Passive Speakers reviews from Reddit
Summary
We analyzed 226 Reddit reviews across 10 subreddits and 77 posts to rank the best Passive Speakers brands recommended by redditors, including communities like r/BudgetAudiophile, r/StereoAdvice, r/turntables, r/sonos, r/hifiaudio. Top-rated brands include Wharfedale (4.5/5), KEF (4.6/5), ELAC (4.6/5).
Stats
Reviews226
Subreddits10
Posts77
Brands47
Products80
226 reviews from
and
By Brand
/By Product
#1
Wharfedale
4.5
(33)
"Many speakers brands to look for…… Wharfedale."
"Can't really go wrong with anything there."
"Hands down the best speaker for the money."
"A used set of Wharfedale Diamond 12.2s."
"First speakers that popped in my head were Wharfedale Diamond 220's - no longer being made but great little speakers."
"Wharfdale diamond 12.2 and a Gjallerhorn."
"I use Wharfedale Denton 80th Anniversary myself."
"Dentons 80th Anniversary are excellent speakers."
"I would save a bit more and get the wharefdale 12.0s on open box or used sales."
"Wharfedale diamonds (12/11/10/... whatever looks best)"
#2
KEF
4.6
(29)
"Many speakers brands to look for…… Kef."
"I'd just go for another KEF imo, that's what I have at my desktop (on an Aiyima) and they're great"
"Incredible deal on incredible speakers."
"I'd probably go with some KEF LS50 which you can find used for less than $700 pretty easily paired with a REL T Zero or maybe T5x, or SVS 3000 Micro."
"Wait for these KEF Q350 to go back on sale at $499. It's the best in class at that price."
"KEF."
"Kef single origin driver design causes what is sometimes called the 'squeegee effect', meaning 90+% clarity and signal representation."
"I ended up going with the kef q150s but thank you everyone who gave me suggestions"
"KEF Q150."
"KEF Q350"
#3
ELAC
4.6
(16)
"Many speakers brands to look for…… Elac."
"I love my Elac b6.2s. Highly recommended."
"I’d get the Elac DB6.3. I got mine open box on eBay for $350."
"ELAC recently released the Debut 3.0 speakers! I have the DB6.3. They are absolutely fantastic."
"These Elacs are on sale now for $279. Entry level audiophile quality speakers that get down to 44 hz."
"These pack a serious punch."
"You will be hard pressed to find a better bang for buck than that."
"ELAC"
"Monitor audio Bronze and Elac B6.2 are frontported."
"The ELACs seem to have quite the following and I would expect them to be a solid choice."
#4
JBL
4.3
(14)
"$399 AUD on eBay right now"
"JBL."
"JBL 530 easily. Hands down."
"JBL Studio 530."
"Best bang for the buck you can get right now."
"* JBL Stage A130 ($280) * Mission LX-2 MKII ($300) * DALI Spektor 1."
"I would strongly consider these over the Kantos. JBL A130($199)"
"JBL A130 $199."
"Small Advents or any number of other bookshelf or monitor speakers from JBL, Klipsch... too many to name."
"Get JBL A130, it's $200 at Crutchfield."
#5
PSB
4.2
(11)
"PSB Alpha P3 would be my first choice, easily."
"PSB Alpha P3. Great speakers, small size."
"It is on the warm side but without a doubt it is one of the silkiest and smoothest speakers you will find."
"The PSB P5s for $320 is also a good deal."
"PSB Speakers Alpha P5 - Excellent Sound Quality for Size, Rich and Detailed Sound, Great Value for the Price"
"PSB Alpha P5s are just over 11”, very good speakers and on sale $319."
"Under $300usd in Canada I’d look at PSB P3, Polk ES10, Kanto Passive 5.25, Neumi Silk 4."
"The PSB Alpha P3 unfortunately aren’t on sale but seem like they’d be what you want."
"If you can stretch your budget to $280 I'd look at the PSB Alpha P3."
"I have PSB Alpha P3s on my desk right now, and I’m pretty happy with them."
#6
Dali
4.6
(10)
"Many speakers brands to look for…… Dali."
"I love my Dali Oberon 7s driven by a Denon 3700."
"I love my Dali Oberon 7s driven by a Denon 3700."
"I love my Dali Oberon 7s driven by a Denon 3700."
"If you want passive, grab some Dali Spektor 1."
"They're wee and good."
"Dali Oberon 1s."
"Also look at Dali Spektor 1."
"I plan on getting a desktop passive speaker setup in the near future."
#7
Q Acoustics
4.8
(9)
"Many speakers brands to look for…… Q Acoustics."
"Can't really go wrong with the Qs."
"I would definitely choose the Q's."
"I have the Q Acoustics 3010i, and have only heard good things about the 3030i's."
"I love my Q Acoustics 3030i’s."
"If you want passive, grab some ... Q Acoustics 3010i."
"You should look at Q Acoustics. They are very highly rated by many many youtubers."
"I'd also suggest...a pair of Q Acoustics 3030i speakers."
#8
Emotiva
4.5
(8)
"+1 for emotiva B1+"
"Emotiva B1+ or the bigger bookshelf model… (USD 300-500). Excellent bargain."
"Emotivas! B1+ or the next higher bookshelf model."
"Plays significantly well w the Emotiva B1+s."
"Get some Emotiva B1+ off Facebook marketplace for ~$150."
"They pair well w/ Emotiva B1’s."
"They pair well w/ Emotiva B1’s."
"Emotiva B1+ did quite well under measurement and are $300 a pair."
#9
Klipsch
3.9
(9)
"Klipsch RP 600m currently $350 at crutchfield. A steal!"
"Klipsch RP600M and a Rekkr or Gjallerhorn. I’m powering mine with two Rekkrs and they sound fantastic."
"Look for Klipsch, Polk, B&W, Harmon, KEF, Boston Acoustics, etc etc."
"If you want a more live sound go for the Klipsch rp - if you can swing for the 5000Fii on a sale those are excellent for the money."
"At $700 and below range I’d be looking at the Klipsch rp600m and Triangle BR03."
"Klipsches."
"Klipsch RP-600M ($329 right now) or RP-600M II ($500 right now but sometimes they drop to under $450, but still likely over budget once you add an amp). Klipsch speakers seem to be very polarizing."
"I bought decent little pair of Klipsch and after a year one was trash...currently looking at Revel Concerta M16"
"When I got my first table I bought two Klipsch R-14Ms and was sorely disappointed in the bass."
#10
Neumi
4.9
(7)
"Neumi BS5 $110 Amazon"
"If you're looking for bookshelf speakers, Neumi BS5 at $110/pair."
"For passive suggestion is similar. Aiyima A07 Pro $90 with either Neumi BS5 $110 or even better but over budget, Neumi Silk 4” $149."
"Neumi BS5 speakers with a Fosi V3 is about $215. Probably the best value new passive system right now in the US."
"Here are a couple that you might want to check out: Neumi BS5"
"Are the go to options for budget speakers."
"Either Neumi BS5, or Yamaha NS-6490 8” from Accessories4Less."
#11
Monitor Audio
4.8
(6)
"Many speakers brands to look for…… Monitor Audio."
"Built like a tank too"
"Find a pair of used Monitor Audio Radius 90's on eBay or Reverb. They sound amazing."
"I use 2 white Monitor Audio Radius 270 floor speakers. They look fantastic and for my ears they sound great for hifi music with the Amp."
"Monitor audio Bronze and Elac B6.2 are frontported."
"Monitor Audios are supposed to be good."
#12
Micca
4.7
(6)
"Micca offers the RB42."
"Micca RB42"
"Micca MB42X is what you want."
"So Micca RB42 At $150."
"Not sure on Best but I run Micca MB42X nearfield - sound GOOD low volume or moderately high volumes."
"Using Micca RB42s with an old Yamaha receiver and Polk sub."
#13
Triangle
4.3
(6)
"I love my Triangle Borea BR03s, but I haven't had the chance to compare them to some of the other often recommended speakers in this sub. They present an excellent sound stage."
"Triangle BR02 /03 if midrange & tone is impt to you."
"Triangle BR03s. I don’t actually own a pair yet, but they are def worth looking into."
"Triangle BR02"
"I have been using Triangle BR03s for my home office, they are beautiful."
"The Triangle Borea BR03 is definitely worth consideration."
#14
Elac
4.8
(4)
"I have the Elac DBR62's and drive them with a Bluesound Powernode Edge in a medium sized room with zero issues."
"Elac BS41 (might be discontinue"
"It's not optimal placement but it's what I have for the moment and it sounds amazing!"
"The Elac bs41-Bk is on sale for 70$. Pretty good set for the price."
#15
Polk Audio
4.5
(4)
"I second this suggestion, the R200 is a great speaker."
"I would go Polk R200 at $599"
"Https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650099149-polk-r200-black/"
"Something like Polk Audio T-15 and Yamaha R-S202. Both perfectly good pieces"
#16
Polk
4.5
(4)
"Polk ES20 on sale $280 is a great deal. Very good price/performance even at msrp $400."
"Accesories 4 Less got refurbisbed Polk ES20 for $250."
"Spend a bit more and get the Polk ES15, ES20, JBL Stage 240 or make the jump to something like the KEF Q150."
"Polk es15 or es20. I have the es20's and preferred them over anything else in that price range."
#17
Focal
4.5
(4)
"Many speakers brands to look for…… Focal."
"The Focal Chora 806s sound great and if you need to put them less than 2’ off the wall the front bass port is important."
"Focal! Support your local speaker manufacturers."
"Https://www.crutchfield.com/p_091C806BK/Focal-Chora-806-Black.html"
#18
Dayton Audio
4.3
(4)
"Anything"
"I second the DA B65's. I bought some as a set for a starter home theater setup for my stepson, and they're unreasonably good for the price."
"Dayton Audio B65."
"Check out the Dayton Audio stuff on Parts Express."
#19
NHT
4.7
(3)
"I have a pair of NHT Super Zero's that I actually have behind my monitor."
"Which I am in love with"
"NHT SuperZero 2.1 are a bit tall (9"H x 5"W x 5.5"D). Really need a sub."
#20
Philharmonic
4.3
(3)
"Philharmonic mini monitors are 11" tall and $380. Probably the best option listed too."
"Philharmonic True Mini $380."
"I’m considering a pair of these mini monitors from Philharmonic."
#21
Kanto
4.3
(3)
"Kanto Passive."
"Kanto Yu passive will work. No need to worry about the impedance or watts."
"Kanto YU passive 5.25 in white. Very nice just a bit bigger than the kanto yu4."
#22
Audioengine
5.0
(2)
"I have audioengine 5. They are just awesome"
"I use a port and Audioengine A5's, they will fill that room with joy (no sub required)."
#23
Revel
5.0
(2)
"1-REVEL
2-POLK
3-DIAMOND
NO DOUBT."
"Out of those, I would definitely choose the Revels."
#24
Adam Audio
5.0
(2)
"For active it's extremely hard to beat Adam audio in your price range"
"Passive, you have the XB2 which is probably the best measuring speaker you're going to find for that price."
#25
Sony
4.5
(2)
"Are the go to options for budget speakers."
"Black Friday Sony SSCS5"
#26
Edifier
4.0
(2)
"Edifier P12."
"Edifier P12 or P17."
#27
Mackie
4.0
(2)
"You could pickup a pair of Mackie 3-4in studio monitors for legit $40."
"Cheap good bookshelf speakers would be Mackie or Edifier."
#28
Usher
4.0
(2)
"S-520 has a measured frequency response that surprisingly shows no upper bass bump - even with nearfield measurement unaccounted for."
"If monitor-like neutral, a less popular option to consider : Usher S-520; should be less than the budget, and - though nominally 50W they are not so efficient so they do appreciate an amp with ample power reserve."
#29
ATC
5.0
(1)
"ATC, Graham, Proac, Spendor, Harbeth, Wilson to name a few."
#30
Oberon
5.0
(1)
"I have some Oberon 1s. Lovely."
#31
Philharmonic Audio
5.0
(1)
"Probably this"
#32
Canton
5.0
(1)
"Many speakers brands to look for…… Canton."
#33
Boston Acoustics
5.0
(1)
"I have some Boston Acoustics A200 & A150. They are fantastic and to me the vintage ones are way cooler than some new popular ones."
#34
Dynaudio
5.0
(1)
"Dynaudio Confidence 20."
#35
Mission
5.0
(1)
"Many speakers brands to look for…… Mission."
#36
Falcon
5.0
(1)
"If you want the best small passive speakers and you live in the UK then you owe it to yourself to listen to a pair of LS3/5a’s. The best current ones in my experience are the Falcon Gold Badge at just over £2,500."
#37
Eden Audio
5.0
(1)
"These seem to be well thought of https://edenaudio.uk/Bookshelf-Loudspeakers/127-well-rounded-sound-jack-terriers.html"
#38
Cambridge Audio
5.0
(1)
"Cambridge Audio Minx 22s, Fosi amp, and a small sub."
#39
Radiant Acoustics
5.0
(1)
"The best standmounts are from Danish company Radiant Acoustics. Their Model 6.2 sells for around $6000 for the pair."
#40
Proac
5.0
(1)
"Non-budget, Proac Response 1 would be my first choice."
#41
Ascend Acoustics
4.0
(1)
"Http://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages/products/speakers/SRM1/srm1.html"
#42
SVS
4.0
(1)
"SVS Prime Satellite is good and quite small, but you'll want to add a sub if you like bass."
#43
SMSL
4.0
(1)
"You could buy a low cost class D integrated amp (SMSL, Fosi, others) and spend most of the budget on speakers."
#44
Titans
4.0
(1)
"The Titans are quite large compared to the others so that could be a concern."
#45
Monoprice
4.0
(1)
"Look what Monoprice has."
#46
Jamo
4.0
(1)
"Jamo!"
#47
DBR62
4.0
(1)
"I think the DBR62 is very well regarded all around and would seem a great choice for you."
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