Using an Amazon Alexa device as a Bluetooth speaker is a super-convenient way to broadcast those tunes, a podcast while cooking and cleaning, or any other audio content you want to listen to. But how do you do it? This article aims to connect you to Alexa, help you use it as an ordinary Bluetooth speaker, and show you how to optimize your experience.

For instance, speakers like the Echo Dot, Echo Show, and Echo Studio can stream audio directly from various sources, including smartphones, tablets, and computers. This way, you can listen to high-definition music and podcasts from whatever services you subscribe to.

Keep reading to learn how to get those party tunes blasting out of your existing Alexa device this holiday season. If you don't have a smart assistant, check out our guide to the best smart speakers.

Why would you want to use Alexa as a Bluetooth speaker?

Bluetooth is a type of wireless connectivity that gives you ultimate flexibility over where and how you place and use your device, removing the clutter of wires simultaneously. There are also voice control features, which means you can manage playback with just your voice. Try using commands like 'pause,' 'skip,' or 'volume up' to make everything much easier.

Alexa speakers also remember which devices have been connected previously, allowing you to switch between them easily. Again, This multi-device functionality makes things easier, especially if you live in a home with many gadgets. You can also get better sound quality with an Alexa speaker than with even the best smartphones.

How to use your Alexa as bluetooth speaker: step-by-step guide

How to use your Alexa as bluetooth speaker: Troubleshooting

Device Not Found: If your Alexa device doesn't appear in your Bluetooth settings, try restarting your phone and tablet.

Audio Quality Issues: To avoid lag or poor audio quality, ensure your devices are nearby and free of obstructions that could disrupt the Bluetooth signal.

Voice Commands Not Working: If Alexa doesn't respond to volume or playback commands, check the Alexa app for an update. You should also ensure the microphone isn't muted on your device so Alexa won't hear your requests.

How to use your Alexa as a bluetooth speaker: FAQs

Can I control the volume remotely?

There are several ways to control the volume of your Alexa device remotely. First, open the Alexa app on your phone, select your Alexa device, and adjust the volume. You can ask Alexa to turn up the volume if you're nearby or set it to 3. If you're part of a smart home system, you can use compatible apps or devices to control the volume as well.

Can I play the same music in different rooms?

You can create a multi-room music setup by opening the Alexa app and selecting all the devices you want to include.

Once your group is set up, you can easily play music throughout that group by using commands like, “Alexa, play music in [group name].” With this setup, you can simultaneously play music in multiple rooms, perfect for parties or listening to music around your home.

What happens when I want to disconnect?

You can disconnect by saying, "Alexa, disconnect," or do it manually through your Bluetooth settings. Once disconnected, Alexa will automatically reconnect to the last device it was connected to.

If you want to know what is Dolby Atmos, the likelihood is that you're already curious about getting the best audio setup you possibly can for your headphones and speakers. Essentially, Dolby Atmos is a ground-breaking 3D sound platform that can bring panoramic sound to audio devices, making your listening experience more immersive. 

When used in conjunction with the best Blu-Ray players and the best soundbars, Dolby Atmos is able to simulate a fully 3D audio environment. This means that dynamic sound can reach your ears from all around you, including from above. Whether you're listening to audio from movies, games or music, this means that you're having an enhanced experience with much more detail than would have previously been possible. 

This is just a small insight into what Dolby Atmos is, but we've explored how the system works and whether it's worth investing in below. 

What is Dolby Atmos? 

You might be interested to know that Dolby Atmos isn't actually a new technology. In fact, it was debuted in 2012 with the release of the Pixar movie Brave. It was immediately noted for its ability to create rich soundscapes that drew viewers deeper into the cinematic experience. 

Within a few years, Dolby Atmos technology was made available to home theater setups. This disrupted to traditional speaker setup of stereo, 5.1 and 7.1, as new height channels that recreated sounds on the vertical plane were added. This meant that sounds weren't just created at ear-level, they could be transmitted at various different heights for a more immersive experience. 

How does Dolby Atmos work? 

The vital addition of height channels differentiates a Dolby Atmos home setup from a standard 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound system. To reproduce truly accurate surround sound, Dolby Atmos treats individual sounds as ‘objects’. 

These audio objects aren't tethered to fixed points within an environment. Instead, they can move around the space according to the relevant action on screen. For example, if you're watching a movie scene with a helicopter flying, ordinary 5.1 or 7.1 setups would mean that the aircraft could be heard flying from behind you, past you and in front of you. 

However, Dolby Atmos means that the helicopter – or rather the audio object that carries the sound of the helicopter – can rise or fall according to the relative height of the aircraft in relation to you and the Atmos AV receiver. This means that you could hear the helicopter hovering directly above you.

Dolby Atmos gives sound engineers in games, movies and other forms of entertainment incredible freedom to dedicate audio channels to specific objects that can be choreographed within a scene. Distant birdsong and conversations in a crowd, planes flying overhead, and explosions in action-packed sequences… With Dolby Atmos, all such individual elements can be manipulated to build the most immersive, detailed soundscapes.

Is Dolby Atmos good for music?

Many – including Dyaudio's Otto Jørgensen – believe that the 3D nature of Dolby Atmos makes music sound better, as voices and instruments aren't 'fighting to be heard' on the same horizontal plane.

"When engineers are mixing a track, everything is object orientated," Otto explains. "With stereo, they'd say 'this guitar goes in this speaker', or maybe 'partly in this speaker, partly in that speaker', working with each channel of the speakers. But with Dolby Atmos, you're not really considering the speakers – you're placing objects in space. 'I have a 3D space on my computer and I want the guitar to go here, and so I sit the guitar there'. A computer then figures out what speaker or speakers it needs to play that object in, in order for it to be 'heard' in that position. The sound might be coming out of four different speakers, in order to place the sound in the right place in the room."

"Essentially, in stereo you have the limitation that sounds will mask each other. If you have too much stuff overlapping, it becomes a wall of sound and you can't hear that detail. With Dolby Atmos, voices and instruments don't mask each other in the same way. That gives a scale and standard of sound that's a lot better throughout."

How to use Dolby Atmos at home 

Now you know what Dolby Atmos is, you’re probably wondering how you can enjoy this audio experience at home. Well the good news is, if you have an existing 5.1 or 7.1 (or more) surround sound system, you can modify your setup to be Dolby Atmos-enabled with just a few additions.

1. Upgrade your existing surround sound with a Dolby-Atmos AVR

The most important piece of equipment is a Dolby Atmos-enabled audio-visual receiver (AVR). With a little configuration, this device will detect how many speakers you have and use an Object Audio Renderer to relay audio objects through the most appropriate speaker.

Like a lot of home theater equipment, Dolby Atmos-enabled AVRs aren’t cheap, but you can pick up good models such as the Onkyo TX-SR494 AV Receiver or the Sony STRDH590 5.2 Channel Surround Sound Home Theater Receiver for about $350.

2. Invest in upward-firing speakers

The next pieces of equipment you’ll need to really get the most out of Dolby Atmos are upward-firing speakers. These speakers ‘bounce’ soundwaves off the ceiling to accurately represent sounds above the listener. Dolby recommends two of these upward-firing speakers in front and two behind the listener. Models such as the Sony SSCSE Dolby Atmos Enabled Speakers cost about $230.

3. Try a Dolby Atmos soundbar

Some of the best soundbars such as the Samsung HW-Q90R are now Dolby Atmos-enabled too, enriching the experience further from wherever you’ve placed it.

4. Love gaming or music? Get a set of Dolby Atmos-compatible headphones

"Dolby Atmos has been designed with headphones in mind," says Otto Jørgensen. "Artists and engineers may be working on speakers when they are designing the sound, but it's being mixed down for playback on headphones, so you're hearing more 3D-like sound. That's what I think will drive Dolby Atmos to become an important sound standard. Headphones are such big business, and if you can improve the sound in headphones through Dolby Atmos, it's going to drive artists to embrace it."

For a pair of headphones that can deliver Dolby Atmos through their Spacial Audio technology, try Apple's AirPods Max headphones, current $449.99 at Amazon. 

It may require some investment to experience Dolby Atmos at home for yourself, but if having the best audio is important to you, then it provides arguably the most thrilling and authentic audio experience available right now.

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Sonos is already all about getting speakers all over the home for total audio coverage and easy controls – but with the Sonos Move, it takes that further. That's why this is one of the best smart speakers out there right now. The Sonos Move offers great audio and smart speaker voice controls while also packing in – rather rarely – a battery and IP56 waterproofing to let you move it where you want. So for an occasional outdoor speaker, say at a party or grill-out, this is a fantastic option.

You can pick between Amazon's Alexa or the Google Assistant for your voice controls. Your commands are picked up well using the smart noise-canceling microphones and audio playback is intelligently and automatically adjusted to suit the environment you place the speaker in. You also have both WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity, making it a great option if you want to go down the yard where you're out of WiFi range. 

The speaker itself looks sleek, minimal and well designed while the audio, thanks to dual Class-D amps, is well balanced with powerful bass, crisp mids and punchy treble. So, this is a smart speaker with no compromises. The result is that it's not cheap, but we think it's worth every cent.

Sonos Move: Design

• Two Class-D amps
• Far-field noise cancelling mics
• IP56 weather resistant

The Sonos Move looks great, a near seamless rounded speaker that tapers in at the bottom for a refined finish. On the rear the body curves in making it handle-like and easy to carry despite the 6.6lbs (3kg) weight of this 9.45-inches (24cm) high speaker.

The Move packs in WiFi as well as Bluetooth 4.2 along with a six piece microphone array to hear voice commands. Below the rear button is a row of three buttons for power and suspend battery saving mode, WiFi and Bluetooth switching, and a network connection button. On top are touch controls for play, pause, skip and volume as well as mute for the microphone.

The IP56 rating means this is built to withstand water, dust and shock from drops and knocks plus even UV resistance. The battery should be good for 10 hours of use per charge. The included charging base means you just pop the speaker down and it'll start recharging automatically. 

Inside the silicone rubber covered bottom section is the down-firing tweeter and new wave guide. There is also a mid-bass driver and dual Class-D amplifiers. 

Sonos Move: Features

• AirPlay 2 support
• Google Assistant and Alexa
• Multi-room support

The Sonos Move comes packing dual smart assistants so that it should be able to control most smart home devices. It also means you can use the one that best suits what you're used to, be it Google Assistant or Amazon's Alexa. This means not only control of the speaker and the ability to have questions answered, but also the ability to control the smart home gadgets you have.

Support is broad with WiFi 2.4GHz and 5GHz as well as Bluetooth 4.2, but this won't playback aptX quality unfortunately, limited to AAC and SBC for Bluetooth. But for WiFi you will be able to use AirPlay 2, making it great for Apple users. Everyone else can enjoy it too with great support for Spotify, Tidal, Deezer, Amazon Music and Apple Music too.

Sonos is all about multi-room, so you're able to combine speakers to create a stereo pair. Or place the speakers, if you have multiple, in different rooms to enjoy the same audio through the house or different songs in different rooms - cleverly all from one Spotify account.

Sonos Move: Performance

• TruePlay tuning
• Solid bass
• Excellent voice pickup

Wherever you take the Sonos Move it will adapt its impressive audio array to create the best sound for that space, this tech is called TruePlay. It uses its microphones to calibrate the audio output and is activated whenever the speaker is placed down, having been moved and detected by the accelerometer. This takes around 30-seconds to calibrate although it will continuously refine the sound when the speaker is stationary too. So when you move outside, for example, you'll notice the sonic presentation open right up while it also keeps the balance and clarity you enjoyed indoors. 

Expect a depth of bass that gives a solid feel to audio which is also tonally even. The Class-D drivers allow for plenty of power to fill any space while the upper limits remain composed with no distortion - making this ideal for outdoor parties. This applies to both WiFi and Bluetooth playback.

WiFi uses four antennas so expect to get a good connection even when far away from the router. While Bluetooth is 4.2 rather than the newer 5.0 version, this was a conscious choice by Sonos which says it means battery life can be extended further. 

The microphones work very well for picking up audio commands. Even if the room is noisy or the speaker is playing loudly, you'll be heard to issue your next request. 

Should you buy the Sonos Move?

The Sonos Move is a powerful, attractive, multi smart assistant speaker which offers waterproofing and battery power to be used anywhere you need. It's not cheap but for a compromise-free option, we think this is worth the price. 

If you want a portable smart speaker that doesn't compromise on sound quality then the Sonos Move is for you. It'll let you control your smarthome, carry out vocal command requests and do it all wherever you place it while resisting the weather too.

If this product isn't for you

If you're on team Apple and want a Siri-based smart speaker then look no further than the Apple HomePod. Sure, you're limited to the Apple ecosystem more than other smart speakers but if that and the price aren't an issue, you're getting a serious setup here. Not only does this look fantastic but the audio performance is superb and voice recognition works fantastically. 

If you want to use the Google Assistant and don't want to break the bank then the Google Nest Audio is a great option. This well designed smart speaker fits into any room's decor well, while the far-field microphones make for excellent voice recognition and controls, even in larger and noisier spaces. The audio isn't the best but for the price this does offer a lot.

As one of the most affordable smart speakers out there, the Amazon Echo Dot really does offer a lot for the price. It's not going to sound as good as more expensive speakers but it still offers loud sound and superb voice recognition. You don't get Zigbee on here but can still control the smart home well using that Alexa smart assistant. A top affordable choice for filling your home with smart speakers.

If you’ve spent any time around live music in the last few decades, there’s a good chance you’ll be able to identify a Marshall amp. The brand has been a favorite for live shows and studio sessions for a long time, and now its distinctive industrial design has been shrunk down into a quite frankly adorable, but ferocious, portable speaker.

The Marshall Emberton is a powerful speaker that offers excellent audio clarity as well as long-lasting battery life, while also being impressively well-made. It also looks great, sporting the instantly recognizable Marshall logo set against a speaker grille.

All of this combines to make it one of the best soundbars or Bluetooth speakers you can buy right now, and while it lacks any smart functionality or wired connectivity, it’s a long-lasting powerhouse that’s ideal for indoor our outdoor listening sessions.

Marshall Emberton: Design

If you were to take perspective out of the equation, the Marshall Emberton could be a head unit for a live band. It feels like it’s been hit by a shrink ray, and while it’s weighty enough to feel like it can be thrown in a bag, it’s not so heavy that you’d even know it was in there. That’s a tough balance to strike, but Marshall has managed it.

The Emberton comes in four colorways; our review unit is the rather fetching Cream variant, but you’ll also find Black, Black and Brass, and Forest as available options.

The outer shell is made of a silicone rubber which feels nice to the touch and makes it easier to pull out of the aforementioned backpack you can carry it in or hold in your hand.

The front is dominated by the trademark grille and the Marshall logo, while the back is much the same, sans logo. One side has a USB-C charging port, and the top lays out a connection button, battery charge meter, and a control nob that’s inside the chassis itself.

Not only does it look much better than the alternative (which we’d presume would be a variety of buttons), but it also allows for volume control and track skipping within one control.

Marshall Emberton: Features

As you can imagine from a modern-day Bluetooth speaker, the Emberton is easy to connect to your device of choice; just push the knob for a couple of seconds and connect on your phone’s Bluetooth menu (or laptop).

Sadly, there’s no wired connection, but Bluetooth technology has come so far we’d consider that a “nice to have” more than a “must-have” for many users. If you’ve got an AUX cable, though, you won’t be able to use it here.

When it comes to battery life, the Emberton can party a lot longer than you may expect given its size. It’ll pump out music for up to twenty hours, and when it does finally croak, you’re able to get five hours of playback by charging it via USB-C – although there’s no power brick in the box.

Marshall Emberton: Sound quality

Sure, this speaker looks great, but how good is the sound quality? Despite offering 360-degree sound (thanks to the aforementioned rear grille), it’s tough to consider it as being truly stereo because it’s all coming from such a small package.

That’s not to say it’s not punchy, though. In our experience, the Marshall Emberton was able to offer the satisfying crack of a snare beat on a rap song just as much attention as it did on the bass heavy drops of a metal track.

While some Bluetooth speakers can lean too heavily on bass or treble, the Emberton feels like it hits the sweet spot between the two – even a podcast didn’t sound overly distorted, and often you’ll find hosts’ voices come out a little higher or lower depending on which is preferred by the speaker.

As with any speaker, particularly one this small, you’re bound to hit some distortion if you crank things too loud, but keeping things at around 80% ensured everything just felt full, even when listening outside next to a busy barbecue.

Marshall Emberton: User reviews

The Marshall Emberton holds a five-star rating on Amazon, with reviewers noting how impressed they are by the sound produced from such a small device.

Others would have liked an AUX connection, while others were hoping for some kind of equalizer, but for the most part, it’s a very popular speaker.

Should you buy the Marshall Emberton?

If you’re looking for a Bluetooth speaker that offers great looks and a really robust soundstage, then the Marshall Emberton is a no-brainer. Whether you’re throwing the latest chart-topper or decades-old classics through it, it can do it all, and is one of the best Bluetooth speakers you can buy today. 

If this product isn't for you

The Marshall Emberton looks and sounds great, but it’s not a smart speaker. 

That means if you’re looking for Alexa or Google Assistant integration, you’ll find Amazon’s Echo Dot and Google’s Nest Mini for a lot less money, and gain that functionality. 

If you’re not fussed by either of those because you’re reliant on Siri, then Apple’s excellent HomePod is also an option – and it’s still significantly cheaper. Alternatively, Marshall's got its very own smart speaker with the Marshall Stanmore.

Keep in mind, though, that with any of these options you’ll be chained to a wall plug, and Wi-Fi.

The best smart speakers combine all the best parts of music players with intelligent listening to make them even more useful. These speakers not only have microphones to hear your commands but they're also backed by AI-powered smart assistants.

That means you can ask your speaker what you want to listen to—and plenty more besides. From checking the weather to controlling your smart home, these smart speakers can do it all without you having to lift a finger.

From the super affordable Amazon Echo to the higher-end Sonos Move right through to the compact Google Nest Mini, there are lots of speaker options to suit everyone's needs. Yup, you no longer need to sacrifice premium audio quality to get a smart voice-controlled assistant in your favorite speaker spot in your home.

So, from being alerted by your video doorbell to unlocking your smart lock door, you can do it all from the comfort of your sofa. It's worth noting that while some speakers offer multiple voice assistants, most will let you choose between Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple Siri, or Microsoft Cortana. So it's worth considering which you use the most, like best, or which is more compatible with your needs. 

With that in mind, here are the best smart speakers available right now, organized with standout features so you can find the perfect model for you.

The best smart speakers we recommend

We at Top Ten Reviews are on a mission to review everything we feature in our buyer's guides, but while we work hard to make this a reality—or where this isn't possible—some of our guides still feature rankings based on our team's considerable expertise and research.

While we haven't been able to test any of the units in this guide in person, we've instead honed in on top-rated brands and used our knowledge of the best central air conditioning unit features to help you make the right decision for your home, all for the best price.

The best smart speaker overall

The Amazon Echo (4th Gen) smart speaker is the winner of our best smart speakers list thanks to its perfect balance of price, audio performance, and smart functionality. So, while it might not be the best-sounding or looking on this list, it does everything so well and in one well-priced package that it will serve the needs of most above and beyond what's expected.

This speaker is built to listen to you since it's all about getting that Alexa smart assistant into homes. As such, it comes packed with a six-microphone array that can hear voices from anywhere in the room. If you enable it, this can even pick up your voice specifically and tailor the results to suit what it has learned you may want. Expect Alexa to understand all your requests, even in noisy environments with other voices, music, white goods, and more, all trying to drown you out.

To continue with the smart assistant features, Alexa can control the smart home. So, this does more while you can ask Alexa to play music, check the weather, or convert a cooking weight for you. You can control your home's thermostat to get the temperature right, have the Echo alert you when your smart doorbell goes, or even easily add items to your digital shopping list. Plus, you get Zigbee and Sidewalk onboard for all your other smart gadgets that can be controlled directly from here.

The speaker itself is better than ever in this fourth-generation model. As such, you can expect a genuinely impressive balance of music with enough power and punch to fill a room without distortion, even at higher volumes.  

A super all-around smart speaker at a very fair price.

The best premium smart speaker

The Sonos Move is the most mobile speaker from the now world-renowned speaker company, which started the whole multiroom revolution. The Sonos Move is the company's first truly mobile speaker, as it packs in battery power to allow you to take it wherever it is needed, whether into various rooms or out into the yard for a barbecue party. The battery is good for 10 hours, and the speaker is IP56 rated for water and dust, so you don't even have to worry about rain or using this by the pool. Crucially, it does all that while keeping the high-quality audio and smart voice control standards we've expected from Sonos.

You have a six-microphone array listening to your command – which can be for Alexa or Google Assistant, as you can set up with the one you use most. There's WiFi connectivity and Apple AirPlay 2 support, but since you're likely to move this out of the WiFi range, there is Bluetooth connectivity. But the great part of this speaker is its audio smarts.

Take the Sonos Move out into a new space, and it will automatically detect it has been moved. It will also use its microphones to test how its audio output performs in that space. It will then adjust the audio to suit the space it is in. For example, playing this from the corner of a room will sound as good as outside in an open space, as it will intelligently adapt to suit.

The Class D amplifier and speaker setup create a perfectly balanced and powerful sound that's difficult to fault. You'll pay more for that Sonos name, but you'll hear why the second you start using this superb speaker. 

The smart speaker with the most iconic design

The Marshall Stanmore II Voice is a stunner; there's no denying it. With those classic guitar amp looks, this combines retro with modern to give a look that screams music fan when viewed from almost all angles. That's because this is designed by band-backing speaker specialist Marshall, who has decades of experience creating high-quality and reliable speakers. Making them smart – that part is new.

This speaker comes with Alexa as the onboard smart assistant, and she can be controlled using the dual microphone setup, which can pick up voice commands well. It is not the best, but it works well enough in most situations. Unlike some other speakers, this offers WiFi, Bluetooth, aux 3.5mm input, and RCA, making this perfect for most uses.

The reassuringly weighty 10-pound speaker packs a powerful 50W Class D amp for the sub and two 15W Class D amps for the tweeters, resulting in high-quality audio with lots of grunt. Everything is well-balanced; as you might expect from Marshall, the volume can go up without distortion. That makes this a viable day-to-day speaker and a unit that can be cranked up for a party. 

It's also worth noting that this speaker stands out as visually iconic with that Marshall design, and this continues into the audio performance. This is a Marshall-sounding speaker, making it ideal for guitar-based music, but thanks to a fine balance, it does well with all types of music.

The best value smart speaker

As the name suggests, the Google Home Max is the largest and most powerful speaker range that Google has to offer. As such, this model is ideal for anyone who wants the functionality of a Google Assistant speaker but with the extra audio performance of a stand-alone speaker. Crucially, this does that bridge-crossing feat while keeping the price down.

As such, this is one of the best value-for-money smart speakers you can buy. Use this as your day-to-day speaker and assistant, but reserve it for party-level output thanks to the dual 4.5-inch woofers. That means this speaker is powerful enough to work for most uses alone, but it can also be paired with another to create a stereo pair that is ideal for watching movies with immersive audio.

Google Assistant is easy to control thanks to dual microphones which are able to pick up your voice from across even a noisy room. That means you can control your music by voice and your smart home, including thermostats, door locks, and more. You can also use all those Google smarts to have it answer your questions, or you can even conduct web searches on whatever interests you. It's ideal if you're away from your phone and want a quick calculation or fact immediately. 

For connectivity, you're all set with WiFi, Bluetooth, a 3.5mm aux in, and USB-C, so you can charge a smartphone right from this mains-powered speaker, too. It's not the lightest at 11.7 pounds, but that's a weight reassuring of audio quality, and – since this isn't made to be that mobile – it's ideal for what you're getting, which is a very capable and reasonably priced speaker.

The best smart speaker for the bedroom

The Amazon Echo Dot with Clock is a perfect smart speaker for a bedroom or office. Thanks to the funky digital display, it not only offers audio playback and listening but also at-a-glance time and data. This is a really beautifully designed piece of kit from Amazon that manages to cram in the features while keeping the price super low.

Of course, this isn't the best speaker on the list, but it still does a good job of playing music at a quality that can be enjoyed – just don't expect the bass or vast soundstage of a larger speaker. It listens very well, with far-field microphones that easily pick up your voice. That makes this a great way to control smart devices using your voice alone, as well as having access to the weather, conversions, shopping, and answers to any other question that might spring to mind.

The clock is a newer addition that adds at-a-glance time on the LED display, letting you do away with your bedside clock, for example. This is intelligent in terms of lighting, as it dulls at night so you aren't bothered by a bright light as you sleep—but it remains plenty clear enough to read the time should you need it. You can even tap to snooze the alarm, like a classic bedside clock offers.

So if you want a smart speaker with excellent listening ability, offers superb responses, delivers decent enough sound, and does it with a clock while staying on budget – this is an ideal option.

The best multi-room smart speaker

Sonos is where multiroom speakers began, and since the company started adding smart assistant controls, these are some seriously impressive speakers that justify their price and then some. You can expect very good audio performance from the Sonos One, one of the company's most popular speakers in its range. This is thanks to not one but two Class-D amps and a mid-range woofer that combine to offer balanced audio with enough bass and a wide enough soundstage to handle anything you throw at it.

Of course, being Sonos, it is also super compatible with multiroom speaker controls. Use the Sonos app to pair up other speakers, or play using Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, or Apple's AirPlay 2. This is smart enough to pop up on your network, meaning you can also control it from within your music player, like Spotify, sending it to this speaker alone or multiple speakers as you need.

This is a multiroom speaker first, but thanks to six far-field noise-cancelling microphones, it also works perfectly as a smart speaker. While those microphones create the best audio performance for the space the speaker detects it is in, they also listen to you. Speak a command, and the speaker will quickly respond as you need. That could be to play music, turn up your home heating, check the weather, and plenty more besides.

All that and the speaker looks stunning, with a minimal finish and sleek lines, enhancing any space lucky enough to find this living within.

The best smart speaker for Apple fans

The Apple HomePod is currently in its second generation and is now better than ever, both in terms of its sound and features. First and foremost, this is the speaker built by Apple for users of its products, meaning it works best with them. So, if you want Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa, keep reading – this is Siri-powered only. It's also built to play best with Apple AirPlay 2 – but you also have Bluetooth for direct connectivity if you need it.

The audio performance is high-fidelity, which supports Apple Lossless, and you also get Spatial Audio for sound that fills any room this lives within. The system works with microphones to adjust and optimize that audio playback to suit the space in real-time, meaning it is one of the best audio performances you can get at this price. So, from listening to music to playing audio for a movie, this will pack plenty of punch to deliver an immersive experience. This supports Dolby Atmos for truly surround sound as you listen to your movies or shows.

The Siri smart assistant is also better than ever with the HomePod. Not only can you have it carry out commands like controlling your smart home thermostat, setting alarms, or playing music about the home, but it even has automation like detecting smoke or carbon monoxide alarms and will alert your iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch right away.

The HomePod also looks amazing with that rounded mesh finish, available in black or white. Either way, it's housing a 4-inch excursion woofer, five horn-loaded tweeters, and room-sensing microphones. All that makes for stunning performance and, when paired in stereo with another unit, can make this the center of your home audio experience. 

The best smart speaker for hi-res audio

The Amazon Echo Studio is the best speaker in the Amazon range, offering the highest-quality audio by far. Of course, at its heart, this is still an Alexa smart assistant-controlled speaker, but it's also a premium-quality audio device. As such, you can buy this to get the best Alexa experience without losing out on all that a premium speaker brand can offer you.

This audio quality comes from features like support for High-Res playback with a built-in 24-bit DAC to create the ideal output no matter the input. You also have support for quality audio like FLAC files, digital audio performance from Dolby Atmos, and even Sony 360 Reality sound, plus plenty more. 

Whatever you play, it goes through a system powered by a massive 330W amplifier, which runs three two-inch midrange speakers, a one-inch tweeter, and a monster 5.25-inch woofer for serious bass power. All that means is that you get a super powerful audio output with the balance to deliver the right performance for whatever you're listening to. It will even use its array of seven far-field microphones to analyze the room and adapt its audio output to best suit the space. The bass may be a bit much for some listeners, but with the ability to play with presets, this can be perfected as needed.

Alexa onboard means you can control your smart home, get answers to questions, add items to your shopping list, receive doorbell alerts, and plenty more. It's even a Zigbee hub. You get a lot for the price of this very impressive smart speaker.

The best smart speaker on a budget

The Google Nest Mini is the company's mini speaker option, which allows you to get a voice-controlled Google Assistant smart speaker without spending too much. That makes this ideal if you want a smart assistant in any room you need without breaking the bank by buying full-on speaker performance, too. As such, this delivers enough audio quality for music playback but not enough for an audiophile to be happy. So, for most people, it will do the job fine; it offers a balanced performance and quite a bit of volume, just not the most bass. This version has had a decent bass performance upgrade over the previous generation.

This unit looks decent with its mesh upper and minimal puck shape, all with the multicoloured Google LEDs to help alert you to status changes. It's also wall-mountable, making it potentially an out-of-the-way option for any space. It's also more sustainable, says Google. You won't find a 3.5mm aux in, although with WiFi and Bluetooth 5.0 plus Chromecast support, you likely won't find much of a need for it with a speaker of this size.

The Google Assistant works very well here thanks to three microphones that can pick up your voice even over music playing loud – something the older models sometimes struggled with. So, while that 40mm driver isn't the most powerful, this is a great point of interaction with your smart assistant. Pop a few of these about the home, and you can control the thermostat, unlock smart doors, close smart blinds, have instant answers to nearly any questions, and plenty more, all a voice command away.

The best premium smart speaker

The Audio Pro G10 is a second-generation version of the Swedish company's premium-built smart speaker. As such, you get all the design positives of this stunning smart speaker only now with the addition of Google Assistant to control everything.

The key factor with this device is that you get that stunning and high-quality, weighty Swedish design but without the high-price tag you might expect. Go beyond the plush material outer and the minimalist design – which doesn't scrimp on button controls – and you have some superb audio grunt too.

Inside, you'll find a room-filling powerful 52W Class D amp backed by two 4.5-inch passive radiators, a 1.25-inch balanced mode radiator tweeter, and a 3-inch long-throw woofer. All that combines to offer a balanced audio performance which creates a great soundstage, despite this not being a 360-degree speaker - in spite of that rounded shape. This won't falter on sound quality, even at full volume, which fills larger rooms, making this a viable party speaker option.

In terms of smarts, this can be controlled using your voice thanks to Google Assistant and some impressively accurate microphone pickups. It's also good to go for Apple AirPlay 2 and offers Chromecast support – making it easy to play from whatever service you currently use. You also have Bluetooth 4.2 which makes playing directly from a phone – ideal at house parties – a viable playback option too. And that covers you for FLAC, Apple Lossless, AAC, WMA and MP3 audio formats.

From design quality to looks to stunning sound – this does it all for a relatively low price.

How to choose the best smart speaker

There are plenty of factors to consider when buying a new smart speaker, but one of the most important is what you need it for. Is this to get voice-controlled access to your smart assistant anywhere in your home? If so, a smaller, more affordable device like the Amazon Echo or Google Nest Mini could serve you well. But if you want audio performance, you may consider going larger and spending a little more.

So, assuming you want decent audio performance, you may next want to think about which smart assistant you need. While some third-party brands now offer the choice of either Alexa or Google Assistant, some are one or the other. So think about which you use most, which works best with your smart-connected devices, and which integrates ideally with your phone.

Next up, you could think about what level of audio performance you need. Do you want to go high-end for Hi-res audio playback, or could you get by just fine with a basic but decent enough performance? In short, are you an audiophile or someone who needs decent audio without it being pro-level? If you're the former, the Apple HomePod, Amazon Echo Studio, or Sonos One could be for you. Otherwise, most other speakers on this list will more than support your performance needs.

Looks are, of course, another factor. While most smart speakers now look great, some are design-focused, like the iconic Marshall or Audio Pro units in this list. You will pay a premium for these, but you'll see that in the room and hear it in audio performance, too.

Other considerations include connectivity, price, portability, water-proofing, visual feedback, button controls, and microphone performance. 

What can smart speakers do?

Smart speakers do a lot. It’s kind of their thing. As the name suggests, they’re speakers first and foremost though. This means that they’re ideal for playing music throughout your house via music streaming services like Spotify and Amazon Music.

Alongside this, smart speakers are also an amazing way to connect and control all of your other smart devices around your home. This can be anything from asking Alexa to turn the heating down on your smart thermostat through to asking Google Assistant to dim the lights via your smart lamps.

You can also ask your smart assistant all kinds of questions using your smart speaker. You can ask for anything from news and weather updates to random trivia questions. Smart assistants will even tell you jokes and play games with you too.

Which is the best AI voice assistant? 

There are basically three choices when it comes to AI voice assistants for your smart speaker - Amazon Alexa, Apple’s Siri, and Google Assistant. At first glance, you might just think that it’s best to stick with what you know. So, if you’ve got an Apple iPhone then get an Apple smart speaker and if you have an Android phone, get a Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa device.

There is certainly some logic to that, and it’s true that devices usually play best with other devices in the same ecosystem, but that’s not the be all and end all when it comes to choosing the best smart speaker.

Some smart speakers are locked to the smart AI assistant that they’re built for, so if you choose based on the software, then you’re also limiting yourself when it comes to hardware. Amazon devices only support Alexa, Google devices only support Google devices, and you guessed it, Apple devices only support Siri. Third-party devices like the Sonos Move and Sonos One have more freedom though, letting you choose which AI assistant you want.

OK, but which one is the best? Well that depends on what you’re expecting it to do. When it comes to answering questions, Google Assistant is the clear winner. An industry analyst called Loup Ventures put all three AS assistants through their paces in a rigorous series of tests back in 2019 and found that Google Assistant answered 92.9% of 800 test questions correctly, and correctly understood the question 100% of the time. By comparison, Siri only answered correctly 83.1% of the time, while Alexa managed to give the correct answer just 79.8% of the time.

That doesn’t make it a clean sweep for Google Assistant though. If you’re looking for device compatibility, Amazon Alexa really can’t be beat - it works with just about everything. And if you’re looking to inject some humor and humanity into your AI assistant, then Siri is certainly the funniest and most naturally speaking of the bunch.

Sonos has announced that it will stop updating the software of some of its oldest products in May, effectively meaning that they will no longer gain new features and security patches. Sonos has claimed that 92% of the products it has shipped are still in use today, which is an impressive statistic and a testament to the durability of these speakers and audio systems - Sonos does make some of the best smart speakers on the market. However, technology has advanced in ways which has stretched Sonos' oldest products "to their technical limits in terms of memory and processing power."

Much of the technology which will stop receiving updates was launched well over ten years ago, before the iPhone, Spotify and most smart home technology was released. These products weren't designed to work with a lot of the newer technology on the market, from voice assistants to new streaming services.

Luckily for those affected, Sonos is making it easier to trade-in these products and will give you a 30% discount when you upgrade to a newer model. 

What Sonos devices are affected?

This update will only concern the 'legacy kit' products, all of which were discontinued at least five years ago. The models in question are as follows:

• Sonos Bridge
• Sonos Connect
• Sonos Connect:Amp
• Sonos CR200 wireless remote
• Sonos Play:5 (Gen 1)
• Sonos Zone Players (ZP90, ZP100, ZP120, etc)

What are your options? 

In the fast-paced world of technology, it's not uncommon to have to phase out old hardware to make room for advancements. We saw it recently with the death of Windows 7 and its subsequent free upgrade to Windows 10. All companies can do is help make this transition as easy and cheap as possible.

There's two things to do if your Sonos product is affected:

Firstly, you can continue to use it, knowing that without software updates it will become less and less capable of pairing with developing technologies and software. 

This might not be a problem for you if you don't use more modern streaming services. After all, these products are only out-of-date if your 'interconnected ecosystem' is still being regularly updated. 

Secondly, Sonos is giving you 30% credit for each legacy product you replace. Sonos's trade up program will recycle your old products and erase any personal information they once held to eliminate the environmental and security ramifications of this option. 

This announcement may leave you looking for the best wireless speakers or sound bars, but the offer of a 30% discount makes this transition a bit sweeter. This option gives you the change to get the shiny new Sonos Move speaker. 

After Blue Monday, the last thing you need getting you down is more disheartening headlines. Today in wholesome news, over half of Americans say "please" to their smart speaker, with 19% doing this frequently. This comes from a survey by Pew Research Centre amid the increasing integration of artificially intelligent virtual assistants into our homes. Pew also found that women are 8% more likely to be well-mannered toward their smart home devices than men. 

These findings may reflect efforts in households to teach children good manners. Smart Home helpers such as the Google Assistant and Amazon's Alexa have been programmed to reward good manners in recent years. This is amid concerns that children who are rude or ungrateful to their virtual assistants could become ill-mannered to actual assistants, teachers or service workers. 

Pew's survey also found that one-quarter of Americans have a smart speaker at home. Combined that the findings that one-in-five Americans has a smart watch or fitness tracker, it seems that we're increasingly turning to smart technology to make our lives easier. If you're looking to make the most of this technology but have yet to make the plunge, we've reviewed the best smart speakers on the market to help you make your choice.

Amid these other findings, Pew discovered that over half of owners are concerned about the amount of data collected by these devices. If this is you, we suggest checking out some of the best VPN services to help you feel secure. 

It certainly seems like two children in Michigan will be having a very merry Christmas this year after Santa dropped off everything they wanted - and it was no coincidence. 

Veronica Estell was shocked, to say the least, when UPS left at least $400 worth of toys at her doorstep. She was met with piles and piles of boxes, without having an inkling as to what was inside of them. 

 The mom thought that the gifts had been sent over by a generous, and possibly over-zealous relative. After all, she does have a 4-year-old and a 6-year-old at home.  But that's when were kids confessed to their crime: they were the ones who ordered themselves the gifts. How? Through Amazon's Alexa. 

By simply to the smart home assistant, the kids ordered themselves toys galore, including a Barbie Dreamhouse, dolls and PJ Masks figurines. 

Obviously, Veronica was none too pleased, but still has a lot to be thankful for this season. Amazon has agreed to refund her money, and she doesn't even have to return the toys! Now that's what we call a win-win. 

How to kid-proof your Amazon smart home device

Incidents like this one are actually shockingly common. While it might be a good idea year-round, it's especially crucial around the holiday season to either turn off or set a code to Voice Purchasing. 

To disable the feature, quite simply click the menu and select "Settings." Then, click on "Alexa Account," and then toggle "Purchase by Voice" off.

Alternatively you can also select a 4-digit code on the same page. 

Following the incident, Amazon strongly encourages users to enable Amazon mobile notifications, so they will be alerted to a purchase and can review the totals from their phone. 

Alexa can help you out this holiday season

Sure, Alexa can make packages and gifts arrive to your home as if by magic, but do you know what else she can do? Change the subject. 

Avoid holiday arguments with friends, family, and extended family by enabling this handy feature. When prompted, Alexa will ask a random questions that's sure to stop the bickering. 

Alexa is certainly something to be thankful for this holiday season. 

The Emotiva Airmotiv T1 are impressive floor standing speakers. They produced an open and natural sound in our movie and music listening tests, and their innovative, compact cabinet design makes them a good fit for any size theater room. The Q Acoustics 3050 slightly outperformed the T1 speakers, but they impressed us during our movie listening tests. Of course, they can't match any of the top of the range soundbars.

Based on manufacturer specifications, the Emotiva towers have the narrowest frequency response range of any speakers we tested. The company claims the speakers produce frequencies as low as 37 Hz and as high as 28 kHz. Normally, a narrow frequency response has a negative effect on sound quality; however, the T1 speakers showed no signs of frequency discrepancy in either of our tests. That is an indication of their quality design and the efficiency of their housing.

These speakers yielded the best results in our movie listening test. In this test, we played a clip from “Mad Max: Fury Road” for a panel of evaluators, then surveyed them about what they heard. We chose this movie because of its wide variety of audio content during the action-packed chase scenes. The 6-inch woven-fiber woofers were rated by our diverse group as the best at reproducing the growling low-frequency sounds during the chase scenes – that means the T1s outperformed all the speakers in our review with 8-inch woofers, which is surprising.

The Emotiva T1 towers also performed well in our music tests. Its accurate ribbon tweeter and woven-fiber 5.25-inch midrange driver delivered accurate and neutral vocals in every genre of music we listened to. We tested the low-frequency response quality by playing some electronic music with deep synth bass. The pair of 6-inch woofers had a slight bit of trouble recreating the lowest frequencies in those songs, but it was minor enough that we wouldn’t have noticed had we not been comparing them side-by-side with speakers that have larger woofers.

The Airmotiv T1 speakers have a 4 ohm impedance rating, which makes them tricky to pair with a receiver or amplifier – these are the only speakers we tested that are setup to receive this load. A good way to tell if an amplifier or AV receiver is compatible with a 4 ohm speaker is to see if the manufacturer lists power ratings for both 8 and 4 ohm speakers.

These speakers need to be powered by an AV receiver or amplifier capable of delivering 150 watts at 4 ohms, which is a power rating you can expect from a midlevel AV receiver. We don’t suggest pairing the T1s with an amplifier that cannot handle a 4 ohm load because it won’t be able to supply the speakers with enough power, which could lead to amplifier failure, speaker failure or both.

The Emotiva T1 have a three-way design with four total speakers. There are two 6-inch woven-fiber woofers, a 5.25-inch woven-fiber midrange driver and a folded ribbon tweeter. This is the only model we tested with a ribbon tweeter. This accurate, neutral driver produced some of the best high-frequency and midrange content in both of our listening tests.

The retail packaging includes adjustable spiked footers and rubber feet, so you can safely place these speakers on any type of flooring. The black speaker grill is made of cloth and attaches securely with powerful magnets. We suggest removing the grill cloth for optimum sound, but it can prevent damage if you have small children who may feel like poking their fingers into your speakers.

The Emotiva Airmotiv T1 were the best-sounding speakers in our movie test. Besides needing to pair them with an amplifier that can handle a 4 ohm load, it is hard to find a fault in their design or the sound emanating from the cabinet. We are surprised that Emotiva can offer a pair of speakers that are this high quality for less than $700.

The ELAC Debut F6.2 floor standing speakers are a reboot of the affordable Debut line. We previously tested the 5-inch version of these speakers, and were impressed with the dialogue clarity and high-frequency effect reproduction. We tested the larger version this time around to see if the newest upgrades offered any improvements in the low-frequency and efficiency departments. Although the 6.5-inch woofers are noticeably better than their smaller siblings, they’re still lacking compared to the best speakers we tested. While we no longer review speakers, try our guide to the best soundbars for more up to date audio.

During our movie test, we watched an action sequence from the movie “Mad Max: Fury Road,” and ranked each speaker’s dialogue clarity. The best floor standing speakers project dialogue that isn’t drowned out by special effects. We found that the ELAC towers’ midrange and treble accuracy make them some the best for dialogue quality, because they projected smooth and balanced speech patterns during the loud chase scenes. The 1-inch cloth dome tweeter is an impressive update, and offered noticeably better resolution than its predecessor.

Movie dialogue is important, but to get a true theater experience, you also need to feel the rumble of bass frequencies, especially when watching action movies. The F6.2 towers struggled to project bass compared to larger floor speakers like the Klipsch R-28F. The 6.5-inch low-frequency drivers didn’t distort, but they were overshadowed during some of the louder chase scenes.

In our music listening test, the F6.2 towers again delivered smooth and accurate treble and midrange content. We were particularly impressed with the tonal quality of brass and woodwind instruments when we listened to selections from Karl Denson’s album “Dance Lesson #2.” When our reviewers rated vocal reproduction quality during our music test, the F6.2 ranked among the best in our review.

The Debut line of floor standing speakers is affordable compared to the rest of ELAC’s catalog, but due to the noticeable lack of their low-frequency performance we recommend you consider pairing the F6.2 with a subwoofer.

Q Acoustics may not be the most recognizable name in the home audio industry, but we were thoroughly impressed with the sound and build quality of the 3050 floor standing speakers. The midrange content flowing out of these speakers is the perfect combination of colorful and accurate, and the soaring high-frequency sounds are unobtrusive and natural. The two-way design includes a pair of 6.5-inch Aramid fiber woofers and a 1-inch concentric ring dome tweeter. The wonderfully designed enclosure is available in four finish options: gloss black, gloss white, graphite and American walnut. The cabinet is equal parts sturdy and attractive, and places the speakers at the perfect height for seated listening.

In our music listening test, we played a wide range of musical genres, and the 3050 was the clear winner for clarity and accuracy. We were particularly impressed with the vocal reproduction. These speakers offer a wide sound stage, and did a great job of placing the vocals just in front of the other instruments. Acoustic instruments, like horns and strings, sounded as if the musicians were in our AV lab giving us a private concert. The bass response is not as impactful as some of the larger speakers we tested, like the Klipsch R-28F, but it is perfectly complimentary of the midrange and high-frequency content.

To test each speaker’s ability to project theater-quality sound we played an action sequence from the movie “Mad Max: Fury Road” with an abundance of low rumbling effects accompanied by short snippets of dialogue. The 3050 had no problem placing the dialogue in front of the effects, and at the same time, producing impactful bass. The wide dispersion tweeter also did a good job recreating the ear-piercing tone of gunfire. The 3050 is one of the few floor standing speakers we tested that could stand alone without the help of a subwoofer or center speaker to project dialogue in front of the effects.

With a 92 dB sensitivity rating, these speakers are highly efficient at converting amplification to sound. We conducted most of our listening tests at 85 dB, which is about as loud as a commercial theater. The 3050 showed no signs of distorting at that volume. Q Acoustics suggests powering these speakers with an amplifier or AV receiver that sends between 25 and 100 watts per channel. The 100 watt continuous power rating works best with most mid-level and entry-level receivers.

The sleek and durable cabinet includes some smart design features. There are dual five-way binding posts on the back panel, in case you want to bi-amp your floor speakers. The black grille cloth only covers the top half of the front panel, but we suggest removing the magnetic grille cloths for optimal audio results. The speakers are held in place by a steel outrigger plinth that has threads for floor spikes. Unfortunately, the base isn’t permanently attached to the cabinet, so you may need to tighten the screws periodically.

The Q Acoustics 3050 is our favorite floor standing speaker for less than $1,000. The audio clarity is unmatched at that price-point, and the cabinet design is as attractive as it is durable. These speakers are an amazing value, and the perfect entrance into the audiophile realm. If you don't want a full speaker set, though, we have a guide to the best soundbars instead.

The Onkyo SKF-4800 is one of the best value floor standing speaker. The one-inch soft dome tweeter projects clear and concise high-frequency effects that have no problem cutting through rumbling bass. The cabinet design is a bit bulky compared to some speakers we tested, but it makes for some impactful low tones. The black semi-gloss enclosure is monolithic and boring, but the cabinet design places the speakers at the perfect height for seated listening. The Onkyo scored lower due to boxy midrange tones during testing, but they’re still some of the best under $500. However, they're less affordable than most of the best soundbars nowadays.

Onkyo is well-known for producing some of the best low-cost audio equipment available. For about the same price as a mid-level sound bar or home theater speaker package, you can pair the SKF-4800s with an entry-level Onkyo receiver for a proper surround sound system. Although these speakers are only rated for 55 Hz on the low end, you won’t need a subwoofer unless you have a large entertainment room. The bass response was a bit flabby compared to the best speakers we tested, like the Klipsch R-28F, but it would be hard to perceive unless you’re quickly switching back and forth like we do during testing. The rumbling movie effects and bass guitar sounds were balanced and impactful in our movie and music tests.

The one noticeable flaw of these towers is the midrange content. Startling low-frequency effects are an important component of theater-quality sound, but if you can’t hear the dialogue through the effects, some of the magic is lost. Both the high- and low-frequencies were much more prevalent in our movie listening tests, and the dialogue was muffled. We suggest adding a center channel alongside the SKF-4800, especially if you enjoy action movies.

The semi-gloss finish does a great job of hiding fingerprints and dust, and the large footprint keeps these large enclosures upright, even on thick carpeting. The wide base is permanently attached to the cabinet, so you don’t have to tighten any screws. One design flaw worth noting is the poorly constructed rear-port. Most speakers we reviewed reinforce the port with a plastic or wood insert, but the SKF-4800’s port is surrounded by an exposed section of MDF that we chipped while moving the speakers around in our AV room. It’s a minor flaw, but could present an issue if you move the speakers frequently.

If you are looking for a quick and easy audio upgrade for under $800, we recommend coupling these speakers with an entry-level AV receiver. They don’t sound as great as the best speakers we tested, but they are half the price. You shouldn’t need to pair them with a subwoofer, but a center channel would go a long way in improving the lack of clear dialogue.

The Polk Audio T50 floor standing speakers are often on sale for less than $200 per pair, which is astonishingly low price. The three-way design includes two 6.5-inch woofers, a 1-inch silk dome tweeter and a dedicated 6.5-inch midrange driver. These speakers are efficient at converting amplification to sound due to a 90 dB sensitivity rating, which makes them more efficient than more expensive speakers in our lineup. The T50s aren’t going to rattle the pictures off your wall with chest-thumping sound effects, but they sound better than most soundbars and bookshelf speakers we’ve tested.

The compact and lightweight cabinet design is perfect for small entertainment rooms. The black semi-gloss finish hides fingerprints and dust well, and the five-way binding posts on the back panel make it easy to attach the speaker cables. The base of the enclosure is permanently attached, so you don’t have to tighten screws. The T50 comes with a black grille cloth that covers the entire length of the front panel, which is great if you have munchkins in the house that like to poke foreign objects.

To test the audio quality of each speaker pair, we watched an action sequence from the movie “Mad Max: Fury Road” and issued a grade for dialogue clarity, bass response and overall sound quality. The T50 couldn’t compete with the best speakers we tested, so we focused our comparison on similarly priced speakers, like the Onkyo SKF-4800. The T50 outperformed the Onkyo speakers when it came to dialogue clarity, but the compact enclosure didn’t project the same impactful bass. If you add a subwoofer however, the bass is much better and that option is still cheaper than the Onkyo towers.

We issued higher marks for the T50 in our music listening tests, because the lack of bass is not as glaring when you listen to music. The vocal and acoustic instrument sounds were clear and concise, and we had no problem playing a variety of musical genres at a serviceable volume without distortion. If you are looking for a budget-friendly upgrade for streaming music in your small- or medium-size entertainment room, the T50 is a great option.

The T50 can’t compete with the best floor speakers we reviewed when it comes to audio quality and aesthetic value, but when paired with an entry-level AV receiver, and a subwoofer, this pair is a great low-cost audio upgrade.

The Monoprice Premium 5.1 home theater system doesn't provide the premium sound quality that high-end home theater speakers produce, but this system is a good inexpensive alternative. Few systems in our comparison fall below $200, but the Monoprice offers full 5.1 surround sound for below that.

The surround sound speaker system includes four satellite speakers, a center speaker and a subwoofer. The satellite speakers and the center speaker boast a frequency range of 110Hz-20kHz while the subwoofer handles all the frequencies below that, all the way down to 30Hz. The manufacturer's specs paint a picture that suggests these are top home theater speakers, but our listening tests suggested otherwise.

We had multiple reviewers watch a scene from a movie to evaluate how well the home theater speaker system performed. Our panel listened to each system for dialogue clarity, bass response and surround sound effect. Our panelists gave the Monoprice 5.1 surround sound speakers a respectable B- grade. The panel consistently described the sound quality as "OK." Unlike when they listened to the Fluance SXHTB, nobody in our panel was wowed by the sound quality, but they unanimously agreed that the system was a great improvement from the television speakers. When they listened to dialogue through the center and left/right main speakers, it sounded boxy and muffled – like there was a box placed over the speakers. Boxy sound quality lacks brightness and sharpness, leaving the audio sounding dull. 

The bass response of the subwoofer adds the presence of low-hitting frequencies, but it didn't stand out in our comparison. The 8-inch down-firing driver has good tonality, showing a natural sound quality to the bass, but it doesn't have the dynamic volume range that others boast. We had to crank this subwoofer to about three-fourths of its total volume to not only volume match with other subwoofers, but also to make any sort of impact on the overall sound quality.

The Monoprice Premium 5.1 home theater system is ideal for those on a tight budget looking to add surround sound to their home entertainment experience. The system won't wow you with supreme audio quality, but it isn't mediocre by any means. The system is an absolute upgrade from your televisions built-in speakers. This is a solid choice for an inexpensive upgrade. While we no longer test full speaker systems, we do have a guide to the best soundbars, which may suit your TV better now.

The Onkyo SKS-HT690 home theater speaker package is a 5.1 system with two main speakers, two dedicated surround speakers, a center channel and a 10-inch down-firing subwoofer. The satellite speakers and center channel are compact and compatible with wall mounts, and also work well when placed on a shelf or speaker stands. The subwoofer didn’t blow us away with startlingly low bass in our listening tests, but it didn’t sound flabby or muddy either. While this system didn’t rumble our AV room, the center channel delivered natural dialogue, and the satellites did a fantastic job of creating a deep and immersive surround sound.

This is one of the few home theater speaker packages we tested with dedicated surround speakers. Most packages with compact satellite speakers use the same enclosure and speaker selection for the main left, right and surround speakers. Onkyo removed the tweeter from the surround speakers in this package, which resulted in a more balanced sound stage and focused dialogue reproduction. The enclosure is the same, so check the labels on the back of the speakers during setup to ensure you put the surround speakers in the proper location. If you want more suggestions, try the best soundbars instead, as we've stopped reviewing stand-alone speakers.

The 3-inch midrange drivers and 1-inch balanced dome tweeters in the satellite speakers and center channel are enclosed in durable, all-gloss cabinets. The speakers look great, but they don’t hide fingerprints and dust well. The rounded cabinets are heavy and durable compared to other packages we tested, and they’re designed to avoid reflection from parallel surfaces. Unfortunately, the spring-loaded speaker wire inputs on the back panel are flimsy and less durable compared to the gold-plated, five-way binding posts found on speakers in the best packages we reviewed, like the Polk Audio TL1600.

This Onkyo speaker system performed better in our music listening tests than in the movie tests. The center channel and main speakers reproduce vocals and acoustic instruments well, and the subwoofer is the perfect complement for most musical genres. However, when we watched action movies, there was a noticeable lack of floor-rumbling bass. If you are an action movie enthusiast and enjoy theater-quality boom in your entertainment room, you may want to consider a different speaker package.

The Onkyo SKS-HT690 has average audio quality and design features, but we enjoyed listening to music through this system. The subwoofer doesn’t offer theater quality bass, but the surround sound was great and the compact satellites produce natural and accurate dialogue.

The Yamaha NS-SP1800BL is a 5.1 surround sound speaker system that features four satellite speakers, a center speaker and an 8-inch front-firing subwoofer. This speaker system is about average in terms of sound quality, but it’s one of the least expensive systems we reviewed. Our listening panel enjoyed the bass response, and the natural dialogue produced by the center channel at an appropriate volume to match the surround speakers.

Our reviewers watched the same movie clip with each test to evaluate all the home theater speakers in our comparison. The subwoofer in the Yamaha system provided rumbling bass that added depth to the movie scene, but the surround sound wasn't as impressive as the best speaker packages we reviewed. We calibrated each set of speakers for the room we were listening in. Even after calibrating this system multiple times, the two mains dominated the other speakers. We have now stopped reviewing sound systems altogether, but we still test the best soundbars, and we have a guide to the best smart speakers.

There is a scene in the movie where the main character is surrounded by a group of motorcycles. The left and right surround sound speakers didn't do this part justice. The best surround sound speakers we tested, like the JBL Cinema 610, engulf the listener, making them feel as if they are surrounded by bad guys. This Yamaha surround sound system failed to produce the same effect.

The dialogue and treble clarity were above average. While the dialogue was clear, the speakers had a slight boxy tonal quality to them. Which sounds like there’s a box placed over the speaker, giving them a slightly muffled sound. They weren't as bright as others in our lineup. However, the Yamaha speakers were still clearer than most of the speaker packages we reviewed.

The subwoofer in this system is rated for 50 watts of continuous power. That rating may seem low, but it paired perfectly with the other speakers in this package. Our listening panel unanimously agreed that the subwoofer was the best component of this system.

This is the best home theater speaker package for budget-conscious shoppers. The subwoofer isn’t going to rumble the pictures off your wall, but it is the perfect complement for the compact satellites. The center channel produced natural dialogue in our movie listening tests, and is slim enough to fit on a shelf in front of your television.

The Polk Audio TL1600 has four satellite speakers, a center channel and an impressive subwoofer. This Polk home theater speaker package is not the most cost-effective package we tested, but it outperformed more expensive packages from reputable brands, like the JBL Cinema 610, in our listening tests. The main left and right speakers have the same 2.5-inch woofer and 0.5-inch tweeter as the center channel and surround speakers and pair well with the 8-inch down-firing subwoofer. This system isn’t quite loud enough to fill a large entertainment room with theater-quality sound, but it is the perfect size for small- and medium-sized rooms. We don't test full home theater systems any more, but do have guides to the best soundbars and the best smart speakers.

These home theater speakers look as striking as they sound. The satellites and center channel have a unique curved cabinet design that is acoustically inert because they don’t reflect sound waves from parallel surfaces. This design feature helps avoid coloration and looks modern and stylish. The high-gloss Blackstone finish is designed to match the high-gloss finish on most televisions. Since the subwoofer is matte-black, it helps hide dust and fingerprints, and is compact enough to compliment most home theater furniture. The center channel is a bit wider than some we tested in compact packages. However, it’s short in stature, so it shouldn’t block your view if you place it on the same surface as your television. All the speakers in this package have multiple wall-mounting options, including keyhole mounts and universal thread mounts.

The center channel is the most important component in a 5.1 package because it’s responsible for most of the dialogue in movies and vocals in music. The TL1600’s center channel is one of our favorites among the packages we tested. It has the same 2.5-inch midrange driver and 0.5-inch silk dome tweeter as the satellite speakers, but the speaker designers decided to add an additional midrange driver, for a total of two. The cabinet that surrounds the speakers is curved like the satellites to avoid reflection, and has rear-firing bass ports to help it blend in with the subwoofer.

The subwoofer in this package is one of the best we tested. It has all the important connections, including RCA and speaker level inputs and outputs in case you have an older receiver that doesn’t have a dedicated subwoofer output. It also has an adjustable crossover, which can help you customize the low-frequency content to match your room and the movies or music playing through the system.

The Polk Audio TL1600 home theater speakers are the perfect size for small- and medium-size entertainment rooms. This package is often available for less than $300, which when paired with an entry-level AV receiver, gives you a superior sound quality and surround sound experience compared to similarly priced sound bars.

The Harman Kardon Allure isn’t a low-profile smart speaker that blends into the background in your living room. It is by far the largest and most unique looking smart speaker we tested. It is also one of the best sounding speakers, especially if you like bass-heavy music. The companion app that connects the Allure to your Wi-Fi network is a bit buggy and unintuitive compared to other third-party setup apps we tested, but once it’s set up, the Alexa app handles most tasks.

The Allure is a statement piece for your living room, both in terms of design and sound. The heavy, egg-shaped design has a 3.5-inch down-firing subwoofer and three 1.5-inch tweeters that project sound 360 degrees around the speaker. We tested the audio quality of each speaker we reviewed by playing a variety of musical genres, and while the vocal tracks were drowned out a bit during moments of heavy bass, we enjoyed the overall tonal balance and wide sound stage. The tweeters performed well when we played classical and acoustic selections and had no problem filling our 400-square-foot AV lab with quality sound. This is one of the loudest smart speakers we tested, which makes it a good fit for larger living rooms and open spaces. You may want to place the speaker away from fragile décor that is susceptible to rattling because the down-firing woofer can shake things near it if you are listening at high volumes.

The bulky design makes it hard to place the Allure in tight spaces, but it adds to its durability. Some of the tall and narrow smart speakers we tested, like the UE Megablast and Amazon Echo, tipped over multiple times during testing. The Allure has rubber feet and is very heavy, so it would take a serious whack to knock this smart speaker off your end table or kitchen counter.

The touch controls on the Allure are also durable, but much less responsive than others we tested. You can use the controls to adjust the volume, turn off the microphone and manually wake up Alexa, but we had to thump on them multiple times to get them to work. There’s also a Bluetooth touch control on the back panel, but we had to press it more than 10 times to get it to respond. Once it finally worked, the pairing process went smoothly. The front panel has a helpful Wi-Fi status indicator light to reassure you the speaker is connected to your network.

The Harman Kardon Allure is a good speaker for audio enthusiasts, but if you don’t plan on listening to music often, there are more affordable Alexa-enabled smart speaker options. However, if you are looking for a head-turning addition to your entertainment room, and enjoy listening to bass-heavy music, look no further.

If you are considering buying a Google Home but want better audio performance and a few unique design features, the Sony LF-S50G is a good option. It uses the same Google voice assistant and Google setup app and is compatible with the same selection of smart devices, but it looks and sounds better. This is the only smart speaker we tested that has a clock display, making it a good replacement for your old bedside alarm clock. It’s a bit larger than the Google Home and Amazon Echo, but it is by no means obtrusive.

One of the unique design features of this smart speaker is the removeable grill cloth. It comes in two colors, black and white, and is easy to remove and clean if you happen to spill on it while it’s dictating a recipe to you. The LF-S50G has an IPX3 water resistance rating, which means it can take the occasional splash, but you won’t want to drop it in a sink full of dishes. The removeable grill sits atop an attractive, shiny base that has a microphone mute button and a Bluetooth pairing button.

The buttons on the base are the only physical buttons, but there are other gesture controls. You can adjust the volume and pause and play your music by waving your hand over the top panel. In theory this is a good idea and a nice way to avoid touching sticky and dirty buttons, but the gesture controls didn’t work well during testing. Gesture controls for volume and pausing music is a handy feature mostly because it can be quicker than using voice commands, but we found the gesture controls took longer than using voice commands, so this feature is a bit counterintuitive.

To test the audio quality of each smart speaker, we listened to a variety of musical genres on all the speakers we reviewed. The Sony has a pair of 2-inch speakers that face each other under the removeable grill cloth, and a diffuser in between to simulate a 360-degree sound stage. The Google Home is the most relevant comparison for the LF-S50G, so we spent a little more time comparing the audio quality of those two speakers. The Sony smart speaker sounded better with every genre of music we threw at it, and did significantly better with acoustic and vocal-centric music. The bass was lacking compared to some of the best speakers we reviewed, but that’s normal for compact designs.

The Sony LF-S50G has some unique and useful design features and audio characteristics that make it a good alternative to the Google Home. It costs a bit more, but if you plan to listen to music often, the extra cost is worth it. The clock display also makes it a good substitute for your alarm.

Fusion Electronics is a company that originated in New Zealand, where boating is common and the elements are harsh. This is one of the few manufacturers on the market that specializes in marine audio equipment. So, it's not surprising that the Fusion FR6022 is one of the most durable marine speakers we reviewed. It undergoes tests that far exceed current marine speaker standards for durability. And it shows. Just holding these speakers in comparison to holding other speakers demonstrates how much sturdier the construction is. When you combine this with the excellent audio quality and power handling specifications, it's clear why the Fusion FR6022 is the best boat speaker you can get. However, if you want something more flexible, we have a guide to the best smart speakers right now.

The overall audio quality of the FR6022 was among the best I tested, receiving an A grade for the overall performance. Only the Clarion CMQ speaker received a similar grade, though they are practically opposites in terms of their audio profile. The Clarion performed best in the low end, but got steadily worse as it got higher (though the highs were still very good). Conversely, the FR6022 is excellent in the high frequencies and has good, but not great, low-end sound.

In the audio frequency tests, I recorded it playing a 20Hz to 20kHz tone and graded the frequency range performance using frequency signature software. With the lows, the FR6022 earned a B. But the midrange and high frequencies were excellent, receiving an A+ and A- respectively. If you paired these speakers with a subwoofer, the audio performance would be impressive. Overall, the performance is exceptionally balanced when compared to other speakers. I suspect the reason the low end didn't perform as well as some speakers is because of the grille, which isn't designed to move air as freely as other grilles. That said, you can opt for a more open grille, which should improve the bass.

The lowest frequency response, as provided by the manufacturer specifications, is 70Hz, which is about as low as a baritone saxophone can play. In our frequency tests, however, the first audible tone was about 35 Hz, which is closer to the lowest note on a standard-tuned bass guitar. That said, the quality of the low-end frequency didn't become apparent until around 100Hz, which was one reason why it received a B.

The FR6022 has a sensitivity rating of 90 dB, which is average. In fact, it's 3-dB lower than the sensitivity rating of the Polk MM1-652 speakers, which has the highest rating for a marine speaker. This may not seem like much, but it presents a significant difference in the speaker's efficiency because physics says that every 3-dB increase in volume requires twice as much power. This means that if you use 25 watts with the Polk MM1 to reach 100-dB, then you'd need 50 watts to reach 100-dB with the FR6022.

However, my comparative loudness test, which measured the volumes produced by each speaker when using the same power, suggest that the sensitivity ratings may not be as accurate as manufacturers suggest. In this test, the FR6022 earned a B and was the fourth-loudest speaker, which is what I expected from its sensitivity rating. But the Polk MM1, which is supposed to be twice as efficient, was actually the fifth-loudest speaker. In other words, while the sensitivity rating is often emphasized by audiophiles and manufacturers, it's not always telling the whole truth.

The continuous power handling is 100 RMS watts and the peak power handling is 200 watts, which means this speaker can handle more power than most speakers I reviewed. It's certainly capable of pushing your music past the wake.

While most manufacturers don't make marine speakers a priority in their product portfolios, Fusion specializes in marine audio. This means that its products have comprehensive durability features, including the company's own True Marine testing standards, which exceed the ASTM standards for salt, fog and UV protection. The FR6021 is also certified for IP65 standards of water and dust resistance. The polypropylene woofer and titanium tweeter can handle life on the water.

It also features a completely sealed crossover, magnet and tweeter housing. This protects vital components like the voice coil, spider, and wiring from deterioration due to high humidity and water exposure. I spent hours handling the 10 best marine speakers, and these definitely feel the most capable handling salt spray, hours in the sun, and rogue waves.

The Fusion FR6022 is our pick for the best overall marine speaker because it sounds the best and can handle more power and elements than others. The continuous power handling is among the best available, which is important because the 90-dB sensitivity rating is average, and the durability is unmatched. The FR6022 speakers are exactly what you imagine when you think of boat speakers.

When it comes to manufacturing loudspeakers for automobiles, RVs and boats, Rockford Fosgate is one of the most reliable names on the market. Its Prime series features high-performance midrange speakers with many sizes and purposes. The speakers are also marine-rated for boats and other outdoor vehicles. The RM1652 is the best 6.5-inch marine speaker in the series. It's fully certified for marine use and promises high-quality audio performance. The biggest downside is the extremely low speaker efficiency and average power handling, which limit its ability to play loudly over the open water. We no longer cover boaty speakers, but do have a guide to the best smart speakers, if you'd like that instead.

In my audio performance test, I recorded the RM1652 playing a 20Hz to 20kHz sine wave on a loop for five minutes. Using a frequency analyzing plugin, I created a frequency signature based on the average recording. Then I graded the low, midrange and high frequencies by comparing the average frequency signature with the original sine wave's frequency signature.

Overall, the RM1652 received a C+ for the overall audio performance. This was the lowest grade I gave to any speaker. Even though it received the lowest grade, I would characterize the audio performance as being average, as I was testing the best marine speakers on the market. In other words, it's still an upgrade over most factory-installed speakers. It just didn't provide the same accuracy and balance as high-ranking boat speakers such as the Fusion FR6022 and the Clarion CMQ1622RL.

The low and midrange received B+, but the highs received a C. This was largely due to fatiguing. If high frequencies are too emphasized in a mix, your ears will fatigue quickly and long-term exposure can lead to headaches. This is exactly what happened during testing. In fact, the highs made me wince and gave me an intense headache. It's fine if you're listening to music at low volumes, but becomes too much as it gets loud.

The sensitivity rating for the RM1652 is only 89 dB, which makes it one of the least efficient marine speakers that I've reviewed. This was confirmed in my comparative loudness test, which showed the RM16522 as tied with two other speakers for the sixth-loudest speaker. In the test, I measured the volume produced by each speaker when connected to the same stereo. With some speakers having sensitivity ratings as high as 93-dB, such as the Polk MM1, a C+ grade is about what you should expect from the RM1652. That said, some speakers with similar sensitivity ratings, such as the Clarion CMQ1622RL and the JL Audio MX650, were among the loudest in the test.

The continuous power handling is only 75 RMS watts. While this isn't the lowest rating I've seen, it is below average, which means it can’t handle as much power as most marine speakers. The same issue exists with the peak power handling, which is 150 watts. This is half the power that the best boat speakers are capable of handling.

One of the areas where the RM1652 excels is marine-grade durability. Not only has it received ASTM certification for salt, fog and UV exposure, but it also has an integrated concealed crossover network that's completely sealed inside the basket, protected from water exposure. The tweeter is made of aluminum alloy, and the grille is made of noncorrosive plastic. The input terminals are gold-plated for optimal signal transfer. Few marine speakers can match its durability out on the ocean or lake.

The Rockford Fosgate Prime RM1652 failed to impress in our audio performance tests. And while it has comprehensive marine-grade certification for salt, fog and UV exposure, the power-handling specifications are below average.

Clarion is well known for high-end speakers for home and vehicles. The CM series, which stands for Clarion Marine, is full of component and coaxial speakers of varying sizes, which means you can easily fill out your boat sound system with speakers that look and sound alike. The 6.5-inch CMQ1622RL is one of the best performing marine speakers, despite the below-average power handling, volume and audio quality. Clarion even offers them with an optional built-in multicolor LED system, though we didn't test speakers with this option. We have now stopped testing boat speakers, but do have a guide to the best smart speakers for all your audio needs.

The Clarion CMQ1622RL received an A for overall audio quality, tying with the Fusion FR6022 for the best audio quality. Both speakers sound exceptionally well balanced, but their audio profiles are kind of opposites. The CMQ1622RL performs best in the low-end and midrange and features a high-end that's good, but not great. On the other hand, the FR6022 performs best in the midrange and high range, but is just okay with the low frequencies. While the FR6022 is best paired with a subwoofer, the CMQ1622RL would be best paired with component tweeters.

I tested the accuracy of the Clarion CMQ1622RL's performance by recording it playing a sine tone that smoothly transitioned between 20Hz and 20kHz. Then I analyzed and graded the accuracy and quality of the frequency signature by comparing the recorded results to the original frequency signature. The most accurate frequency range was the lows between 20Hz and 470 Hz, which received an A+. This is great news to anyone who loves to groove to a beat. The midrange received an A- and the highs received a B+.

The biggest downside to the CMQ1622RL is the power-handling specifications. Not only is the 88-dB sensitivity rating the lowest in our review (though I'll discuss why it may not matter), but the continuous power handling rating is also the lowest at 60 RMS watts. The peak power handling is only 20 watts higher at 120 watts than most of the speaker's continuous power handling. Basically, it can't handle as much power as most boat speakers.

However, with all that in mind, the CMQ1622RL was the loudest speaker in the comparative loudness test, which was definitely a big surprise considering its low sensitivity. Every speaker's sensitivity rating represents the volume measured by the manufacturer (under the best circumstances possible) at one meter when using either 1-watt of power or a 2.86-volt current. The purpose of this is to show how efficient the speaker is at converting power into volume. When you consider that every 3-dB increase in volume requires twice as much power, the difference between a 93-dB sensitivity and a 88-dB sensitivity suggests that the latter would be much quieter if both speakers were fed the same amount of power. used the same power.

For example, you'd expect the Polk MM1-652, which has a sensitivity rating of 93-dB, to be significantly louder than this speaker when they both use the same power. But that's not how it played out in our tests. I measured the volume at four levels and the CMQ1622RL was the loudest at every level.

The speaker’s frame is made of die-cast aluminum, which is unique for a marine speaker. Most speakers have a frame or basket made of hard polymer plastic. While we’re not sure whether the aluminum has any advantages over polymer casts, it certainly feels sturdier than most.

The Clarion CM speakers are ASTM certified for salt, fog and UV exposure. This is a critical consideration. Just because a company says that its marine speakers can handle the elements doesn’t mean they’ve been adequately tested. With an ASTM certification, you can put this speaker in your boat with the confidence that it can handle the water and the sun.

One of the cool options of the Clarion CMQ1622RL is the LEDs. These lights, which require additional wiring, are installed behind the tweeter. You can change the color of the lights to add some ambience to your boat’s soundtrack. It’s a great feature for boat parties.

The Clarion CMQ1622RL is a great upgrade for your boat speakers, especially when you consider the audio quality with the price. You can even get them with LED lights to add that little extra bit of ambience to your parties. The low power handling means you can't push these speakers as hard as other marine speakers – though it was the loudest speaker in our comparative loudness test, so it may not matter.

The Fluance DB12 home subwoofer has a stylish cabinet design and full feature set, but we were underwhelmed by it during our listening tests. It scored well in our acoustic music listening test, but most people buy a subwoofer because they want theater-quality sound in their home entertainment room. Unfortunately, the DB12 fell short in our movie listening tests.

We conducted all our listening tests with the subwoofers set at 85 decibels (db), which is the average volume used in a commercial theater. We had to set the volume knob on the DB12’s back panel to nearly the maximum to hear it alongside the floor standing speakers we used in our test. All the other 12-inch subwoofers we tested ran at less than 75 percent of their maximum capacity to reach the same volume, which means the DB12’s amplifier works too hard and is much more likely to distort sound at listenable volumes.

Its 36Hz low-frequency response rating is the highest starting point of all the 12-inch subwoofers we tested, which may be the reason for its poor scores in our movie listening tests. Admittedly, most low-end content in movies is found between 50Hz and 120Hz, but a 12-inch woofer powered by a 240-watt amp should rumble your seat when sub-frequencies are available. The DB12 hit most of the low-frequency effects, but lacked the accuracy and rumble in the lowest frequencies.

This is the best-looking subwoofer in our test group. When you take off the black grille cloth, it reveals a glossy black front panel with two large ports. The wood veneer that surrounds the rest of the cabinet comes in three color options: black, mahogany and natural walnut.

The back panel has a large heatsink that helps dissipate heat from the amplifier. That should help lengthen the subwoofer’s life. The DB12’s flimsy power switch is also on the back panel, and because it doesn’t have a standby mode, you have to toggle the switch often. Our reviewers raked their knuckles across the hot, sharp heatsink multiple times turning subwoofer on and off – it’s a minor inconvenience but worth noting.

Fluance offers a two-year warranty on both the amplifier and the speaker. That is below average compared to the other home subwoofers we tested. However, the company has above-average support options, including phone, email and live chat customer service. We found the customer service representatives to be knowledgeable and friendly when we contacted them with questions.

The Yamaha NS-SW300 sounded great in every phase of our testing. This 10-inch home subwoofer has the lowest low-frequency rating in our test group, which helps it compete with larger, more powerful 12-inch woofers. Its smart design features, like front-panel power and volume controls and a side-ported cabinet, make it easy to find a good place to put it and to adjust the settings to suit the type of content you’re playing. We awarded the Yamaha NS-SW300 our Top Ten Reviews Gold Award because it combines great features with even better sound.

To test the limits of powered subwoofers, we watched action movie scenes and listened to a variety of recorded and live music. For the movie portion of our test, we watched action scenes from two movies: the James Bond movie “Skyfall” and “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.”

This Yamaha subwoofer scored well in both tests, but it performed particularly well in the short action scene one – in fact, it received higher scores than every other subwoofer in this assessment. Toward the end of “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,” there is a scene that has an abundance of short-bursting low-frequency effects. The NS-SW300 projected them as clear, concise bursts that made it seem like the blaster fire was surrounding our listening area.

The scene we watched from “Skyfall” tests the subwoofers’ lowest limits with a 15-second long, sustained rumbling effect, and it showed amplification and frequency separation flaws in more than half of our test group. During this scene, the sub showed no signs of volume loss or port noise, and there weren’t any frequency separation flaws.

The Yamaha NS-SW300 also received the highest scores in our acoustic music listening test. The highly efficient 10-inch woofer projected a natural and smooth low-end that played the perfect supporting role to our floor standing speakers. If you listen to music through your home audio system, you don’t want the subwoofer to be the star of the show – this one injected just the right amount of bass during the test and would pair well with full-range speakers of any size.

This subwoofer has the widest frequency range of all the 10-inch speakers we tested. It starts at 20Hz on the low end, which is the lowest threshold of human hearing, and goes up to 160Hz on the high end. A 20Hz low-frequency response is impressive for a subwoofer in this price range, especially a 10-inch one. Our tests proved that this subwoofer can project long and low musical notes and movie effects accurately and at a volume that sounds natural and unobtrusive.

Yamaha does not advertise a peak power rating on the NS-SW300, nor could the helpful customer support representative tell us one. That’s ok because we don’t pay much attention to peak power ratings – they are mostly for marketing and don’t actually say much about the speaker’s performance. Instead, we look at the continuous power rating, which says, on average, how much amplification is being sent to the speaker. This Yamaha subwoofer delivers 250-watts of continuous power, which makes it the most powerful 10-inch subwoofer we tested. 

During our movie and music listening tests, we volume matched all the subwoofers to 85 decibels (dB), which is about as loud as a commercial theater. We only needed to turn the NS-SW300’s volume knob up to 50 to 60 percent of its total capacity to hit that mark. Most of the other 10-inch woofers we tested needed to be turned up to between 80 and 90 percent to reach the same volume. That means this subwoofer works half as hard as its competitors, which typically extends the life of the amplifier.

The Yamaha NS-SW300 has some unique design features that make it easy to set up and adjust. The front panel houses a power button and a volume knob, which means it is the only subwoofer we tested that doesn’t require you to reach around to the back to turn it on or adjust its volume. This seems like an insignificant design feature, but if you listen to a variety of content through your home audio system, being able to quickly adjust the volume comes in handy.

The back panel has all the connection options we look for on a home subwoofer. It has an LFE input that accepts a crossed-over signal from an AV receiver as well as stereo RCA inputs if your AV receiver has a normal subwoofer output. It also has speaker-level inputs and outputs, so you can use it with an older two-channel stereo receiver.

If your AV receiver doesn’t have an LFE output, the Yamaha SW300 has a variable crossover on the back panel that allows you to adjust the low-frequency starting point from 40Hz to 140Hz. We suggest starting the crossover at 80Hz and working up from there.

One minor annoyance of having the power button and volume knob on the front panel is that you can’t remove the grille cloth. The grille cloth doesn’t affect sound as much, if at all, with a subwoofer as it does with full-range speakers, but watching the speaker move during loud and booming actions scenes can add aesthetic value to your home theater room.

This is the only subwoofer we tested that has a side-firing port. The unique Twisted Flare port design is specific to Yamaha subwoofers, and the company claims its cyclonic shape moves air more efficiently out of the enclosure, resulting in louder and more accurate bass.

The sub’s MDF cabinet as a high-gloss finish, which looks great when it’s clean but isn’t forgiving with fingerprints and dust.

Yamaha only covers this subwoofer for two years against defects and workmanship. That is below average for a home subwoofer of this price. You can reach the manufacturer by phone or email if you have questions about the setup process. We found the support staff to be knowledgeable about the products, although it took almost two full days to receive an email response.

The Yamaha NS-SW300 isn’t the cheapest subwoofer we tested, but the sound and design features make it well worth the extra $100 to $200. It supported our floor standing speakers without overpowering them, which is what you want from a speaker that is made to only deliver the lowest frequencies. This subwoofer fits nicely in any size room and can complement any size full-range speaker system.