Any music lover can tell you that nothing beats the way music sounds when it is played in the form of vinyl. The only problem with this is that a lot of vinyl players do not have loud or prominent built-in speakers, which might be sufficient enough for individual listening but not for get-togethers and parties. In such cases, it is advised to purchase external speakers or speaker sets that can be connected and used well with your vinyl player. The next step is for you to identify which speakers can be used to play with vinyl players and which features should be present for that.
FEATURES TO LOOK FOR IN SPEAKERS
When checking out the potential speakers for vinyl, it is very important to know both your vinyl player and speakers. Here the parameters to check for:
- connectivity features
- Size and weight
- Power of speakers (amplifiers)
- Price
Connectivity features are those means by which you can connect your speakers to different sources. For this, it is advisable to use them in accordance with your player. If your vinyl has the capability of connecting it using Bluetooth, RCA, AUX, optical, coaxial, etc.
The next point is size and weight. For this feature check out the place where you intend to keep your speaker and vinyl set. This might help you decide whether it will fit in the intended place along with the player or if you need a new table or shelf.
The next feature to look for is the power of speakers. This parameter is measured in watts. You will also see a parameter named SPL or sound pressure levels which are measured in decibels. These parameters help you decide how loud music can you play without distorting the audio.
Last but not least is the price. The budget for your speakers will decide the quality you are going to purchase. Though there are speakers available under 50 bucks, it is recommended to purchase those for $100 or if you can afford to splurge, go for the range of $100-$500.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF SPEAKERS FOR VINYL
- BOOKSHELF SPEAKERS
These speakers are not anything complex. They are designed to rest on any elevated surface other than the floor. They are usually preferred for small rooms or gatherings. They maximize sounds in a small room and are usually preferred for home theaters and personal computers. They are also a great choice if you want to purchase them for a turntable or to amplify audio effects while playing video games. These are usually of two types- active and passive.
- FLOOR STANDING SPEAKERS
These are the other types of speakers used for different music players. These speakers are designed to stand on the floor and are usually too big or heavy to place on an elevated surface. These speakers offer a large array of frequencies. You can connect these to your preferred system either virtually or with the help of wires. These speakers are preferred for big gatherings where you need highly amplified music.
It is advised for you to purchase a bookshelf pair of speakers. They cost less and have the ability to power up your preferred audio on a turntable just the perfect amount. If you have active speakers it is already a good thing, but if they are passive bookshelf speakers you should receive or buy an amplifier or receiver to power them up to the level you desire.
Top speakers for vinyl in Canada
1)Edifier S2000pro Powered Bluetooth Bookshelf Speakers
The Edifier S2000pro Powered Bluetooth Bookshelf Speakers are real wood speakers that are perfect to pair up with your vinyl player. They produce a clean, clear, and loud sound without any strong bass. They come with a 5-feet long connecting cable for easy placement. They also have four different settings like vocal, classic, monitor, and dynamic. It is remote-controlled which is just a cherry on top.
| Speaker type | Bookshelf |
| Speaker connectivity | RCA, Bluetooth, Optical, Coaxial, XLR |
| Output wattage | 130 watts |
| Speaker size | 5.5 inches |
| Parcel Weight | 18.86 kg |
Pros:
- It has great connectivity flexibility. Even if your vinyl player does not have BlueTooth it can still be connected to it.
- It has four different settings based on its usage.
- It is a hassle-free product. It comes with a remote which helps you easily control this product from wherever you are sitting in the room.
Cons:
- The remote it comes with does not have a comfortable design. It is too big for speakers and has a round base hence it keeps falling from the table.
2)Edifier R980T 4″ Active Bookshelf Speakers
The Edifier R980T 4″ Active Bookshelf Speakers are powerful 24-watt speakers with flared bass reflex port in front. The flared bass reflex port is enclosed in a medium-density fibreboard wooden enclosure. Each speaker has a 4-inch bass driver and 13mm tweeter that can easily replicate clean and enjoyable sound for the listeners. This speaker set is capable of producing a rich detailed sound that can for sure take your breath away.
| Speaker type | Bookshelf |
| Speaker connectivity | RCA |
| Output wattage | 24 watts |
| Speaker size | 4 inches |
| Parcel Weight | 3.53 kg |
Pros:
- It can be connected with more than one audio device because of its two RCA inputs. You can just connect your two devices instead of switching between them.
- It has features to control two of its most important functions. Master volume and bass knob are easy to adjust as you deem fit.
- The sound it produces is quite lean. When the volume is at maximum you will not hear any sort of distortion.
Cons:
- The sound is not as powerful and clean as expensive speakers, but the quality it produces is suited for its price.
3)Micca COVO-S Compact 2-Way Bookshelf Speakers
The Micca COVO-S Compact 2-Way Bookshelf Speakers are one of the dependable speakers in the market. With the clean and clear sound they produce, they are definitely worth the impression. They have a 3-Inch wool paper cone woofer with a waveguide cone design. This helps them with improving tweeter dispersion. They also have 0.75 inch PEI dome tweeters for good quality treble and imaging. Do check these out.
| Speaker type | Bookshelf |
| Speaker connectivity | RCA |
| Power source | Corded electric |
| Speaker size | 13 x 10.7 x 13.2 centimeters |
| Parcel Weight | 907.18 grams |
Pros:
- It has a 3-Inch wool paper cone woofer with a waveguide cone design for a better tweeter dispersion.
- It provides crystal clear treble and accurate imaging because of the 0.75-Inch PEI dome tweeter.
- This product also delivers an extended bass response with low distortion.
Cons:
- The sound is good but would be great with an equalizer.
4)JBL Charge 4 Portable Waterproof Wireless Bluetooth Speaker
The JBL Charge 4 Portable Waterproof Wireless Bluetooth Speaker provides its users with full-spectrum, powerful sound, and a built-in power bank. This device has a 20-hour long battery life and also has a USB port for instant charging. It is made up of rugged material which makes sure this product does not get ruined easily. It can also be connected with various speakers having JBL connect+ at once.
| Speaker type | Outdoor |
| Speaker connectivity | Wireless, Bluetooth, USB |
| Power source | Battery-powered |
| Speaker size | 24.99 x 11 x 14.61 cm |
| Parcel Weight | 961.62 Grams |
Pros:
- It has a very long and dependable battery life. This speaker has a battery life of 20 hours and can be charged using its USB port.
- This amazing product is waterproof. You do not have to worry about it malfunctioning when water spills on it or falls into a water body.
- You can even use it for parties. If you want even louder sound than this speaker’s capacity you can connect it with 100 JBL connect enabled speakers.
Cons:
- This product does not produce a lot of bass frequency maybe because of its size. This is not a deal-breaker though.
5)Bose Companion 2 Series III Multimedia Speakers
The Bose Companion 2 Series III Multimedia Speakers are an amazing purchase. They provide high-quality and clear audio. They have an auxiliary input to connect it to other sources like iPhone, iPad, Mac, laptops, or personal computers. They have great audio quality and do a great job when used.
| Speaker type | Bookshelf |
| Speaker connectivity | Wired |
| Power source | Corded electric |
| Speaker size | 15 x 7.9 x 19.1 centimeters |
| Parcel Weight | 1.8kg |
Pros:
- It is very easy to use and control. All it has is a very easy to maneuver knob. It has volume control and a headphone port on the right speaker.
- These pairs of speakers can also be connected to private computers and iPads. It has special ports for AUX and computers.
- These speakers have a special TrueSpace stereo digital processing circuitry. This makes it possible for them to produce spacious and lifelike sounds.
Cons:
- For their price, it is very good but the bass is not very good as compared to expensive speakers which might be bad for listening to speeches.
6)PreSonus Eris E3.5-3.5″ Professional Multimedia Reference Monitors
The PreSonus Eris E3.5-3.5″ Professional Multimedia Reference Monitors are perfect speakers for music listening and editing. These speakers have 3.5-inch woven composite drivers, and it is this aspect that is responsible for producing a powerful bass. They have wonderful acoustics which sound great in any room and are a must-have product.
| Speaker type | Bookshelf |
| Speaker connectivity | RCA, Auxiliary input, TRS |
| Audio output mode | Stereo |
| Speaker size | 16.3 x 14.2 x 21.1 centimeters |
| Parcel Weight | 5.4kg |
Pros:
- It has a studio-quality industrial design. They look amazing paired up with a vinyl player on the shelf.
- They are the only speakers in the market with vinyl-compatible speakers with acoustic tuning. It provides you with clear sound in almost any room.
- This is a great speaker that is suited for various activities like multimedia, gaming, watching movies, or listening to music, etc.
Cons:
- They crackle a bit at full volume.
7)Polk Audio T15
The Polk Audio T15 Home Theater and Music Bookshelf Speaker provide its listeners with superior quality audio. They have magnetically shielded enclosures and 89dB 5-1/4″ Dynamic Balance Polymer Composite Woofer. It provides its users with the ability to set these up with various other setups like home theaters, computers, vinyl players, etc.
| Speaker type | Bookshelf |
| Power source | Corded electric |
| Audio output mode | Surround |
| Speaker size | 18.5 x 16.5 x 27.2 centimeters |
| Parcel Weight | 3.74kg |
Pros:
- This pair of speakers are easy to set up and can get connected to a lot of different systems like vinyl players, home theater, stereos, etc.
- Its furniture-grade MDF cabinet construction reduces resonance and distortion and provides you with high-quality audio.
Cons:
- They are not very good with their bass quality.
8)Audioengine HD6 Wireless Speaker
The Audioengine HD6 Wireless Speakers are powerful Bluetooth bookshelf speakers. They have built-in analog power amplifiers which produce great quality audio. It is extremely easy to set up with external devices like television and you do not need any sort of external software or password. It is made with hand-built wooden cabinets and comes with optical audio input, aptX HD Bluetooth codec, subwoofer connection, and solid metal remote control.
| Speaker type | Bookshelf |
| Power source | Corded electric |
| Connectivity technology | Wireless, Bluetooth, RCA |
| Speaker size | 43.18 x 18.54 x 38.1 cm |
| Parcel Weight | 13.5kg |
Pros:
- This speaker has dual audio inputs and full-range variable output to provide you with wider connectivity.
- This product has detachable magnetic speaker grills and also threaded inserts to help speakers be secured on stands.
- It has advanced BlueTooth with a 30 m extended range, simplified setup, and 24-bit upsampling.
Cons:
- The quality of audio with a wired connection is far superior to that produced through Bluetooth.
9)Dali Oberon 5 Floor Standing Speakers
The Dali Oberon 5 Floor Standing Speakers are the ultimate speakers that produce the best quality audio when connected to your vinyl player. This is an elegant and floor-standing speaker which delivers a deep-level bass. They also have very defined mid-range and airy high frequencies.
| Speaker type | Floor standing |
| Power source | Corded electric |
| Connectivity technology | Wireless, Bluetooth, RCA |
| Speaker size | 43.18 x 18.54 x 38.1 cm |
| Parcel Weight | 13.5kg |
Pros:
- These speakers have a strong presence. They produce a very firm bass that circulates through mid-range.
- They are very easy to set up and connect with. All you need to do is to connect them to your preferred source directly as stated in the instructions.
- It is made up of strong and dependable materials. It helps the speaker produce a clear and firm sound.
Cons:
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10)Pioneer SP-BS22A-LR Andrew Jones Designed Dolby Atmos Bookshelf Speaker
The Pioneer SP-BS22A-LR Andrew Jones Designed Dolby Atmos Bookshelf Speakers are highly acclaimed in their market segment. These speakers help deliver sophisticated, clear, and crisp sound in your living room. These speakers produce amazing audio in stereo, 5.1 surround sound, and Dolby Atmos. It also reflects sound off the ceiling to produce an immersive surround sound escape. They highlight details of action movie audio and music tracks almost perfectly.
| Speaker type | Bookshelf |
| Power source | Corded electric |
| Color | Black |
| Speaker size | 58.2 x 27.4 x 43.9 centimeters |
| Parcel Weight | 4.58kg |
Pros:
- The 4” woofer of the speakers has a newly structured surface, oversized magnets, and a vented pole piece to provide you with improved bass.
- The audio it produces is well balanced and pure and it is so because of the newly developed 6 element Complex Crossover.
- The design is perfectly designed and is sufficiently stylish. It is aesthetically pleasing and counters all distortion risks.
Cons:
- They are a bit bigger considering they are bookshelf speakers, but they are sufficiently loud.
11)Klipsch R-51 PM Powered Bluetooth Speaker
The Klipsch R-51 PM Powered Bluetooth Speaker delivers great quality music without taking up a lot of room. They are custom engineered to produce maximum output and superior sound quality. These amazing speakers work with different appliances like a turntable, television, computer, cell phone, or even anything you can connect them with. These speakers have a sleek design with Exposed fasteners, low-profile magnetic grilles, and textured wood grain vinyl.
| Speaker type | Bookshelf |
| Power source | Corded electric |
| Connectivity technology | Bluetooth, USB, Auxiliary, Digital optical |
| Speaker size | 8.5 x 7 x 13.3 inches |
| Parcel Weight | 4.8kg |
Pros:
- It can be connected to multiple sources because of its wide range of connectivity technology.
- Klipsch Reference-powered speakers can match the ear’s ability to listen to lower frequencies, this feature of the dynamic volume is not usually found in speakers.
- They have an ultra-low noise amplification system for better sound performance while being used.
Cons:
- Their phono stage is not great.
12)Sony SSCS5 3-Way 3-Driver Bookshelf Speaker System
The Sony SSCS5 3-Way 3-Driver Bookshelf Speaker System is versatile enough to deliver a never heard before amazing audio experience. It has a very expansive sound stage which always makes you feel the energy and passion of original performance in your very bones. It is very easy to set up. You do not need any external setup or stands for using it.
| Speaker type | Bookshelf |
| Power source | Corded electric |
| Connectivity technology | Bluetooth, USB, Auxiliary, Digital optical |
| Speaker size | 8.5 x 7 x 13.3 inches |
| Parcel Weight | 4.8kg |
Pros:
- It has a highly efficient design which has the ability of sound-absorbing felt to dampen rear sound pressure.
- It has a ported design and a wooden structure for improved resonance. They have a peak power of 100 watts.
- It has a sturdy build and also has MRC cones for producing an impressive sound quality of whatever audio is being listened to.
Cons:
- These speakers are not compatible with large gauge wires.
13)Monoprice 6.5in and Ribbon Tweeter 2-Way Bookshelf Speakers
The Monoprice 6.5in and Ribbon Tweeter 2-Way Bookshelf Speakers allow you to enjoy the cool and crisp sound when connected to your turntable. It is a perfect fit for office, bedroom, or mid-sized living rooms. They have a spring clip speaker terminal for easy setup and installation. Their simple yet elegant design gives the appearance of a black brushed finish which looks even better when complemented by the black woofer cone and tweeter dome.
| Speaker type | Bookshelf, satellite |
| Power source | Corded electric |
| Color | Black |
| Speaker size | 41.9 x 29.5 x 35.8 centimeters |
| Parcel Weight | 3.18kg |
Pros:
- It has ribbon tweeters that produce an extended frequency response with much lower distortion.
- They are a perfect size. They are big enough to be used as main left/right speakers and small enough to be used as satellite speakers.
- It has a simple and elegant design. Not only do they look elegant in a room but they are also easy to set up and install.
Cons:
- If you want to use them on a desk, you might have to turn down the treble a bit.
CONCLUSION
A turntable has the capability of producing music in its finest form. What assists it in its job even further is a pair of great quality speakers. Above we have mentioned a total of thirteen speakers and speaker sets who along with their features and advantages are a great choice. They all produce good quality audio and can easily be connected to your vinyl player as well. Thirteen options can still be a bit confusing. To help you in making the decision even further here are the top three products:
PreSonus Eris E3.5-3.5″ Professional Multimedia Reference Monitors
Pioneer SP-BS22A-LR Andrew Jones Designed Dolby Atmos Bookshelf Speaker
