There’s nothing like the crisp and crackling sound of listening to vinyl. The warm, analog sound of a vinyl record is something you don’t get with any other sound medium, not even the high-quality Dolby Atmos songs on your Apple Music playlist.
Also: Everything you need for a vinyl setup
However, to fully get the vinyl listening experience, you need the right speakers, and not just any speakers will do. The best speakers for vinyl have multiple inputs, built-in phono preamps, silk dome tweeters, and other standout features to make your records sound how they were made to be experienced.
ZDNET did extensive testing and research on the top speakers for vinyl. Our pick for the best vinyl speakers overall is the Audioengine A5+ speakers because of their crisp-sounding speaker, USB connectivity, and A/B power amplifiers. We also included speakers from brands like PSB, Edifier, Sonos, and more so your vinyl collection sounds the way it should.
Pros
- Crisp-sounding speakers
- USB power for charging devices
- Great volume and build quality
Cons
- Included remote can be finnicky
- Bass can be a little too much at times and can distort sound at louder volumes
Audioengine A5+ tech specs: Type: Bookshelf | Power: 150W | Inputs: 3.5mm stereo mini-jack, RCA L/R | Frequency: 50 Hz-22 kHz
Audioengine has been in the speaker game since 2005. The Audioengine A5+ are active speakers that give you high-quality sound for listening to vinyl or even streaming your Spotify playlist via Bluetooth 5.0.
These bookshelf speakers have analog class A/B power amplifiers with dual analog audio inputs for connecting multiple devices simultaneously, a 24-bit DAC, and Bluetooth aptX HD. This means you can play Bluetooth from your phone or another device, an aux input from a computer or tablet, and an analog input from your turntable by controlling with the included remote.
With a max output of 150W, they have 24-bit upsampling (which simplifies the analog circuitry to give better results) and a variable preamp audio output. Their drivers (or what actually converts the audio signal to sound) are 5-inch aramid fiber woofers and .75-inch silk dome tweets.
The Audioengine A5+ speakers also come in white, black, or bamboo to match any interior. You can even charge devices like your smartphone, tablet, and headphones with the included 500mA USB power supply.
Pros
- Built-in phono preamp
- Useful BluOS app for EQ customizations
- Crisp and loud sound
PSB Alpha iQ specs: Type: Bookshelf | Power: 180W | Inputs: AUX, HDMI ARC port, Phono, Bluetooth | Frequency: 60 Hz-20 kHz
The great thing about the PSB Alpha iQ speakers is that they have a built-in phono preamp. Since vintage record players don’t have a phono preamp built in, you need a receiver to act as the preamp. If you have an older record player, these speakers eliminate the need for a receiver.
Although the Alpha iQ speakers are ideal for a vintage setup, they have modern features like Bluetooth connectivity and Apple AirPlay technology to listen digitally. A handy companion app called BluOS lets you choose the audio output, customize EQ settings, and connect to streaming services like Spotify. BluOS is a multi-room streaming platform that also allows you to listen to vinyl through other BluOS powered devices (like speakers from Bluesound and other makers).
These bookshelf speakers get up to 180W of peak power (the most power on this list) and have a frequency response of 60 Hz – 20 kHz. The drivers are 4-inch mid-bass drivers paired with .75-inch aluminum dome tweeters — meaning great sound quality for such a compact speaker.
I tested these speakers with my vintage setup and was loved their full bass response and transparent sound. While not as room-filling as my floor-standing vintage Technics speakers, vinyl records sound crisp with the Aplha IQs. It was easy to set these speakers up and connect them, and switch quickly between listening to vinyl and listening to one of my Spotify playlists.
Pros
- Great price
- Easily control volume and EQ with knobs on speakers
- Plenty of connectivity options
Cons
- Lower power packs less of a punch
Edifier R1280DB tech specs: Type: Bookshelf | Power: 42W | Input: RCA and Bluetooth | Frequency: 55Hz-20KHz
For a more budget-friendly set of turntable speakers, the Edifier R1280DB speakers are a great option at just $150.
These bookshelf speakers have numerous connections: RCA, Bluetooth, auxiliary, optical, and coaxial. There is also an included remote control, but you shouldn’t need it as often since you can adjust the equalization of treble and bass on the side panel knobs.
The Edifier R1280DB speakers have 4-inch bass drivers and a 13mm silk dome tweeter.
While the overall power is lower than other options (42 watts for both speakers), the sound quality is still good for the price.
Pros
- Smart home compatible
- Trueplay technology
- Six custom-designed drivers
Cons
- Expensive for just one speaker (it will cost you even more if you want a pair)
- Truplay only works with iOS
Sonos Five tech specs: Type: All-in-one | Power: 120W | Inputs: Bluetooth, 3.5mm audio| Frequency: 50-60Hz
If you want something smart home-friendly with superb sound quality, the Sonos Five is an excellent speaker compatible with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant for voice control.
You can also easily control the bass, treble, and loudness through the Sonos App or Apple AirPlay 2. Sonos’ Trueplay technology puts the speaker-tuning capability in your hands to adapt and optimize the speaker to a room’s unique acoustics.
The Sonos Five speaker packs quite the punch into just one speaker. It has six Class-D digital amplifiers tuned to match the six dedicated speaker drivers, which include three 23mm tweeters and three 4-inch mid-woofers.
Also: The top Sonos speakers: One, Arc, Beam, and more compared
In addition, you can pair two Sonos Five speakers together for even more immersive sound—just keep in mind one speaker alone will cost you $549.
Pros
- Great sound quality in highs, mids, and lows
- Solid build
Cons
- Best for larger rooms
- Expensive for just one speaker, and you’ll need two for full sound
Triangle Borea BR08 tech specs: Type: Floor-standing | Power: 150W | Inputs: N/A | Frequency: 40Hz-22kHz
While all the vinyl speakers above are bookshelf speakers, you might want something that makes a statement, like floor-standing speakers. The Triangle Borea BR08 floor-standing speakers tower at just over three feet and can fill a room with sound ranging from 65-131 square feet, making them the perfect option for larger rooms or homes.
These speakers have four drivers, a 25mm EFS silk dome tweets, and a 16cm midrange. Their three-way configuration diffuses all frequencies without interference between the transducers, producing clear voices and instruments.
You’ll have to shell out well over $1,000 to get this pair of turntable speakers, but when you have both for your vinyl setup, you’ll be blown away by the layered and cohesive sound.
The best speakers for vinyl are the Audioengine A5+ based on sound quality, price, and power. However, these speakers would also be a great addition to any vinyl setup.
Speaker | Price | Frequency response | Power |
Audioengine A5+ | $499 | 50Hz-22kHz | 150W |
PSB Alpha iQ | $1,299 | 60Hz-20kHz | 180W |
Edifier R1280DB | $150 | 55Hz-20kHz | 42W |
Sonos Five | $550 | 50Hz-60Hz | 120W |
Triangle Borea BR08 | $549 | 40Hz – 22kHz | 150W |
It really depends on what your current vinyl setup looks like. If you have a vintage record player, the PSB Alpha iQ or the Triangle Borea BR08 would make for great speakers.
Newer turntables would pair well with the Sonos Five, Audioengine A5+, or the Edifier R1280DB.
Choose these speakers… | If you want… |
Audioengine A5+ | The best overall option. These bookshelf speakers have analog class A/B power amplifiers with dual analog audio inputs for connecting multiple devices simultaneously. |
PSB Alpha iQ | Speakers with a built-in phono preamp for a vintage vinyl setup. The BluOS app lalso ets you play around with EQ customizations, switch outputs, connect to music streaming services, and more. |
Edifier R1280DB | Budget-friendly speakers for vinyl. These bookshelf speakers have numerous connections: RCA, Bluetooth, auxiliary, optical, and coaxial. |
Sonos Five | Speakers for vinyl that are compatible with your smart home devices. You can also easily control the bass, treble, and loudness through the Sonos App or Apple AirPlay 2. |
Triangle Borea BR08 | Floor-standing speakers for vinyl. These speakers tower at just over three feet and can fill a room with sound ranging from 65-131 square feet. |
Choosing the best speakers for vinyl is essential since they will ultimately determine how your music sounds. We carefully selected these speakers for vinyl based on first-hand listening experience and research.
- Power: This refers to the maximum power a speaker can handle without causing damage. The higher the wattage, the better and louder the speakers usually sound.
- Frequency: A speaker’s frequency response is measured in hertz and represents how well it can reproduce the audible range of sound. Most speakers are capable of responding from around 45-20,000 Hz.
- Inputs: We considered speakers that offer different kinds of inputs so you can have options for how you want to listen to your music and vinyl collection. Speakers for vinyl usually have RCA inputs.
- Pricing: Speakers for vinyl greatly range in price depending on the brand, quality, and overall sound. We considered speakers ranging from $150 a pair up to splurge-worthy setups costing $700 per pair.
Getting the best sound quality out of your vinyl collection is more than just having the best speakers for vinyl. Here are some tips to truly level up your listening experience:
- Make sure your turntable is level.
- Make sure your turntable’s cartridge and stylus are working correctly, and if necessary, replace or upgrade them.
- Store your records correctly—vertically, not horizontally!
- Clean your records every so often.
Frequency response determines how well and clearly a sound can be reproduced by the speakers. It is measured in hertz (Hz). Look for a wider frequency response, especially close to 20Hz – 20,000kHz.
A fuzzy or muffled noise when playing a vinyl record isn’t the speakers’ fault, but a problem with a turntable’s stylus. The stylus is most likely damaged or worn down. To fix this issue, first try cleaning the stylus from dust with a small brush to see if that solves it. If it still sounds fuzzy, you should replace the stylus with a new one.
The best record player for listening to vinyl is the Audio-Technica LP120, but we also recommend the Fluance RT81 Elite or the Pro-Ject Phono SB.
Try to avoid Crosley Cruiser Turntable models since they are known to ruin your records. However, higher-end Crosley turntables are still a decent option you can look into.
There are plenty of other quality speakers on the market that would make great speakers for vinyl. Here are a few other options to look into:
