10 Best Speakers For Vinyl Compared & Reviewed

 

Best Speaker for Vinyl Review – Top Rated Models with Buying Guide

 

If you’re the kind of person that doesn’t have all the time in the world to read all the speakers for vinyl reviews, this guide is here to help you in a swift fashion. You should be able to find the best speakers for vinyl in the following several lines, but make sure to read the whole article. Our team put in the effort for you and we found out that the Edifier R1280T Powered Bookshelf Speakers are the ones that should work in every situation. Using the remote control they come with you can change their settings from afar. The speakers also offer separated EQ for the treble, bass, and mid frequencies. They will also set themselves to a comfortable volume when you power them up. In the unfortunate case of not finding our first recommendation, we suggest the Pyle HiFi Desktop Bookshelf Speakers Pair, which is next in our top.

 

 

Comparison table

 

 

 

10 Best Speakers for Vinyl (UpdatedReviews) in 2021

 

 

If you’re looking for the best speaker for vinyl you should know that our team of experts did everything to ensure a fair description of all the models on the list. In the following speaker for vinyl review, where we analyze the most popular models, we will present the pros and cons of each of them.

 

 

1. Edifier R1280T Powered Bookshelf Speakers

 

Combining a retro look with the modern feel of quality, these powered bookshelf speakers offer the user the versatility needed to serve you well in any situation. The bass driver measures 4 inches across and it comes with a calibrated flared bass reflex port. That is why it’s capable of delivering a rich sound with powerful bass notes full of depth.

Any audio performance fan will be pleased with the faithful sound production this device is capable of, and for that reason, this device is used by most turntable users to get the most precise audio experience. These speakers let you enjoy the technology of today while listening to the vinyl music of the past years.

The active bookshelf speakers come with bass, treble, and overall volume controls that will let you personalize the listening experience as you wish. Most speakers for vinyl reviews will agree that this product has an enjoyable mid-range.

 

Pros

You can control these speakers from afar with the help of a compact remote included in the package, setting the volume and muting them if needed.

With the help of the treble, bass, and volume controls you can change the volume from -6 to +6dB for the low and high frequencies, separately.

Every time you power on the speakers they will automatically set the volume to a comfortable level so that you don’t get blasted with the high volume you might have forgotten about last night.

You can connect the speakers to multiple devices with the help of the dual RCA inputs – on the back panel you can easily find the inputs, one for an active speaker and the other for the passive one.

 

Cons

While the mid frequencies can be heard really well, the speakers lack in the high frequencies and feel anemic in the lower ones too.

Buy from Amazon.com for ($99.99)

 

 

 

2. Pyle HiFi Desktop Bookshelf Speakers Pair

 

Capable of easily blending into any room or decor, this handsomely styled desktop bookshelf model has the classic appearance and natural textures to please the eye. It’s a pair of speakers that total 300 watts of power and they are Bluetooth compatible. This means you can control them from afar with the help of a mobile phone where you can play any song you want.

You will find their sound to be balanced, and that can be considered a signature of Pyle. the vocal clarity is impressive and it suits a wide range of scenarios, from listening to pieces of vinyl to transforming your room into a home theater. These monitor speakers have a sophisticated design with soft bevels, round corners, and the classic cloth grill you know from older models.

Thanks to the sound that’s full of presence and depth you can enjoy the low sound frequencies.

 

Pros

The sound is an impressive one thanks to the hi-fi full-range stereo sound reproduction that has been designed to offer you unique experiences.

One great aspect of these speakers for vinyl player is that they are capable of delivering great listening experiences while taking up so little space in your home.

They are well-rounded and capable of providing stereo sound to fill every kind of room with clear and enjoyable music.

Speakers like these can always be considered versatile thanks to how small they are and their ability to let you do anything from listening to classical vinyl music to watching a movie or following a big game.

With 300 watts of power, these speakers can project the sound at impressively high volumes.

 

Cons

One of the most annoying things about these speakers is the connection voice that tells you that your device has been connected to them or disconnected.

Buy from Amazon.com for ($75.93)

 

 

 

3. Edifier R980T 4″ Active Bookshelf Speakers

 

Created to allow you to have an enjoyable listening experience, especially when playing low-frequency music, these speakers offer depth and they are full of sound presence. They have been designed with enhanced bass properties, and the system has been calibrated with a flared bass reflex port.

The sound is rich and detailed, and the reflex port is encased in a medium-density wooden enclosure for the best possible sound. Thanks to the wooden exterior and the aesthetics of these speakers, they are suitable for both home and office settings.

You could say that they are the speakers that can suit every need. With their compact size, they prove to be an efficient way of making your home office full of sound. Giving out 21 watts of sound, they’re not the most powerful speakers but they do their job well. Each of the speakers comes with a 4-inch bass driver and a separate 13mm tweeter.

 

Pros

Coming with capable tweeters that can replicate the most precise sounds found in a piece of music, these speakers offer clear listening experiences.

With the help of the 2 RCA inputs, these speakers can be connected to more than one device – plug them to your PC and TV at the same time if you wish.

The bass volume and overall audio can be adjusted fast with the help of the responsive specific knobs – they are located on the back of the speakers.

100% wooden enclosures mean that the acoustic resonance is minimized and the speakers are shielded magnetically, which improves the sound quality.

The flared bass reflex port will make the device produce better low-frequency sounds.

 

Cons

Compared to other bookshelf speakers these ones offer too little in terms of volume and you might struggle in hearing them, especially if you want to use them for anything else than close-range listening.

Buy from Amazon.com for ($69.99)

 

 

 

4. Audioengine A5+ 150W Wireless Powered Bookshelf Speakers

 

These powered bookshelf speakers can bring the traditional audio equipment into the new digital age thanks to their wireless capabilities. They have been intensely praised by many publications in the world of music, and these ones are the third generation in the A5 speaker line.

Using Bluetooth you can connect them directly to your Mac, PC, phone, or tablet, or you can use the 3.5 mm RCA inputs for the same purpose. Easy to install and ready to use straight out of the box, the speakers will please the ear of every kind of listener. Even if you have a low-quality soundcard on your device, the 24-bit DAC allows for premium quality sound and extended wireless connectivity of up to 100 feet.

With 150 watts of combined power, the speakers are capable of filling a room with sound. The brand suggests combining them with some speaker stands to elevate them and improve their sound quality.

 

Pros

When buying this product you get everything needed to be included in the package – from the wireless speakers to the Bluetooth antenna, the audio cables, a strong aluminum remote control, and many others.

Constructed with custom-made Audioengine components, these speakers come with quality woofers and tweeters to allow you to enjoy music anywhere.

The cabinets have been hand-crafted and precision-tuned to reduce unnecessary vibrations and improve sound quality.

Compact and lightweight, the speakers can be placed on any desk, or elevated above the floor level with the help of some speaker stands.

With the 24-bit upsampling DAC you can have premium-quality sound even if the PC or Mac soundcard you are connecting the speakers to is not the best.

 

Cons

Although having a lot of bass usually helps when listening to speakers like these, you can’t enjoy the sound of low-volume music playing from vinyl.

Buy from Amazon.com for ($569)

 

 

 

5. TEWELL Computer Speaker, HD 24W Audio

 

Thanks to the wooden cabinet construction these speakers can provide a natural sound full of warm tones, and the bass reflex system coming with a special port will increase the quality at low sound frequencies. Using Bluetooth connectivity you can stream your favorite music from your devices straight to the speakers.

Using the 3.5mm included auxiliary audio cable you can connect the speakers to any other compatible device, from a simple MP3 player to a projector, computer, or even a turntable. With the help of the volume knob and the gold toggle switch, you can easily control this device in a retro fashion.

Created to produce a sound that could cover an entire room, the loudspeakers should be able of hitting treble notes cleanly and to handle low bass with ease while not neglecting the mid frequencies. The 24 watts may not seem that much but they should do a decent job for close-range listening.

 

Pros

Offering you a brand new auditory experience, these bookshelf speakers are capable of delivering forceful and clean sounds with tight bass.

Whether you’re playing games, watching movies, or listening to vinyl pieces, the speakers should do a good job.

A Bluetooth 4.2 connection will make sure that your device has a strong pairing with the speakers even when you’re 33 feet away.

If you want to get music out of the speakers fast you can always connect the included 3.5mm jack to your favorite device and the music is ready to start.

With a pleasant look, these vinyl speakers are easy to use as they come with a simple knob for volume and a gold toggle switch that feels retro.

 

Cons

The sound is not that loud and when you try to pay attention to a carefully-written piece of music you might miss some details.

Buy from Amazon.com for ($49.99)

 

 

 

6. Edifier R1850DB Active Bookshelf Speakers

 

Housed within a medium density fiberboard wood frame, these Edifier active bookshelf speakers are a dynamic way of filling your room with pleasant music. Their woofers are capable of producing quality sound with swift execution. The bass here can really be felt and it’s capable of vibrating most rooms it’s placed in.

They come with subwoofer outputs that can allow you to add additional external subwoofers to change the settings of this system from a 2.0 one to a 2.1 one. Offering Bluetooth connectivity, the speakers can also be controlled remotely and music can be played through them with the help of mobile phones, laptops, or PCs.

You can use the classic grills to cover the woofers, but you can also choose to take them off if you want to see the tweeters and mid-range drivers at work. Because aesthetics are also important, the speakers feature a high gloss black finish.

 

Pros

Amongst the accessories included you get the much-needed wireless remote, a long connection cable of 16 feet, two RCA auxiliary cables, and everything you need to get the speakers ready to go fast.

You can choose between digital or analog inputs, using the RCA or aux cables for turntables, vinyl records, or PCs, or the Bluetooth connectivity for music control from afar.

With the help of the easy-to-use controls, you can always adjust the bass and treble volumes separately and design the sound that you want.

If you feel that the low frequencies are not powerful enough you can always add a subwoofer to the setup and transform it from a 2.0 one to a 2.1 system.

 

Cons

Probably the worst thing about these speakers is the remote they come with – it’s not that durable and it also needs to be used from very close range.

Buy from Amazon.com for ($199.99)

 

 

 

7. Edifier R1280DB Powered Bluetooth Bookshelf Speakers

 

With the outer carcass made of black wood, these speakers have a classic look, they are also full of modern technology and capable of providing great sound. In terms of design, they can easily blend in with computers, record players, or TVs. Being some of the company’s best-sold products, these speakers come with massive upgrades.

The input methods now include Bluetooth options, a new optical, as well as coaxial inputs. HD audio can be experienced when using these speakers. With the help of the knobs found on the side panel, you can adjust the EQ to your liking. Located on the active speakers, the controls are easy to use.

You can use the remote to control the settings, as well as Bluetooth connected devices. The front of the speakers is covered with the mesh often found on such devices, but you can take it off to see the beautiful woofer and tweeter.

 

Pros

The wireless remote has been redesigned and allows for improved control over the settings.

With the new optical and coaxial inputs, you get to upgrade your sound to a full HD one with this set of speakers.

You still have the option to connect these speakers to older devices with the help of the RCA and AUX cables.

The Bluetooth connectivity allows you to use this device while connected to it via your phone, tablet, or laptop.

The color these speakers come in is dominated by a beautiful black, and they will fit in well with most homes and other devices in terms of look.

The 4-inch woofer and the 13mm silk dome tweeter will be able to deliver a beautiful clear sound.

 

Cons

While producing some of the best mid frequencies out there, they lack a lot when it comes to bass – although you can hear it a bit, you can’t really feel it.

Buy from Amazon.com for ($129.99)

 

 

 

8. Edifier P12 Passive Bookshelf Speakers

 

Being the first Edifier speakers that aren’t active, these ones will offer the freedom some people want to amplify their sound beyond imagination. Don’t forget that you will need to use an amplifier to make these work with your vinyl speaker. Made of medium-density fibreboard, the exterior is strong enough to protect the components in case of shocks.

Furthermore, this carcass has been created to reduce the resonance of the cabinet. Finished in elegant wood accents, these speakers will fit both contemporary decors and vintage rooms. Thanks to the ¾-inch silk dome tweeter, these speakers will give you more room in high frequencies. The bass is 4 inches across and it is capable of producing smooth, rich sounds.

You will find a bass reflex port on both of the speakers and this emphasizes the woofer’s sound. Thanks to its small size, the P12 speaker will fit nicely on desktops, placed on walls, or on shelves.

 

Pros

Giving you versatile placement options, these speakers are designed to fit neatly on most surfaces, from shelves to desktops or even being placed on walls thanks to the wall-mount bracket built into them.

The balanced and natural sound will please the ear and that is thanks to the powerful 4-inch driver and the bass reflex ports.

You can use these speakers for a multitude of purposes, from listening to music coming out of your desktop setup, to hanging them on the walls to create a home theater.

The high-quality silk dome tweeters are capable of reproducing treble and high-pitched sounds in great detail.

 

Cons

This is a set of passive speakers and this means you will need a receiver or amplifier to have them work.

While the bass dominates and the tweeters can also be heard, it seems like these speakers have a lack of mid-range and that causes a muddy sound.

Buy from Amazon.com for ($89.99)

 

 

 

9. SINGING WOOD BT25 Active Bluetooth Bookshelf Speakers

 

Coming with impressive 4-inch woofers, these speakers have been made to impress when it comes to low-frequency sounds. The low-distortion bass is capable of reaching frequencies as low as 20kHz and that ensures a clear performance. They are active speakers and the built-in 50W class D amplifier is capable of giving enough sound volume.

You have multiple connectivity options with this device, taking into account that you can couple it with a TV, PC, or turntable with the help of the classic RCA inputs. With the help of the incorporated Bluetooth technology, you can also pair it with a phone or tablet.

The design is a classic one, with wood finishing, and that gives a retro style. The speakers have been designed to complement the look of every room. To make things more convenient for you, the speakers also come with a remote control.

 

Pros

The numerous connectivity options allow you to pair these speakers with any device capable of producing music or sound – the classic RCA inputs will help you with that.

You can also connect them to digital devices with the help of Bluetooth technology, and that will allow you to play music from your phone or tablet.

Thanks to the 50W class D amplifier you will have enough sound volume to cover an entire medium-sized room.

The bass is low-distortion and capable of giving out frequencies reaching an impressive low of 20kHz.

You will find that these speakers fit well in every kind of room thanks to their elegant design and the wooden exterior.

 

Cons

If you are looking for speakers capable of delivering a holistic sound, these aren’t the ones. They produce good bass and decent treble, but the mids almost miss, and that’s why the sound feels hollow.

Buy from Amazon.com for ($76.38)

 

 

 

10. Yamaha Bookshelf speakers (one) NS-B210

 

Producing a ton of sound in a relatively small cabinet, these Yamaha speakers are proof that the company can build much more than digital pianos or small speakers for various instruments. You will find that these particular speakers will work best when used for a home theater system – you can use them as the left and right channels.

They are capable of delivering a surprisingly good bass, thanks to the dual aluminum woofers. Most of the materials used here are light and that leads to a lightweight product that allows for increased flexibility in placement. The same lightweight structure will make these speakers have a high-speed cone movement and a fast response.

When the music gets to those lower frequencies you can expect less bass distortion thanks to the acoustic suspension design. The brand knows how to construct a quality product and that can be seen in the innovative design here.

 

Pros

The build features a sealed enclosure with an elastic cushion of air to reduce the stiffness of the woofer – this means less unwanted vibration and a better sound.

With the help of the dual aluminum woofers, the speakers will be able to provide a better sound in a more compact body.

The acoustic suspension design will give the user a better listening experience, as there will be less bass distortion present.

Being one of the lightest and most compact units out there, this speaker can be placed nearly anywhere.

The materials used in making this product are of high-quality and they help in making a speaker capable of delivering a fast response thanks to the high-speed cone movement.

 

Cons

Although the sound of this speaker is impressive in quality, it really lacks in volume, and once you try to make it louder, the quality drops.

Buy from Amazon.com for ($89)

 

 

 

Our Comprehensive Buying Guide

 

You can nowadays find affordable speakers for vinyl that can do all the job that models from the past struggled to do. Of course, you will have to search a bit for those, but that’s why we are here – to help you. Take note of the suggestions below to find the best speakers for vinyl player.

Passive or active speakers?

This choice doesn’t matter that much from a technical point of view, but it all depends on your preferences. There are some vinyl players that are simple to use and they can be considered plug-and-play models. The best powered speakers for vinyl won’t require much setup. You just have to plug the speakers in, and the music starts playing instantly.

That happens because the amplification can already be found in the speaker box, unlike passive speakers that require an external amplifier or receiver to be able to hear the vinyl. The good thing about passive amplifiers, on the other hand, is that they are easier to upgrade over time. Also, you will be more likely to find a cheap speaker for vinyl if it’s a passive model.

Don’t forget that when choosing the kind of speakers you use you also need to pay attention to the room your speakers will be placed in. The best speakers for vinyl record player will do well in any room. Depending on how your house is build and its acoustics, you might get this kind of speaker to work in larger rooms or halls.

However, you can’t expect such small speakers to cover the whole house with sound, especially if you’re not willing to sacrifice on sound quality. Meant to be used in small spaces, bookshelf speakers can be the best cheap speakers for vinyl, given that they are small and efficient.

 

House acoustics

You can sometimes find some speakers that look ideal on paper, but when you put them to the test they sound far worse than you would have expected. This can be because your room or house don’t have the acoustics needed for them to work well. Many hard reflective surfaces in a room will cause unwanted echo, or make the sound be harsh.

Before you purchase some speakers make sure the room you place them in doesn’t have large mirrors – the less, the better. Exposed windows are another hard surface, much like hardwood floors or tiled floors are. Basically, everything with a shiny flat surface can be put into this category.

You also don’t want your room to be full of stuff that absorbs the sound – carpets, drapes, cushions, or fluffy objects or furniture will cause the sound to appear flattered. Even the best speakers for vinyl records won’t work in crowded rooms.

You might need a preamp

Because record players are an older invention, they sometimes work a bit differently. Some of them need phono preamps to work, and if you want to play music through speakers, you have to make sure you have this preamp. Fortunately, many turntable models already come with phono preamps, and the only thing left for you to do is to connect that preamp to the receiver using a pair of terminated audio cables or RCA connectors.

If you find that your turntable doesn’t come with a preamp you will have 2 separate ways of dealing with the problem. You could either buy a receiver that comes with a phono stage or get a phono preamp.

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions:

 

Q: Does a vinyl player need speakers?

The quick answer to that question is yes, most devices that play pieces of vinyl need speakers. There are some really cheap all-on-one vinyl players that will have built-in speakers, but they don’t do a great job. When you have a turntable with separate speakers you will get much better sound quality, and a more complex listening experience compared to listening to the small built-in cheap speakers for vinyl.

Although they are often used interchangeably, the terms record player and turntable have different meanings. They can be both used for playing vinyl pieces, but while the record players have their own speakers, turntables need external speakers to work properly. Usually found on the lower end of the price spectrum, record players can be considered amateur toys.

What’s worse, some say that record players can actually damage vinyl pieces and make them unplayable. Turntables are more professional, but they won’t be as compact, or sometimes elegant as their counterparts.

Q: How do you hook up speakers to a vinyl player?

There are different ways of connecting your vinyl player to speakers, and they all depend on the players. It’s always best to read the instructions before attempting to connect the speakers yourself. Remember that you can only connect a vinyl player directly to a speaker if the player comes with a built-in preamp, or the speakers have that amplifier.

Simply put, to connect a vinyl player to some good speakers for vinyl you will need the turntable, a preamp, and the best powered speakers you can find. This will give you a stereo setup and you will be able to connect your turntable to the speakers. An old-fashioned RCA cable may be your easiest choice, especially if it already comes with the vinyl player. There are some turntables that support wireless connection, so you can do that as well where allowed.

If you want to connect to a passive speaker set you also need to include a standalone amplifier there.

 

Q: What do you need to play vinyl?

There are 3 main elements that you will need to play a good album on vinyl. First of all, you need a turntable. Although you don’t have to spend a fortune to get started, make sure you don’t buy the cheapest thing you can find with built-in speakers. Poor turntables will skip and will press too much on the vinyl, ruining it.

After you get that, you also need a preamp to complement your brand new turntable. Some turntables will come with a built-in phono preamp, but most of them don’t. You will need the preamp to be able to process the signal created by the phono cartridge. This means it will have to be amplified and equalized.

Let’s not forget about the final main element, the speakers. A cheap speaker for vinyl is enough If you already have a Hi-Fi system. The simplest way to solve the speaker problem is to buy some active ones because they come with a built-in amplifier.