Whether you're a music or movie lover, you'll enjoy quality sound in your home with a good living room speaker that covers a wide range of frequencies! How do you find one that will fit in your living room? Find out everything you need to know in this guide to buying the best living room speakers.
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Our selection
"Easy placement on shelves or in niches, 66 W RMS power, active studio monitors: all the elements are there to provide excellent sound quality in…"
"This pair of floor-standing speakers seduces with its 180W RMS power and its three ways that promise a high-fidelity sound diffusion."
"In addition to its compact form, this wireless living room speaker convinces with its 1100 W RMS power, its 3 channels and its frequency range…"
"This pair of in-wall living room speakers is a good solution for a small room: minimal space requirements, pleasant sound with a pivoting tweeter, and…"
Easy placement on shelves or in niches, 66 W RMS power, active studio monitors: all the elements are there to provide excellent sound quality in your home.
127 £ on AmazonEdifier offers this pair of bookshelf-style living room speakers for installation on shelves or niches. Already, in terms of design, there's something to like about the black color of this 10-inch high device, which matches all styles of decoration. But we do not choose a living room speaker only for its design! On the performance side, this model has what it takes to convince.
In addition to displaying an RMS power of 66 W, a value translating a reproduction with fidelity of the sounds thanks to a broad covered frequency, this living room loudspeaker embarks monitors of active studio to be used on a close field. That means it's built for small spaces: it features a 19mm tweeter for strong highs and a 4" woofer for powerful bass. A remote control is provided to make the various settings and to control the playback.
This pair of floor-standing speakers seduces with its 180W RMS power and its three ways that promise a high-fidelity sound diffusion.
75,99 £ on AmazonStanding in all its splendor thanks to two naturally grained wood cabinets, this pair of floorstanding living room speakers dominates the decor with their 86 cm height. Designed for spacious rooms, they guarantee optimal sound coverage thanks to their 180 W RMS power, 8 Ohm independence and 3-way sound separation.
In addition to enhancing the design of this floor-standing speaker, the wooden cabinets also reduce resonance. All the sound subtleties included in a frequency of 20 to 20000 Hz are captured and reproduced faithfully by this pair of column speakers. With a full sound guaranteed by the Bassreflex design and adjustable speaker grilles, this speaker has everything to please. Note, however, that it is only compatible with sources that are already linked to an amplifier or that already have one built in.
In addition to its compact form, this wireless living room speaker convinces with its 1100 W RMS power, its 3 channels and its frequency range from 20 to 20000 Hz. The performance will be there!
2 472 £ on BoulangerThe term high-end has never been more aptly applied than with this wireless living room speaker made in the UK by Devialet. Don't be distracted by its compact size, because it contains all the sound technology needed for breathless, saturation-free and distortion-free sound diffusion. A real Hi-Fi able to cover a wide range of frequencies (from 20 to 20000 Hz); all with an integrated amplifier so that the speaker can be directly linked to all digital sources with Bluetooth, Wifi and Airplay.
Behind its luxurious, yet endearing design, this wireless living room speaker boasts unparalleled performance thanks to an effective RMS power of 1100 W and some 108 dB. It has three speakers: a woofer for bass, a speaker for vocals and a tweeter for treble. The device already integrates an equalizer for a better sound adjustment. Made to last, this living room speaker has an IP54 waterproof rating, which means it is resistant to dust and water splashes.
This pair of in-wall living room speakers is a good solution for a small room: minimal space requirements, pleasant sound with a pivoting tweeter, and 40 W RMS power.
127 £ on BoulangerWhen you're short on space at home or simply looking for a quality living room speaker for a room smaller than 30 square meters, opt for these in-wall or in-ceiling models, depending on your options. No bigger than spotlights, this pair of speakers is 10cm in diameter and 8.65cm deep. Plus, thanks to the adjustable tweeter, you can easily direct the sound to your sitting position for better sound realism.
For a more pleasing sound, place the pair of living room speakers in front of your seating position, taking care to space them evenly. Covering a frequency range of 65 to 28,000 Hz, this is a device that can go up to 90 dB. And it has two built-in speakers covered by a spiral grille for more sound realism! Plus, the grille can be painted to match the tone of your wall or ceiling.
Any specific needs?
Best pair of living room speakers of the year
Best pair of cheap floorstanding living room speakers
Best high-end wireless living room speakers
Best pair of in-wall living room speakers
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| TOP | CHEAP | TOP OF THE LINE | EXCELLENT | |
In accordance with our commitment, this buying guide does not contain any sponsored products. |
8/10 |
8/10 |
9/10 |
7/10 |
| OUR SELECTION |
Edifier R1700BT Bookshelf Speakers
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AUNA L766 Pair of Hi-Fi Speakers
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Devialet Phantom I Opéra de Paris
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Yamaha NS-IC600 in-wall speaker
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Easy placement on shelves or in niches, 66 W RMS power, active studio monitors: all the elements are there to provide excellent sound quality in your home.
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This pair of floor-standing speakers seduces with its 180W RMS power and its three ways that promise a high-fidelity sound diffusion.
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In addition to its compact form, this wireless living room speaker convinces with its 1100 W RMS power, its 3 channels and its frequency range from 20 to 20000 Hz. The performance will be there!
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This pair of in-wall living room speakers is a good solution for a small room: minimal space requirements, pleasant sound with a pivoting tweeter, and 40 W RMS power.
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Living room speaker type
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Library
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Column
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Wireless
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In-wall
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RMS power
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66 W
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180 W
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1100 W
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40 W
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Number of channels
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2 channels
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3 channels
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3 channels
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2 channels
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Connectics
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RCA, Auxiliary, Bluetooth
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RCA, Auxiliary
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Bluetooth, Wifi, Airplay
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Auxiliary
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Response frequency
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60Hz ~ 20kHz
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20Hz ~ 20kHz
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20Hz ~ 20kHz
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65Hz ~ 28kHz
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First and foremost, you need to choose a living room speaker that can cover the entire surface of your living room. You'll understand the importance of this first criterion when you have a few guests in your home.
For a room of less than 30 m², a compact bookshelf-type living room speaker will be enough to provide good sound. For a large living room, however, you should consider floorstanding speakers that can cover larger spaces. However, remember to adjust the sound reverberation to gain harmony and avoid echoes.
When it comes to living room speakers, the output corresponds to the RMS amplification power and refers to the maximum volume of sound that the device can reach. For good sound performance, count on an RMS power that is at least 50% of the speaker itself. If you have a very large living room, look for a living room speaker with a higher RMS power.
Before we go any further, we need to understand the role of the Hi-Fi amplifier. It is a device that receives and processes the sound signals to broadcast them to a living room speaker. In this sense, it determines the choice of speakers insofar as an amplifier that is too weak will not succeed in "pushing" the sound transmitted by your living room speakers as it should be.
On the other hand, if you have a powerful Hi-Fi amplifier, you can opt for a low output living room speaker. Not only will the device cover a large space, but the sound quality will be there.
The human ear can perceive frequencies between 20 and 20,000 Hz; knowing that below 16,000 Hz, we talk more about vibrations than sound (bass, explosion, sound effect, etc.). A good living room speaker is one that is capable of covering a wide frequency range to capture both the most discreet effects and the most pronounced sounds. In this way, it will accurately reproduce the sound and all its subtleties.
Before talking about the different ports to be found on a living room speaker, it should be remembered that the choice of cables to be connected to it is of paramount importance for a good sound reproduction. Favour copper or silver, look for a good shielding if you premium quality. In many cases, the cable is already supplied with the living room speaker.
At the very least, look for a living room speaker with a USB or micro-USB port, a jack plug for digital sources, and an RCA plug if you want to broadcast the sound of your devices that already have a sound system from your speaker (television, player or others).
Living room speakers complete a Hi-Fi installation, an acronym for High Fidelity or Haute-Fidelité. In other words, a Hi-Fi installation is used to faithfully and accurately reproduce the sound of audio and video files. Hi-Fi systems usually require speakers that are paired, because this is one of the requirements for stereo sound. Nevertheless, a single-piece speaker can house several channels.
.Thus, the Hi-Fi installation consists of a whole system including several elements:
This is the set that works in concert and harmony to faithfully reproduce the sound of audio and video tracks.
Lovers of quality sound turn to floorstanding speakers because they offer good sound resonance, can cover a large room, and are good at reproducing low tones. The design is recognizable by its two columns, which are almost one meter high. Thanks to this elongated shape, column speakers can be fitted with two or more drivers (a bass driver for low tones, a full-range driver for voices, a tweeter for high tones).
One remark should be made: floor-standing speakers with only two drivers (two-way) are not less efficient than others. The number of channels just accentuates the complexity of the loudspeaker insofar as it is necessary to isolate the sounds well in order to associate the right frequencies with the right loudspeakers. It should be noted that a bad setting of this separation will even decrease the sound quality to the point that a two-way living room speaker would offer a better rendering.
Also known as "bookshelf speaker", the bookshelf living room speaker has a flagship argument: its compact aspect. Easy to integrate, even in small spaces, this type of speaker generally displays a height around 50 cm. Ideally, the bookshelf speaker is placed on a high shelf (about a few centimeters above the ear of a person in a sitting position).
Because of its compact shape, the bookshelf speaker cannot contain more than two speakers. In many cases, a full-range driver is used to transmit all the frequencies between the bass, midrange and treble notes. Despite this, sound quality is well on the menu, especially if the model you choose has good performance.
The last few years have seen the emergence of a highly technological living room speaker: the wireless version that combines the advantages of floorstanding and bookshelf models. Indeed, this living room speaker boasts compact dimensions to fit small spaces, but it offers high-fidelity sound quality to please audiophiles.
It can be linked to digital sources via ports, Wifi, Bluetooth or an application, and the wireless living room speaker can be powered by a battery that lasts about ten hours or run on AC power. You would have understood it, all devices allowing streaming - phone, tablet, computer and game console - can be linked to a wireless living room speaker.
Even more compact than the wireless version, the in-wall living room speaker nests directly in the wall or on the ceiling. Obviously, it requires you to cut a hole in the bracket, but once that task is done, you gain a quality sound equipment that doesn't clutter you up in any way. What's more, all the tools needed for mounting are always included in the package at the time of purchase.
To get the best sound, it's best to choose at least one pair of in-wall living room speakers. If you can get two pairs, that would be even better. In any case, during installation, aim the speakers at your sitting position to optimize the sound and bring more realism.
If you're not sure whether to buy a living room speaker or a sound bar, it already means that you want to have good sound in your home. But which of these two devices will be more appropriate?
The reputation of the living room speaker precedes it: it is a device that honorably and accurately reproduces the sound of sound and video files. Whether you want to listen to music or watch a movie, documentary or TV show, you can be sure of getting good sound quality.
With living room speakers, you can choose from floorstanding, bookshelf or wireless models, depending on the size of your living room and your design preferences. Depending on the type of speaker you choose, you can have one or more speakers. Be careful, because a poor separation of the channels will affect the quality of the sound you get.
As its name suggests, it is a device whose shape is similar to that of a bar. The most compact are 90 cm long and 20 cm high and deep. The sound bar can be placed under or on top of a television to offer a sound worthy of a home cinema. To do this, it relies on the system of psychoacoustics, reflection and diffusion of waves.
Indeed, a sound bar allows a 3D diffusion of sounds thanks to two specific loudspeakers that it embarks. Equipped with a high-performance technology, the sound bar allows a pleasant auditory effect resulting in an impression of perceiving the sound behind or in front of you, depending on the adjustment made.
Both the sound bar and the home speaker offer outstanding sound quality and have something to satisfy audiophiles. However, while the sound bar is only associated with a television for home theater, the living room speaker is linked to different types of digital sources.
Let's face it: the first reason to choose a good living room speaker is to have quality sound at home. But in addition to that, this device has many advantages.
A living room speaker for its sound quality
Whether you're an audiophile or not, you'll always recognize the sound quality of a good living room speaker: good stereo sound that faithfully reproduces all notes, from the lowest to the highest. Not only can you enjoy your favorite music as if it came straight out of a studio, but you can also impress your guests when you host a party or a movie at home.
A living room speaker has a nice design
The living room speaker is still a device with a nice design. Beyond the sound quality it offers, its mere presence enhances your living room decor. Indeed, the living room speaker brings a modern, elegant and refined touch that does not go unnoticed.
The living room speaker fits well with the decor
Not content with just bringing a modern touch to your home, the living room speaker comes in a variety of designs to blend in completely with the decor. For large spaces, you can revel in the imposing scale of a floorstanding speaker. For smaller rooms, bookshelf and wireless versions will fit on your shelves or in niches on your decorative furniture.
The living room speaker is versatile
The living room speaker has the advantage of being able to link to different types of digital sources. It can be a Hi-Fi system, a TV, a phone, a tablet or any other device that can play audio and video. You can even use a speaker to listen to your music on Deezer, Spotify or other streaming music platforms.
Living room speaker can extend to home theater
Want a home theater in your home? If you already have a TV with a big enough screen and good picture resolution, complement it with a living room speaker to get some decent sound. Of course, you can invest in a sound bar, but a living room speaker is more versatile in terms of use and the devices that can be associated with it.
In our opinion, the best brands of living room speakers in 2022 are :
French brand well known in the design of audio systems, Devialet designs amplifiers and living room speakers of professional quality. Moreover, the Phatom I and II speakers designed by Devialet have become real emblems of the brand.
It is a Chinese company specialized in designing and selling audio equipment. The quality-price ratio remains without a doubt the best argument of this world-famous brand.
Yamaha is a Japanese brand present in many fields, but it is especially renowned for its musical instruments and audio equipment, including living room speakers that deserve all our attention. With a sound professional, there's no risk of a false note!
Since its takeover in 2016, JBL has become the audio equipment arm of Samsung Electronics. It has become a reference in terms of living room speakers, headphones and earphones.
Auna is a German company born in 2007 and launched by a group of moviegoers and audiophiles. The particularity of this European brand: cheap living room speakers that seduce small budgets.
The diagram below will help you to get an idea of the typical prices for each price range (entry-level, mid-range and high-end).
However, more expensive does not necessarily mean better.
We therefore advise you to always consult our ranking before deciding, rather than blindly relying on price ranges.
Set up your audio device properly!
In order not to damage your speaker, you must install it correctly. First of all, do not place the two speakers side by side, but at a distance from each other. Next, take a good look at the features of your device.
There are two possible scenarios: either the speaker has a built-in amplifier or you need to connect it to an external amplifier. In the first case, on the back of the main device you will have two inputs: PC and AUX. For a standard audio connection, use the AUX function. Next, connect the cables corresponding to the colors correctly. If you run out of cable length, buy a longer, mid-range or high-end one, but don't tinker with it!
Use an external hi-fi amp.
If you have a powerful enough hi-fi amp, be aware that you'll be able to plug in 2 pairs of living room speakers. This will allow you to set up a real home cinema in your living room with sound that will dazzle your guests. However, we advise you to use high-end cables like DCSk or Real Cable. This will enhance and faithfully retransmit the sound of your living room speakers.
Place the bookshelf speakers high.
If you opt for a bookshelf-type living room speaker, optimize the audibility of the device by placing it high up, about 10 cm from your ear level when you are sitting. This is the best way to cover the entire space with this type of speaker. Note, however, that your living room should be less than 100 square feet.
Orient the bookshelf speaker towards the listening position.
For a good, realistic sound field, turn the living room speaker toward you, but be sure to keep a similar distance between the pairs of speakers and between the living room speakers and the couch you're sitting on. For example, if the speaker is six feet from your sofa, space the two pairs of speakers six feet apart for realistic sound. In other words, you form an equilateral triangle with the two components of the unit.
Choose a speaker with 3 elements (at least) for an L-shaped room.
The L-shape of a room makes it difficult to spread sound; hence the need for at least 3 components for even sound distribution. Of course, this can go up to 4 or 6 components, depending on how much you are willing to invest. In any case, a pair of speakers or even less a monobloc version would not be suitable.
The best way to hide living room speakers is to choose models that can be built into the wall, ceiling or cabinet. This is also one of the tips for saving space in your living room when using a speaker. Of course, you should choose in-wall speakers or bookshelf speakers that display compact dimensions.
The different types of living room speakers define how you arrange them in your living room. Indeed, speakers differ according to their designs: floorstanding models take up space, bookshelf versions sit on shelves, wireless speakers are more versatile, etc. In any case, you need to arrange them in a way that optimizes the sound rendering.
To evaluate the quality of a living room speaker, you'll need to refer to the different technical characteristics. How many speakers does it contain? What is its RMS power? Does the number of elements allow to cover the shape of the room? All these points listed in the criteria for choosing a good living room speaker determine the quality of this type of devices.
There are different ways to install living room speakers, it all depends on their designs. Some are intended for free standing, others are to be flush mounted to save space. In this table, we've collected the easy-to-install living room speakers for your home. The only rule for installation is to determine the listening position and direct the sound to that location.
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