Whether we're immersed in a movie, jamming to our favourite songs, listening to podcasts, or enjoying (or not enjoying) audio in our home, we often employ speakers to do so.
Having speakers in our home can improve our enjoyment of our home, and so it would reason that better home speakers could greatly benefit us.
There are plenty of options to choose from when it comes to home speakers, and in this article, I'll share my opinion of the best brands to know about when shopping for or otherwise selecting a new speaker (or set of speakers) for your home.
The top 11 best home speaker brands you should know and use are:
In this article, we'll discuss each of these brands and explain why you should know of and use their speakers in your home listening systems. While doing so, I'll be sure to add a notable speaker model for each brand.
If you're looking for a full list of speaker manufacturers, click here!
Without further ado, let's get into our top 11 speaker brands for home stereo/theatre you should know about.
Click here to return to My New Microphone's articles on musical equipment brands/manufacturers.
Focal
Focal is a French company that specializes in manufacturing Hi-Fi audio systems.
Their product listing includes headphones, car audio, home audio speakers, and professional monitor speakers. The company has earned itself global recognition as a major player in the loudspeaker space.
With control over the entire manufacturing process of its loudspeakers, Focal ensures the highest standard for all its components and speaker builds. This translates to the superb quality of Focal's home audio speakers and gives it a spot on this list.
One of the many notable speakers from Focal is the Aria CC990 (link to check the price on Amazon). This 2-way centre speaker has a 1″ inverted dome tweeter and dual 6.5″ woofers. It has a great build quality and dynamic range. It is designed to be easily combined into a home stereo or theatre arrangement with other Focal speakers from the Aria line.
The flagship home speaker model from Focal is the Chora 826 (link to check the price on Amazon). This bass-reflex loudspeaker offers a clean full range of sound and can be used solo or as a pair for stereo listening.
Focal-JMLab was founded in 1979 by Jacques Mahul in Saint-Etienne, France. Though the brand is still independent, it is owned by Vervent Audio Group following a merger with UK-based high-end audio electronics brand Naim Audio Limited. Focal-JMLab is, to this day, still headquartered in Saint-Etienne, France.
Click here to visit the official website of Focal.
Focal is also featured in the following My New Microphone articles:
• Top 13 Best Headphone Brands In The World
• Top 10 Best Loudspeaker Brands (Overall) On The Market Today
• Top 11 Best Studio Monitor Brands You Should Know And Use
• Top 11 Best Car Audio Speaker Brands In The World
• Top 11 Best Car Audio Amplifier Brands In The World
ELAC
The Germany-based ELAC was originally founded all the way back in 1926 as a sonar technology company. By 1984, ELAC began designing loudspeakers in conjunction with AXIOM electroacoustic speaker specialists.
Since then, the ELAC brand has become well respected in technology fields and in-home audio consumer circles. Its wide variety of home audio products make it well deserving of a shout-out here.
Elac's Uni-Fi UB5 Bookshelf Speaker (link to check the price on Amazon) is a popular bookshelf speaker for home stereo and theatre systems. This 3-way speaker features a coaxial 1″ dome tweeter and 4″ midrange cone along with a 5.25″ woofer and is designed to pack a big punch without taking up much floor space.
The Uni-Fi UF5 Floor-standing Speaker (link to check the price on Amazon) is another popular speaker from ELAC. It is a 3-way bass-reflex floor-standing unit designed for home stereos and theatres.
ELAC was founded in 1926 as ‘Electroacustic GmbH'. In 1978, ELAC was bought out by the American firm Honeywell and renamed it ‘Honeywell-ELAC'. Today, the company is owned by the Chinese investment holdings company Legend Holdings Corporation and is headquartered in Kiel, Germany.
Click here to visit the official website of ELAC.
Parent company: Legend Holdings Corporation (China)
ELAC is also featured in the following My New Microphone article:
• Top 11 Phono Stage/Preamplifier Brands In The World
Dynaudio
Dynaudio is a Danish loudspeaker manufacturer that has been designing and manufacturing incredible loudspeakers for home and studio use since 1977.
The company is particularly well-known for its awesome designs for home audio speakers. With plenty of speakers to choose from, this well-respected brand is a great option for audiophiles looking to improve the sound of their home speaker system.
The Dynaudio Evoke 50 (link to check the price at Crutchfield) is a popular Hi-Fi floor-standing speaker from Dynaudio. It is a 3-way, 4-driver design suitable for any listening environment for home audio.
Dynaudio's Xeo 20 (link to check the price at Crutchfield) is a compact stand-mounted wireless active Hi-Fi speaker that performs like a floor-standing speaker. It is tuned like a studio monitor (the Dynaudio LYD5, to be exact, which is featured in My New Microphone's Top Best Studio Monitor Brands You Should Know And Use).
Dynaudio was founded in 1977 by Ejvind Skaaning and Gerhard Richter. The company has since introduced a professional subsidiary (Dynaudio Professional). In 2014, Dynaudio was acquired by the Chinese acoustic components company Goertek. Dynaudio is headquartered in Skanderborg, Denmark.
Click here to visit the official website of Dynaudio.
Parent company: Goertek (China)
Dynaudio is also featured in the following My New Microphone articles:
• Top 10 Best Loudspeaker Brands (Overall) On The Market Today
• Top 11 Best Studio Monitor Brands You Should Know And Use
JBL
Since 1946, JBL has been producing loudspeakers for commercial sale. Today, the company has two divisions: JBL Consumer (which focuses on consumer home audio equipment) and JBL Professional (which focuses on audio equipment for professional settings).
There are great home speakers available in each division. The consumer division offers affordable options that may have greater versatility, while the pro division is meant for the serious listeners that expect the most from their speakers.
The relative popularity of JBL is for a good reason, and this company is certainly a top manufacturer of speakers for home audio applications.
The JBL Stage A180 (link to check the price at Crutchfield) is a 2.5-way, dual 8″, 1″ aluminum tweeter floor-standing loudspeaker designed as part of JBL's ‘Stage' line of home entertainment speakers.
The JBL Bar 2.0 All-In-One Soundbar (link to check the price on Amazon) is the base model of JBL's impressive ‘Soundbar' line (which includes subwoofers and runs up to a 5.1 system). These soundbars are great for home entertainment audio systems.
JBL was originally founded in 1946 by James Bullough Lansing and his partner in Los Angeles, California, USA, where the company is still headquartered to this day. The brand is now owned by Samsung Electronics and managed by Harmon International Industries.
Lansing also founded the Lansing Manufacturing Company in 1927, which, in 1941, was acquired by Altec Service Corporation to become Altec Lansing.
Click here to visit the official website of JBL.
Parent company: Harman International – Samsung Electronics (South Korea).
JBL is also featured in the following My New Microphone articles:
• Top 14 Best Earphone/Earbud Brands In The World
• Top 10 Best Loudspeaker Brands (Overall) On The Market Today
• Top 11 Best PA Loudspeaker Brands You Should Know And Use
• Top 11 Best Subwoofer Brands (Car, PA, Home & Studio)
• Top 11 Best Car Audio Speaker Brands In The World
• Top 11 Best Soundbar Brands On The Market
• Top 8 Best Portable Bluetooth Speaker Brands On The Market
Polk Audio
Polk Audio is known for its home and audio speakers. The company designs and builds excellent speakers made to improve the listening experience of the user's home audio system.
Polk's products extend beyond just home audio, but their focus on home audio has certainly allowed them to become a respectable go-to for great clean home audio.
The Polk Audio LSi M707 (link to check the price at Adorama) is described by Polk as the ‘Ultimate Floor-standing Loudspeaker'. It is designed to deliver a full range of audio frequencies in Hi-Fi home-listening environments. The 3-way speaker + dual-subwoofer is a standout product of an already standout speaker brand.
The NTi A3 (link to check the price at Crutchfield) is a popular bookshelf speaker from Polk Audio. This 2-way speaker has a 1″ dome tweet and a 6.5″ woofer and is a superb and affordable option for home audio applications.
Polk Audio was founded in 1972 by George Klopfer, Sandy Gross and Matthew Polk in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. Polk Audio was acquired by DEI Holdings in 2006, and its headquarters was moved to the DEI headquarters in San Diego, California, USA, in 2015.
Click here to visit Polk Audio's official website.
Parent company: DEI Holdings (USA)
Polk Audio is also featured in the following My New Microphone articles:
• Top 11 Best Subwoofer Brands (Car, PA, Home & Studio)
• Top 11 Best Car Audio Speaker Brands In The World
Klipsch
Klipsch is a reputable American company specializing in high-quality speakers and audio equipment.
The company's wide selection of new and old speakers are often chosen for use in home stereo and surround sound systems. In keeping up with the times, Klipsch even has wireless portable speakers for use inside and outside the home.
The Klipsch Heritage Cornwall IV (link to check the price at Crutchfield) is a high-end floor-standing loudspeaker. This 3-way speaker has a K-33-E 15″ woofer, a K-702 1.75″ midrange speaker, and K-107-TI 1″ high-frequency driver.
The Klipsch Reference R-51PM (link to check the price on Amazon) is a much more affordable option. These bookshelf speakers come as a pair and have Bluetooth wireless technology.
Klipsch Audio Technologies was founded in 1946 by Paul W. Klipsch in Hope, Arkansas, as ‘Klipsch and Associates'. In 2011, Audiovox (now Voxx International) acquired Klipsch. The company is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.
Click here to visit the official website of Klipsch.
Parent company: Voxx International (USA)
Klipsch is also featured in the following My New Microphone articles:
• Top 10 Best Loudspeaker Brands (Overall) On The Market Today
• Top 11 Best Subwoofer Brands (Car, PA, Home & Studio)
• Top 11 Best Soundbar Brands On The Market
Bose
Bose is one of the most well-known brands in home speakers today.
Though some argue that Bose is overrated, this list would not be complete without including this legendary company.
Their wide selection of home-application speakers features plenty of options to improve the sound of your room(s) greatly.
The Bose Soundbar 700 (link to check the price on Amazon) is a high-end soundbar that is part of the Bose family of smart speakers and soundbars. It has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity and support for Dolby Digital and DTS.
Bose also has Surround Surround Speakers (link to check the price at B&H Photo/Video) that are great additions to home speaker systems that go very well with the aforementioned Bose Soundbar 700.
Bose was originally founded in 1964 by Amar Bose in Massachusetts, USA. Today, the company is headquartered in Framingham, Massachusetts, USA.
Click here to visit the official website of Bose.
Bose is also featured in the following My New Microphone articles:
• Top 13 Best Headphone Brands In The World
• Top 14 Best Earphone/Earbud Brands In The World
• Top 13 Best Headset Brands (Gaming, Aviation, Communication)
• Top 10 Best Loudspeaker Brands (Overall) On The Market Today
• Top 11 Best PA Loudspeaker Brands You Should Know And Use
• Top 11 Best Soundbar Brands On The Market
• Top 8 Best Portable Bluetooth Speaker Brands On The Market
SVS
Ohio-based SVS is a lesser-known company that challenges themselves to provide their audio products with high-end quality and consumer-grade prices.
SVS offers a large range of speakers that are ideal for home audio systems. Whether it's for a home stereo, mini theatre or any other situation that calls for superb sound at an affordable price, SVS is a choice worth considering!
The SVS Ultra Tower (link to check the price on Amazon) is the flagship speaker from SVS. It is a reference floor-standing speaker with a 3.5-way crossover, a 1″ tweeter, dual 6.5″ midrange, and dual 8″ woofer.
Another line of SVS speakers is the prime product line of which the Prime Bookshelf (link to check the price on Amazon) is a notable speaker. These speakers can be used as fronts, surrounds, center-channel or other loudspeakers in a 2-channel audiophile or home theatre surround sound system.
SVS was founded in 1998 by Gary Yacoubian in Youngstown, Ohio. The company is headquartered in Youngstown, Ohio, USA.
Click here to visit the official website of SVS Audio.
Bowers & Wilkins
Bowers & Wilkins have been around for a long time and have been producing superb loudspeakers on a commercial scale since their first release of the P1 in 1967.
B&W specializes in headphones and speakers. Their speakers for home audio and mini theatres are especially impressive, with many choices to fit your exact needs.
The 702 S2 (link to check the price at Crutchfield) is the flagship model from Bowers & Wilkins 700-series of studio-quality home speakers. This 3-way vented box speaker has 3 bass 6.5″ woofers, a 6″ midrange driver, and a solid body 1″ tweeter housing on top. It is one step down from B&W's top-of-the-line 800 Series Diamond.
Bowers & Wilkins also has a home satellite speaker known as the M-1 (link to check the price on Amazon) that is worth mentioning. These compact 2-way speakers can be used in all positions of a home audio system.
Bowers & Wilkins was founded in 1966 by John Bowers in Worthing, West Sussex, England. In 2016, California-based EVA Automation acquired B&W. Today, the brand's headquarters are in Menlo Park, California, USA.
Click here to visit the official website of Bowers & Wilkins.
Bowers & Wilkins is also featured in the following My New Microphone articles:
• Top 13 Best Headphone Brands In The World
• Top 14 Best Earphone/Earbud Brands In The World 2020
• Top 10 Best Loudspeaker Brands (Overall) On The Market Today
• Top 11 Best Soundbar Brands On The Market
Definitive Technology
Definitive Technology has been around since 1990 and has been making a name for itself as a go-to for home theatre audio systems, soundbars and headphones.
Though perhaps not as well diversified in terms of the variety of speaker types on its roster, Def Tech has made a name for itself as being a go-to for home audio systems.
Their speakers are designed for home audio and include floor-standing, bookshelf, satellite, subwoofer, and installed models. One thing is for sure—each of Def Tech's speakers is made with excellent quality and attention to detail that shows in the way they sound.
The Definitive Technology BP-9080X (link to check the price on Amazon) is a high-performance bipolar tower speaker with a front, rear and top array and an integrated 12″ powered subwoofer and dual bass radiators.
Definitive Technology has plenty of other high-end home audio speakers, including the D11 bookshelf speakers (link to check the price at B&H Photo/Video). These 2-way speakers have integrated bass radiators and provide a full-range sound in the relatively small package of a pair of bookshelf speakers.
Definitive Technology was founded in 1990 in Owings Mills, Maryland, by Polk Audio founder Sandy Gross and Don Givogue and Ed Blaise. In 2004, the company was acquired by Directed Electronics (which became DEI Holdings in 2008). In 2013, DEI combined Polk Audio, Definitive Technology and the Boom Movement brands into a new division called Sound United. Def Tech is headquartered in Vista, California, USA.
Click here to visit the official website of Definitive Technology.
Parent company: DEI Holdings (USA)
Definitive Technology is also featured in the following My New Microphone article:
• Top 10 Best Loudspeaker Brands (Overall) On The Market Today
Sonos
Founded in 2002, the American company Sonos has since solidified its niche as a smart speaker manufacturer. Unlike much of the software its speakers support, Sonos products are designed to last for at least five years from the last date of production.
Not only does Sonos provide the technologically sophisticated electronics of a smart speaker, but it does so with considerable audio quality.
With the rise of smart technology and voice control in the home, it would be a disservice not to add Sonos to this list!
The Sonos Arc (link to check the price on Amazon) is defined as the premium smart soundbar for TV, movies, music, gaming, and more. It features Dolby Atmos along with control via remote, the app, your voice, and Apple AirPlay 2. This impressive speaker communicates with other Sonos players via Wi-Fi or a dedicated SonosNet wireless network.
The Sonos Five (link to check the price on Amazon) is a notable high-fidelity speaker from Sonos. It can be controlled with an app and Apple AirPlay 2 and is Sonos compatible via Wi-Fi or a dedicated SonosNet wireless network. When positioned horizontal, a single Five will output a stereo signal, and when positioned vertically, two Fives can be set up as a stereo pair (each outputting a single channel).
Sonos was founded in 2002 by John MacFarlane, Craig Shelburne, Tom Cullen, and Trung Mai and is headquartered in Santa Barbara, California, USA.
Click here to visit the official website of Sonos.
Sonos is also featured in the following My New Microphone articles:
• Top 11 Best Soundbar Brands On The Market
• Top 8 Best Portable Bluetooth Speaker Brands On The Market
With so many loudspeakers on the market, purchasing the best speaker(s) for your applications can be rather daunting. For this reason, I've created My New Microphone's Comprehensive Loudspeaker Buyer's Guide. Check it out for help in determining your next speaker acquisition.
This article has been approved in accordance with the My New Microphone Editorial Policy.