Buying Guide for the Best Budget Speakers For Turntable
Choosing speakers for your turntable is all about finding a balance between sound quality, compatibility, and how you plan to use them. It's important to understand the key features and specifications so you can match the speakers to your turntable, your room size, and your personal listening preferences. Being thoughtful about these specs ensures you’ll get a great listening experience and avoid common pitfalls, like mismatched connections or underwhelming sound in your space.Power Output (Wattage)Power output tells you how loud and full the speakers can sound. It's measured in watts, and higher numbers generally mean the speakers can play louder without distorting the music. For small rooms, low to moderate wattage is usually enough, while larger spaces might benefit from more powerful speakers. Think about where you’ll be listening: bedroom listeners need less power, while living room gatherings might need more.
Active vs Passive SpeakersActive speakers have built-in amplifiers, making them plug-and-play with most turntables that have a line-out or built-in preamp. Passive speakers need an external amplifier to work. If you want simplicity and fewer cables, active speakers are a good choice. Pick passive speakers if you already have an amplifier or want to customize your audio setup in the future.
Inputs and ConnectivityThis refers to the types of cables and connections the speaker accepts, like RCA, 3.5mm, Bluetooth, or optical. Make sure the speakers and turntable share a compatible input, or you may need additional adapters. If your turntable has a built-in preamp, most active speakers will connect directly. If not, you'll need a speaker or amp that accommodates a phono input or use an external preamp.
Speaker Size/Driver SizeSpeaker drivers move air to create sound, and their size affects both the amount and type of sound produced. Smaller drivers (3-4 inches) focus on mid and high tones, often lacking deeper bass but are compact. Larger drivers (5-8 inches) handle bass better and fill bigger rooms but require more space. Choose based on your room size and whether you love rich bass or just need clear, crisp audio.
Frequency ResponseFrequency response indicates the range of sounds the speaker can reproduce, from low bass to high treble, listed in Hertz (Hz). Wider ranges usually mean a fuller sound, but human ears mostly hear between 20Hz and 20,000Hz. Look for a response that covers most of this range if you want to hear all the details in your music, especially bass and treble.
Speaker Placement and Form FactorSpeaker placement refers to whether they're designed for desktop use or to be placed on stands/shelves. Some are compact for tight spaces; some are larger for more presence. Think about your room layout and where you have space—choose speakers that physically fit and can be positioned to 'aim' at where you’ll be listening for best sound.