The Best Speakers In 2023

It doesn’t matter what you’re listening to - be it one of the first 45s you ever purchased, a heavyweight 180 gram vinyl reissue of one of your all-time favourites or your latest Bandcamp purchase - your music deserves speakers that can do it justice.

MOJO are here, then, to deliver our pick of the best speakers out there in 2023. A selection that, crucially, shouldn’t bust the bank, either.

The best speakers at a glance:

• Best overall: KEF Q350 - View at Amazon
• Best budget hi-fi: Cambridge Audio SX-50 - View at Amazon
• Best wireless: Marshall Woburn III - View at Marshall
• Best portable: Marshall Middleton - View at Amazon

You may be asking yourself whether upgrading your speakers is worth it - those hi-fi separates were good when you bought them 15 years ago, so what’s wrong with them now?

One of the most significant improvements you’ll notice when upgrading your audio setup is the ability to maintain quality and clarity at any volume. All too often, speakers sacrifice sound quality when turned up to higher volumes. The bass becomes distorted, and the highs screech and lose their crispness. All the speakers we’ve selected below provide exceptional sound performance across the entire volume spectrum. Whether you prefer to listen softly in the background or crank up the volume, these speakers consistently deliver impressive sound without compromising quality.

In our testing of modern speaker systems, another thing that has consistently impressed us is that bigger doesn’t always mean better. The compact size of these speakers belies the incredible technology packed within them. Manufacturers have fit advanced audio components into small boxes without sacrificing sound quality.

So, don’t underestimate the power and performance of compact speakers—they punch well above their weight and provide an immersive audio experience that will leave you impressed.

MOJO's Best Speakers In 2023

How to improve your speaker sound

There are a few things we recommend trying out to get the most out of your new speakers.

Placement: Position your speakers symmetrically and around ear height, and make sure they point to where you’ll be listening from. Don’t place them too close to walls or corners; this can play havoc with the bass. Each room is different, so experiment with speaker placement to find your best position.

Room acoustics: Speakers sound better when not playing in an empty, echoey space. Improve the acoustics of your listening space by adding soft furnishings, curtains, rugs, or even acoustic panels if you’re feeling hardcore.

Isolation: Use speaker stands or isolation pads to minimise vibrations and resonance. This helps prevent unwanted noise from the floor or furniture, so you should get a cleaner sound.

Where is the best position for my speakers?

The best place to put speakers depends on the room layout and personal preference. However, a common recommendation is to position speakers symmetrically along the longer wall of the room, facing towards the listener, while avoiding placement too close to walls or corners.

Do I need an amp?

Whether you need an amp depends on the type of speakers you have. Passive speakers require an external amplifier or receiver, while active speakers have built-in amplifiers, so you don’t need a separate amp. Check the specifications of your speakers to determine if an amp is necessary.

Passive speakers versus active speakers

Passive speakers require an external amplifier or receiver to power and drive the speakers. The amplifier receives and amplifies the audio signal to a level that can drive the speakers effectively.

Active speakers have built-in amplifiers, which means they can be connected directly to a source without needing an external amplifier. The amplifier is integrated within the speaker enclosure, simplifying the setup and reducing the need for additional equipment.

Bass, midrange, and treble

Bass, midrange, and treble are three fundamental components of audio frequency ranges.

Bass refers to the low-frequency sounds, such as deep tones from drums or bass guitars.

Midrange encompasses the middle frequencies, including vocals and most instruments.

Treble represents high-frequency sounds, like cymbals or high-pitched instruments.

Adjusting these elements in your setup allows you to fine-tune the characteristics of the sound.

Drivers, tweeters and woofers explained

Drivers are the components within a speaker responsible for converting electrical signals into sound waves. They play a crucial role in producing accurate and high-quality audio reproduction. Two common types of drivers are tweeters and woofers.

Tweeters handle high-frequency sounds sitting in the 2,000 Hz to 20,000 Hz range. Also referred to as treble, this range includes vocals, cymbals, and other high-pitched instruments. Tweeters are usually small and use light diaphragms, such as fabrics, silk, or metal domes, to accurately reproduce these delicate sounds with clarity and detail.

Woofers are responsible for reproducing low-frequency sounds, including bass tones and midrange frequencies, which sit between 40 Hz and 2,000 Hz. Woofers are larger than tweeters and employ stiffer diaphragms, such as paper, plastic, or other materials, to handle the power required to produce deep, impactful bass notes.

By combining tweeters and woofers in a speaker system, speakers aim to cover the audible frequency range, providing a balanced and accurate audio reproduction. The balance between these drivers decides how well-rounded the listening experience will be.

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