A speaker has two components: a woofer and a tweeter. A tweeter is responsible for producing high-frequency sounds. They're often a dome shape and may even be independently positionable. Woofers PMC has something of a reputation for high-end hi-fi, and while the superb Prodigy 5 have wound up as our best premium floorstanders on this list, they're actually miraculously good value. We’ve loved the originals and the LS50 Meta takes the performance to a notably higher - and Award-winning - level.

Tonally, they don’t have the luscious midrange warmth of the comparable Dali Spektor 2, which should be considered alternative options alongside the Wharfedale Diamond 12.1, but they’re admirably balanced and capable of making the best of any recording – even those of poor quality.Easily connect your device through Bluetooth or Wi-Fi to enjoy hours of uninterrupted music. Perfect for keeping the kids entertained on their tabletswhilst the rest of the family streams films and episodes on their iPads. Add that cinematic touch to everyone's viewing experience with enhanced 360 sound quality with some of the best Bose speakers. And whilst you’re out and about or around the house, you can easily connect your Bose wireless speaker to your iPhoneand blast the music you love. With Bose the power is in your hands. With innovative tech, exceptional performance, and unbeatable build quality, these standmounters are the speakers we wouldn’t hesitate to recommend to anybody. Unless you're going for a small or portable speaker, larger speakers that look and sound great for your room will still need to fit and be well-placed.

Unless you're going for a wireless music player for portability (actively amplified with its own power), a dedicated amplifier is needed to power passive speakers. But this is in no way an afterthought. Your final sound quality is going to depend equally on the quality of the speakers and the quality of the amplifier - get both right, and you'll have a dream system. Get either of them wrong, and you'll have wasted your money. Why are my speakers distorted at high volumes? Wattage, in regard to sound output and speaker power, is a measure of the strength of the audio signal that drives the speaker. A 100w amplifier has a maximum output of that many watts. So, a speaker rated for a range of, say, 80w - 120w will be able to handle that power input. The wattage between the speaker and amp needs to be compatible to avoid potentially damaging both. DecibelsQ Acoustics' new 5000 series sits in between the budget 3000 series and the premium Concept range. The 5040 is the smaller of the two floorstanders in the range and should fit neatly into most rooms, with a solid and well-made build quality. Most speakers, apart from 'Active' speakers (more on those later), will need a powered amplifier to drive them. If you already have an amplifier, the first thing you should consider is whether you need to upgrade. After all, there's no point in hooking up expensive KEFs to an amp that's well past its use-by date. JBL Pro is the world's leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of professional loudspeakers and studio monitors for musicians, contracting, tours, cinema and recording & broadcasting applications.

Optical audio connections are digital, as opposed to RCAs, which are analogue. So, an optical connection uses fibre-optic cabling to transmit sound as data via light waves. Binding Posts First things first, decide on a budget. Your components should be evenly matched, both tonally and in terms of price, so consider this before breaking the bank on a new pair of speakers that the rest of your kit can't do justice to. And boy has the effort paid off. PMC has hit the sweetest of sweet spots with the Prodigy 5, balancing subtle details and musical flourishes with a perceptibly heightened sense of presence, poise and confidence. In terms of sonic performance, we didn't hear many better speakers this year, and it was the Prodigy 5's musical chops that really earned them that 2023 What Hi-Fi? Award. Bose speakers are well renowned for their sound quality, multi-functional style and durability. Perfect for all lifestyles and needs. So, whether you're on the journey to bettering your health and wellbeingor taking steps to perfect your exercise routine to ensure you’re keeping fit, our Bose speakers are the ideal music companion. Experience incredibly smooth sound for soothing meditation or rich bass for heart-pumping vibrations to get you going. Whatever your taste in music, there’s a Bose speaker to match. Songs are delivered with wide-ranging dynamics, impressive authority and scale. It’s a musically cohesive presentation that’s controlled and nicely organised. If you have the budget - and space - for these speakers, they're worth an audition.

The best speakers come with what is possibly the most impenetrable tech jargon of all. And this is particularly true for newcomers to the world of quality audio. Part hard science, part soft aesthetics, plenty are hoodwinked by expensive looks only to be let down by sound quality. Here are some of the most common terms you'll come across, with accessible explanations of each to help you decipher the specs before you buy. Passive speakers Take your favourite tunes with you wherever you go with our fantastic range of portable speakers. Whether you're looking for a stylish home speaker or a durable portable model to take with you whilst you’re on the go- we've got it all. Our Bose speakers have got everything you need to ensure that you're never too far from a sweet melody or crispy vocals. We offer a diverse range of speakers to ensure that you can always find a model that suits your needs. Wake up to the crystal-clear radio sound of a JBL DAB radio. Take your favourite stations to the park, Fancy great sound from a Wi-Fi speaker that’s also a lamp? Or from a Wi-Fi speaker that you can even use as a bookshelf on a wall? SYMFONISK Wi-Fi speakers are a collaboration with Sonos, designed to blend into your home while giving you quality sound for music and podcasts. While the basic sonic character is instantly familiar, the Meta speakers have gained a level of clarity and finesse the originals only hinted at, sounding clean while still offering muscle and dynamics.

A passive speaker has no active power or amplifier circuitry. So, you will need to route your sound to them via an external amplifier. Some speakers, like the Edifier R1280T, are active speakers. They don't require an external amplifier. Active speakersWharfedale's Diamond range now features a truly outstanding (and affordable) floorstander. Indeed, we're so impressed by the Wharfedale Diamond 12.3's musical performance that it's now a three-time What Hi-Fi? Award winner.