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| Typical costs: | - Expect to buy a bookshelf-sized pair of speakers with good mid-bass sound (60 Hz) for less than $300 a pair, but plan to spend $300 to $600 for good deep bass sound (40 Hz). Floor-standing speakers tend to cost more; in the $500 to $1,000 and up range, look for more drivers - at least a tweeter, a mid-range and a woofer - and a very deep bass sound(30 Hz). The quality of the cabinets also affects price.
- Speakers that have received good reviews include the $250 a pair Paradigm Atom Monitor v.5 bookshelf speakers, and the $800 a pair Ascend Acoustics Sierra -1 speakers.
- Also well-received are the $450 a pair AV123 x-mtm floorstanding speakers.
- Good in-wall or in-ceiling choices include the $450 a pair Phase Technology CI-20 VII and the Axiom Audio Architectural Series W22 loudspeakers, which sell for $660 a pair.
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| What should be included: | - More than any other component, speakers will determine the quality of sound that comes out of your stereo. Speakers create sound waves by moving an electromagnet attached to a cone, also called a diaphragm, which vibrates rapidly, creating signals that are then sent to the proper driver.
- Types of speakers include: floor-standing speakers, which tend to be larger and provide a wide range of frequencies; bookshelf speakers, which can sit on a shelf; in-wall speakers, which are more difficult to install but do not take up floor space; and satellite/subwoofer systems, which take up very little room but can deliver big sound. Crutchfield Advisor offers a primer on the different types of speakers available.
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| Additional costs: | - Tip: Speaker cables are necessary, and can cost between a few dollars up to thousands of dollars for so-called "exotic" cables that sometimes contain high-end metals such as silver. Higher quality cables tend to make speakers sound better, but most consumers should be able to find good cables for under $200. If you can, test your chosen speaker with different types of cables to see if you hear a difference.
- Speaker stands, wall mounts or brackets allow you to put your speakers in the ideal position for listening. Despite their name, "bookshelf" speakers sound better away from the wall, on stands. Prices range from $30 to $200 or more.
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| Shopping for speakers: | - Audioholics.com offers a speaker buying guide.
- Tip: Size does make a difference. Very small speakers cannot physically produce high quality low bass sounds. Also, consider the size of the room where the speakers will be used; huge speakers probably are not necessary for a small space.
- Tip: When you go shopping, take along a few music CDs that showcase a range of music. When you find a pair you like, ask if you can test them at home
- While big box retailers such as Best Buy or
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Article updated November 2007 |
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