How to choose the right speakers

Achieving clear and surround sound is not an easy task, especially when it comes to the acoustics of the budget segment. High-quality systems allow you to transmit sound with maximum detail, balanced to reproduce high, medium and low frequencies. What speakers are there and how to choose the right equipment for home use?

What is it

An acoustic system is a device for reproducing sound, consisting of an amplifier, several emitters (most often dynamic) and electric filters to separate the reproduced frequency range between the speakers. The optimal spectrum for medium and high-end speakers is considered to be a frequency from 20 Hz to 20 kHz. This allows you to produce tangible “springy” bass and crystal clear vocals. Of course, the frequency range indicators cannot fully reflect the sound quality. For this there is an amplitude-frequency characteristic.

There are two main types of speakers - active and passive. Active speakers, in addition to the crossover and speaker, contain a built-in power amplifier inside the case. This makes them more versatile and compact compared to passive component systems. Active closed-type acoustics can include not only a sound source, but also a player, a preprocessing console, and even an entire instrument. This allows you to quickly set up and assemble equipment. However, active systems are poorly suited for large halls and clubs, because they focus the sound in one particular place.

Passive speakers need a separate amplifier, and in some cases, a crossover. It will not be convenient for small halls or clubs, since it takes up a lot of space. But such equipment does a better job of creating a sound atmosphere in large rooms. Another advantage is the even distribution of power, which reduces the risk of overheating of amplifiers.

Placement

At the place of placement in the apartment, the speaker systems are divided into shelf, floor, built-in and wall. They differ in size, sound transmission quality, ergonomics and service life. We will discuss each type of accommodation in more detail.

Shelving

Such speakers are installed mainly in small rooms up to 18 square meters, but there are models that can fill sound even large concert halls. Shelf systems are far from being as compact as they seem at first glance. They can only be installed on special mounts. That is, to save space, as in the case of built-in or wall-mounted acoustics, will not work. If you try to install the shelf speakers on a regular table or shelf, it will begin to resonate and vibrate strongly, which will certainly spoil the sound quality.

Some people think that bookshelf speakers are great for home theater. But still, it is better to use outdoor equipment, because it gives a more rich bass and creates the effect of presence. At the same time, the quality of sound transmission depends not so much on the type of speaker as on the quality of the speakers, components and the area of ​​the room. For small rooms it is better to use shelf devices, for large rooms - floor standing.

Benefits:

• good sound quality;
• take up less space than floor systems;
• more resistant to external damage than outdoor equipment;
• Suitable for small clubs and bars, as well as for background playback in megacenters or sports clubs.

Disadvantages:

• resonate when placed on the floor or table;
• not as compact as built-in and wall-mounted models.

Floor

Floor acoustic systems are most often used in halls and clubs with an area of ​​more than 20 square meters. Sound accuracy in such systems directly depends on the selected amplifier. As a rule, outdoor devices are more demanding on the load, so an improperly selected amplifier can ruin the equipment. Before buying, be sure to compare the power indicators of the speakers with the power indicators of all components. If you overestimate or underestimate your receiver, it may not reveal the full potential of the sound or will turn off when you increase the volume.

Benefits:

• sound is more powerful than other types of speakers;
• suitable for large concert halls, clubs or other public areas;
• bass is noticeable in comparison with similar devices of other categories;
• wide functionality.

Disadvantages:

• take up a lot of space;
• the cost is usually higher than on wall and shelf devices;
• harder to set up.

Recessed

Recessed speakers are most often installed in ceilings or walls. Unlike shelf and wall-mounted devices, their case is completely hidden and does not take up space. Usually, only speaker grilles remain noticeable, but there is a special “invisible” equipment when even the emitter is covered with a thin layer of plaster. Such speakers are suitable for commercial premises such as clubs, supermarkets, sports centers, etc., since they are resistant to external factors. They differ in less natural sound transmission, but good compactness. Nevertheless, a large amount will also have to be paid for the process of embedding acoustics.

Benefits:

• Do not stand out from the general interior;
• do not take up space in the room;
• Great for home cinema as well as for commercial premises like sports centers, shops, etc.
• protected from external damage.

Disadvantages:

• installation takes a lot of time and effort;
• do not sound as good as other devices;
• are much more expensive due to their compactness and ergonomics.

Hanging (wall)

Suspension columns are a budget and rather compact alternative to shelf systems. They save space in the room because they have a small emitter and a lightweight housing. Hanging systems are great for home theaters and televisions because they have enough sound characteristics to watch movies and other video files. However, the playback quality does not reach the floor or shelf acoustics, so it is better for music lovers to pay attention to more professional models.

Benefits:

• reasonable cost, in comparison with other types of acoustics;
• take up little space because they are placed on walls or ceilings;
• serve as an excellent addition to a home theater or television;
• do not require expensive components;
• easy to install in any room.

Disadvantages:

• lag behind in sound quality from other types of acoustics;
• do not fit well into the interior;
• not suitable for large rooms, because quite quiet.

How to choose for home

When choosing speakers for the home, you need to pay attention to technical characteristics, such as frequency range, number of bands, playback area, resistance level, ultimate sensitivity and compactness. Here are some useful tips to help you choose your home acoustics:

1. The frequency range does not matter. Often, budget models indicate a wider frequency range than professional speakers. The fact is that it is quite difficult to measure the exact spectrum indicators, so manufacturers sometimes indicate the limits of the range at random.It is better to focus on the amplitude-frequency characteristic, in which the expressiveness of different tones is more accurately indicated.
2. The more lanes, the better. Bands are emitters reproducing different parts of the frequency range. The more speakers there are speakers, the better the sound will be. For home use, two-way and three-way audio systems are perfect, and for professional use it is better to take more functional models.
3. The larger the room, the more powerful and louder the system should be. For small rooms up to 18 square meters, active built-in, hanging or shelf speakers are suitable. For large rooms it is better to choose a floor with several modules.
4. Sensitivity is responsible for volume. The higher the sensitivity, the louder the device will sound. The main thing is to make sure that the sound is not distorted at high volume levels.
5. The power of the speakers should be equal to the power of the amplifier. Do not underestimate or overestimate the potential of the device - just check the power indicators of the speakers with the power of the receiver.

Also pay attention to the dimensions of the device. You should not choose bulky speakers in small apartments, as they will occupy a lot of space and will not give the desired sound. Powerful acoustics in small rooms can hum or distort sound.

Manufacturers

Buying a home audio system from a reliable manufacturer means getting a long warranty period, good after-sales service and constant customer support. If you are willing to spend enough to buy a quality device, here is a list of the best manufacturers of audio equipment:

• Edifier
• F&D
• Microlab
• Genius
• Jbl
• Logitech
• Sven
• Dali
• Klipsh
• Yamaha

Each of these brands creates excellent equipment for any occasion. The technique lasts a long time and pleases with good sound quality.

Rating 2019

Manufacturers produce many models of speakers, but not all of them have good sound. It is especially difficult to find a high-quality device among representatives of suspension systems. We have compiled a rating of the top 9 best acoustics of various types, based on reviews and customer reviews:

Floor

DALI Zensor 5

The best acoustics from the Censors lineup. It has a strong aluminum base that protects the case from external damage. Side panels are made of MDF and coated with high quality laminate. The suspension design and the patented wood-trimmed diffuser provide excellent sound transmission and long-term listening to music.

Heco Victa Prime 502

Home acoustics, capable of providing excellent sound quality even in large rooms. The speaker diffusers are coated with a layer of craft paper. Thanks to a special ferromagnetic fluid, the system works stably at high volume and does not overheat. The device is suitable for both home and commercial use.

Polk Audio RTi A7

Premium acoustics from the famous American manufacturer Polk Audio. A balanced six-layer laminate design with five fluid layers creates a better shear suppression system. A special rounded wall shape reduces resonance and reduces distortion.

Outboard

JBL Control 25

Inexpensive wall-mounted stereo with two playback bands. It is positioned by the manufacturer as all-weather, since it has a protected case and speakers.Equipped with high-quality surge protection and high-frequency horn 90 to 90 degrees.

Canton GLE 416

An all-weather speaker system from the GLE range - one of the most popular series in Europe. Equipped with innovative frequency filter and resonant bass hole. Suitable for connecting with a home theater, as well as for use in music classes, cafes, restaurants, sports clubs, etc.

APart MASK6

Moisture-proof outdoor acoustics with a paper diffuser and a silk dome. It has IP64 protection, a case made of high-quality ABS plastic, and a horizontal dispersion angle of 180 degrees. Suitable for both street broadcasts and home use.

Shelving

DALI Zensor 1

Acoustic midi system with carefully thought-out housing design. It has high-quality built-in eyes for suspension on the wall, rounded edges and the rear port of the bass reflex. It produces great sound even without a separate amplifier. Suitable for street and commercial broadcasts.

Pioneer S-DJ50X

Compact speakers with integrated equalizer. They have automatic on and off functions (after 25 minutes of inactivity). Perfectly cope with low and high frequencies. Suitable for small rooms up to 18 square meters.

Adam a5x

Active near-field mini-monitors from the legendary AX series. One of the best small-sized acoustics in the market of musical equipment. They have a wide frequency range, functional control and high power. Suitable for specialized or studio rooms.

Conclusion

Location rarely affects the sound quality of acoustics. Before buying, be sure to check the power, size of the emitters, bandwidth, the presence of a built-in amplifier and its characteristics. It is better to buy devices with a wooden case, as they resonate less and have better sound quality.