If you are interested in the quality of your sound system, then make your speakers your first priority. The best amplifier or AV receiver in the world cannot make up for poor quality speakers. Finding the right speakers is easier said than done, though. It's not because there are too few to choose from, but because there are too many. Do you choose your speakers by brand? Do you choose them by model? Should you buy the most expensive speakers on the market? The answer is, "None of the above." Yes, some brands are better than others and as a rule, the more expensive speakers are more expensive for a reason. However, the quality of speakers on the market is so high that you will need to have a buying strategy in place before you start looking, just in order to narrow down the field. Our speakers buying guide will help you get started.

Choosing Your Speakers

If you can, choose your speakers first, because they are the most important component of any sound system. If you do have your amp or receiver, then you will have to match your speaker specifications to your amplifier or AV receiver power capabilities. For more about that, see our Specifications info below.

If you have the luxury of choosing your speakers without having to match them to your amp or receiver, there are three things you need to look for, in this order of priority:

Type

Choose the type of speaker that is going to fit into your listening environment the best. There's no sense buying big floor speakers if you live in a small apartment and a compact speaker pack would look out of place in a large living room.

Power

As a rule of thumb, the more power a speaker has, the better the quality of sound you will receive. Speakers with an output in the 120+ watt range are better able to faithfully reproduce the full range of sounds than those below 120 watts. From a whisper to a roar, the greater the power, the more faithfully your speakers will reproduce the sounds.

Price

You can stick within your budget and still get speakers that you will be more than happy with. This is why Power comes before Price on our list of priorities.

Types of Speakers

Before you take a look inside of the speaker box at its components and specifications, determine the type of speaker you need. These are the basic types of speakers available for a home entertainment centre:

Floor Standing Speakers

Enthusiasts often prefer floor standing (or "in-room") speakers because they are designed not only to look good, but for optimum performance.

Bookshelf Speakers

Bookshelf speakers are ideal for smaller rooms - as long as you have shelving in strategic positions. Otherwise, you may want to consider buying floor stands for them. There are great quality bookshelf speakers available, so you don't need to sacrifice sound quality for compact size.

On-wall Speakers

If floor space is lacking, consider speakers that are designed to be hung on the walls. Many people like these because they enhance the look of their flat screen TVs, giving the room a real home theatre appearance.

In-wall Speakers

These speakers are designed to be housed in the walls. They can be painted the colour of the wall, so virtually disappear. Just be aware that this is a long-term solution and you may need the help of an electrician or handyman when you install them.

In-ceiling Speakers

As with in-wall speakers, you may need help installing these in-ceiling speakers. They are great with surround sound systems, especially when floor space is somewhat restricted.

In addition to these basic types of speakers, there are satellite/subwoofer combinations to think about. Many speaker packs come with one or two main speakers plus smaller satellite speakers that are placed strategically around the room. A subwoofer for getting good bass sounds is almost a necessity today. While most people choose their main speakers first, many enthusiasts make their subwoofer their priority.

Specifications

Watts

As a rule of thumb, more watts equals better performance. However, 120-150 watts is common in centre speakers in all price ranges from $200 upwards and most listeners are more than satisfied with their performance. Satellite speakers generally have a lower wattage than mains, while subwoofers need more watts. For best performance, get speakers with a slightly higher power level than your receiver or amplifier.

Drivers

Speaker drivers are the conically shaped "diaphragms" of a speaker. One speaker may have up to 5 drivers. Bigger rooms will require speakers with more drivers. Sometimes you see "2.5 way" drivers in a specs sheet. This means that it has 3 drivers, but two of them operate on one band of frequencies, while the other one operates on another.

Impedance

Rated in ohms, impedance is a measure of how much speakers impede (restrict) the flow of current from an outside device: the lower the ohms, the less restriction of electrical flow. The level of impedance in speakers ranges from 2 to 8, though usually it is around 4 ohms. If you are buying speakers for an existing amp or receiver, check the specifications and recommendations on your device. Your receiver or amplifier can overheat and shut down or be damaged if it is not designed for the impedance level of your speakers.

Sensitivity

This is not always listed in the basic specs, but is worth looking into, especially if you are trying to decide between two similar speakers. Sensitivity is the decibel (Db) rating of a speaker. When we think of decibels, we often think of volume, but that's not why a higher decibel rating is important. Most speakers have a decibel rating of between 87 and 93. 90 Db or above is a sign of a quality speaker - one that will deliver crisp, undistorted sound at any volume level.

Magnetic Shielding

If your speakers are going to be placed near your TV, they should include magnetic shielding. Unshielded speakers can distort your TV image - often badly.

And finally...

If you are starting from scratch and will be adding more speakers as your budget allows, choose your centre and two main speakers first and then add on from there. Most professionals recommend sticking with the same brand as you add on speakers. They all need to work in concert together and different brands are constructed slightly differently. Mixing brands may result in irritating shifts in timbre when sounds pan across the speakers.

While speakers are not cheap, they are a good long-term investment and will usually outlast your amplifier or receiver. Most good quality speakers come with a five year warranty. Unlike most home entertainment components, speakers do not readily wear out or go out of date. You will probably be enjoying yours for well over a decade, so choose them wisely!