In today’s audio landscape, there’s no shortage of options when it comes to high-quality sound systems for your home. Whether you’re in the market for a Bluetooth speaker, a powerful home stereo setup, or the convenience of Wi-Fi streaming from your iPhone via AirPlay, each option brings its own set of features to elevate your listening experience. In this article, I’ll share my favorite options across these categories, highlighting what makes each one stand out in terms of sound quality, functionality, and ease of use. Whether you’re a casual listener or a dedicated audiophile, this roundup will help you find the perfect audio gear to transform any space into your personal listening room.
Note
Product prices were accurate at the time of publication but may have changed since then
Klipsch The Three Plus ($399)
This tabletop speaker has a vintage, mid-century look and rich, organic sound. It has a wide range of connectivity options, from Bluetooth to RCA. It’s even got a USB-C port in the back so you can directly connect and charge your iPhone. The Klipsch Connect app has EQ control and allows you to chain multiple Klipsch speakers together. It has a ‘night mode’ that allows you to kill the bass in case you want to listen without waking other people up. The only feature missing is AirPlay. If you like the retro style and are looking for great home audio without fussing with an entire stereo system, pick this up!
SVS Prime Wireless Pro ($899.99)
These speakers are an awesome evolution in the world of wireless audio, serving as a high-powered set of bookshelf speakers or a substitute for a soundbar with better definition. The sound quality is top tier, with a robust and balanced sound profile audiophiles will appreciate. There’s also a dedicated app for iOS which basically serves as a remote control for the system. Whether you’re listening to vinyl, hi-fi digital audio through one of your Apple devices, or want a stereo system for your home cinema, the SVS Prime Wireless Pro will exceed your expectations at an affordable price.
WiiM Pro ($149)
This streambox gives any system the ease of use and multi-room streaming capabilities of AirPlay. Setup only takes about five minutes, and the app makes integration into your sound system simple. This device costs less than half as much as a similar product made by Sonos and its performance is just as good. The app is surprisingly robust, offering built-in streaming from any of the major music platforms and full EQ control. The sound quality is exceptional and transparent. My only complaint is its awkward name. I’m not sure how to pronounce it!
Onkyo TX-RZ50 ($1599)
This is a high-performance audio/video receiver with a massive array of connection ports. It is a great core for your entertainment system. I love that it includes AirPlay functionality, meaning you can set up your sound system for your TV or projector, then stream music from your iPhone with a few quick taps. The sound quality is impressive and clear. This receiver offers a perfect blend of cutting-edge technology, power, and versatile features to accommodate a range of needs. If you’re looking for a powerhouse A/V receiver with plenty of support for your Apple devices, look no further!
Ultimate Ears EPICBOOM ($299.99)
The newest entry from one of my favorite speaker manufacturers, Ultimate Ears’ EpicBoom is a great choice for those looking for a powerful, portable Bluetooth speaker. Control the EQ and pair together multiple other U.E. speakers in a mode called PartyUp. In testing, the battery life was around 17 hours. While the design of this unit is not my favorite, it certainly stands out. One feature I appreciated is the “magic button” on the top, which can immediately start playback of your favorite Apple Music playlist with a single press of a physical button. How cool is that?
Earfun Uboom L ($85.99)
For the price, this compact Bluetooth speaker punches well above its weight. It was meticulously tuned by an audiophile that is popular on YouTube who deliberately designed it to sound great at low volumes. The low-volume resolution, portability, and the waterproof, dustproof design make this a great travel speaker. The sound profile is very natural sounding, with a pleasant balance of lows and highs. It features a battery life of 16 hours and a built-in microphone, so you can take hands-free calls when connected to your iPhone. It also has a ‘video mode’ button, which reduces latency between your iPhone and the sound, so you can stream video with next to no delay in audio. EarFun has emphasized the right things (good quality sound) without many frills or gimmicks. This speaker is seriously impressive for its size and price.
Treblab HD-360 ($179.97)
This rugged, portable Bluetooth speaker is a great choice for outdoor use, whether at the pool, beach, or camping. It has a true 360-degree dispersion pattern, which means it sounds great no matter what angle you’re listening from. The controls on the top are touchscreen, though the power button is hidden in a rubber-covered segment near the bottom which I found confusing at first. The touchscreen worked quite well and is intuitive, though I do worry about its lifespan when a touchscreen is used instead of tactile physical buttons. It also comes with Bluetooth 5.0 built-in, ensuring a super stable connection to your iPhone at a distance of up to 100 feet. It gets quite loud, though at higher volumes my audiophile ears were noticing a lack of bass frequencies. The sound profile is crisp and clear with an apparent priority to the high and mid frequencies. This is a solid choice for anyone looking for a durable, portable speaker with omnidirectional sound.
Buyer's Guide 2023: Best Speakers
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Sonos Move 2 ($449)
This update to Sonos’s portable smart speaker is an outlier in the field. With Amazon Alexa and Sonos voice control, the Move 2 offers the benefits of a Bluetooth and a smart speaker in one beautiful package. It works with AirPlay 2, allowing for easy multi-room playback from your iPhone. It rests on a charging base when stationary and has a 24-hour battery life. If you can live without Siri, which is only offered in HomePods, the impeccable sound quality and moveability of this speaker make it a better option overall. The rich, heavy bass frequencies plus the portability make this my personal favorite smart speaker in the house.
Marshall Stockwell II ($219.99)
The first thing I noticed about this Bluetooth speaker is the physical bass and treble knobs, which you rarely see these days. These controls give you the freedom to quickly adjust your sound to fit any space. The bass response is exceptional for a speaker of this size, and the audio quality excels even at high volumes. The 20-plus hours of battery life, USB-C charger, and space-efficient design make this a great option for travel. The rustic design harkens back to Marshall’s vintage guitar amps, but don’t let the look deceive you; this speaker is an innovative piece of modern audio design.
Klipsch The Three Plus ($399)
I’ve been a fan of The Three for some time now. This distinct powered speaker not only has great sound quality, but it also has a lot of character. It offers a potent bass response for the size of the speaker, was easy to pair to my iPhone via Bluetooth, and allows me to control the volume from across the room with an included remote. I find the retro design charming and timeless. While the original is no longer available, The Three Plus promises the same benefits for a lower price tag than when I bought its predecessor.
Ultimate Ears Hyperboom ($449.99)
I adore this speaker. With its sleek, modern aesthetic, long battery life, and incredible audio quality, this is my overall favorite Bluetooth speaker. The Hyperboom’s bass response is incredible, and it boasts a 24-hour battery life at moderate volume. I had some minor issues with Bluetooth connectivity at first, but updating the firmware fixed it. I often use this speaker in lieu of a home stereo system for music; it’s loud enough to fill a large room. You can also pair it with another UE speaker in stereo, effectively making for an exceptionally powerful and portable sound system.
Audio Pro Addon C10 ($450)
With its clean aesthetic, ease of setup, and incredible sonic quality, this is one of my favorite Wi-Fi-enabled speakers on the market. The Addon C10 has nearly every conceivable connection port and allows you to broadcast to all other Wi-Fi-enabled speakers in your house. I use this to listen to vinyl across multiple speakers spanning our house. The speaker has impressive bass response for its size with default settings, though the EQ can be dialed in to fit your preference using the Audio Pro app.
Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin ($799)
This smart speaker is one of a kind. Its unique design houses an impressive array of speakers with plenty of bass response and crisp, clear treble frequencies. It is AirPlay 2 enabled, meaning you can stream music simultaneously to the Zeppelin and any other AirPlay 2-enabled speakers in the house via your iPhone’s Control Center. The B&W Music App made setup a breeze, plus you can connect your favorite streaming service. The sound quality is impressively clear even at loud volumes, and it does get loud! If you like the look, this speaker will make for an impressive addition to any smart home sound system.
Kanto TUK Powered Speakers ($799.99)
This eye-catching pair of bookshelf speakers are not only beautiful to look at—the sound quality matches the build. The installation was simple, and included all of the necessary wiring to connect my MacBook Pro. Switching the source from my laptop to my iPhone was intuitive and quick. The remote control lets you dial in the sound, change the volume, and switch sources from a distance. Everything works exactly as you’d expect without having to read the manual. The sound quality is some of the best I’ve ever heard, with clarity in the high-end and satisfying bass frequencies. These charming speakers exceeded my expectations on many levels and applications. Whether you’re looking to upgrade your home entertainment system or just getting started with high-quality audio, these are certain to provide a good experience.
Creative Sound Blaster Katana SE ($299.99)
This one is a favorite in the household of Managing Editor Amy Spitzfaden-Both. Although it’s marketed as a gaming speaker, the unform sound keeps TV audio at a stable level without huge fluctuations in bass. Both the look and the sound quality are stellar; and although the device is centered, it does a solid job at offering stereo sound. It’s wireless and easy to connect, though if you position it in front of the TV it might block your IR receiver. Whether used for gaming or watching TV, this is a compact, easy-to-use, and affordable option.
