The 10 Best Hi-Fi Speakers of 2021

Best Overall: Elac Debut 2.0 B6.2 Speakers

Buy on Amazon Buy on Best Buy Buy on B&H Photo Video

The  ELAC’s Debut 2.0 B6.2 bookshelf speakers are one of our top recommendations, as there’s a lot to like about them. The B6.2 is more affordable than you’d think and impresses with gorgeous sound quality, internal bracing to prevent vibration, and front-firing ports, making it easy to place them anywhere in the room. In each speaker, you’re getting a 6.5-inch woofer and a vented pole piece paired with a 1-inch soft-dome tweeter. Set-up is simple, although note that they aren’t plug-and-play with your phone—they’ll need to be wired and paired with audio equipment. 

One of the best features about these speakers is their wide frequency range, which spans from 44Hz up to 35kHz on the high end. This gives you a vibrant, accurate sound that sounds balanced, even at loud volumes. The B6.2 offers a max power of 120 watts and a nominal impedance of 6 ohms. If you wanted to upgrade to a full surround-sound home set-up, all of the Debut 2.0 speaker products are compatible with each other. We think the B6.2 would suit just about any music enthusiast.

Runner-Up, Best Overall: Q Acoustics 3030i

Buy on Amazon

We love not only the eye-catching style of the Q Acoustics 3030i Bookshelf Speaker Pair but also its strong sound quality. At first glance, you’ll notice the simple curves of these stylish speakers, available in black, white, or walnut. But once you turn them on, the clear sound, offering a 46Hz bass response, will quickly make these a favorite. The 3030i offers point to point bracing, which provides internal support to the speakers so that they’re more rigid. Point to point bracing creates incredible accurate vibrations and sounds, helping you hear every detail of your favorite song. The overall result are speakers that deliver an incredible bass and sound quality, all without blowing your budget.

Some users report that the speakers sound differently straight out of the box than after a few weeks of use, so patience will pay off if you’re not initially happy with the sound quality. This set includes two bookshelf speakers, each with a speaker grille and foam bung.

Best Studio Monitors: Yamaha HS8

Buy on Amazon Buy on B&H Photo Video

Studio monitor speakers are designed for those who want to try their hand at audio recording and producing or those who simply want to hear every detail of music and audio as it was intended. If this is what you’re looking for, we recommend the Yamaha HS8. These powerful studio monitor speakers give you plenty of tuning control, ensuring your sound quality is exactly as you want it. You’ve also got access to up to 120 watts of output power and a 38Hz to 30kHz frequency response. The woofers measure 8 inches across while the tweeters are 1 inch, but they are on the larger side, so make sure you have space for them—ideally, they should be set at least a few inches away from the wall.

Whether you want to try your hand at recording or just love the accuracy and vibrancy of studio monitor speakers, the Yamaha HS8 is a top choice. While pricey, the speakers include built-in amplifiers for both the tweeter and the woofer, so the higher cost includes plenty of customization and tuning options.

Best Affordable Bookshelf Speaker: Edifier R1280T Powered Bookshelf Speakers

3.9

Buy on Amazon Buy on Best Buy Buy on Walmart

Cheap speakers don’t mean you need to sacrifice quality. If you’re looking for premium sound for a budget-friendly price, check out the Edifier R1280T Powered Bookshelf Speakers. They produce a clear and balanced sound that will be ideal for your home, and they even have built-in amplifiers, which saves you purchasing additional equipment and makes for a simple set-up process. The R1280T are a stylish set of bookshelf speakers too, with a walnut and matte black design.

Each speaker features a 13mm silk dome tweeter and a 4-inch full-range bass driver as well as a 21-watt total power output and a 60Hz-to-20Hz frequency response range. You’ve also got two AUX inputs, making it easy to connect to two devices at a time, such as headphones. A remote control is included too. While you shouldn’t expect the same sound as you get from a higher-end speaker, especially when it comes to bass, the R1280T still delivers a strong performance. It may leave your friends to think you paid more for your speakers than you actually did.

Best Affordable Tower Speaker: Polk Audio T50

4.8

Buy on Amazon Buy on Best Buy

The Polk Audio T50 proves that quality tower speakers can also be affordable. Tower speakers are popular for both their look and booming sound quality, but they can run into the thousands of dollars, making the T50 one of the best tower speakers on a budget. They measure three feet in height and stand on your floor, consisting of a 1-inch silk dome tweeter, a 6.5-inch composite driver, and two 6.5-inch, front-firing sub-bass radiators. You’ve got a wide frequency response range, from 38Hz on the low end to 24kHz on the high end. A pair of these speakers means you have a balanced, dynamic system that won’t require a separate subwoofer. However, you will want an AV receiver or amplifier for the T50 to work its best, as it’s a passive cabinet system. 

We like that the T50 offers a clear and balanced neutral sound, almost similar to what you’d get from studio monitor speakers. They’re a top choice for your home theater, listening to music, or capturing all the action of the big game, though don’t expect the sound quality to be quite what you’d get from a higher-end tower.

Best In-Wall Speaker: Polk Audio RC85i 2-Way Premium In-Wall 8″ Speakers

Buy on Amazon

Not everyone likes the look of tall speakers cluttering their living room. If you want a more subtle look, in-wall speakers like the Polk Audio RC85i might be for you. This set of two requires installation into your drywall, providing a professional look that won’t disrupt the feng shui of your room. They’re small in size but produce a vibrant sound, coming from a 1-inch tweeter with a metalized soft dome and a swivel mount, plus an 8-inch dynamic-balance woofer. Combined, they offer a frequency response range from 30Hz up to 20kHz.

One installed into your walls, you’ll hardly notice these flat speakers. Although they’re popular in basements or living rooms, they come with a rubber seal, meaning they can be installed in rooms that experience moisture, such as a kitchen or bathroom. You can even paint the front panels so they blend in with your wall. However, remember that these are passive speakers, so you’ll also want to purchase an amp or AV receiver. If you’re looking for an alternative to large speakers in your entertainment area, you may enjoy the look and sound of the RC85i.

Best Wireless System: KEF LSX Wireless Music System

Buy on Amazon

The KEF LSX Wireless Music System is one of the best choices if you’re after a wireless system. These premium speakers can connect wirelessly or via an Ethernet cable, including Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity. Apple AirPlay, Tidal, and Spotify Connect are also compatible with this high-tech device, giving plenty of options. In addition to fantastic sound quality, these stylish and modern speakers offer five color finishes. The LSK delivers a powerful sound that’s great for gaming, movies, or listening to music. Your purchase includes two speakers and a remote control. 

You’ll enjoy the convenience of these gorgeous speakers and no distracting wires, which look great in any space. The LSX system supports audio inputs up to 96kHz/24-bit, so you can enjoy seriously hi-fi audio, but you’ll need to use the Ethernet pairing for that, as the wireless connection only transmits 48kHz/24-bit. Although they’re an expensive piece of tech, their design, sound quality, and tech feature justify the cost.

Best Budget Wireless System: Edifier R1700BT Bluetooth Bookshelf Speakers

3.8

Buy on Amazon Buy on Best Buy Buy on Walmart

If you’re shopping for a wireless speaker system on a tight budget, we like the sound quality and features of the Edifier R1700BT. You’ve got plenty of connectivity options, including Bluetooth and two AUX inputs for headphone or RCA outputs. The R1700BT is a two-speaker system, each with a 19mm silk dome tweeter and a 4-inch bass driver, which combined offer a frequency response range from 60Hz to 20kH. Together, they offer a maximum power of 132 watts, with an amplifier included in the right speaker. They create a lovely stereo sound right out of the box, with a remote control included—or, control the tone via the side dials. 

These bookshelf speakers are stylish as well, with a classic wooden look and a premium finish and feel. While we think the frequency range could be slightly wider, it’s still a fantastic choice, but for a budget wireless option and for its good-looking design.

Runner Up, Best Soundbar: Sonos Playbar

4.2

Buy on Amazon Buy on Walmart Buy on Sonos.com

For a simple but powerful soundbar, the Sonos Playbar has much to offer. It can do everything a larger set of speakers can do but in a more compact and stylish package. Although it’s just one unit, it actually has nine amplified speakers built-in. Six are mid-woofers, meant to handle the middle and low frequencies; three are tweeters responsible for high-frequency sounds. All of that is packed into a chassis measuring under 3 feet wide, 5.5 inches tall, and 3.3 inches deep. They all work together to create a dynamic sound that can be accessed via Wi-Fi or Ethernet. For movies and audio, Sonos offers automatic speech enhancements, ensuring you can clearly hear all the details of your films and music. 

If you want to expand on your sound system, the Playbar is easy to connect with other Sonos products, such as one of their subwoofers or satellite speakers. Initial set-up is easy too, as the Playbar only requires one cable. It’s an overall great soundbar choice if your budget allows.