Learn The Basics About The Different Types Of Speakers

We start with with a look at speakers that don't need an external amp. Next up, passive speakers that do require an external amp. We finish with a short guide to amplification options for passive speakers.

Self-powered speakers

Years ago, just about all home speakers needed a separate amplifier. Now, there are plenty of speakers that have an amp built in.

Portable Bluetooth® speakers

Want a portable music system that you can take anywhere? Bluetooth speakers have built-in rechargeable batteries.

Bluetooth speakers stream tunes from your smartphone, tablet, or computer. There are tiny ones that clip to your backpack. And there are big, beefy ones made for hanging out at the beach or at the campground. 

Bluetooth speakers are an easy way to enjoy music anywhere.

Wireless home speakers

Wireless speakers are easy to use and don't take up a lot of space. But they have stronger amplification and larger drivers than most portable Bluetooth speakers. Some have batteries, but most are designed to plug in and stay put.

Wireless speakers connect to your phone via Bluetooth, or to your network through Wi-Fi®. Many of these speakers offer app control for switching sources, picking songs, and adjusting volume.

Wireless home speakers give you access to a huge selection of music in any room of the house.

Powered stereo speakers

A pair of powered stereo speakers gives you one big benefit that a single speaker can’t offer — stereo separation. Two well-spaced speakers create a powerful 'live sound' listening experience.

These speakers have built-in amplification, which is typically housed in one of the two speakers. The left and right speakers then connect to each other with an included wire.

Most powered stereo speakers have inputs for a CD player or other music sources. Some powered speakers even offer Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and turntable support. 

Powered stereo speakers feature built-in amplification. The Klipsch Reference R-15PMs even have a turntable input.

Sound bars

Sound bars are an easy way to improve the sound quality of TV shows, video games, and movies.

Sound bars improve the volume range of your TV, as well as the clarity of spoken word. Many include a wireless subwoofer for flexible bass response. Some even have Bluetooth and Wi-Fi built in to double as a music system.

Choices range from compact models to large, powerful systems that can simulate surround sound. Our sound bars buying guide will help you find the right one for your room.

Most sound bars can be wall-mounted for a small-footprint sound system.

Powered subwoofers

Powered subwoofers add impactful bass to music and movie soundtracks. They connect to your receiver or amplifier via a subwoofer cable, and connect to a wall outlet for power.

Add a powered sub to complement any of the passive speakers listed below. You can even add one to some of the powered stereo speakers shown above.

The bass from a powered subwoofer is an essential part of the home theater experience.

We recommend using a power protection device with your self-powered speakers and subwoofers.

Non-amplified (passive) speakers

This section outlines our "traditional" speaker selections — models that get their power from an external amplifier. Below you'll find concise descriptions of the different types.

Bookshelf speakers

Bookshelf speakers deliver clear, detailed sound, yet are compact enough to fit on shelves or stands. Bookshelf speakers are commonly used in a stereo music system. They're also ideal for the front or rear channels of a home theater in a small- to medium-sized room.

We recommend choosing stands that bring bookshelf speakers as close to ear level as possible.

Floor-standing speakers

Floor-standing speakers are several feet tall and are relatively narrow. That's why you'll often hear them referred to as "tower speakers". They have larger internal air space than bookshelf speakers do, and frequently employ multiple woofers. This gives tower speakers deeper bass and fuller sound than their smaller bookshelf counterparts.

If you have a large room, tower speakers are the way to go for creating a powerful listening experience.

Floor-standing speakers are ideal for room-filling sound in large spaces.

Center channel speakers

A home theater's center channel handles the dialogue and much of the front soundstage information. The center channel is often the hardest-working speaker in a home theater setup, so it pays to get a good one.

Ideally, you want your center speaker to share the same tonal qualities as your main right and left speakers. In other words, "voice match" it to the left and right speakers. This ensures that your front three speakers all produce balanced, consistent sound. Matching bookshelf or tower speakers are available for nearly all of our center channel speakers.

A home theater's center channel provides dialogue and center-stage sound effects.

In-wall and in-ceiling speakers

Want great sound for music or movies, but don't want to clutter your space with conventional speakers? Check out our selection of in-wall speakers and in-ceiling speakers. In-wall speakers are ideal for space-saving surround sound. And generally speaking, ceiling speakers are best for multi-room music systems.

In-ceiling speakers offer stealthy overhead sound for music or home theater.

Surround speakers

Surround speakers create that believable sonic bubble that makes home theater so immersive. They go beside and/or behind your seat to provide wraparound sound.

Surround speakers can be as simple as a pair bookshelf speakers placed on stands. You can use in-wall speakers for each location. Or you can use specialized bipole/dipole speakers that fire sound in multiple directions.

Upward-firing and in-ceiling speakers are a great choice for overhead surround effects in a Dolby Atmos or DTS:X system.

Position surround speakers beside and/or behind your seating position for immersive sound effects.

Outdoor speakers

Want to add music to your back yard, porch, patio, or pool area? Weather-resistant outdoor speakers give you lots of ways to enjoy your music in the great outdoors. 

Outdoor speakers mount to the exterior of your house or porch. They're specially designed to weather the elements year round.

Amplification for passive speakers

All of the passive speakers above get their power from an external amp. A pair of stereo speakers in a music system needs two channels of amplification. A surround sound system needs five, seven, or sometimes even nine channels of power. So which amp is right for your speakers? Let's explore the options.

Select an amp that offers about the same amount of power per channel (or more) as the speakers you're considering. It's almost always better to have "too much" power than not enough. If your speakers are rated at 80 watts each, an 80 to 100-watt per channel amp is an ideal match.

Stereo receivers

Stereo receivers are an excellent way to power a pair of speakers for music. They combine an AM/FM radio tuner with a 2-channel power amplifier and a preamp section. The preamp section gives you control over source selection, volume, tone and balance.

You can connect external sources like a CD player or turntable to a stereo receiver. Many of today's receivers also offer Bluetooth and/or Wi-Fi for streaming from your phone or the internet.

Stereo receivers offer a tuner, amplification, and source control in a single component.

Integrated amplifiers

Integrated amplifiers are just like stereo receivers, but with no tuner section. They offer better internal construction and use more robust power supplies than most receivers. 

Integrated amps combine an amp and preamp section together for pristine music playback.

Preamplifiers and power amplifiers

Want the best possible music experience from your speakers? Go with a separate preamp and power amplifier. Each component has just one purpose, so you get maximum performance and minimal noise.

Separates also give you system flexibility. As technology changes you may want to upgrade your preamp section. You can replace it to stay current, while keeping the same power amp in your system for many years.

A separate preamp and power amp give you the best possible musical experience.

Home theater receivers

A home theater receiver handles the audio and video processing of a surround sound system. Think of it like Grand Central Station for all of your incoming sources and outgoing wires and cables. If you want to watch TV or watch a movie, a home theater receiver is what you'll use to power your system.

Home theater receivers have between five and nine channels of amplification. They also have HDMI inputs for your Blu-ray player, cable box, and video game systems. 

Home theater receivers provide audio/video processing and amplification for surround sound systems.

Speaker wire

Passive speakers use speaker wire to connect to their source of amplification. 

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