Marco AlessiBack at the dawn of the new millennium, who would have thought that vinyl would be the de facto most popular physical medium for music in the 21st century? Yet here we are in 2023, with the oldest music format surpassing CD sales, and last year’s top-selling vinyl album (Taylor Swift’s Midnights) selling almost a million copies in the US.
If there’s one thing we’ve learned from the vinyl resurgence, it is that there’s a legion of music enthusiasts who need the music to be tangible and look for a sense of impermanence in music that the digital simply can’t offer.
If you’re one of those music listeners who need to touch, feel, and admire a record, and seek a connection that goes beyond the cold experience of streaming services, then you need an audio system that can bring to life the uniqueness of your record collection.
This article will focus on the best speakers for vinyl record players, providing you with a selection of speakers that can enhance the beauty of your records. While there are dozens of options available for every budget, I picked speakers that offer the best in terms of sound quality within their price range.
About the author
How I chose the speakers for this list?
You might recognize some of the speakers from my previous articles on the best bookshelf speakers or other reviews, and that’s because these speakers notoriously offer excellent value for money.
With this article, I tried to offer an overview of great turntable speakers ranging from entry-level to high-end that’ll hopefully satisfy the needs of both amateurs and experienced audiophiles who want the best for their money.
These are the best speakers to buy for your vinyl record player:
- KEF LS50 Meta
- Klipsch RP-600M
- Sony SS-CS5
- Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
- Bowers & Wilkins 606 S2
- Wharfedale Evo4.4
- Q Acoustics 3050i
KEF LS50 Meta
- Tweeter: 1 inch
- Woofer: 5.25 inches
- Frequency response: 79 Hz – 28 kHz
- Sensitivity: 85 dB
- Impedance: 8 ohms
Just like many others, I’m a huge fan of the incredible LS50 Meta. Built to last a lifetime, with a unique sound texture that is rich and detailed, KEF’s bookshelf speakers set the bar really high when it comes to speakers for record players.
The vented aluminium dome tweeter and the magnesium-aluminium alloy cone woofer blend magnificently to create an enveloping soundscape that’s transparent and defined, with depth that can only be upgraded with an equally-excellent subwoofer, like the iconic KEF KC62.
Making the most of KEF’s patented technologies, like Metamaterial Absorption Technology and the carefully-designed cabinet, the LS50 Meta can be excellent turntable speakers for both beginners and experienced music connoisseurs.
Read the full KEF LS50 Meta speakers review to find out more.
What I like
- Unsurpassed sound quality at this price.
- Excellent build quality and design.
What I don’t like
- Fans of bass-heavy music might want to add a sub.
Klipsch RP-600M
- Tweeter: 1 inch
- Woofer: 6.5 inches
- Frequency response: 45 Hz – 25 kHz
- Sensitivity: 96 dB
- Impedance: 8 ohms
The RP-600M is a perfect blend of cutting-edge technology and acoustic craftsmanship, resulting in a bookshelf speaker that reproduces a pristine sound that audiophiles will love.
Everything about this speaker is designed to create an enhanced listening experience, from the Linear Travel Suspension 1-inch tweeter that brings clarity and crispness, to the 6.5-inch Cerametallic woofer that minimizes vibrations, and a Tractrix port to improve the airflow and give a more powerful low frequencies.
The result is a bookshelf speaker that perfectly reproduces the energy, color, and nuances of every composition, with an elegant design and solid build quality that make it a serious candidate as the best vinyl speaker in the price range.
What I like
- Excellent sound texture.
- Reasonably priced.
- A great starting point for beginners.
What I don’t like
- Sound imaging is not as good as some other speakers.
Sony SS-CS5
- Tweeter: 1 inch
- Woofer: 5 inches
- Frequency response: 53 Hz – 50 kHz
- Sensitivity: 87 dB
- Impedance: 6 ohms
These speakers have always been among my favorite bookshelf speakers, not because they offer the best sound but because they provide value for money that’s unmatched, as far as I’m aware. You can get a pair of Sony SS-CS5 for less than $200, which makes them an excellent option for music enthusiasts on a budget.
The SS-CS5 excel in rendering mid and high frequencies with crystal-clear precision, enhancing even the most intricate nuances. The soundscape is rich and full, performing at levels not unlike speakers that cost two or three times more.
While the bass is partially overshadowed by the higher frequencies’ rich texture, the Sony SS-CS5 have rightfully established themselves as a perfect choice for budget-conscious audiophiles.
Read the full Sony SS-CS5 speakers review to find out more.
What I like
- Three-way speaker with an excellent blend between drivers.
- For beginners, this speaker offers the best value for money.
What I don’t like
- Bass lacks depth and clarity.
Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
- Tweeter: 1 inch
- Woofer: 5.25 inches
- Frequency response: 46 Hz – 35 kHz
- Sensitivity: 86 dB
- Impedance: 6 ohms
There’s something magical about the Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2. Widely renowned as some of the best budget-friendly speakers on the market, these bookshelf speakers have nothing to do with entry-level except their price.
The sound coming out of a pair of Debut 2.0 B5.2 is warm and detailed in such a way that it makes every record sound timeless. The purity of analog music is magnified by the careful blend of frequencies, pristinely reproduced by the speakers.
From subtle transients to powerful crescendos, everything reaches your ears with impressive clarity and perfect sound imaging. In summary, if you have $300 to spare, look no further.
Read the full Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2 speakers review to find out more.
What I like
- A warm, detailed sound that makes records timeless.
- Unbeatable price.
What I don’t like
- A subwoofer might be needed depending on the music genre reproduced.
Bowers & Wilkins 606 S2
- Tweeter: 1 inch
- Woofer: 6.5 inches
- Frequency response: 52 Hz – 28 kHz
- Sensitivity: 88 dB
- Impedance: 8 ohms
If you’re obsessed with total acoustic clarity, I’d definitely recommend a pair of Bowers & Wilkins 606 S2 to upgrade your listening experience. The 600 series by B&W has been a household name in the world of high-fidelity sound, and this 25th anniversary edition upgrade exceeds all expectations in terms of sound transparency and depth.
This two-way speaker features a Continuum FST cone driver and a Double Dome aluminium tweeter that blends perfectly, bringing to life a powerful, immersive soundstage untouched by unnecessary coloration.
If you want to immerse yourself in sonic detail and accuracy, the Bowers & Wilkins 606 S2 is the right speaker for your vinyl record player.
What I like
- Transparent, rich sound.
- Superb build quality.
What I don’t like
- Nothing at this price.
Wharfedale Evo4.4
- Midrange: 2 inches
- Woofers: 6.5 inches
- Frequency response: 40 Hz – 22 kHz
- Sensitivity: 89 dB
- Impedance: 8 ohms
When it comes to floorstanders, there are very few that offer the same level of refinement, articulation, and clarity as the Wharfedale Evo4.4. The iconic British manufacturer has released many exceptional products since its inception in 1932, but the premium Evo4.4 is a perfect mix of craftsmanship and technology that might impress even the most seasoned audiophiles.
The authority and energy reproduced by the Evo4.4 goes hand in hand with the subtle nuances and transients magnified by the speaker. The soundstage feels cohesive and balanced, tending towards a neutral representation but with enough coloration to create a unique, immersive texture.
The black woven Kevlar gives lower frequencies, depth, and articulation, while the excellent dome midrange further highlights the energy of every composition reproduced.
Overall, the Evo4.4 is the best option for anyone looking for high-quality floor-standing speakers for vinyl, delivering a refined, immersive sound that you’ll never get bored of.
What I like
- An engaging listening experience with clarity across the entire frequency spectrum.
- Good-quality build and finish.
What I don’t like
- Not for small environments.
Q Acoustics 3050i
- Tweeter: 1 inch
- Woofers: 6.5 inches
- Frequency response: 44 Hz – 30 kHz
- Sensitivity: 91 dB
- Impedance: 6 ohms
The 3050i is a two-way floor-standing loudspeaker by Q Acoustics, a brand that made its mission to offer great speakers at an honest price. An evolution of the good (but not great) 3050, the 3050i sounds much more balanced and refined than its predecessor, which tends to enhance lower frequencies sacrificing midrange detail.
Here, the tweeter and mid/bass driver work in unison to deliver an excellent soundstage with a crisp and accurate texture that’ll impress bass-heavy enthusiasts as much as classical music lovers. A combination of a cutting-edge suspension system and HPE technology ensures the performance will remain untouched by vibrations and resonance.
At just around $1000, a pair of Q Acoustics 3050i can upgrade your listening room with refined music spatiality and an enveloping sound.
What I like
- Affordable.
- Solid build quality.
- Impressive performance.
What I don’t like
- A 3-way floorstander might offer a more impactful bass.
Final thoughts
There are so many other great speakers I didn’t include in this list! Yet I believe these are the ones that can truly upgrade your audio system and bring your record collection to life.
Do let me know in the comments below if you think I forgot to mention some unmissable speakers for record players. Happy listening!