STEREO SPEAKERS
THEY BRING THE MUSIC TO YOUR EARS – SO CHOOSE WITH CARE
Dali Spektor 2 £199
Best standmount speaker under £200, Awards 2020 ★★★★★
The 2s combine Dali’s traditional strengths with a generous dose of entertainment that even Mission and Q Acoustics struggle to match. Size (hwd) 17 x 28 x 28cm Bi-wire No Finishes 2
Elac Debut B5.2 £250
Best standmount speaker under £300, Awards 2023 ★★★★★ ELAC’S latest budget standmounter is talented enough to worry the established competition.
Dali Oberon 1 £349
February 2019 ★★★★★
About the size of a shoe, these articulate and bold-sounding speakers have a wonderfully unfussy nature and are a joy to listen to. Size (hwd) 27 x 16 x 23cm Bi-wire No Finishes 4
KEF Q350 £499
Best standmount speaker £500-£750, Awards 2018 ★★★★★
KEF has delivered a speaker that’s a cut above the rest, with a sophisticated, insightful presentation that belies its modest price. Size (hwd) 36 x 21 x 31cm Bi-wire No Finishes 2
Bowers & Wilkins 607 S3 £599
Best standmount speaker £300-£600, Awards 2023 ★★★★★
B&W has gone back to its roots with these stunning speakers, which, for their size and price range, really are a talented pair.
Size (hwd) 30 x 16.5 x 21cm Bi-wire Yes Finishes 3
B&W 606 S3 £749
Best standmount speaker £600-£800, Awards 2023 ★★★★★
If you can afford a step up above the 607 S3, want a larger-scale sound and need more oomph to your bass, the B&W 606 S3 will be more to your liking. Size (hwd) 35 x 19 x 30cm Bi-wire Yes Finishes 3
Revel Concerta2 M16 £999
Best standmount speaker £750-£1000, Awards 2019 ★★★★★
One of the best speakers we’ve ever heard below the £1000 mark. Make sure to partner carefully to get the best out of them.
Size (hwd) 37 x 22 x 27cm Bi-wire No Finishes 2
KEF LS50 Meta £1000
Best standmount speaker £800-£1000, Awards 2023 ★★★★★
KEF has taken a terrific speaker and made it even better with its innovative Metamaterial tech. The LS50 Metas are now the class leader at this level. Size (hwd) 31 x 20 x 28cm Bi-wire No Finishes 4
Wharfedale Linton £1000
May 2020 ★★★★★
You could listen to these speakers for days and still not get tired. Effortless weight, spot-on stereo imaging and layer upon layer of marvellous detail. Size (hwd) 30 x 19 x 25cm Bi-wire No Finishes 3 Active Yes
“We’re soon marvelling at the Metas’ delicacy and precision. They sound so much more transparent than before”
PMC Prodigy 1 £1250
Best standmount speaker £1000-£1500, Awards 2023 ★★★★★ Hugely versatile and unfussy speakers – but it’s their hugely enjoyable performance that first and foremost seals their five-star fate.
Size (hwd) 32 x 16.2 x 23.7cm Bi-wire No Finishes 1
Spendor Classic 4/5 £1600
June 2021 ★★★★★
These Spendors are refined, insightful and wonderfully balanced – the ideal premium speakers for a small room. Size (hwd) 31 x 19 x 16.5cm Bi-wire No Finishes 2
JBL 4309 £1899
February 2022 ★★★★★
The JBL 4309 may not be the most sophisticated listen, but there’s little at the price that delivers sound with such energy.
Size (hwd) 42 x 26 x 23cm Bi-wire Yes Finishes
KEF R3 Meta £1900
Best standmount speaker £1500-£2500, Awards 2023 ★★★★★
KEF knocks it out the park again: the R3 Metas are wonderfully transparent, refined speakers that are hugely entertaining performers, too.
Size (hwd) 42 x 20 x 34cm Bi-wire Yes Finishes 4
ATC SCM19 £2150
Awards 2016 ★★★★★
It’s quite a trick for a speaker to be highly analytical with music, yet never sound clinical or passionless. But that’s the case with the SCM19S. Size (hwd) 44 x 27 x 30cm Bi-wire No Finishes 2
Dynaudio Special Forty £2500
Best standmount speaker £2000+, Awards 2019 ★★★★★
When paired with talented electronics, these standmounters will shine, offering a confident, muscular and subtle sound. Lots of fun. Size (hwd) 36 x 20 x 32cm Bi-wire No Finishes 2
Proac Response D2R £3295
Best standmount speaker over £1500, Awards 2021 ★★★★★ Wonderfully transparent, yet never overly analytical, these Proacs excel at giving the music the limelight. We can’t ask for any more than that. Size (hwd) 43 x 21 x 26cm Bi-wire Yes Finishes 6
Mission 770 £3299
Best standmount speaker over £2500, Awards 2023 ★★★★★
The link to the past will be the main attraction for some, but for us that is put in the shade by the speakers’ excellent all-round performance. Size (hwd) 59 x 30 x 30cm Bi-wire No Finishes 1
Fyne Audio F701 £3999
January 2021 ★★★★★
Among the most musically engaging choices we have heard. If you have this much to spend, make sure you hear these before buying anything else. Size (hwd) 46.5 x 28 x 39cm Bi-wire Yes Finishes 3
KEF Reference 1 £4999
July 2018 ★★★★★
These are superb all-rounders that work well across a wide range of music, systems and rooms. The dedicated stands are pricey though. Size (hwd) 44 x 21 x 43cm Bi-wire Yes Finishes 3
Ruark Audio MR1 Mk2 £329
Best desktop speaker, Awards 2023 ★★★★★
Gorgeous retro design and superb sound make the Mk2s an update that manages to be even more appealing than its predecessor.
Size (hwd) 17 x 13 x 14cm Powered Yes Finishes 1
Q Acoustics M20 £379
July 2022 ★★★★★
An unfussy, just add source set of powered speakers. For this money, you will be hard pushed to better the sound quality with hi-fi separates. Size (hwd) 28 x 17 x 30cm Powered Yes Finishes 3
Wharfedale Diamond 12.3 £499
Best floorstander under £500, Awards 2023★★★★★
Terrifically accomplished for the money. Don’t buy another pair of floorstanders at this level without trying these first.
Size (hwd) 98 x 18 x 32cm Bi-wire Yes Finishes 4
Elac Debut 2.0 F5.2 £599
September 2019 ★★★★★
A mature, honest presentation, neither sucking the life out of a piece, nor exaggerating it. Elac is one of the few companies to do this with such aplomb. Size (hwd) 100 x 18 x 23cm Bi-wire No Finishes 1
Dali Oberon 5 £699
Best floorstander £500-£1000, Awards 2020 ★★★★★
A great option for floorstanders under £1000, these Dalis are fun-sounding speakers, with a great dose of transparency that’s impressive for the price. Size (hwd) 83 x 16 x 28cm Bi-wire No Finishes 4
Q Acoustics 5040 £999
Best floorstander £500-£1500, Awards 2023 ★★★★★
The Q Acoustics 5040 are even-handed performers that simply step out of the way of the music and let it shine.
Size (hwd) 97 x 18 x 28cm Bi-wire No Finishes
Triangle Borea BR08 £999
Best floorstander £500-£1000, Awards 2022 ★★★★★
These Triangles are exceptional – certainly good enough to challenge the best at this price. Play all genres of music and do it with an addictive charm. Size (hwd) 102 x 21 x 32cm Bi-wire No Finishes 4
Wharfedale Evo 4.4 £1199
Best floorstanding speaker £1000-£1500, Awards 2022 ★★★★★ The Evo 4.4s are entertaining and detailed, with enough in the way of refinement to make them an excellent long-term choice. Size (hwd) 106 x 25 x 35cm Bi-wire Yes Finishes 3
Q Acoustics 5050 £1299
July 2024 ★★★★★
These floorstanders do everything their junior siblings, the 5040, can do but add an extra dose of authority and a slightly calmer manner. Size (hwd) 102 x 39 x 34cm Bi-wire No Finishes 4
B&W 603 £1249
June 2019 ★★★★★
The B&W 603s are floorstanding speakers that are up there with the best at this price. You should give them a whirl… Size (hwd) 98.5 x 19 x 34cm Bi-wire Yes Finishes 2
Revel Concerta2 F35 £1899
May 2019 ★★★★★
There aren’t many speakers at this price that make listening to music as enjoyable as the Revel Concerta2 F35s.
Size (hwd) 102 x 21 x 31cm Bi-wire No Finishes 2
PMC Prodigy 5 £1995
Best floorstander £1500-£2500, Awards 2023 ★★★★★
The Prodigy 5 deftly balance natural vocals, refined bass and a snappy sense of rhythm to deliver a supremely cohesive listening experience.
Size (hwd) 90.5 x 16.5 x 23.7cm Bi-wire No Finishes 1
Proac Response DT8 £1999
Best floorstander £1500-£3000, Awards 2022 ★★★★★
The DT8S deliver such an entertaining sound, we can’t help but recommend them. Take a bit of care with system-matching and they will impress.
Size (hwd) 98 x 20 x 23cm Bi-wire Yes Finishes 5 (plus 2 specials)
Sonus faber Lumina V £2499
March 2023 ★★★★★
The Sonus Faber Lumina V offer an enticing and easy-going approach to music replay that makes them a serious alternative to the usual choices. Size (hwd) 105 x 28 x 37cm Bi-wire Yes Finishes 3
Fyne Audio F501SP £2799
January 2021 ★★★★★
The difference in price between the standard F501 and the SP version is massive, but then so is the jump in performance. Size (hwd) 98 x 29 x 32cm Bi-wire Yes Finishes 3
Spendor A7 £3200
Best floorstanders over £2500, Awards 2023 ★★★★★
The A7s continue Spendor’s knack for combining precision, clarity and subtlety with hugely enjoyable dynamics and rhythm. Size (hwd) 94 x 18 x 31cm Bi-wire No Finishes 4
Martin Logan Electromotion ESL X £5495
June 2023 ★★★★★
They deliver a terrifically precise and spacious stereo soundstage. Voices and instruments are layered with care. They deserve a high place on any shortlist. Size (hwd) 150 x 24 x 53cm Bi-wire Yes Finishes 1
Audiovector SR3 Avantgarde £6320
January 2019 ★★★★★
These floorstanders match their impressive price with impressive sound. They demonstrate a good deal of organisation, stunning clarity and real punch. Size (hwd) 103 x 19 x 33cm Bi-wire Tri-wire Finishes 8
ATC SCM40A £6800
April 2014 ★★★★★
The price looks steep but factor in built-in amplification and exceptional sound, and the SCM40AS emerge as something of a high-end bargain. Size (hwd) 98 x 37 x 34cm Bi-wire No Finishes 2 Active Yes