for others, the Q Acoustics Concept 20 speakers are passive and require an external amplifier.
For audiophiles, this is a great excuse to drop even more coin on a high fidelity amplifier to get the best possible sound out these already great speakers. For casual listeners, however, it can be an inconvenience to worry about amplification with what should be small and discreet bookshelf speakers.
After testing songs of every conceivable genre, it’s clear that the Q Acoustics Concept 20 speakers are up to just about any challenge. For those looking to fill out the living room with clear, crisp, Hi-Fi sound, these stereo speakers from Q Acoustics are a no-brainer.
Polk Audio makes quality stereo speakers that compete with the biggest name brands while keeping a lower price tag. Do these beautiful full range Polk Signature S60 towers stand up to the prowess of the Definite Technology BP9060x towers? Not exactly, but these are stellar speakers in their own right.
Polk’s passive signature series speakers for home entertainment are designed to provide full and immersive sound and, for the most part, they hit the mark. The mid-range, which is the easiest to muddy up, is crystal clear and articulate no matter what sound is blasting through these almost four-foot tall towers.
The high frequency range is certainly lively, occasionally to the point of shrillness when the volume is really pushed, but never gets too harsh for comfort. As for bass frequencies, the packaging advertises a unique porting system that allows more low frequencies to travel more easily. However, to hear the bass really cutting through, the volume needs to be cranked quite a bit. Still, overall the sound quality is excellent in these Polk Audio speakers, the frequencies might could just use a little tweak 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 option that will likely outshine just about any other run-of-the-mill home entertainment system you’ll encounter. While they don’t handle the highs or the lows as well as our premium pick, we have no doubts that even the most critical ears will be happy with the signal these bad boys pump out.
The Sonus Faber Lumina I bookshelf speakers ooze Italian style, with neat, compact builds and luxurious wood veneer panels.
These passive stereo speakers require an external amplifier to work, but once you get going you'll be struck by their tightly controlled bass frequencies, smooth mids, and detailed trebles.
The Lumina I aren't the most dramatic-sounding speakers on this list; everything from the design down to the way they make your music sound is understated, and well-suited for casual listening (albeit with a sense of opulence).
At $899 / £799 / AU$1595, they aren't extortionately expensive, despite their high-end looks, though cheaper bookshelf speakers are available.
The Edifier R1280T speakers are a popular choice on Amazon, and for good reason. These compact desk/bookshelf style speakers back an impressive sonic punch and look good doing it, all while keeping the price tag under $100 for the pair.
The standout features here include its active design, rich mid-range response, and surprisingly competent bass. Because of the small woofer size, these guys obviously don’t push much low-end, and because of the tweeter design, the highs aren’t as clear as the competition we tested. But other than that, the frequency response and clarity holds its own pretty well.
While they don’t compare to the encompassing power or clarity of rivals higher up this list, these compact speakers certainly serve a purpose. If you’re looking for an affordable set of computer speakers, or better yet a warm stereo set up for your turntable, the Edifier R1280T speakers are a fantastic option for the money.
Smart and stylish, compact and manageable, ergonomically excellent and with as perky a sound as it’s possible to imagine, the Audio Pro A36 floorstanding stereo speakers may not be perfect, but they’ll be perfect for some.
There's wireless connectivity, as well as physical inputs that include HDMI ARC so you can easily involve your TV in the Audio Pro ecosystem.
During our testing, we loved the sound on offer from these speakers. In our review we wrote: "They reveal themselves to be straightforward and competent. Dynamic headroom is sufficient to allow the peaks and troughs of Metronomy’s Love Letters worthwhile expression while still picking up on the more subtle harmonic variations throughout the same song. "
However, these stereo speakers aren’t the last word in fidelity. They're constantly this close to getting carried away where the lower frequencies are concerned. But if it’s excitement and entertainment you crave along with a big serving of convenience, the Audio Pro A36 are a solid option that we enjoyed testing.
Read more: Audio Pro A36 review
Other stereo speakers to consider
Several other stereo speakers have been launched recently that might also be worth considering and haven't quite made it to our guide – at least not yet. First up, we've recently published our brand new shiny Focal Diva Utopia review. This is an excellent wireless stereo system, but we're still working out if we can feasibly put them in any TechRadar buying guide, given their huge $39k asking fee!
There are several other devices that have also been on our radar and that we'll hopefully get a chance to test ourselves, including KEF's new speakers with something the company calls 'MAT' in an eight-strong range that promises incredibly life-like and high-fidelity listening. Then, there's Dali's new Epikore additions: three new models, and they'll present plenty of Dali's impressive tech at a more affordable price tag compared to the amazing Epikore 11 4.5-way floorstander, which is already out in the range.
Best stereo speakers FAQ
How we test the best stereo speakers
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In testing these hi-fi speakers, we compared each stereo set at a comparable power level and tested the same tunes, plucked from a variety of music genres.
Our test songs spanned the dynamic range of music and artists, from John Mayer to Tom Petty, and from U.K. prog-metal band TesseracT to the likes of John Williams and Hans Zimmer. Each song was chosen to test the dynamics offered by each set of speakers with some speakers reacting better to certain genre’s than others, depending on their design.
Of course, not all speakers are created equal in function. The Q Acoustics M40 HD towers, for example, are obviously made to cover a more broad frequency range than say the Edifier bookshelf speakers with a 4-inch woofer. We used our best judgement in testing these speakers according to their individual purpose and affordability, and graded them with that in mind.
Since comparing bookshelf speakers to high performance towers is an obvious case of apples and oranges, we try to make it clear which speaker is an apple and which is an orange.
Which speaker type is best for you?
There are lots of speaker styles to choose from – that's why we've put together lots of guides on the best speakers you can buy.
If you need a speaker you can take everywhere, make sure you look at the best waterproof speakers and best Bluetooth speakers. Or, if you want to fill your entire home with sound, check out the best wireless speakers and the best Sonos speakers for high-end sound performance.
Want to boost your TV's audio? Check out the best soundbars and best Dolby Atmos speakers.
For total control of your smart home, invest in one of the best smart speakers, which come with Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, or Siri built-in.
If you have an iPhone or an iPad, you might also want to consider one of the best AirPlay speakers. These allow you to stream music from your Apple devices directly to your speaker. That means no complex entertainment set-up necessary.
What are stereo speakers?
Stereo speakers play sound from two distinct audio channels: a left channel, and a right one. That enables you to hear instruments as if they're coming from different places, so for example a guitar might sound like it's coming from the far left of the room while a vocal sounds like it's in the middle.
The difference between stereo speakers and mono ones, where every speaker gets the same audio, is dramatic. It makes music in particular sound much bigger and more detailed, and if you're watching a TV programme the sound is more realistic because it appears to be coming from both sides of the room.
What are the advantages of stereo speakers?
Almost all music is recorded with stereo playback in mind, and has been for many decades now: The Beatles' first stereo album, Abbey Road, was released in 1969 and stereo became the standard for most music in the 1970s and beyond.
The 1970s also saw movies move to stereo, primarily with Dolby Stereo in the mid-70s, and that became the default until the dawn of surround sound – but even today's multi-channel surround movies are also designed to be listened to in stereo if you don't have a full-on surround system.
The biggest single advantage of stereo, then, is that you're hearing music as the artists intended it to be heard. What they listened to in the studio was mixed and played back in stereo, mastered in stereo and then produced in stereo formats. As a result, listening on a single speaker, or on a multi-speaker system where every speaker plays the same thing, means you don't get the full experience.
The best way to describe stereo is that it's bigger. Instead of having everything come from a single place, stereo creates a sound field or sound stage where different things – musical instruments, effects, dialogue – can appear to be coming from different places. So gunshots may shoot from left to right, or AC/DC's Malcolm Young is to your left while Angus Young solos towards your right, or the rap may be dead centre while all kinds of sonic sculpting is going on either side of them.
Because you don't have everything stuffed into the same sonic space stereo gives music and other audio more room to breathe, and the result is a much clearer, more vivid, more lifelike sound.
Can a single speaker be stereo?
Yes, you can. In fact, some single speakers can deliver 360-degree audio. That's because inside the case there are multiple speaker drivers, which are the vibrating domes you probably think of when you hear the word "speaker". If a speaker has more than one set of drivers inside it, it can be configured so that one driver plays sound from the left audio channel and another plays the sound from the right audio channel.
The problem with that is that the drivers are still very close together, and that means you don't get the impression of room-filling sound that you get from standard stereo speaker pairs.
There are some quite clever ways to get around this – some phones and tablets use clever audio processing to make their audio sound much wider than you'd expect from such small devices – but ultimately there's only so much you can do when your speaker drivers are right next to each other. We much prefer the sound of dedicated, separate stereo speakers and we're sure you will too.
Can you use stereo speakers with a TV?
Yes, and we'd heartily recommend it: having a good quality pair of stereo speakers with your TV in the middle can make pretty much anything you watch feel more immersive. Whether it's the double bass of the Narcos title music or the horrible sounds of the clickers in The Last of Us, stereo speakers give you a much wider sound field and a more engaging (or frightening) audio experience than most TVs can deliver.
In the vast majority of cases you'll need to connect your TV to an AV receiver unless your speakers are wireless, and that connection is usually done via an optical cable or more commonly, an HDMI cable to the ARC (Audio Return Channel) or eARC (enhanced Audio Return Channel). ARC/eARC means that everything on your TV is passed to your speakers, including streaming TV apps, games on your console, and content from set-top boxes or streaming sticks.
An additional benefit to going down the AV receiver route is that you can add more speakers later to make your audio even better. We did that with our setup: what started as a simple but great-sounding stereo system is now a less simple but even greater-sounding system with a subwoofer, two rear surround speakers and two upwards-firing Dolby Atmos speakers.
What is the difference between passive and active stereo speakers?
The difference between passive and active stereo speakers is in their power and amplification setup. Passive speakers need an external amplifier or receiver to power them. This setup gives you lots of flexibility in choosing the right amplifier for you, often resulting in better sound quality due to higher-end external amps.
In contrast, active speakers have built-in amplifiers. They can be connected to a power source, and then you can connect an audio source directly (or wirelessly). This all-in-one design makes them more convenient and easier to set up, especially for beginners or anyone with limited space. However, because everything you need is built-in, upgrading or changing components is more challenging (or impossible) compared to passive speakers.
What are the differences between floorstanding and standmount stereo speakers?
Floorstanding and standmount speakers (often called a bookshelf speaker) differ in size, design, and performance. Floorstanding speakers are tall and, as you’d expect, they sit directly on the floor. They typically have multiple drivers inside them, including woofers, midrange, and tweeters, all in a single cabinet. This allows them to produce a full range of sound and makes them ideal for larger rooms or home theater setups. If you want highly powerful, immersive audio, floorstanding speakers are the best option.
Standmount speakers, as the name suggests, are smaller and designed to be placed on stands or shelves. They usually have fewer drivers, and typically this will be a woofer and a tweeter. This means their bass input can be limited – at least compared to floorstanding models. But they can deliver excellent sound quality, especially in smaller spaces. Their compact size also makes them easier to position.
Do wired stereo speakers offer better sound quality than wireless?
Wired stereo speakers tend to offer better sound quality than wireless ones. This is due to the direct connection between the speaker and the audio source. This direct connection minimizes any potential signal interference and loss, ensuring you get a clean and uninterrupted audio signal. Audiophiles often prefer wired speakers for this reason, because they bring you sound performance that tends to be the most reliable and consistent.
In comparison, wireless speakers use Bluetooth or Wi-Fi to connect to audio sources. These days, wireless technology is great and it offers convenience, as well as eliminating the need for cables. But it can still suffer from occasional interference or compression, which would affect sound performance. Then again, most newer, high-end wireless speakers have advanced tech that can address these issues, providing an experience that rivals many wired setups.
Latest updates to the best stereo speakers
December 3, 2024
Switched the Definitive Technology BP9080x for the Dali Rubikore 2 as our best all-around speakers pick based on our recent testing. Also added the Q Acoustics 3020c in place of the Klipsch RP-150M.
October 3, 2024
Rewrote the introduction. Added an 'also consider' section to give readers more options in case they want to know what else to check out or which similar products have been launched and reviewed recently.
August 5, 2024
Checked all products against the latest reviews. Added more information to our FAQ section.
June 6, 2024
Added an author biog block plus an 'Also consider' section and this update log! Removed two products that, although very good indeed, are now being superseded by next-gen models. Refreshed copy throughout.
March 4, 2024
Added the Q-Acoustics' M40 HD in at the top spot – an excellent set of floorstanders with onboard amplification, offering the convenience of streaming in a wireless design.
