The market for vinyl records is booming right now. According to the Entertainment Retailers Association, not only are vinyl sales at a 30-year high – they surpassed five million sales for the first time since 1991 last year – but wax music has now overtaken PlayStation games as the UK’s second biggest physical entertainment format.
This is a huge achievement for a music format that was near dead and buried just a few years ago, so why the surge in popularity?
Well, some would argue that in a world of digital streaming, YouTube shorts and TikTok swipes, an additional element of theatre and sincerity is enjoyed when playing music in its tactile form, from admiring the blown-up artwork to the needle drop.
Others argue that in its end-to-end analogue format, vinyl music reflects the album as it was played in the studio upon completion with greater accuracy, thus granting it an extra level of authenticity.
However, one thing is for certain: a vinyl will only sound as good as the setup it’s played on. Of course, the player itself is vital to a good sound, but the speakers from which the music comes out are equally as important, so we’ve broken down the basics for you.
The different types
There are several different types of speakers that work with turntables. It’s important to get the right type to fit your turntable as the wrong speakers may require additional hardware to work. Here’s a breakdown of the different types:
Passive speakers
Passive speakers are named as such because they don’t have an amplifier built into them and therefore require an external amplifier with further connective cabling to work. The extra kit needed to use passive speakers should not deter you as the speakers themselves are often light and can be cheaper than their active counterparts.
Pros:
• Usually cheaper than active speakers
• Easy to find
Cons:
• An external amplifier will need to be bought for them to work
Active Speakers
Unlike passive speakers, active speakers have an amplifier built into the speaker itself, sparing the need for another box to be added to your HiFi setup. As a result, active speakers required less cabling to work, keeping your turntable space clean and tidy while reducing the potential for interference with less internal wiring - they are popular options for bookshelf speakers for this reason.
Pros:
• Less internal wiring for less chance of interference
• Cleaner hi-fi setups
Cons:
• Can be expensive
Wireless speakers
Alternatively, you could opt for a set of wireless speakers to enjoy the music from your turntable. If you want an entirely wire-free station, a pair of smart speakers will ensure a clean hi-fi station but be advised that Bluetooth speakers require a transmitter to be fitted to the turntable to work. Turntables can be bought with Bluetooth transmitters fitted at the factory or you can purchase the transmitter and retrofit it yourself.
Pros:
• Wireless and clean set-up
• Can produce a decent sound
Cons:
• Bluetooth transmitter must be fitted for compatibility
Best Passive Speakers
www.kbaudio.co.uk
If you already have an amplifier installed as part of your vinyl HiFi system, then check out these passive speakers from Edifier to complete your setup. The elegant wood finish of these speakers isn’t just easy on the eye, it’s specifically designed to reduce cabinet resonance and interference with your sound. As with most passive speakers, the absence of built-in amplifiers knocks the cost of both units; pick up your set for under £80 today.
Pros
- Great value
- Effective design to reduce cabinet resonance
Cons
- Amplifier required
Best Overall
These high-quality passive speakers from Moukey are handcrafted and built to last. The handmade wooden enclosure houses three speaker sizes: five-inch, two-inch and one-inch speakers for sound clarity ranging from 20-20000Hz with crossover technology for the best quality audio. While these speakers would be perfectly placed on a bookshelf, they also feature independent hooks on the back panel to allow wall hanging.
Pros
- Intelligent crossover technology between frequencies
- Handcrafted quality build
Cons
- Amplifier required
Best Buy
www.richersounds.com
These plug-in and play speakers include built-in amplification, meaning that with a few correct wires, you should be able to plug your turntable straight in and start enjoying your wax music right away. The 42-watt amp built into these speakers can fill a room with ease, while the cabinets sport curved front edges to minimise resonance and improve sound quality.
Pros
- No extra amp needed
- soft dome tweeters give a smooth and detailed treble response
Cons
- Big heavy units
Best Quality
While these speakers may be on the expensive side, they are by no means of poor value. By utilising Computer Aided Design software, Cambridge Audio has been able to explore in depth where the speaker cabinets need to be braced and strengthened. By doing so, resonance can be minimized so that every millimetre of movement from the speaker drivers is directed toward the listener. These are larger, cumbersome units, but their high-quality sound can fill rooms with ease thanks to the footprint of the SX-60 Standmount speakers.
Pros
- Powerful bass response
Best Bookshelf Speakers
Suppose you want to keep your HiFi station free from the clutter of wires and other mess – these compact shelf speakers from JAM are perfect for the job. With four-inch drivers, they offer high-definition amplification and all via Bluetooth, meaning these speakers can be placed anywhere in the room so long as they’re within range of your vinyl player’s Bluetooth receiver. While you can connect your vinyl player via Bluetooth, the RCA and Aux connection points on the back panel facilitate wired connection for an even crisper sound.
Pros
- Great for a clean wireless setup
- Compact and inconspicuous
Cons
- Vinyl sound quality won't be as good as a wired set
Recommended
www.kbaudio.co.uk
Alternatively, these Bluetooth speakers from Edifier also support wireless music connectivity from your compatible turntable. With no need for a separate amplifier, these passive speakers are ready to just plug in and play, boasting 42W amplifiers powering 4" drivers and 0.5" silk dome tweeter for high frequencies. This really is a HiFi set in a box, so why not save yourself the extra cash and pick yours up today for under £130.
Pros
- Small and compact - the perfect bookshelf speakers
- No need for a separate amplifier
Cons
- None
Floorstanding speakers vs bookshelf speakers
Along with bookshelf speakers, floor-standing speakers are also hugely popular for turntable HiFi setups. The two speaker types have been compared with each other at great lengths, but ultimately they both come out on top over a few key qualities.
If your HiFi pursuit concludes with the highest quality sound definition – regardless of what the neighbours might think – then you should pick yourself up a set of floor-standing speakers. Thanks to their size, floor-standing speakers can house more drivers that not only push a bigger and louder sound but a richer tone by virtue of a better bass response.
Today, most vinyl speaker models are capable of creating a soundstage around the listener: a three-dimensional audio zone puts listeners into the music, allowing them to pick out the location of instruments as though they were being played in the room. For immersion value and a great soundstage, floor-standing speakers are by far the better of the two.
However, the virtues of floor-standing speakers come at a premium, not just in price but floor space too. They are far larger and more expensive than bookshelf speakers, but also surplus to the requirements of most casual vinyl listeners.
Yes, the sound quality has the potential to be better than that of a bookshelf set, but depending on the size of your house and proximity to your neighbours, you may struggle to extract this quality on a regular basis.
While these speakers are anything but cheap, they’re still considered to be entry-level floor standers. However, thanks to their fantastic build quality, rich sound and relatively small stature, they still make a fantastic set of floor-standing speakers capable of slipping into any HiFi setup with ease. With an 89dB sensitivity rating and 25mm coated woven polyester, soft dome tweeters, this would make a great entry-level floor-standing speaker set.
Pros
- Great entry floor standing set
- Best of the price bracket
Cons
- If spending all that money, why not spend a bit more?
Alternatively, these floor-standing speakers from DALI represent the next bracket up, with 5.25-inch wood-fibre woofers for a detailed and dynamic sound. These speakers feature a 29mm tweet for great low-frequency response with a smooth crossover. Finished in an attractive dark walnut, these are fantastic speakers if you’re looking for quality.
Pros
- Detailed and dynamic performance
Cons
- Very expensive
Seth Walton is a Content Writer for WhatsTheBest, specialising in technology and audio. He also writes for Parkers, CAR and MCN.
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