The best budget hi-fi acoustics. Hi-Fi workhorses: putting together a budget system. Which speaker for home is better to buy?

Telegraph

So, I have been interested in music almost since birth. My whole life consists of her. I'm used to high-quality sound, but it's not enough for me. Sooner or later, the equipment got boring, and the idea came to buy a new one, more expensive, better sounding. Now I will share my experience and advise where to start assembling your kit.

1. Player

So, the player is the basis of the basics. The most important detail on your rack. If you have a certain budget, then approximately 50% should be allocated to the player. In simple terms, the more expensive the player, the more expensive the laser for reading data from the disk is, and the more correctly the data is read, the better the sound as a result. Therefore this is the basis. So, let's take a brief look at the players with which you can start your journey of learning music and good sound.

NAD C-542

Let's start with this English beauty. The most suitable option for a beginner, and even for an experienced music lover. Cheap, high quality, melodious. You are unlikely to find a new device, but in the vastness of Avito or Yula you can find it in perfect condition for 5 - 8 thousand rubles. If you want to start collecting musical equipment, I advise you to start with this old man. The quality is much higher than what the former owners are asking for. For a device in its price segment, it conveys very well the detail of instruments and bass. If you don’t have this particular device, in general I advise you to take a closer look at this company - NAD.

From personal experience, I can only point out that if you are going to burn discs, and not buy a license in stores, then use only CD-R discs, because it reads RW with difficulty, sometimes it does not see them at all.

Cambridge Audio Azur 640C V2

Another greeting from England. From personal experience, I have strange impressions from of this device. It's either my luck or the lineup. I still use this player to this day. What's good? It copes with the most important thing - it produces sound of the highest level. The turntable was produced in 2005 and has won the "Best Turntable Under £500" category multiple times, and there's no denying that it's really good. In terms of sound, it will be head and shoulders above the device from NAD, which I recommended above, although it does not cost much more. In excellent condition it can be found on Avito for around 10 thousand rubles. But it’s still worth thinking about.

What are its disadvantages? The first thing that began to irritate me over time was the body. The assembly is good, but the materials used disappointed me. On the front panel of the player, the metal was coated with a layer of special paint to give it a matte finish. I got the shade, but is it needed? The fact is that due to the paint used, the surface of the front side became absolutely rough. It even feels nice to the touch, but if you poke at the buttons a lot, instead of using the remote control 100%, the case will collect a bunch of unpleasant fingerprints, which are very visible on light metal. And due to the roughness of the body, it is very problematic to wipe them off.

The next thing you should pay attention to and surf the forums. Personally, I encountered a problem that over time, and quickly, less than a year, the motor belt, which is responsible for opening the disc tray, stretches out. It doesn't affect the sound, but it manifests itself in other ways. The lid cannot close completely, causing the tray to open back up. In this situation, tapping the lid a few times with your finger helps, but it still doesn’t work. I personally am already changing my third belt, although finding it is not so easy. Perhaps I was so “lucky” with this player, or perhaps it was a bug from the manufacturer. In general, to begin with, I would still take a closer look at NAD products.

ONKYO DX-7210

Here's greetings from Japan. An excellent option, if you come across it, of course. It's more rare device, which cannot be found in every city. If you get it, the price will be around ten thousand. Find it in your city - the best option for purchasing. Its peculiarity is that it reveals excellent detail of little things, the presence of which, perhaps, you did not even suspect in the song. In general, I can say this - this player is approximately equal in soundCambridge, which we discussed above. But with this device everything is much more reliable.

Sony DVP-NS900V

I saved the best for last. Usually, when you want to get serious about sound, you buy things specifically designed for this purpose, bypassing DVD players, because they are simply not designed to reproduce high-quality sound. Their main task is to produce a good picture, nothing more, but Sony went the other way, releasing something that almost never went together - a DVD with good sound. I heard this player once and am seriously thinking about purchasing it for myself. If I had not heard him with my own ears, and they would have told me that the DVD sounded good, I would have sent this fairy tale-teller to hell. But no, this is absolutely true. Why I left it for last is because, with a price tag of about 10-15 thousand rubles, it beats any of the above players, although they are intended specifically for music. If they suddenly sell it in your city, take it without thinking, the main thing is to check its condition. In a budget of up to 15 thousand, this is the best player that can amaze with its sound. By the way, unlike all the above-mentioned "Sidyushnikov" - this one supports reading disk formats SACD.

Super Audio CD (SACD)- a non-rewritable optical audio disc that allows you to store audio data with significantly more high quality, compared to a regular CDDA disc.

2. Amplifiers

An amplifier is not an unimportant thing on our shelf. Of course, you shouldn’t take the first one you come across and the cheapest one, otherwise it won’t be able to reveal the potential of our player. I advise you to take an amplifier, not a receiver or the like. I won’t go into terminology and long descriptions, I’ll just give an example: in front of you is a $400 receiver and a $400 sound amplifier. Why will the receiver be significantly inferior in sound? The fact is that the receiver is purchased mainly to output home theater sound in 5.1 format. So, for $400 the manufacturer supplied, roughly speaking, 6 amplifiers for each of the channels (speakers). While a conventional sound amplifier has the ability to output only two-channel sound (2 speakers), the price of the amplifier for each channel is accordingly higher. This in simple language. Now let's see what you can get inexpensively and with high quality.

Sharp SM-1122H

Well, let's start with perhaps the most inexpensive option - Sharp SM-1122H. This chubby one looks solid and sounds decent. Everything is in its place, there is no loss of detail, the bass is very soft and pleasant. The device itself has the ability to adjust balance and bass, which is quite good and sometimes even necessary. On average, it can be found on the Internet for 8 thousand rubles. The price is more than justified.

Cambridge Audio Azur 640a V2

This amplifier belongs to the same line as the player - Cambridge Audio Azur 640C V2, which we discussed above. What good can you say about this model? Great sound. Refers to class A(which is essentially considered upper class). In general, a luxurious option for an average of 11-12 thousand rubles. Unlike a player of the same line, I essentially had no problems with it. I only changed the protection relay, but this is a very common problem that occurs in almost any amplifier. So, I think that this option will perfectly reveal the potential of your player. I still use this device and recommend it to all beginning music lovers.

Nad 320BEE

Another great option is NAD 320BEE. This model perfectly conveys detail and bass without devouring anything, so to speak. Costs around 13-15 thousand rubles, has high potential, and, to my taste, pleasant appearance. The sound is slightly superior to the previous candidate.

Revox S25

This is the highlight of our today's cake. The German amplifier Revox S25 is worth purchasing. Definitely worth it. This model is approximately two heads superior to all the above-mentioned models. The price range goes from 10 to 20 thousand. If you suddenly come across this handsome guy, immediately run and pick him up, because you won’t find a better device in the world, unless of course you have the minimum fifty thousands in your pocket. Why run immediately? The device is so good that it disappears from Avito in a matter of days. Quite a rare model, and very high quality.

3. Speakers

The final stage of our assembly is the speakers. This is also an important indicator, although, frankly speaking, there are no unimportant indicators in this area, and if you get involved, then something will always be missing, the soul will demand something new, and so on until you give up the ghost, or buy equipment for several million.

Monitor audio Bronze BR1

So, open our top budget speakers under the name Monitor audio Bronze BR1. This model is the most entry-level, but at the same time it has very good sound for its price - approximately 6-7 thousand rubles. Of course, as befits bookshelf speakers, their main drawback is the very low presence of bass, but at the same time they have very good detail of instruments.

Monitor Audio Silver S2

The Monitor Audio Silver S2 may be bookshelf speakers, but it is already much higher class, and you can’t really call them budget-friendly. They cost around 18-20 thousand rubles, naturally second-hand, we do not consider new ones, because they are expensive. So, these speakers already have more or less volumetric bass, as far as possible for speakers of this size, and very high detail, which is not guaranteed to be provided by floor-standing speakers with a higher price tag. I consider it one of the best options to buy in this price category if our next candidate doesn’t suit you.

Wharfedale diamond 9.6

Here are the first floor-standing speakers on our list today. What can I say about them... They are gorgeous. Excellent both for a beginning music lover and for those who, it would seem, cannot be surprised by this anymore. A perfect combination of detail and bass in one. Usually, in this price segment, there is always something missing. If you have bookshelf speakers, there is not enough bass, if you have floor-standing speakers, there is too much bass, and you can hardly hear the details, they turn into such a “friendship saw”. But here everything is different, everything is perfectly balanced. The bass is soft, the detail is high, you know, there’s a certain harmony. You can find such speakers for approximately 16 to 20 thousand.

Nad 804

And finally, the Nad 804 speakers are quite good, but they have the minor problems mentioned above. Because the this model is budget, there is no balance in it. Well... it exists, but it’s not entirely correct. The company tried to give these small floor-standing speakers an edge over bookshelf speakers by adding good bass, but they didn't think too much about detail, so if your amp can't manually turn down the bass, detail will be lacking. I won’t say that it’s downright impossible to listen to, it’s just a little muffled and incredibly inferior to the speakers above. But the price of these speakers is around 13 thousand rubles.

Conclusion

Well, I tried to convey the most important aspects of choosing mid-budget Hi-Fi equipment based on personal experience and knowledge. I hope you enjoyed it and found the information helpful. I considered exclusively B.U. equipment, since modern equipment is much inferior and costs 4 times more. Why overpay if you can save money and buy a higher-class assembly? That's all, thank you all, see you in the next articles!

Telegraph

Speaker systems consist of speakers that are used to listen to music or watch videos.

When choosing designs, you should pay attention to the dimensions of the products, functionality and specifications sound: sensitivity, power, resistance. Be sure to check the availability of the warranty card and maintenance instructions.

How to choose a speaker system

Pay attention to the material of the speaker system housing. The highest quality speakers are those made from MDF. Chipboard models are fragile and do not tolerate moisture. A popular finishing option is plastic; this material is quite wear-resistant.

There are products made of metal. Among the alloys, aluminum is most often used, which provides good mechanical properties of the body.

Such products have high rigidity and density, low weight, the only disadvantage is their unnatural sound.

Look at the type of speaker system. Active devices use amplified speakers, and crossover filters are located at the output of the amplifiers. The advantage of passive devices is that there is no need to supply voltage to each speaker.
Pay attention to the power of the speakers.

For a room of 20 sq. m. you will need an acoustic system with a power of 60-80 W, for rooms of 20-40 sq. m. m. this figure reaches 100-150 W.

For large rooms you will need speakers with a power of up to 500 W. The sensitivity of the device determines the volume of the speakers.

The sensitivity of the system is responsible for the purity of sound. It is desirable that this characteristic reaches 75 dB.
pay attention to frequency range models, it is best if the model perceives sounds in the range of 16-20000 Hz. If you need acoustics for a home theater, then the frequency range varies from 100 to 2000 Hz.
Be sure to look at the connection type. The most popular are speakers with a mini jack cable. Connection using tulip cables is also used. There are models equipped with wireless communications: Bluetooth, NFC.

Look at the package contents of the product, the presence of a warranty card and technical instructions. It is advisable to buy products from trusted manufacturers.
Be sure to look at the dimensions of the structure; it should be compact and transportable. The less the product weighs, the less space it takes up. Wall-mounted speaker systems are the most space-saving.

The kit often includes wireless control panels; they make it possible to adjust the sound volume and change settings from a distance.
Buy speaker systems that are equipped with the ability to listen to the radio. Pay attention to the built-in player with a slot for memory cards.
Using information displays, sound parameters are adjusted and changed, and the technical characteristics of the model are configured.
Please note that the speaker system is equipped with an output; this option will be useful for those who like to listen to very loud music.
The design is technically reliable and stable, with high-quality fastening. Choose floor-type models; systems that are mounted on walls look beautiful.
See if the design is equipped with bass and treble controls.
Pay attention to the type of amplifier. External amplifiers are separate devices to which the system is connected. Internal amplifiers are a set of chips that are built into a speaker or subwoofer.
Buy products that use magnetic shielding technology.

Look at the design of the speaker system. Laconic products are suitable for equipping modern interiors; classic style requires beautiful exterior decoration.
Pay attention to the color of the product. The model should complement the interior favorably, fit into the overall style of the room, match the furniture, and the design of the walls, floor and ceiling.

Best Floorstanding Speaker System

Cerwin-Vega XLS-15

An acoustic system equipped with low-frequency and mid-frequency speakers and a woofer. The amplifier provides effective work. The signal is practically not distorted, since a separation filter is used.

The overall sensitivity of the speakers is high. There are fuses to protect the system. The protective transparent wall allows you to camouflage the speakers well. With proper use it will retain its technical characteristics for a long time.

Characteristics

rated power – from 250 to 500 W;
open type of acoustic design;
dimensions – 470 by 430 by 1030 mm;
weight – 38.5 kg;
sensitivity – 92.3 dB;
passive nutrition;
number of speakers – 3;
equipped with a protective fuse;
frequency – from 36 to 20000 Hz;
magnetic shielding;
recommended power – 400 W.

pros

large-scale detailed and surround sound;
good volume;
high-quality housing, stylish design;
technical safety.

Minuses

Bass is hard to hear.

The best closed speaker system

Magnat Monitor Supreme 102

An acoustic pair is used as an element of a home cinema. The sound is soft, over a wide frequency range. The model has a durable body that absorbs possible resonances and vibrations.

Bass reproduction leaves much to be desired. The products operate in the frequency range 42-36,000 Hz.

Characteristics

type of construction – passive;
kit 2.0;
equipped with two lanes;
sensitivity level – 89 dB;
resistance – 8 Ohms;
total power – 120 W;
frequency range from 42 to 36000Hz;
magnetic shielding;
dimensions 25 by 15 by 19 cm;
weight – 2.8 kg.

pros

clear sound;
high quality workmanship;
use of magnetic shielding technology;
high resistance;
affordable price.

Minuses

Bass reproduction is poor.

Best TV Speaker System

Samsung HW-E550 Sound Bar

The model has high sound power - 310 W, is equipped with a wireless subwoofer, HDMI, Anynet+, USB, Bluetooth and other functions. The soundbar is placed horizontally above or split into two vertical speakers.

In the latter case, it will take the form of a two-channel speaker system. Features – high-quality volume control, optimization of sound settings. The product is made in a laconic style and is convenient to mount on the wall.

Characteristics

type – sound active panel;
total power – 310 W;
number of columns – 1;
closed type housing;
equipped with Dolby Digital, DTS decoders;
dimensions – 290 by 370 by 290 mm;
wireless subwoofer connection;
line input (stereo), USB Type A;
equipped with a remote control.

pros

compact size, easy installation;
high-quality and surround sound;
convenient and simple remote control;
functionality, many outputs;
high-quality housing.

Minuses

settings are not saved after turning on or off;
The subwoofer requires connection to sound sources.

The best speaker system for a computer

Edifier S2000

The structure has a stylish design, the surface is finished with piano varnish, the speaker housing is made of fiberboard. An external amplifier unit with a built-in Burr-Brown BB1732 DAC is used.

The acoustic design is displayed on the front panel. The speakers are used for home studios; the sound quality is close to that of active studio monitors.

The design is equipped with special legs. High-quality equipment, the delivery set includes two speakers, a power cord, a remote control and technical instructions.

Characteristics

acoustics form – 2.0;
type – stationary;
frequency range – from 20 to 20,000 Hz;
body material – wood;
protection – magnetic shielding of speakers;
equipment (two speakers, wired remote control, power cord, instructions, packaging);
Dimensions – 172 by 296 by 215 mm.

pros

ensuring high-quality sound;
digital input;
wireless remote control;
equipped with screw terminals;
beautiful appearance, stylish design.

Minuses

high price.

The best speaker system for your home

HECO Victa Prime Center 102

Passive speaker system with a powerful amplifier (150 W), bass reflex, magnetic shielding. Resistance reaches 4-8 ohms. The device operates in the frequency range 35 Hz-40 kHz.

Characteristics

type – passive, bass reflex;
kit contents – 1 column;
power – 150 W per channel;
2 stripes;
sensitivity level – 90 dB;
magnetic shielding;
two speakers;
dimensions – 480 by 155 by 265 mm;
body material – MDF, wood;
weight – 7.8 kg;
frequency – 50/60 Hz;
kit (column, instructions);
finishing option - vinyl.

pros

high power and efficiency;
loudspeaker equipment;
installed on a shelf;
good sound;
competent equipment;
high quality finish.

Minuses

too accentuated top;
The bass reflex ports are located at the rear.

Best open speaker system

JBL STUDIO 590CH

Three-lane open floor model. The body material is MDF, the surface finish is cherry.

High power - 250 W, suitable for equipping large rooms. Model with a passive amplifier type, compact dimensions.

Characteristics

stereo output signal;
equipped with 3 stripes;
amplifier type – passive;
resistance – 6 Ohms;
frequency range – from 35 Hz to 40,000 Hz;
sensitivity threshold – 92 dB;
power – 250 W;
open acoustic design;
3 speakers;
body material – MDF, vinyl;
dimensions – 1263 by 322 by 413 mm;
weight – 31.5 kg.

pros

clear and surround sound;
compactness, transportability;
high-quality assembly;
affordable price;
stylish design, good exterior finish;
high power.

Minuses

The sound volume is not suitable for small rooms.

The best speaker system for a conference room

Cambridge Audio G5

Wireless speaker system with battery and Bluetooth support. Compact design, shallow body, the front panel of the product is covered with a mesh.

Line-in speakers connect to a standard stereo system. The battery charge lasts for 24 hours.

Characteristics

configuration – 2.1;
amplifiers – class D;
inputs and outputs (linear mini-jack);
Bluetooth wireless technologies;
USB charging port;
time battery life– up to 24 hours;
dimensions – 270 by 121 by 55 mm;
weight – 1.3 kg.

pros

clear sound;
equipped with audio output;
functionality;
use of advanced technologies;
competent equipment.

Minuses

Low charge level, does not last long.

The best sound system for a car

MYSTERY MJ 550

The model is a two-way component speaker system with a power of 150 W. The device reproduces frequencies from 60 Hz to 21 kHz. Sensitivity reaches 91 dB.

The system is equipped with four powerful speakers. The metal body is wear-resistant and highly durable. The model is characterized by high power and efficient operation.

Characteristics

system type – component;
two stripes;
power – 150 W;
frequency range 60 Hz-21 kHz;
sensitivity – 91 dB;
resistance level – 4 Ohms;
equipped with 4 speakers;
free-standing crossover;
metal case;
color – titanium.

pros

high-quality reproduction of low and high frequencies;
the body is made of durable and wear-resistant metal;
high power model;
beautiful design, stylish design;
durable speakers.

Minuses

Suitable only for equipping machines.

Best wireless speaker system

Creative T15 Wireless

The speaker system is equipped with separate tweeters that provide clear and spacious sound. BasXPort technology allows you to listen to high frequencies.

The model supports Bluetooth interface. Powered by mains power, equipped with a Line-in input, a special input for . Volume and tone control tools are conveniently located.

Characteristics

type – 2.0;
1 strip;
mains power supply;
linear input (mini jack connector);
Bluetooth wireless connection;
dimensions – 90 by 200 by 180 mm.

pros

powerful bass sound, high-quality reproduction of mid-frequency sounds;
convenient volume control tools;
The tilt of the front panel ensures optimal sound delivery.

Minuses

The kit does not include a jack5 cord for connecting to a computer.

Which speaker system to buy

The first thing you need to pay attention to when choosing is power. The frequency range of the model is taken into account; it determines how well high and low frequencies will be reproduced. Among the effective models are MYSTERY, Edifier.

There are open (Edifier) and closed (Magnat) systems; most models are passive systems. The following models have a beautiful appearance and stylish design: Cerwin-Vega, Magnat, Samsung, Edifier.

Magnat Monitor acoustic systems are distinguished by their compact size and low weight. The functionality of HECO, Magnat, Edifier products differs.

All models have good equipment, equipped with the necessary accessories. The acoustic systems proposed in the rating are stable and technically reliable.

A set of active acoustics, combined with a large screen, allows you to create something like a mini-cinema in your home or apartment. Modern acoustics produce very high-quality, rich sound and can operate under high loads. The speakers are installed in different parts of the apartment, saturating the room with surround sound, without loss of sound quality even over long distances. Models in the middle and premium price segment can be used not only for home, but also for professional tasks. The most common speaker system for home purposes includes five satellite speakers and one subwoofer. In another way, such a kit is called a 5.1 system.

Let's try to figure out which models turned out to be the best in our traditional rating. Acoustic sets were divided into four classes: inexpensive, mid-class, premium and super-premium. We have also added a category for acoustic sets with 7.1 surround sound. Such systems significantly improve the perception of films and games; they are more pleasant to listen to.

When distributing places, the following characteristics and indicators were taken into account:

Total acoustic power;
Dimensions and weight of speakers;
Subwoofer power;
Case material;
Cost of the kit. The optimum ratio of price and quality
Sound quality (subjective, based on user reviews).

The best inexpensive acoustics: budget up to 10,000 rubles.

A section of frankly cheap, but quite good acoustics for those who are not too worried about perfect sound. Don't expect miracles from this technique. Cheap models are capable of transmitting sound to entry level, which is enough for most inexperienced users. The price matches the quality.

3 Defender Hollywood 35

Best price
Country: China
Average price: 4,004 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.3

Third place in the ranking of the best inexpensive acoustic sets is occupied by Defender Hollywood 35. A distinctive feature is the presence of volume control separately for the subwoofer, center, front and rear, along with general control. Scope of application: premises with an area of up to 25 m2. The price is the best in the Hollywood line for these specific options. The housings of all elements are wooden, with magnetic shielding, causing a nearby TV or monitor to stop responding to interference. The package includes a cable that allows you to connect to a DVD. Controlled by both remote control and subwoofer.

In reviews, users highlight two main advantages: high sound purity and the ability to place these acoustics throughout the room. Ease of management is achieved due to the ability to control each element separately. Two types of inputs allow simultaneous connection of a player and a computer. There are only 3 shortcomings: the remote control is not strong enough, the speaker wires are short, and the elements cannot be hung on the wall.

2 Yamaha NS-P150

The most affordable acoustic set
A country: Japan (made in Indonesia)
Average price: 8,990 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.6

Second place in the top three is occupied by the Yamaha NS-P150 home passive system, consisting of 3 speakers: one for the center channel (65 Hz - 38 KHz) and 2 rear speakers (60 Hz - 38 KHz). The body is made of MDF with a mahogany or ebony finish. There are 2 types of placement possible: on a shelf and on a wall (the kit includes fasteners and screw terminals). The frequency range is sufficient for home cinema and listening to music. The best area of application is expanding the functionality of the front speakers.

Users call the Yamaha NS-P150 the best economy class passive speaker system when used for the center and rear. The brand inspires user trust and optimal ratio prices and quality. The best sound is in the mid and high frequencies. The advantages also include an aesthetically attractive appearance. The disadvantages are the short length of the wires, not the best sound on low frequencies and high maintenance requirements (dust is immediately visible).

1 BBK MA-880S

The best ratio of price and quality
Country: China
Average price: 6,370 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.8

The first place in the ranking is deservedly occupied by BBK MA-880S, a relatively inexpensive but high-quality set of active acoustics. Manufacturers took care of the attractive design of the kit. The cases are assembled from MDF in an ebony look. The system looks modern and stylish. It will fit into any apartment. The 5.1 surround sound package includes two front, one center and two rear speakers, as well as a bass reflex subwoofer. In total, this set produces maximum power up to 150 W. This is quite enough in an apartment.

Interfaces include multi-channel linear input and USB Type-A. The kit is controlled using a remote control. Conveniently, the system has a Dolby ProLogic decoder, which splits stereo recordings into five channels, which allow you to create surround sound. You can also insert memory cards directly into the speaker system, and music will be played from them. In reviews, users indicate that the speakers sound great, quite enough for an apartment. They are especially pleasing when watching movies. But the weak bass and short wires are disappointing.

The best middle-class acoustic sets: budget up to 40,000 rubles.

The middle price segment pleases with a wide variety of different acoustics. You can find not only simple, inexpensive systems, but also full-fledged kits that can please even discerning users. The sound clarity and quality of the reproduced sound are high, but still not ideal.

3 Samsung HW-N650

Wireless connection
Country: South Korea
Average price: RUB 25,970.
Rating (2019): 4.6

The section of the rating opens with a sound bar with a subwoofer, which produces a decent sound level and enjoys deserved popularity among buyers. The set looks unobtrusive but modern. In total, the soundbar and subwoofer produce a power of up to 360 W, which is enough to cover a small apartment with clear and loud sound. The acoustics set received a 5.1 surround sound system - in addition to the soundbar, a separate wireless subwoofer is included. Conveniently, it is possible to connect an additional set of rear speakers, which will only enhance the volume effect.

The frequency range is not ideal - 42-20000 Hz. As you can see, the bottoms are cut off a bit. However, this does not make the sound any less deep and rich: only avid music lovers will notice the difference. In reviews, many users praise the acoustics for their good sound, although they note the weakness of the “lower” range. The system is controlled via a remote control. You can connect the kit via an optical cable or HDMI, depending on your preferences. There is also a line input and USB Type-A. Naturally, in speakers of this type you can establish a connection with a smartphone and even connect flash drives.

2 Canton Movie 75

Studio sound for little money
A country: Germany (manufactured in China)
Average price: RUB 33,990.
Rating (2019): 4.7

A well-deserved second place is occupied by a relatively compact set of acoustics, capable of producing 5.1 surround sound and power up to 600 W. This is quite enough not only for a room, but also for a small apartment. The acoustic set fully complies with the concept of “German quality”. The manufacturers did their best and created such a well-thought-out and serious system that one can only be happy for the buyers. In reviews, the latter praise the quality and sophistication of the sound, although they note that in some scenes there is not enough bass, and the high frequencies are slightly raised. The sound can safely be called studio-quality, adjusted for the cost of the kit.

The system is capable of producing sound with a frequency from 38 to 25,000 Hz, which, alas, does not completely cover the perception zone. However, the acoustic set is aimed primarily at watching movies, so it conveys the special effects as it should: you will literally feel like you are a participant in the events. The speakers can be mounted on a shelf or directly on the wall, so they will not take up useful space in the room. In addition, this allows you to create a more natural sound. System settings will allow you to create a unique sound that suits the user according to all desired parameters. Alas, control is only available manually, like all settings: there is no remote control included.

1 VECTOR HX 5.0

Best frequency range (28-33000 Hz)
Country: UK
Average price: RUB 24,990.
Rating (2019): 4.9

The gold goes to a budget but impressive set of acoustics with a 5.0 surround sound system. The range of reproduced frequencies is very pleasing: 28-33000 Hz, which is far beyond the limits of human capabilities. Buyers note that the sound is wonderfully balanced and detailed, which is very important. You will feel even what you cannot hear with your ears. Externally, the speakers look serious and solid, but the quality of the coating is not the best - if you touch it often, the film will peel off within a few years.

The connectors are gold-plated, and this is worth considering when purchasing additional cables. Alas, the connection is only wired. You will have to choose a suitable receiver to combine the kit into a single system and bring sound from different sources to it. Alas, this time the creators of the model did without a subwoofer. However, judging by the reviews, the kit can do without it, producing quite powerful and detailed bass. If desired, a subwoofer can be purchased and connected separately, but in most cases it will not be needed.

The best premium acoustic sets: budget up to 80,000 rubles.

Premium acoustics occupy a special position relative to others. It is in it that it is achieved best combination high price and excellent quality. Such systems will easily satisfy even the most picky listeners. Their characteristics are quite enough to cover all the needs of the buyer.

3 Wharfedale Movie Star DX-1

Ideal for movies and games
Country: UK
Average price: 42,590 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.6

This model, produced to create an ideal acoustic picture when watching movies, begins the rating of premium acoustics. The compact kit allows you to get high-quality sound in movies without taking up much space. Stylish design and perfect white color will allow the model to fit into any room, although there is also a black option for lovers. The model easily produces a frequency range from 30 to 20,000 Hz, which is quite enough for the human ear. The power is enough to completely fill a fairly large room with sound. Opportunity wireless connection allows you to get rid of wires and not have to worry about them.

When using the Wharfedale Movie Star DX-1 for films or computer games the impressions remain the best. The sound is rich, multifaceted and spacious enough to make you feel like a participant in the events. Unfortunately, when listening to complex music, the impression may be a little spoiled. Involuntary specialization is taking its toll. At high volumes there is slight distortion, which is unpleasant. On the other hand, the kit is not intended for music lovers.

2 Jamo S 809 HCS

Wide frequency range (36 to 26000 Hz)
Country: Denmark
Average price: 67,990 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.7

The second place in the rating was taken by a set of acoustics with giant front speakers and a stylish design. The model produces 5.0 surround sound with a frequency from 36 to 26000 Hz, practically covering the entire audible range, except for the lowest bass. The high power is pleasing: the declared 420 W is quite enough to provide great sound your own home mini-cinema with an area of up to 50 m2. However, the lack of a subwoofer is not encouraging. In reviews, buyers write that the bass is juicy even without this. But for complete immersion, we would recommend purchasing an additional subwoofer.

The acoustics set supports Dolby Atmos, which will allow you to connect special terminals to create augmented reality. But even without it, the model produces such a full, deep and bright sound that any movies and games will sparkle with new colors. The acoustics handle music noticeably better than the previous participant in the rating. The sound is transmitted quite accurately, with all the nuances and liveliness that is inherent in some genres of music. However, due to the lack of a subwoofer, not entirely accurate sound transmission can be seen in genres that have a large amount of bass.

1 MT-Power Performance 5.1

Best power (up to 1190 W)
Country: UK
Average price: 57,750 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.8

The leader in the ranking of the best premium acoustic sets is this relatively inexpensive but excellent model with a 5.1 surround sound system. New on the market, it has already won the hearts of quality sound lovers. This is the most powerful acoustics in category: the kit is capable of delivering up to 1190 W of power. So the model will easily cover even large rooms and halls with sound: you can safely buy it for a home theater of 50 m2 or more. The system produces a frequency range from 35 to 22000 Hz, which is almost enough for the entire audibility spectrum.

The appearance of the kit inspires deep respect. There are four colors to choose from with different black/white color combinations. The model will decorate any apartment, hall, mini-cinema. The sound quality of the set matches the design: powerful, deep and soulful. The sound of the device is almost perfect: even aesthetes will rejoice. It is worth considering that to connect the kit you will need a good receiver and cables with gold-plated plugs to ensure the most reliable and clean connection.

The best super premium acoustic sets

Acoustic sets of this level cost incredible amounts of money, but for this they give the buyer not only excellent sound quality, but also amazing durability. Models in this category have perfect sound, expressive style, and all the bells and whistles you can imagine.

3 KEF E305

Best sound (max. frequency 45000 Hz). The most unusual design
Country: China
Average price: 88,200 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.7

The ceiling-type audio system KEF E305 standard 5.1 is the choice of innovators who are able to appreciate the naturalness of sound and the boldness of the design solution. The KEF E305 acoustics are well known: just say “eggs” or “Easter set”, and an experienced user will immediately imagine which model from the famous English company we are talking about. First place in the ranking speaker systems premium!

The main feature of the set is detail, volume and accuracy of sound reproduction. The Hi fi system earned the “Best Sound” rating due to its characteristics: a large frequency range (33-45000 Hz) and high sensitivity (86 dB). The device uses technologies found in premium models. For example, the Uni-Q coaxial speaker, which combines a tweeter and a mid-range driver. As a result, the user enjoys deep, harmonious sound: the system suppresses noise and smoothes out the amplitude of vibrations.

An acoustically invisible, but at the same time powerful subwoofer works for this purpose. Its low-frequency radiation does not dominate the rest of the sound field. The stiffening ribs of the satellite housings are made of noise canceling plastic. Users note that the best sound is in the mid and high range. The expressiveness of the sound is lost when the volume is reduced.

The second feature that immediately catches your eye is the unusual design: a dome-shaped subwoofer housing with a downward-facing emitter, egg-shaped emitters of a compact design. It is not difficult to strengthen the satellites on the walls. As an option, the speakers are mounted on stands (not included). A successful solution is a combination of the original design and use classic colors: dazzling white and deep black. The set fits organically into any design environment.
Among the manufacturer's shortcomings, consumers include a small angle of inclination of the speakers, which creates difficulties during placement and configuration.

2 Bose Acoustimass 10

The most popular set. User selection
Country: USA
Average price: 89,990 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.8

It is not for nothing that the famous American manufacturer Bose is one of the best in the production of high-quality acoustics. The tenth version of the legendary Acousticmass series turned out to be what every user who needs good sound needs. And these are far from empty words (and not absurd): the consumer finds something of his own in this amazing kit, which has become extremely popular since the fifth version.

First of all, the impressive size and weight of the subwoofer catches your eye - almost 16 kilograms of low-frequency “happiness” gives really soft and “tasty” bass. The feeling of admiration does not leave the consumer even when examining the speakers: a standard set of two rear, two front and one central sources provides a total of 250 W of pure power. This is not too much, but the first time you turn on the kit it becomes clear that more is not needed. From the very first minutes it becomes clear that Bose did a titanic job and poured in a mountain of funds and it was not in vain.

The acoustics cope perfectly with their task without additional amplifiers, come in three colors and generally look like a priority choice among their competitors.

1 Focal Pack Dome 5.1

Best Sound Quality
Country: France
Average price: RUB 139,990.
Rating (2019): 4.9

An acoustic set that can change the idea of ideal sound quality. This is the case when the huge cost is fully compensated by the highest precision of assembly, reliability and the sensation of listening to the reproduced sound. Columns and active subwoofer have an aluminum body, stylized in gloss, which can fit into any interior. A standard set of five speakers reproduces sound with a frequency from 80 to 28,000 Hz, so much so that even the most capricious consumers could not find any flaws (provided that the equalizer is adequately adjusted). As for the subwoofer, it operates at frequencies from 47 to 200 Hz.

It is advisable to use such a kit in a large, spacious room, and the dimensions clearly indicate this. The weight of each speaker is almost 1.9 kilograms with dimensions of 144x172x143 millimeters (width, height and depth, respectively), and the subwoofer weighs 11 kilograms. There is no hope of assembling the system at home - in a small room the sound will greatly disturb the neighbors, and it will not have the best effect on the health of listeners. The final advantage lies in the finishing options for the set - consumers can choose from sets in red, white and black. Ideal choice for large areas.

The best acoustic sets with 7.1 sound

7.1 surround sound is currently the best in mass-produced home speaker sets. Such systems are expensive, but they allow you to get the maximum immersive effect, almost like in cinemas. Among the models in this category there are both regular sets and compact but effective sound bars with fine-tuning of surround sound relative to the user.

3 YAMAHA YSP-2700

Compact sound projector
Country: Japan
Average price: RUB 89,990
Rating (2019): 4.7

A soundbar is a sound projector that can provide surround sound with just one speaker and subwoofer. Despite the low power (107 W) and frequency range (40-22000 Hz), the device manages to provide such lively and deep sound that it amazes the imagination. In the reviews, customers are so impressed with the system that they write only good things. Although, if you really want to, you can find fault with cutting 20 Hz from below. However, the bass is quite enough for a wow effect.

7.1 sound is provided by detecting the user's location. A sound projector is capable of directing sound rays so that they hit the listener from different directions. Due to this, the volume effect of 7.1 is ensured. For proper operation, you need to install the soundbar correctly and choose a room where nothing will prevent the sound from being reflected correctly from the walls or furniture. As for quality: users actively praise the clarity of the sound of both music and movies or games. That is, the system is universal, especially if you customize it for each type of content.

2 Samsung HW-N950

Best value for money and sound quality
Country: South Korea
Average price: RUB 81,950.
Rating (2019): 4.8

This soundbar is new to the market and has already earned recognition. A reputable South Korean company has tried to make a product that will be worthy of taking a place in almost anyone’s home theater. Lots of settings and truly flexible coverage of the entire room with sound makes the set almost best choice of all in terms of price and quality ratio. Even slightly reduced frequencies (34-17000 Hz) do not affect the quality: sound reproduction still pleases with its harmony and depth. A power of 512 W will allow you to “sound” even a large room.

The soundbar comes with two rear speakers and a subwoofer, which provides true 7.1 sound, much less dependent on the angle of wave reflection, as in the case of the previous participant in the rating. The speakers and the reflection of waves from the ceiling and walls complement each other perfectly, literally filling the room with melody or sound. Support for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X is very pleasing, as this will provide truly gorgeous sound. The system is controlled using a remote control, and can be connected via digital optics or HDMI.

1 DALI Opticon 5 7.1

Elite acoustics of excellent quality
Country: Denmark
Average price: RUB 255,900.
Rating (2019): 4.9

An elite acoustic system that can amaze even the most avid music lover. Wide frequency range (26-32000 Hz) covers 99% of audibility. At the same time, the sound is clear, crystal clear, so deep and full that it is easy to drown in it. Such a system is ideal for both home theater and other entertainment: listening to music, playing games, and so on. In all endeavors, this speaker system becomes something without which it is no longer possible to imagine leisure time.

Available in three designs - white, black and wood. In any of the three versions, the acoustic set looks very decent and solid, which is quite logical. The connectors for the cables are gold-plated, so you need to find the appropriate wires and an equally high-quality receiver or player. There are frankly few reviews of premium equipment, but they are full of positive emotions regarding the quality and completeness of sound coverage. Overall, this speaker system deserves to be considered the best among all premium models from 80,000 rubles and more that are publicly available.

We discuss these topics with our in-house experts who are well versed in their field, be it smart watch, gaming gadgets or even hi-fi.

Wearable gadgets may last a long time, but they are still life cycle somewhat limited - new models come out and the device manages to become obsolete faster than it fails.

Stationary Hi-Fi speakers, on the contrary, can last for years without actually requiring any care or maintenance (don’t tell me you’ve never found old speakers at home that are collecting dust for some unknown reason in the far corner).

When choosing acoustics (especially built-in ones) or assembling a set of equipment for a home theater or game room, you always want to focus on quality and durability. But in times of crisis, investing in expensive acoustics is not very successful. Is there an alternative? Let's ask our expert - Dmitry T.

iCover: Hello Dima! Tell us where your passion for Hi-Fi audio comes from? How did you come to this?

Dima:Hello. It all started with my work at a chain store that had a large area dedicated to hi-fi. As a matter of fact, the first thing I listened to was the Yamaha RX-V376 and NS-555 from them. As I later realized, it was not the most ideal configuration, but the seed of love for good sound was sown. Later I began to attend almost all exhibitions on this topic, and my work was directly related to Hi-Fi.

iCover: What kind of acoustic set do you use? Did you help your friends or acquaintances assemble a set of acoustics?

Dima:I have a stereo pair at home from a wonderful Danish brand– model.

I listened to a lot of things before settling on this particular model, but Zensor hooked me the most.

The interior is not mine, but the sensations from the acoustics are approximately the same!

Now everything is connected through an amplifier, the sound source is a PC, the connection is made via USB Wireworld Croma 7. The stereo pair is mainly used for listening to music (I used to do it myself, so I collected a large collection of jazz). You can tell many stories about selection and configuration to friends and acquaintances, but this will most likely require a separate article.

iCover: How do you realize that you need your own “special set” of acoustics? After all, even modern TVs have some kind of speakers (or even two).

As practice has shown, among mass TV brands there are no models whose built-in acoustics are capable of adequately reproducing an audio signal. Even if you don’t consider yourself a music lover, by installing just a budget stereo pair or soundbar you will feel the difference “with the naked ear.” And for cinema, in which sound now rules the roost along with resolution, a good audio system is simply necessary.

iCover: Perhaps the most banal question about acoustics in the world - so which one should you take, passive or active?

Dima: If I had been asked this question 3 years ago, I would have answered unequivocally – passive. But now there is on the market good brands with active multiroom acoustics, which perfectly serve as a home theater. Let's take, for example, the same thing - networked acoustics, which, like a Lego set, can be assembled gradually, starting with the most accessible components.

iCover: Is assembling acoustics for your home an expensive pleasure? To save money, take “noname” Chinese acoustics - do such acoustics even exist?

Dima: In fact, if we compare ordinary home theaters from mass brands and budget lines of Hi-Fi acoustics, the difference in price will not be so great. But you have more opportunities to upgrade and update your system. I wouldn’t risk taking pseudo-brands; I myself witnessed how the speakers delaminated after the first wet cleaning.

Nowadays it is quite easy to buy ready-made sets of Hi-Fi acoustics at a budget price. For example:

Minimalist kit

iCover:What does this kit consist of?

Dima: To create a Hi-Fi home theater, you just need to purchase a receiver and 5.0 acoustics. The subwoofer is purchased as needed - it is often not used, because... the front pair often reproduces the low-frequency signal at the desired level. Signal source to taste, Lately the sound is simply removed from the TV via ARC, and the built-in media player is used.

iCover:Often in the description of acoustic sets you can find references to “classic” or “modern” design. How justified is such a division? Where did the concept of “classical acoustics” come from?

Dima: Classic is what many people imagine when they mention the term “Hi-Fi” - massive speakers trimmed with wood, straight lines, screw terminals. As an example, we can name classic models from

American classic

Or a little more modern

Modern classics from seasoned Hi-Fi manufacturers

iCover: The question often arises about ceiling systems - what is it, why bother installing them? Is it possible to get by with shelf ones?

Dima: Typically, ceiling speakers are used when it is necessary to make the acoustic design of a room with a minimum visible columns, but now ceiling acoustics will also be in demand thanks to Dolby Atmos.

Usually, when I am asked to recommend bookshelf speaker options, I offer five time-tested options (for collecting 5.0 acoustics):

The same classic set
Also with a discreet design
Passive bookshelf kit
Shelf set
Central channel
Central channel

iCover:Which acoustics (which set in which form factor) would you choose for yourself and why?

Dima:Personally, the 2.0 system is enough for me, but this is due to the fact that I mainly listen to music. For movie lovers, I recommend installing a 5.1.2 system; this form factor is acoustics for Dolby Atmos.

iCover:Is there innovation in this product segment? Or have they not come up with anything better than a modern speaker?

Dima:Products in this area are constantly being improved, new materials and technologies are used. Often, a lot of time and human resources are spent on developing new technologies.

iCover:In what cases is it worth paying more than 100 thousand rubles for acoustics?

Dima:When you buy Hi-Fi speakers, you pay for the opportunity to get a completely new sound experience, to feel like a participant in the events of a movie or a spectator of a concert. At the same time, Hi-Fi acoustics are something that will serve you for a long time and will be relevant for many years.