Beyond the Best: Top-Tier Speakers That Nearly Made the Cut
We’ve tested hundreds of audio gear, and while only a select few make our coveted “best of” lists, these are the solid speaker options that deserve your attention. Sound quality is deeply subjective, so exploring a wide range of models before making your final purchase decision is always wise. Here are more excellent choices that offer exceptional performance and value.
Photograph: Ryan Waniata
Fluance Ai71: Great Sound, Quirky Controls
The Fluance Ai71 stands out as an incredibly affordable pair of active speakers that deliver powerful, balanced audio. Their versatile connectivity, which notably includes HDMI ARC for a streamlined TV setup, is a huge plus. However, be warned: they have a few operational quirks. Unlike most competitors, the TV remote only controls the volume, not the power, and the speakers maintain independent volume levels. This means you lose the seamless, soundbar-alternative experience that makes other ARC-enabled models so convenient. Despite this, their clear, warm, and balanced sound signature—perfect for everything from Bluetooth streaming and vinyl records to sitcoms and movies—makes them a compelling choice at their launch price of $400.
Bowers & Wilkins 606 S3: Audiophile Excellence
These midrange audiophile passive speakers from Bowers & Wilkins are a masterpiece of design and musicality for their price point. The craftsmanship is gorgeous, and the detailed soundstage is fantastic. The only minor critique we noted is a sometimes overly sharp upper midrange and treble, especially noticeable during TV viewing. Otherwise, the 606 S3 offers an undeniably premium listening experience that exudes quality and will thrill any serious music lover.
U-Turn Ethos: Designed for Vinyl
The U-Turn Ethos Powered Speakers were expertly tailored for turntable enthusiasts and pair beautifully with U-Turn’s own models, like the acclaimed Orbit Theory. They are beautifully crafted and feature a potent A/B amplifier that keeps your vinyl playback purely analog. This focused design, however, comes with a trade-off: a lack of features. They offer minimal inputs and zero EQ control, so you must love their sound profile right out of the box. Still, for a dedicated turntable setup, they offer a sweet and potent audio match.
Yamaha NS-600A: Unveiling Hidden Detail
Yamaha’s gloriously crafted NS-600A passive speakers are true high-fidelity components (8/10, WIRED Recommends) designed to reveal subtle details, textures, and emotional depth you might have missed in your favorite music and films. Much like the B&W 606 S3, their treble can sometimes be a bit aggressive for our taste. At a premium price point of $3,000+ per pair, we’d prefer a more sonically neutral presentation. However, if you enjoy a more analytical and sharper “cut” to your tunes, the Yamaha NS-600A could be the perfect speaker to transform your listening room.