How to Buy Stereo Speakers

By eHow Electronics Editor

Rate: (19 Ratings)

Regardless of speaker price, design, or number of drivers, speaker manufacturers make products for two types of listeners: those who want accurate reproduction and those who want "colored" reproduction.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

  • Speaker Cables
  • Speakers

Step1
Read reviews in audio magazines and on the Internet to help you decide which speakers you want to listen to.
Step2
Budget for speaker cables. Cables can run from a few dollars to thousands of dollars.
Step3
Look for acoustic suspension (sealed box) speakers if you want clean, tight, accurate bass.
Step4
Look for bass reflex (ported) speakers if you want lots of bass and the widest selection of models.
Step5
Look for flat panel speakers if you want the biggest, widest soundstage.
Step6
If you want inexpensive speakers, shop in consumer electronics stores. If you want high-fidelity speakers, shop in specialty audio stores.
Step7
Take a few familiar CDs to stores you visit. Choose pieces that will challenge the bass and treble, imaging and soundstaging, and dynamic range capabilities of the equipment. If possible, take recordings of music you've heard performed live.
Step8
Avoid listening to speakers that are out of your price range.
Step9
Let speaker size or appearance be less important than quality.
Step10
Ask the salesperson to position the speakers optimally.
Step11
Listen to several songs on up to three different pairs of speakers.
Step12
If possible, make sure the salesperson is using electronic equipment that is comparable to what you own.
Step13
Make sure the salesperson demonstrates each pair of speakers at equal volumes.
Step14
If speakers sound good to you in the store, arrange to listen to them at home through your own system. Ask the dealer to provide appropriate cables if you don't already have some.

Tips & Warnings

  • Trust your own ears, not the salesperson's or the reviewer's.
  • Check to be sure your amplifier or receiver can handle the impedance of the speakers, and that they fall within the recommended power range specified by the speaker manufacturer. If you have low power, look for speakers with high sensitivity (spl greater than 90 db).

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eHow Article:  How to Buy Stereo Speakers

eHow Electronics Editor

eHow Electronics Editor

Category: Electronics

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