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- 1. Acoustic Audio by Goldwood AA321B Mountable Indoor Speakers
- 2. Bowers & Wilkins Mini Theatre M-1 Satellite Speaker
- 3. KEF T301WH Satellite Speaker
- 4. Leviton AESS5-WH Architectural Edition Powered By JBL Expansion Satellite Speaker
- 5. Polk Audio TL 1 Satellite Speaker
- 6. SVS Prime Satellite Speaker
- 7. Pure Resonance Audio MC2.5B Dual 2.5” Swiveling Surround Sound Mini Cube Speaker
- 8. JBL Professional Control 62P
- Side-by-Side Comparison of the Best Satellite Speakers
- FAQs
- So, What are the Best Satellite Speakers for You?
Satellite speakers are placed behind or at the sides of the listening area. These small speakers can help you get a richer and more refined sound. There are usually several satellite speakers that are hooked to a woofer or subwoofer. For instance, a 5.1 system means that five satellite speakers are using one subwoofer.
There are a lot of satellite speakers that you can buy, and not all of them are worth your money. To make it easier for you, I pored through dozens of choices to help you narrow down your choices for the best satellite speakers.
Looking for one? Here’s a quick overview of the 8 best Satellite Speakers you should consider:
- Best Value: Acoustic Audio by Goldwood AA321B Mountable Indoor Speakers
- Best Overall: Bowers & Wilkins Mini Theatre M-1 Satellite Speaker
- Premium Choice: KEF T301WH Satellite Speaker
- Most Affordable: Leviton AESS5-WH Powered By JBL Expansion Satellite Speaker
- Great Alternative: Polk Audio TL 1 Satellite Speaker
- Best for Desktops: SVS Prime Satellite Speaker
- Most Compact: Pure Resonance Audio MC2.5B Dual Speakers
- Modern Design: JBL Professional Control 62P
What makes these speakers stand out so much that they are included in this list? What should you look for in a satellite speaker, anyway? Read on as we try to help you decide on the best satellite speakers.
1. Acoustic Audio by Goldwood AA321B Mountable Indoor Speakers
The Acoustic Audio by Goldwood AA321B Mountable Indoor Speakers is a passive speaker that you power with your receiver or amplifier. It measures 3.5 by 3.5 by 4.4 inches (90 by 90 by 112 millimeters) and is mountable on your walls, shelves, and other surfaces.
The cabinets are made with hard black ABS. But even with its small size, you get full-range audio with its 2.5-inch (63.5 millimeters) woofers.
It also boasts of a frequency response of 150 hertz to 20 kilohertz. This means that this speaker can give you high-quality sound as it plays more frequencies.
It delivers 88 decibels of sound at only eight ohms. You will need an amplifier with speaker wire outputs and can provide anywhere from 20 to 200 watts for every channel. You will also need to have a CL3 or speaker wire to connect this speaker to your amp.
Mountable indoor wired speakers: Traditional passive speaker design, simply drive power from your amplifier or receiver.
Pros
- The package comes with the mounting brackets, instruction manual, and the mounting hardware
- Full-range audio with a comprehensive frequency response
- High-quality sound
- Durable and looks great with any home decor
- Mounting attachments can swivel, making this speaker very flexible
- Spring-loaded wire terminals guarantee stress-free connections
- Value for money
- A clear and loud sound
Cons
- May not be the best speaker for bass sounds
- Some complaints about the wall mount being flimsy
2. Bowers & Wilkins Mini Theatre M-1 Satellite Speaker
The Bowers & Wilkins Mini Theatre M-1 Satellite Speaker looks different from the cubes you see on other satellite speakers. It has a sleek clamshell and curving design that does away with its cube-like competitors’ sharp corners.
It comes in two hues: black and white, so you can choose a speaker that can match your room’s interiors. This satellite speaker is very flexible as you can mount it on walls, flip it sideways to use as your center speaker, or use the included stands to put it anywhere.
Now for the technical side. This satellite speaker measures 9.8 by 4.5 by 6.4 inches (248.9 by 114.3 by 162.56 millimeters) with the stand. It has two drive units:
- One-inch metal dome for high frequencies
- Four-inch woven glass fiber cone for bass and midrange sounds
The Bowers & Wilkins M1 delivers a rated sensitivity of 85 decibels at eight ohms and needs an amplifier that can provide anywhere from 20 to 100 watts of power.
The anywhere speaker Sleek and compact M-1 can be used on a shelf on its dedicated stands or wall-mounted using its swiveling foot.
Pros
- Excellent design that doesn’t have sharp edges and catches the eye
- Cable management is superb, so your set up looks clean
- Great bass and midrange sounds
- Excellent sound quality overall
- Can be used as a center speaker
Cons
- May be more expensive than other recommended products on this list
3. KEF T301WH Satellite Speaker
The KEF T301WH Satellite Speaker delivers great quality sound with a frequency range of 80 hertz to 30 kilohertz. It comes with a pair of 4.5-inch (115 millimeters) dual-layer mid-frequency and one-inch (25 millimeters) high-frequency aluminum drivers.
This is one big and thin set of satellite speakers, measuring 23.6 by 5.5 by 1.4 inches (600 by 140 by 35 millimeters). With a maximum loudness of 110 decibels, this speaker can fill any room with the best sounds. The sensitivity is rated at 88 and 91 decibels at eight ohms, depending on whether you have it on its floor stand or mounted on the wall.
The KEF T301WH is among the world’s thinnest speakers, but it gives you fantastic sound quality. What’s more, you can’t fault it for its looks and design.
T301 is designed to be mounted on the wall (hardware included), on their included desk stands, or on the T Series floor stands.
Pros
- Thin speakers that deliver astounding sound quality
- Can be mounted on walls or displayed with a floor stand
- Eye and ear candy
Cons
- Very pricey
4. Leviton AESS5-WH Architectural Edition Powered By JBL Expansion Satellite Speaker
The Leviton AESS5-WH is for those looking for white satellite speakers that can make it less obvious when you have light-colored walls. It has a woofer that measures 2.5 inches (63.5 millimeters) and a precision tweeter that’s half an inch (12.7 millimeters).
The speaker comes packaged with an adjustable mounting bracket. The bracket is the architectural grade, which means that it’s more durable and heavy-duty than other brackets offered by other products.
You can use this speaker for a 6.1 or 7.1 surround sound system. It measures 3.5 by 3.5 by 5.0 inches (88 by 88 by 127 millimeters). This speaker has a sensitivity of 86 decibels at eight ohms.
Pros
- Durable and architectural grade mount
- Excellent sound quality for a small speaker
Cons
- Bass is not that great on these satellite speakers
- This single speaker product may be more expensive than other options that are sold in pairs
5. Polk Audio TL 1 Satellite Speaker
The Polk Audio TL 1 Satellite Speaker uses the company’s Time Lens technology that aligns the acoustic centers of both the mid-bass and tweeter to deliver the right sound without distortions or diffractions.
The setup allows Polk to use an eye-catching and unique design for its speakers. No more cube-looking speakers in your living room. Instead, you have a beautifully curved speaker that looks modern, futuristic, and sleek.
These speakers have an aperiodic tuned rear port that allows for better blending. It also uses a 2.5-inch (63.5 millimeters) long-throw driver and a 0.5-inch (12.7 millimeters) tweeter for a clear and crisp sound.
The speaker has a keyhole slot that makes it easy to hang on your wall securely.
1/2 inches Silk Dome Tweeters for crisp, clear imaging and smooth response that's never tiring.
Pros
- Excellent clarity and sound
- Small speakers with a big sound
- Value for money
Cons
- Mounting brackets are not included
- Bass can be better
6. SVS Prime Satellite Speaker
The SVS Prime Satellite Speaker measures 4.9 by 6.3 by 8.9 inches, making it taller and bulkier than other speakers. The heft and bulk will give you a clue to its power.
Make no mistake about this speaker. It’s meant to impress you with solid audio quality and performance. It delivers a frequency range of 69 hertz to 25 kilohertz and uses a one-inch (2.5 millimeters) tweeter and 4.5-inch (114.3 millimeters) midrange driver that delivers clear, precise, and smooth audio.
And that’s just what’s inside. This speaker comes in two colors: black ash and piano gloss. Plus, the manufacturer used all the best materials for this product, from the super-compact cabinet to the top-notch materials used.
You can put these satellite speakers just about anywhere: from putting them on floors to mounting them on walls. Moreover, this satellite speaker uses the company’s SoundMatch technology that guarantees precise frequency response between drivers.
Leveraging SVS’s audio passion and expertise, these speakers exceed everything you might expect from such a small and versatile system, providing a truly world-class listening experience. No compromise. Paired with the acclaimed SB-1000 subwoofer and its 300 watts of power, this system delivers a complete multi-channel experience for movies and music.
Pros
- Clear and crisp audio
- Excellent overall audio quality
Cons
- May be a bit more expensive than other speakers that deliver the same sound quality
7. Pure Resonance Audio MC2.5B Dual 2.5” Swiveling Surround Sound Mini Cube Speaker
The Pure Resonance Audio MC2.5B Dual 2.5” Swiveling Surround Sound Mini Cube Speaker has two 2.5-inch drivers in each speaker, and you can swivel the bottom and top parts in different directions.
This setup gives you a wide sound stage, making it the ideal home theater stereo and surround sound speakers. It can also be used as small stereo speakers that you can place anywhere.
These speakers measure 3.1 by 4.1 by 6.3 inches (79.4 by 104.8 by 158.8 millimeters). It has a sensitivity of 86 decibels at eight ohms and a frequency response ranging from 200 hertz to 20 kilohertz.
Each speaker features two cubes that each contain a 2.5" driver with rubber surround and covered with a metal grille.
Pros
- Good sound quality when used as surround sound speakers
- Flexible and can give you a wider sound stage
- Very affordable
Cons
- Some customers complain that this is not easy to install
8. JBL Professional Control 62P
The JBL Professional Control 62P is a pendant satellite speaker that allows you to get a truly immersive sound experience. This speaker is right for people who don’t want to mount their speakers on walls or put them on the floor.
This JBL speaker comes in either black or white. You can paint the casing to match your home decor. The speaker offers a frequency response range of 150 hertz to 20 kilohertz. Sensitivity is rated at 87 decibels at 16 ohms. It has a wide coverage angle of 140 degrees.
The driver measures 2.5 inches (60 millimeters). What’s more, you’d love the top quality materials used for this speaker, with its high impact polystyrene enclosure, zinc-plated steel grilles, and aluminum voice coils.
This speaker is rated IP44, which means it’s safe from dust particles bigger than a millimeter in size. It’s also splash-proof.
These satellite speakers measure 4.8 by 5.6 by 5.1 inches (121 by 141 by 128 millimeters), while the cables are up to 4.5 meters (15 feet) long.
Includes main and safety suspension cables, each consisting of 15 ft long high-tensile galvanized-steel wire rope suspension Cable with fasteners for infinitely adjustable height.
Pros
- Great sound quality
- Solid build
- Perfect for commercial spaces and homes with not much space
Cons
- Bass can be improved
Side-by-Side Comparison of the Best Satellite Speakers
To make it easier to decide on the best satellite speakers you need, here is a side by side comparison of our recommended products.
|
Dimensions (L x W x H Inches) |
Driver size (Inches) |
Frequency range (Hz to kHz) |
|
| Acoustic Audio AA321B |
3.5 by 3.5 by 4.4 |
2.5 |
150 to 20 |
| Leviton AESS5-WH |
3.5 by 3.5 by 5.0 |
2.5 |
150 to 20 |
| Bowers & Wilkins Mini Theatre M-1 Satellite Speaker |
9.8 by 4.5 by 6.4 (with stand) |
1 and 4 |
55 to 50 |
| Polk Audio TL 1 Satellite Speaker |
4.9 by 3.7 by 6.5 |
0.5 and 2.5 |
120 to 22 |
| KEF T301WH Satellite Speaker |
1.4 by 5.5 by 23.6 |
4.5, 4.5, and 1.0 |
80 to 30 |
| SVS Prime Satellite Speaker |
4.9 by 6.3 by 8.9 |
1.0 and 4.5 |
69 to 25 |
| Pure Resonance Audio MC2.5B |
3.1 by 4.1 by 6.3 |
2.5 and 2.5 |
200 to 20 |
| 4.8 by 5.6 by 5.1 | 2.5 |
150 to 20 |
FAQs
Question: What are the most common uses for satellite speakers?
Answer: Satellite speakers are a good replacement for traditional surround sound systems, as they can be more lightweight and smaller as well. As such, they can be mounted on walls, hung from the ceiling, hidden away from view, on top, of placing on tabletops and desktops.
At home, satellite speakers are often used with gaming consoles, home theaters, and even personal computers. They can also be used in-store, restaurants, cafes, and other commercial establishments.
If you want immersive surround sound, you can use satellite speakers with your surround sound system. Plus, you can use them as a rear speaker.
Question: What should you look for when choosing the best satellite speaker?
Answer: For some people, their primary consideration when choosing a satellite speaker is the price tag. Or perhaps how lightweight it is. But being lightweight or affordable doesn’t necessarily equate to the best sound quality.
Choose satellite speakers that are heavier than they look. They should also be stable so that they can pass the knock test without affecting the sound. The materials used in manufacturing these speakers should also be a top consideration. You don’t want to get stuck with an ugly plastic cabinet or a driver with cheap paper.
The thing with satellite speakers is that they are often made smaller than traditional speakers. The size means that they will not have the full range of sound you can get from other speakers. This is why you should be clear about where you’re going to use satellite speakers.
If you’re going to use it as a standalone PC or gaming speaker, you should invest a bit more to get a full range of sound. The audio quality should sound like it came from a bigger speaker.
Satellite speakers can be affordable, but that’s usually at the expense of having weak bass. But when you use it as one of the channels of your home surround sound system, then bass is the least of your worries.
Question: Are there satellite speakers that are wireless?
Answer: Thinking about satellite speakers, you might decide on a wireless speaker so that you can be more flexible when it comes to placement. Plus, you don’t have to contend with a lot of wire for your sound system.
You can buy a wireless Bluetooth speaker such as the Ultimate Ears BOOM 2. This portable, shockproof, and waterproof speaker sounds great on its own. Plus, you have the option to bring it with you after you get bored watching Netflix and decide to go out.
However, having a wireless setup can be a bit complicated. This Lifewire article explains that to use a wireless satellite speaker, you will need to have a transmitter or buy a home theater system that has a wireless transmitter.
Even so, some speakers are not truly wireless, as you will still need to plug them in for power.
So, What are the Best Satellite Speakers for You?
If you are an audiophile who is willing to pay for great sounding speakers, then you can’t go wrong with the Bowers & Wilkins Mini Theatre M-1 Satellite Speaker.
Not only is the sound quality excellent with a wider frequency range than most of the products we recommend, but this satellite speaker is also well designed and has a cable management system that makes it look neat when you put it up.
What’s more, this is a very flexible speaker. You can use it as a center speaker.
You can mount it on your walls as a satellite speaker or hook it up to your home theater system and get deep bass and amazing mids and highs.
There’s also the KEF T301WH Satellite Speaker, which may be a bit expensive, but it brings together sound quality that an audiophile would love in a package that can be described as eye candy.
However, if you’re in the market for satellite speakers to add to your surround system, you can go for more affordable products that may not have excellent bass sounds.
The Acoustic Audio AA321B, Pure Resonance Audio MC2.5B, and the Leviton AESS5-WH perfectly fit the bill. These speakers are great surround, sound speakers, while also helping you save money.
Meanwhile, Polk Audio TL1 has a bit wider frequency response with the same budget pricing. If you are seriously on the lookout for a good satellite speaker for your desktop, then you can go with SVS Prime Satellite Speaker, but paying more than $100 for a desktop speaker might make you hesitate.
If you don’t like to mess up your wall or have clutter on the floor, you can check out the JBL Professional Control 62P, which is a pendant speaker that’s perfect for these situations.
The anywhere speaker Sleek and compact M-1 can be used on a shelf on its dedicated stands or wall-mounted using its swiveling foot.