For years the consumer audio market was mostly populated with passive loudspeakers. A select few companies, such as the U.K.-based Meridian and Linn Products went a different direction with their products by offering professionally influenced active speakers.Â
Since the early 2000s, active or powered speakers have grown exponentially more popular due to the explosion of wireless whole-house audio companies that are headlined by Sonos.
These days there is a range of active speaker products available. There are soundbars, floorstanding speakers, bookshelf speakers, center-channel speakers, and all-in-one stereo speakers that are all now easily attainable for homeowners through a wealth of dealer channels.
Of course, there are the powered subwoofers that most people think of when it comes to active speakers, but these products have been popular since home theater’s beginnings back to the 1980s.
Separating subwoofers from the rest of the active loudspeaker category, streaming media has driven increased demand for these products. The electronics industry has responded by developing a greater selection of active speaker products that can be applied to a greater range of applications to meet any number of homeowner requirements.
Some of the applications modern active speakers address include two-channel, stereo music listening, whole-house audio, home theater systems, and the most traditional application of these products: music production.Â
With the rapid development of wireless network technologies driving a new era of loudspeakers that can be set up for single zone listening or as part of a whole-house audio system, today’s most recognized home audio companies now offer active speakers.
Some of those brands include Bose, Bowers & Wilkins, JBL and Yamaha, which all provide a selection of products.
In addition to the traditional consumer audio companies that incorporate active speakers in their product line, the crossover of pro audio companies that offer consumers powered products includes KRK, PMC, Dynaudio, L-Acoustics and Genelec.
Taking a closer look at some of the active speaker products available, here are 19 powered loudspeakers that include all-in-one speakers, center-channel speakers, nearfield monitors and floorstanding solutions.
A Quick List of the Best Active Speakers for 2024
- Bose Companion 20 Speakers
- Bowers & Wilkins Formation Wedge
- Bryston Mini T Active
- dARTS 535 Series
- Denon Home 150
- Devialet Phantom Classic
- Dynaudio Xeo 30 Floorstanding Speaker
- Genelec AIW26B Active In-Wall Speaker
- JBL One Series 104
- KEF LSX
- KRK Classic 5
- L-Acoustics Creations Hawaii
- Meridian DSP5200.2
- Paradigm PW300
- PMC BB5 XBD-A SE
- PSB Alpha PS1
- Sonos FIVE
- Theory Audio Design Product Line
- Yamaha YAS-109 Soundbar
Bose Companion 20 Speakers
Bose’s powered active desktop speakers are designed for use with computers. The Companion 20 employs the company’s TrueSpace digital processing to create a wide stereo experience from a desktop listening position.
Bowers & Wilkins Formation Wedge
Bowers & Wilkins has been a leading developer of wireless home audio products going back to its Zeppelin series. The company’s Formation Wedge active speaker features a modern industrial design, along with the ability to stream 24/96 high-resolution audio content. The product also includes Apple AirPlay2 and Bluetooth.
Bryston Mini T Active
Bryston’s active speakers employ a design that omits the use of internal crossover networks. Each driver in the company’s active speakers are direct powered from a dedicated amplifier channel. The company utilizes its BAX-1 DSP crossover to fine tune the speakers’ performance.
dARTS 535 Series
Available in a choice of three configurations—Freestanding, In-Wall and Custom Box—the dARTS Theater system is engineered to produce sound pressure levels (SPLs) up to 105dB. The brand also offers options to reproduce immersive audio formats such as Dolby Atmos and DTS:X.
Denon Home 150
Part of the Home Series of products the Home 150 is an Amazon Alexa compatible product that can be used as a singular stereo product or in pairs as active speakers. Denon also designed the Home 150 to work with its Home 350 to provide system configuration flexibility. The Home 150 incorporates Apple AirPlay2, HEOS and Bluetooth.
Devialet Phantom Classic
Available exclusively from Savant, the Devialet product line includes the brand’s phantom Classic model. Designed to work as a single, all-in-one active speaker or in pairs, the Phantom Classic delivers up to 2,000 watts of power and sound pressure levels up to 103dB. The Phantom Classic also includes Bluetooth, Apple AirPlay and Spotify Connect.
Dynaudio Xeo 30 Floorstanding Speaker
The Xeo 30 active speaker features 65-watt amplifiers for each of its drivers. Internally, the Xeo 30 incorporates a 28mm Esotec soft-dome tweeter, along with a pair of 14cm Esotec MSP woofers. Controlling these drivers and amplifiers is custom DSPs, and a 2.5-way crossover network. Additionally, the speaker incorporates optical, RCA and 3.5mm inputs.
Genelec AIW26B Active In-Wall Speaker
Developed to deliver high sound pressure levels (110dB), the AIW26B In-Wall Speaker incorporates a 120-watt Class A/B amplifier that drives a 6.5-inch woofer and ¾-inch tweeter. Genelec states the AIW26B Active In-Wall Speaker fits within a standard stud bay, and its grille can be painted to match the color of a home’s interior.
JBL One Series 104
Available in a choice in either a black or white finish, the JBL One Series 104 is an active speaker for computer listening applications. The speaker features a user-friendly front-panel volume control and headphone jack for personal listening. Internally, the speaker uses a 4.5-inch woofer and ¾-inch soft-dome tweeter.
KEF LSX
KEF has been an innovator with its wireless, active speakers and a good example of the company’s wireless speakers is the LSX series. The LSX features built-in TIDAL and Spotify streaming, Apple AirPlay. The LSX series supports direct streaming from the cloud and 24-bit/96kHz high-resolution audio.
KRK Classic 5
Applicable to recording and music playback usages, the KRK Classic 5 is a reasonably priced active monitor speaker that includes a 5-inch woofer and soft-dome tweeter. A Class A/B amp drives the speaker’s woofer and tweeter, and the Classic 5’s rear panel provides a choice of RCA, XLR and ¼-inch inputs. The speaker also provides a volume, low frequency and high frequency level adjustment controls.
L-Acoustics Creations Hawaii
After establishing itself as a go-to in the world of high-performance sound reinforcement systems, L-Acoustics has entered the consumer markets with its Creations line. The 2.1 Hawaii active speaker system is engineered to deliver more than 130dB of sound pressure levels (SPLs) through its 4,000 watts of power. Hawaii can be customized for home theater, including immersive audio.
Meridian DSP5200.2
Designed for small- to medium-size rooms, the Meridian DSP5200.2 active speaker employs a low-resonance, multi-layer birch plywood cabinet. Inside the cabinet is a trio of 75-watt amplifiers with digital signal processing (DSP), and Meridian’s Enhanced Bass Technology. The MQA-compatible speaker is able to play high-resolution audio, and the DSP5200.2 is available in a choice of colors.
Paradigm PW300
Featuring Paradigm’s sister company’s Anthem Class D amplifiers, the PW300 is a reasonably priced wireless speaker. Available in a choice of black or white, Paradigm states the speaker’s internal amp is rated to produce 40 watts RMS. The speaker provides Amazon Alexa voice control options, and it also provides DTS Play-Fi whole-house audio compatibility.
PMC BB5 XBD-A SE
Drawing from its recording studio background, PMC’s BB5 XBD-A is a high-sound pressure level (SPL) solution that’s designed to deliver the highest levels of performance. The nearly 82-inch tall, dual-cabinet speaker system uses 900 watts of power per woofer, along with 300 watts of power to its midrange and tweeter. The BB5 XBD-A SE also uses PMC ATL design, and it is available in several finishes.
PSB Alpha PS1
Known for its high-value passive speakers, PSB also offers its PS1 active bookshelf speaker. The PS1 employs a ¾-inch aluminum, ferrofluid-cooled tweeter, along with a 3.5-inch polypropylene midrange driver. An internal 20-watt Class D amp powers these drivers, and PSB wraps the PS1 in a gloss-black finish.
Sonos FIVE
The Sonos FIVE can be used in pairs or to play music as a single enclosure stereo solution. The FIVE can reside in a room as a horizontal or vertical loudspeaker, and its 3.5mm input allows users to connect source devices such as CD players or even turntables. Sonos also offers the FIVE in a choice of black or white finishes.
Theory Audio Design Product Line
Theory Audio Design is a new company from Paul Hales, the engineer behind PRO Audio Technology. The Theory Audio Design product line offers the choice of several loudspeaker products, and the brand’s 9-channel Amplified Loudspeaker Controller (ALC-1809). The 1U ALC delivers 1,800 watts of power and 32-bit/96kHz digital signal processing (DSPs).
Yamaha YAS-109 Soundbar
The affordably priced YAS-109 soundbar provides a choice of HDMI or optical inputs, and options such as Amazon Alexa voice control. Yamaha states the soundbar provides DTS Virtual:X and Dolby audio compatibility. The YAS-109 also incorporates a built-in subwoofer, and the ability to play music via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
