Speakers

A loudspeaker is an electro-acoustic device that is used to reproduce acoustic energy, or sound. When selecting a pair of loudspeakers, find one with proper stereo imaging (sound you can "see") and a flat-ish, neutral frequency response. If taken care of, and driven responsibly, a good quality pair of loudspeakers will deliver you pleasurable music listening for many years to come.

Buyers Guide

Basically before you buy, check for any spinorama/CEA 2034-A-2015 (ANSI) measurements, otherwise we are blind; the value and performance of the loudspeaker is a mystery. It may "sound good to your ears", but it could be awful and you won't realize until you hear a genuinely good loudspeaker. This industry for years has let loudspeakers be subjective, and now we understand loudspeakers much better through research (Read Dr. Floyd Toole's book called "Sound Reproduction: The Acoustics and Psychoacoustics of Loudspeakers and Rooms") many of these so called high-end loudspeakers are actually just poor performing, overpriced pieces of jewelry.

Bookshelf Speakers Note that some require amplifiers (passive) and some don't (active). From cheapest to highest, and not limited to:

• Dayton Audio MK402X
• JBL Stage A130
• Pioneer SP-BS22-LR
• KEF LS50

Studio Monitors Studio monitors are mostly employed in music, movie and broadcast production, but they work excellent in home environments too. They are also conveniently self-powered (active) and many feature DSP corrections (wall boundary LPF, loudness curves for night-time listening, etc.)

• Edifier R1280T
• JBL LSR 305P/306P/308P Mk II (Recommended)
• Swissonic A306 (Also really good)
• Focal
• ADAM
• Neumann
• Genelec (Extremely high-end)

Basically read AudioScienceReview.com or Erin's Audio Corner as those folks will measure and publish loudspeaker data, as well as review.

Subwoofers

• Polk Audio PSW10
• Polk Audio PSW111
• Klipsch R-100SW
• SVS, JL, etc

Note that studio monitors generally pair with a matching sub, but you don't have to stick to it so long as the sub you use is of equivalent quality. Check sites like AudioScienceReview or Erin's Audio Corner, etc.

Amplification

• Lepai LP 2020A+ ($20)
• Audiosource AMP-100 ($75)
• Sherwood RX4508 (Under $200)
• Vintage or new Yamaha, Pioneer, Onkyo, Marantz, NAD, etc. - honestly just find something, anything so long as it's decent. Just don't use tubes.

Placement

Refer to your loudspeaker's manual for advice on how to properly place them, as they differ in design and wave guide types. If this is not available, place the speakers in a triangle, and aim the speakers 60° degrees to the listening position. Finish studio monitor manufacturer Genelec has an excellent guide for proper loudspeaker placement.

Surround Sound

For those who want surround sound, and have an audio interface or sound card that supports it, purchase a surround sound amplifier and then pair it with matched speakers of your choosing/budget. You will also need a subwoofer and a center channel speaker. There are various sizes of surround sound (5.1, 7.1, Atmos, etc)

Avoid

• Bose
• Cheap KRK
• Klipsch
• Bowers & Wilkins
• Basically any speakers you buy at a big-box store with some exceptions.
• Beats
• Logitech
• PC Speakers

If equalizing, don't be fucking stupid and crank the bands up. Typically for room correction, you will do subtractive EQ, fixing room modes and subsequently improving your stereo imaging and detail. Use software like REW or MSO to equalize your loudspeakers to sound better in your room.

Don't hurt your ears, and keep listening. May you be blessed with many years filled of wonderful music. Peace.