Speaker Recommendations
Version 2.3 by u/htmod & u/Bill_Money
Outdoor speakers have been moved to the Whole Home Audio guide to reduce clutter in this guide to focus more on Indoor Speakers
SPeakers are also broken into Budget, Better, & Premium categories now to better articulate quality of speaker.
Directory
- I. Bookshelf Speakers
- II. Slim Speakers
- III. Tower Speakers
- IV. Surround Speakers
- V. In Ceiling Speakers
- VI. In Wall Speakers
- VII. Pendant Speakers
I. Bookshelf Speakers
- Budget Speakers - best served as starter speakers to be eventually moved to surrounds
| Model | MSRP | Matching Center |
|---|---|---|
| Dayton Audio B452 | $27.88/pair | Dayton Audio C452 $25.88 |
| Dayton Audio B652 | $30.88/Pair | C-652 Air |
| Dayton Audio B452-AIR | $45.95/pair | Dayton Audio C452-AIR $28.70 |
| Dayton Audio B652-AIR | $59.95/pair | C-652 Air |
| Micca MB42 | $59.99/Pair | MB42C |
| Dayton Audio MK402X | $59.98/pair | Dayton Audio MK442 Center $49.97 |
| Definitve Technology ProMonitor 400 | $32.99/Each | N/A - Best Used as surrounds |
| Micca MB42X | $79.95/pair | MB42X-C |
| Dayton Audio MK442 | $94.88/Pair | Dayton Audio MK442 Center $49.97 |
| Micca OoO | $99.99-$149.99/Pair | OoO Center |
| BIC Venturi DV62si | $125.75/pair | BIC Venturi DV62CLR-S $119 |
| Micca RB42 Reference | $149.99/Pair | [RB42-C] (https://www.amazon.com/Micca-Channel-Bookshelf-Speaker-Woofers/dp/B07WK4KBZV) |
| Sony Core SSCS5 | $119.99/pair | Sony Core SSCS8 |
- Better Speakers - An upgrade over the budget speakers listed above
| Model | MSRP | Matching Center |
|---|---|---|
| Aperion Intimus 4B | $199.99/pair | Aperion Intimus 4C $149 |
| HTD Level Two | $219 or $249/pair | HTD Level Two Center |
| Wavecrest HVL-1 | $229/pair | None use a third HVL-1 as a center $330 for 3 |
| Emotiva Airmotiv B1+ | $229/pair | Emotiva Airmotiv C1 |
| BIC Formula FH-65B | $119.75/each | BIC Formula FH6-LCR $119 |
| NHT SuperZero 2.1 | $124.99/each | NHT Super Center - $199.99/each |
| ELAC Debut B5.2 | $289.98/pair | Debut C5.2 $229.98 |
| Ascend Acoustics HTM-200 SE | $298/pair | Ascend Acoustics HTM- 200 SE Center |
| HSU HB1 MK2 | $159-189/each | HSU HC-1 MK2 |
| NHT SuperOne 2.1 | $174.99/each | NHT Super Center - $199.99/each |
| HTD Level Three | $349/pair | HTD Level Three Center |
| ELAC Debut B6.2 | $349.98/pair | Debut C6.2 $329.98 |
| Chane A1.5 | $349/Pair | Chane A2.5 |
| Aperion Intimus 5B | $349/Pair | Intimus 5C Center $299 |
| SVS Prime Bookshelf | $249.99/each | SVS Prime Center - $349.99 |
| NHT C1 | $249.99/each | NHT C LCR Center Channel Speaker - $499.99 |
| KEF Q150 | $549/pair | KEF Q650C or use a 3rd Q150 as a Center |
| Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE | $568/pair | Ascend Accoustics CMT-340 SE Center |
- Premium Speakers
| Model | MSRP | Matching Center |
|---|---|---|
| KEF Q350 | $649.98/Pair | KEF Q650C or use a 3rd Q350 as a Center |
| Aperion Versus III Grand | $799/Pair | Aperion Versus III Grand Center $699 |
| Goldenear Aon 2 | $399.99/each | GoldenEar SuperCenter |
| Martin Logan Motion 15i | $424.99/each | Martin Logan Motion 30i $849.99 |
| Ascend Acoustics Sierra 1 | $848-898/pair | Ascend Acoustics Sierra 2 Center |
| SVS Ultra Bookshelf | $499.99/each | SVS Ultra - $699.99 |
| Goldenear Aon 3 | $499.99/each | GoldenEar SuperCenter |
| NHT C3 | $499.99/each | NHT C LCR Center Channel Speaker - $499.99 |
| Martin Logan Motion 35XTi | $699.99/each | Martin Logan Motion 50XTi $1099.99 |
| Ascend Acoustics Sierra 2 | $1448/pair | Ascend Acoustics Sierra 2 Center |
| NHT M7 L/C/R | $899.99/each | 3rd M7 |
II. Slim Speakers
These are designed for WAF and for extremely challenging spaces.
| Model | MSRP | Matching Center |
|---|---|---|
| GoldenEar SuperSat 3 | $249.99/each | GoldenEar SuperSat 3 Center |
| Paradigm Cinema 200 | $279/each | Use 3rd Cinema 200 |
| KEF T101 | $549.99/pair | KEF T101c |
| HTD Versa HTS 1 Speakers | $349/each | None use a 3rd HTS1 as a center |
| KEF T301 | $749.99/pair | KEF T301c |
| GoldenEar SuperSat 50 | $499.99/each | GoldenEar SuperSat 50 Center |
| Martin Logan Motion SLM | $549.99/each | Use 3rd SLM |
| Paradigm Millenia LP 2 | $549/each | Use 3rd LP2 |
| Paradigm Millenia 20 | $579/each | Use 3rd Millenia 20 |
| Paradigm Millenia LP XL | $749/each | Use 3rd LP XL |
| Martin Logan Motion SLM XL | $749.99/each | Use 3rd SLM XL |
| GoldenEar SuperSat 60 | $799.99 /each | GoldenEar SuperSat 60 Center |
| Definitive Technology Mythos Nine | $799/each | |
| Paradigm Millenia 30 | $849/each | Use 3rd 30 |
| Definitive Technology Mythos XTR-60 | $899/each |
Paradigm Decor Custom Collection
III. Tower Speakers
- Budget Speakers
| Model | MSRP | Matching Center |
|---|---|---|
| Dayton Audio T652 | $135/pair | C-652 Air |
| Dayton Audio T652 AIR | $150/pair | C-652 Air |
| Dayton Audio MK442T | $199/pair | Dayton Audio MK442 Center $49.97 |
| BIC Venturi DV84 | $157.90/each | BIC Venturi DV62CLR-S $119 |
| Sony Core SSCS3 | $159.99/each | Sony Core SSCS8 |
| BIC Formula FH-6T | $199/each | BIC Formula FH6-LCR $119 |
- Better Speakers - An upgrade over the budget speakers listed above
| Model | MSRP | Matching Center |
|---|---|---|
| Emotiva Airmotiv T-Zero | $399.99/pair | Emotiva Airmotiv C1 |
| HTD Level Two | $419 or $459/pair | HTD Level Two Center |
| Aperion Intimus 4T | $299.99/Each | Aperion Intimus 4C $149 |
| Emotiva Airmotiv T1 | $699/pair | Emotiva Airmotiv C1 |
| ELAC Debut F5.2 | $349.98/each | Debut C5.2 $229.98 |
| HTD Level Three | $799 or $879/pair | HTD Level Three Center |
| Aperion Intimus 5T | $399/Each | Intimus 5C Center $299 |
| Chane A5.5 | $439/each | Chane A2.4 |
| ELAC Debut F6.2 | $459.98/each | Debut C6.2 $329.98 |
| SVS Prime Tower Speaker | $499.99/each | SVS Prime Center - $349.99 |
| Emotiva Airmotiv T2+ | $999/pair | Emotiva Airmotiv C2+ |
| KEF Q550 | $549.98/Each | KEF Q650C |
- Premium Speakers
| Model | MSRP | Matching Center |
|---|---|---|
| GoldenEar Triton Seven | $699.99/Each | GoldenEar SuperCenter |
| NHT MS Tower | $699.99/each | NHT MS Center - $349.99 |
| KEF Q750 | $749.98/Each | KEF Q650C |
| SVS Prime Pinnacle Speaker | $799.99/each | SVS Prime Center - $349.99 |
| KEF Q950 | $899.98/rach | KEF Q650C |
| Martin Logan Motion 20i | $899.99/each | Martin Logan Motion 30i $849.99 |
| Ascend Acoustics Sierra Tower | $1998-2798/pair | Ascend Acoustics Sierra 2 Center |
| GoldenEar Triton Five | $999.99/Each | GoldenEar SuperCenter |
| SVS Ultra Tower Speaker | $999.99/each | SVS Ultra - $699.99 |
| NHT C4 | $999.99/each | NHT C Center - $499.99 |
| Martin Logan Motion 40i | $1199.99/each | Martin Logan Motion 30i $849.99 |
| Aperion Versus III Grand | $1249/Each | Aperion Versus III Grand Center $699 |
| GoldenEar Triton Three+ | $1,249.99/Each | GoldenEar SuperCenter |
| GoldenEar Triton Two+ | $1,749.99/Each | GoldenEar SuperCenter |
| Martin Logan Motion 60XTi | $1749.99/each | Martin Logan Motion 50XTi $1099.99 |
| GoldenEar Triton One | $2,499.99/Each | GoldenEar SuperCenter |
IV. Surround Speakers
- Non specific to speakers listed above
The Dayton 652's & Def Tech pro Monitor 400's listed above are also great surround speakers.
The Polk OWM3 also Make Excellent On Ceiling Atmos Speakers
| Model | MSRP |
|---|---|
| Dayton Audio SAT-BK 3-3/4" | $44.95/pair |
| Micca Covo-S | $44.99/Pair |
| BIC Venturi DV32-B | $57.80/pair |
| Polk OWM3 | $149.95 |
- Specific to speakers listed above
| Model | MSRP |
|---|---|
| HTD Versa SB1 | $129/each |
| HTD Level Two Surround | $279/pair |
| Ascend Acoustics CBM-170SE | $298/Pair |
| Aperion Intimu 4BP | $299/Pair |
| HTD Level Three Surround | $399/pair |
| Emotiva Airmotive E2 | $459/pair |
| Aperion Versus Surround Dipole/Bipole Speaker | $699/Pair |
| Matin Logan Motion FX | $449.99/each |
V. In Ceiling Speakers
- Stereo/Dual Channel (1 Speaker for L/R good for bathrooms or small rooms for music)
- Budget
| Model | MSRP |
|---|---|
| Dayton Audio CS622C 6-1/2" Stereo | $43.88/each |
| Dayton Audio ME652C Dual Channel | $45/each |
- Premium
| Model | MSRP |
|---|---|
| Martin Logan IC6-ST | $249.99/each |
| Definitive Technology DT6.5STR | $289/each |
- Mono Channel (1 channel good for Atmos, Surround L, Surround R, etc.)
- Budget
| Model | MSRP |
|---|---|
| Dayton Audio CS620C | $54.88/pair |
| Dayton Audio CS820C | $65.88/pair |
| HTD SDX-R65 | Sold as Single or Pair $50/each $99.00/pair |
| Dayton Audio ME650C LCRS 15 Degree Angled | $56.98/each |
| Dayton Audio CS620EC | $60.88/each |
| Dayton Audio ME620C | $85/pair |
- Better
| Model | MSRP |
|---|---|
| HTD SDX-R80 | Sold as Single or Pair $65/each $129.00/pair |
| Dayton Audio ME820C | $131.98/pair |
| HTD HDX-R65 | Sold as Single or Pair $75/each $149.00/pair |
| HTD HDX-R80 | Sold as Single or Pair $100/each $199.00/pair |
SpeakerCraft In-Ceiling Speakers
- Premium
| Model | MSRP |
|---|---|
| Definitive Technology DT6.5R | $209/each |
| Martin Logan IC6 | $229.99/each |
| Martin Logan IC3 | $229.99/each |
| Definitive Technology DT8R | $289/each |
| Martin Logan IC8 | $299.99/each |
| Martin Logan IC6-HT | $349.99/each |
| Sonance C Series | Varies |
Sonance Visual Performance Series
- All-Weather Inceiling
| Model | MSRP |
|---|---|
| Martin Logan IC3-AW | $349.99/each |
| Martin Logan IC8-AW | $399.99/each |
VI. In Wall Speakers
- Budget
| Model | MSRP |
|---|---|
| Dayton Audio CS620W | $75.88/pair |
| Dayton Audio ME625W | $99.80/pair |
| HTD SDX-W65 | Sold as Single or Pair $50/each $99.00/pair |
| Dayton Audio ME525MTM 5-1/4" LCRS | $55/Each |
- Better
| Model | MSRP |
|---|---|
| Dayton Audio ME825W | $124.98/pair |
| HTD SDX-W80 | Sold as Single or Pair $65/each $129.00/pair |
| HTD HDX-W65 | Sold as Single or Pair $75/each $149.00/pair |
| HTD HDX-W80 | Sold as Single or Pair $100/each $199.00/pair |
- Premium
| Model | MSRP |
|---|---|
| Definitive Technology DT6.5LCR | $229/each |
| Martin Logan IW6 | $229.99/each |
| Definitive Technology DT8LCR | $289/each |
| Martin Logan IW5-LCR | $349.99/each |
Sonance Visual Performance Series
VII. Pendant Speakers
Posted Nov 18, 2019, 7:31 PM UTC · edited · locked
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