The perfect balm for these dreary winter days is cozying up on the couch with your favorite music — and nothing compares to listening on vinyl. Tech and music enthusiasts agree that vinyl remains unmatched in its rich, clear, and uncompressed sound, which brings a level of intimacy that other mediums (or headphones) just can’t match.
Also: Everything you need for a vinyl setup
It’s important to note that not all speakers were created for vinyl. Music experts and enthusiasts agree that the best speakers for listening to vinyl have specialized features, including multiple inputs, built-in phono preamps, and silk dome tweeters to ensure your records sound as crisp as possible. Impress your loved ones or enjoy your music solo with the best speakers for listening to vinyl.
What are the best speakers for vinyl right now?
As a vinyl enthusiast with a vintage setup, I combined my own hands-on experience, expert recommendations from music industry professionals, and extensive research to choose the best speakers for vinyl. My pick for the best vinyl speakers overall is the PSB Alpha iQ speakers due to their built-in phono preamp, crisp and loud sound, and equalizer (EQ) customizations. We also included speakers from brands like Paradigm, Edifier, and Sonos so your vinyl collection sounds the way it should.
Also: The best Bluetooth turntables
The best speakers for vinyl in 2025
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The built-in phono preamp is the PSB Alpha iQ speakers’ standout feature. Since vintage record players don’t have a built-in phono preamp, you typically need a receiver to act as the preamp. Luckily, if you have an older record player, these speakers eliminate the need for a receiver.
While the Alpha iQ speakers are lauded for being ideal for a vintage setup, verified customers said also they loved the modern features like Bluetooth connectivity and Apple AirPlay technology for digital listening. BluOS, a handy companion app, lets you select the audio output, customize EQ settings, and connect to streaming services like Spotify. BluOS is a multi-room streaming platform that allows you to listen to vinyl through other BluOS-powered devices, like Bluesound speakers and other makers.
These bookshelf speakers can reach 180W of peak power — the most power on this list — and have a frequency response of 60 Hz—20 kHz. The drivers are 4-inch mid-bass drivers paired with .75-inch aluminum dome tweeters, meaning you’ll get great sound quality for such a compact speaker.
I tested these speakers with my vintage setup and loved their full bass response and transparent sound. While not as room-filling as my floor-standing vintage Technics speakers, vinyl records sound crisp with the Alpha IQs. It was easy to set these speakers up and connect them, and I could switch quickly between listening to vinyl and one of my Spotify playlists.
PSB Alpha iQ specs: Type: Bookshelf | Power: 180W | Inputs: AUX, HDMI ARC port, Phono, Bluetooth | Frequency: 60 Hz-20 kHz
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The Paradigm Monitor SE Atom bookshelf speakers provide a clear and balanced sound thanks to the tweeters’ pure aluminum dome design, which blocks out unwanted frequencies. They can also be raised with a speaker stand — sold separately — to further enhance their sound.
Andy Fraser, a musician for more than 15 years and the owner of Guitar Inside Out, praises the Paradigm Monitor SE series for its well-built design, primarily because Paradigm builds all its speakers in-house.
“The attention to detail and quality can be clearly seen in the construction and assembly,” Fraser said. “But more importantly, they sound great and so realistic. For someone like me who really focuses on the instruments, you can hear the musicianship and skill of every instrument being played.”
You can pair these speakers with other models in the Paradigm Monitor SE lineup, such as the Monitor SE 2000C Center Channel speaker. Reddit users say that these speakers shine when paired with other Paradigm devices.
Paradigm Monitor SE tech specs: Type: Bookshelf/tweeter | Power: Up to 100W | Inputs: Binding post | Frequency: 61-21k Hz ±3dB
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If you want speakers that can play podcasts in addition to your favorite records, the Kanto YU6 bookshelf speakers could be your perfect fit. Their versatility lies in their input options, which include auxiliary, RCA with Phono, optical, and Bluetooth, so you can use them for pretty much any setup.
An included remote control also allows for adjustments to the volume, input, tone, and balance to better fine-tune your listening experience. Plus, they come in various colors including red, white, bamboo, and black for every aesthetic.
Review: Kanto YU6
ZDNET contributor Jack Wallen tested these speakers and said they exceeded his expectations. “The clarity (even at louder levels) was incredible,” he wrote in his review. “And, with the help of the remote, I could add a bit more bass or treble as needed.”
Reddit users recommend these speakers for audiophiles on a budget since they “sound fantastic for the price and have a ton of connections if you’re not going through a receiver.”
Kanto YU6 tech specs: Type: Bookshelf/tweeter | Power: Up to 100W | Inputs: 3.5mm mini-jack AUX, RCA with Phono Switch, 1x Optical (TOSLINK), Bluetooth 4.0 with Qualcomm® aptX | Frequency: 50Hz – 20kHz
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The Edifier R1280DB speakers are a great budget-friendly option at just $150. One Reddit user said these speakers “are nearly unmatched in quality for their price,” and make a solid option for a minimalist setup.
These bookshelf speakers also have numerous connections including RCA, Bluetooth, AUX, optical, and coaxial. There is also an included remote control, but you can also adjust the equalization of treble and bass on the side panel knobs.
The Edifier R1280DB speakers have 4-inch bass drivers and a 13mm silk dome tweeter. And, while the overall power is lower than other options at 42 watts for both speakers, the sound quality is still good for the price.
Edifier R1280DB tech specs: Type: Bookshelf | Power: 42W | Input: RCA and Bluetooth | Frequency: 55Hz-20KHz
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If you want something smart home-friendly with superb sound quality, the Sonos Five is an excellent speaker compatible with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant for voice control.
You can also easily control the bass, treble, and loudness through the Sonos App or Apple AirPlay 2. Sonos’ Trueplay technology puts the speaker-tuning capability in your hands to adapt and optimize the speaker to a room’s unique acoustics.
Also: The top Sonos speakers: One, Arc, Beam, and more compared
The Sonos Five speaker packs quite the punch into just one speaker. It has six Class-D digital amplifiers tuned to match the six dedicated speaker drivers, which include three 23mm tweeters and three 4-inch mid-woofers. One Reddit user said that the Sonos Five speaker is “definitely a versatile and easy way to get into vinyl” for those looking to build a vinyl setup.
In addition, you can pair two Sonos Five speakers together for even more immersive sound—keep in mind one speaker alone will cost you $549.
Sonos Five tech specs: Type: All-in-one | Power: 120W | Inputs: Bluetooth, 3.5mm audio| Frequency: 50-60Hz
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While all the other vinyl speakers listed above are bookshelf speakers, these floor-standing speakers are the perfect statement piece. The Triangle Borea BR08 floor-standing speakers tower is just over three feet high and can fill a room with sound ranging from 65 to 131 square feet, making it the perfect option for larger homes or spaces.
These speakers have four drivers, a 25mm…