When it comes to audio, we audiophiles love to listen to a clear and accurate sound. The technology has advanced a lot over the past decades and with it so has the audio tech. Nowadays there is a vast diversity of stereo speakers on the market and finding the one that sounds the best for us might be a lot easier said than done. To help you find the right stereo speakers system for your desk setup I’ve tested a few devices and I’ve reviewed them for you, as well as some advice on how to pick the best one.
How do you choose the right stereo speakers system?
If you are looking for some powerful speakers, you should better check our review of the best sound system for outdoor parties. We all know that you can spend a ton of money on audio equipment, but not everyone can afford that. We will be looking mainly at products below $600, as you can get some of the best stereo speakers for about or much less than that price. You should consider whether you want to spend a bit more money to get some more functionality and a better sound or go for a budget-friendly solution.
Will the bookshelf speakers fit the intended location?
After you are ready with the decision of your budget, you should consider the design and size of the device. Will the stereo speakers fit where you want them to be? Will they look okay with the rest of the stuff around them? Will the speakers sound good at this location? What alternative locations can you think of for the stereo audio system? Once you’ve thought of all of this and you think you have found something that fits your needs — you need to decide on the power output.
What is the best output power for stereo speakers?
The best power output of the right stereo speakers for you depends a lot on your specific needs. If you have a small desk setup and you want a middle-ranged sound — you should invest some money into something with higher quality audio. If you are looking to give your room a better sound — you have to consider a bit bigger output power. For me, more than 60 W is not needed for the stereo bookshelf speakers to fill up an entire room with sound. If you feel like the audio quality and the speaker functionality is your priority — go for the lower power output.
This is our take on the five best stereo speaker systems:
| # | Image | Brand | Price |
| 1 |    |
Edifier | $250 |
| 2 |    |
Micca | $110 |
| 3 |      |
Bose | $599 |
| 4 |      |
Sony | $178 |
| 5 |      |
Onkyo | $249 |
1. Edifier R2000DB
- Piano Black and Cherry Wood colored models
- 24W + 36W output (per speaker)
- 2x AUX inputs
- Bluetooth support
- Optical / RCA inputs
- Built-in volume/treble/bass controls
- Remote control
- 2-Year warranty
- (W x H x D) 9.5″ x 11.25″ x 7.5″ per speaker
When it comes to audio quality, power and clarity — the R2000DB beats the competition to dust. It is priced at $250 at the time of testing and comes with a 2-Year warranty. Each speaker comes with a width of 9.5 inches, a height of 11.25 inches and a depth of 7.5 inches.
The R2000DB stereo bookshelf speakers come in two color variations — Piani Black and Cherry Wood. It comes with 24W treble output and 36W bass output on each speaker. That is more than enough for any home dance party you might plan in the future. On the backside, there are two AUX, RCA and Optical inputs. There are also built-in volume, treble and bass control. The remote allows you to change the settings of the device from the comfort of your couch or bed.
2. Micca PB42X
- Black colored model
- 15W + 15W output (per speaker)
- Class-D Chip Amplifier (better sound amplification, sounds as intended)
- RCA and AUX inputs
- Built-in volume control
- 60Hz – 20kHz frequency range
- (W x H x D) 6.5″ x 5.8″ x 9.5″ per speaker
A much cheaper alternative would be the Picca PB42X stereo speakers. Each speaker comes with 15W of output power for a total of 30W. The bookshelf speakers are 6.5 inches in width, 5.8 inches in height and 9.5 inches in depth each.
The PB42X comes with the cutting-edge Class-D amplifier chip. This innovative and brand new technology provides better audio amplification for your speakers. It enables you to hear every sound the way it was intended to. On the back, you will find a built-in volume control. The frequency range of the stereo speaker system is between 60Hz and 20kHz. The device is priced at $110 at the moment of testing.
3. Bose SoundTouch Music System IV
- Espresso Black and Platinum Silver colored models
- Bluetooth and WiFi support
- Multi-room streaming support
- Built-in music services (like Spotify, Pandora, iTunes, etc.)
- WaveGuide Speaker technology
- AM/FM Radio
- Alexa support (Amazon Music, Pandora, iHeartRadio, SiriusXM, and TuneIn)
- Remote and app control
- Clock alarm
- (W x H x D) 8.7″ x 14.5″ x 5.6″
The most expensive speaker in my review, the Bose SoundTouch Music System IV, comes in two different color variations — Espresso Balck and Platinum Silver. This powered stereo speaker comes with both Bluetooth and WiFi support. Thanks to the built-in wifi support, you can connect multiple devices to the same network and stream simultaneously on all of them. The device is perfect for multiroom streaming.
Thanks to special WaveGuide audio technology, the Bose SoundLink stereo speaker produces crystal-clear highs, crisp mids, and a deep fat bass. Thanks to the WiFi connectivity, built-in apps like Spotify, Pandora, iTunes or etc. give you the power to play anything you want. It will also enable you to control it not only from the device itself and the remote but also from a special app. The AM/FM radio tuner allows you to tune in to the local radio station. The size of the device is 8.7 inches in width, 14.5 inches in height and 5.6 inches in depth.
4. Sony CMTSBT100
- Black colored model
- NFC One-touch connection
- Bluetooth support (including AAC and apt-X)
- Sony S-Master amplifier
- AM/FM Radio
- 50W output total output
- (W x H x D) 14.5″ x 13.2″ x 18.5″
Priced at $178 at the time of testing, the Sony CMTSBT100 comes with a Black-colored classic design. It features USB, CD and DVD readers and Bluetooth connectivity with AAC and apt-X support. Each speaker is 14.5 inches in width, 13.2 inches in height and 18.5 inches in depth.
The Sony stereo speakers come with the exclusive to the company’s products Sony S-Master amplifier. This powerful little chip is capable of upscaling even the slightest signals and reproduce them in the most accurate way possible. Each speaker comes with 25W of output power for a total of 50W RMS output. There is a built-in AM/FM radio tuner that allows you to connect easily to any local radio station.
5. Onkyo CS-265B
- Black, Red, and White colored models
- Bluetooth support
- USB reader
- CD/DVD player
- 20W output (per speaker)
- 30W maximum input power
- 2-Mode Super Bass function
- 3 Playback modes for CDs
- (W x H x D) 12.5″ x 10.8″ x 8″
And finally, but definitely not the least — the Onkyo CS265B. This mini Hi-Fi stereo system comes in black, red and white colored models. It features Bluetooth 4.0 connectivity and can play from CDs.
The CS-265B stereo speaker system comes with a built-in NFC support. It allows you to connect any device by just touching it to the speakers. Each speaker comes with 20W of power for a total of 40W combined output power. There are two special Super Bass modes for those bass lovers out there. CDs can be played in three different playback modes. If you want, you can set the device to play songs in order, shuffle randomly or repeat the same song.
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