Satellite speakers are the unsung heroes of most audio setups. They are some of the smallest speakers but still deliver impeccable audio quality, at least when you choose the right ones. Choosing the best satellite speakers to select can be difficult but that is what I’m here for today. I’m going to cover some of the best satellite speakers in the market for 2023.
I will also talk about what you must consider before purchasing satellite speakers. This will act as a checklist to help you choose the speakers you should get.
Satellite speakers can either be mounted on a higher platform or on the ceiling. You can also place them to the side or behind your audio setup. While doing this, consider the best height and how apart the speakers should be to get the best performance.
Some speakers can also be mounted on the walls closer to your setup. Experiment with different placements until you get the one that works best for you.
The audio equipment giants, Polk, have one of the best satellite speakers available. The Elite ES10 speakers are among the best in the game, primarily due to their immaculate audio immersion.
You can feel the audio surrounding you, with deeper bass and clear mid that you rarely get from other speakers.
Polk’s Patented Power Port Technology gives the speakers the volume you like through a bass output that is 3dB louder than regular speakers.
The new design also minimizes distortion and turbulence, giving you the full auditory experience that lets you hear every detail.
The realistic sound production is made even stronger by mounting the speakers to the ceiling or a nearby object for more amplification.
When it comes to the design, the speakers have keyhole slots that make mounting easier. They can fit anywhere because of their compact design that blends in with the surrounding decor.
These compact satellite speakers from JBL might be small in size, but they pack a punch when it comes to audio quality. They have a 140-degree nominal coverage, so they might not be enough for a large room.
The size, however, makes them perfect for small to medium-sized rooms. The speakers also do not take up too much space as they have 15-foot-long suspension cables that let them hang from the ceiling.
The cables are adjustable, so you can fiddle with them until you get the desired height.
When it comes to audio quality, the JBL C62P can hold its own, even when compared to bigger speakers. The speakers are pretty good for mid to high audio, especially for music.
You can match the speakers with a powerful subwoofer to get more powerful audio playback. The subwoofer will also make up for the speakers’ poor bass quality.
Say goodbye to audio diffraction with the SVS Prime satellite speakers. They have a CAD and FEA-optimized cabinet that is designed to reduce diffraction for clearer audio.
The cabinet also gets rid of resonances, providing you with a neutral sound that works well with any genre. This is made even better with the FEA-optimized grill.
They all work together to provide you with the great audio quality that you would expect from the best satellite speakers.
The speakers have a sophisticated crossover design made up of printed circuit boards, air-core inductors, and premium-grade capacitors that provide you with good heat dissipation, lower distortion, and higher sound quality.
The SVS Prime is our premium pick for satellite speakers because of its incredible attention to detail. The FEA-optimized diffuser and 1″ aluminum dome yield the best highs in most speakers with its on-axis and off-axis frequency response.
The speakers’ coverage is also worth noting. The audio does not get muddled and stays clear no matter the distance, providing the whole room with the best performance imaginable.
Bose constantly outdoes itself with their speakers, and the 301-V stereo speakers are no different. They are one of the few wireless satellite speakers you can carry wherever you go.
The speakers also have a unique horizontal design that makes them perfect for smaller storage spaces, such as bookshelves. The shape also allows them to distribute audio to a large area.
The Spatial Dispersion lens on the speakers makes them perfect for high-frequency audio and enables a wider sound distribution.
The two speakers work together to provide exceptional performance, powerful enough to be used in a small home theater. You can get the full experience when paired with the BOSE 161 Surround Speakers and the VCS10 Center Channel speakers.
Bass heads will have a lot of fun with the 301-V; their bass reflex design allows them to play high-impact bass with no problem, creating vibrations you can feel.
The long 8-inch excursion woofer and removable grille produce a balanced sound and powerful low-frequency playback that fills the whole room.
The speakers also have automatic protection that protects the drivers, improving their reliability and minimizing interference for a better listening experience.
Immersive surround sound has never been more affordable than with the Polk T15 satellite speakers. They have a great design that allows them to produce a well-balanced and natural sound.
The bass is especially impressive with these speakers, with incredible bass at even lower frequencies. The speakers are also easy to mount.
They work as front, right, left, or rear speakers; it doesn’t matter how you place them; the audio playback will speak for itself. The detailed audio and minimal interference will be loud enough to cover the whole room.
There are different setup arrangements to choose from, as the speakers are compatible with most AV receivers. The compatibility makes them the best pair to create a home theater setup in a medium to large-sized room.
This is made possible with the dynamic balance drivers, one on each speaker. They also have a .75″ tweeter on each speaker.
The speakers also have great detail, allowing you to hear every single piece of your audio. The audio can be improved by pairing them with the PSW10 subwoofer that will produce enough bass for audiophiles.
There are multiple satellite speakers in the market, and you want to make sure you get the best ones for your setup. This buyers’ guide will help you know what to look out for to find the best satellite speakers:
Size of the Room
This is the first thing you need to consider when shopping for satellite speakers. Because of their small size, satellite speakers might not be suitable for large rooms.
Check the product information to see the cover it produces before purchasing. You also need to determine what the speaker’s main goal is going to be.
Will you use it for gaming or listening to music or movies? This will help you figure out if the speaker will be good enough, depending on the room’s size.
Sound Quality
Sound quality is a personal choice because we all have our tastes; what works for you might not be enough for someone else. The only sure way to tell if the satellite speakers you pick are the right ones for you is through testing them.
Listen to different kinds of music to test your speakers. This will let you know how they perform with different genres and help you identify their range.
You might need to play them for a long time before getting their true performance.
Most satellite speakers will need to be together with receivers or amplifiers. You will need to make sure that the receiver or amplifier you have is compatible with the satellite speaker you want to purchase.
You will have to spend more to buy a speaker that needs extra components. If you don’t want to, it is better to go for speakers with surround sound features.
This will also depend on the intended use of the speakers. You might not need to buy additional components if they aren’t used for something important.
This is one of the first things you need to consider before choosing any speaker.
The Acoustics
The size of the room is not the only thing you need to consider; you also have to figure out the room’s acoustics. Small satellite speakers have more impact in smaller rooms.
However, they can also work great in larger rooms with great acoustics or larger rooms with more objects. You will need to pay attention to things such as the content of the room and the materials there.
This determines how much audio bounces around, contributing to the overall performance.
Cost
The costs of satellite speakers range from more affordable ones to those on the higher end. The speakers we have mentioned above can please those looking for something more pocket friendly and also those who don’t mind spending a little bit more.
It is still important to look at the speaker’s performance first instead of the price. Some speakers on the lower price end perform just as well, or even better, than more expensive satellite speakers.
FAQs
What is the best height for satellite speakers?
The height you mount or place your speakers will mostly depend on their size, where you place them, and the size of the room you are in.
If your speakers have surround sound capability, mounting them at about 6 feet off the ground is better. It is recommended to put the speakers at least two feet above your ear level when you sit.
The height will also depend on how you like to listen to your audio. If you like louder sounds, place the speaker closer to your sitting ear height. Be careful not to have them too close as this could cause ear issues later.
What is the purpose of satellite speakers?
Satellite speakers are great speakers that produce a detailed and clear sound. They are a much smaller size compared to speaker towers and subwoofers, making them perfect for smaller areas. They are also much more affordable compared to the others.
Another purpose of using satellite speakers is to create an immersive surround sound experience in smaller rooms. They are good in a 2.1 or 5.0 setup and can provide more power when working with a strong subwoofer.
The placement between the satellite speakers depends on the type of speakers you have and their range. Most satellite speakers work well with a distance of at least 6-8 feet.
The speakers you buy should have a guide, letting you know the optimal distance. If not, you can experiment, starting from 6 feet and adjusting until you find the perfect placement.
What is the difference between satellite speakers and normal speakers?
The main difference between satellite and normal speakers is that satellite speakers have a much better surround sound system.
The effects are clearer, and they are designed to play audio with deep bass. They are more suited to create a home theater feel in rooms than normal speakers.
They also have a better balance between the higher and lower frequency sounds, contributing to the immersive sound experience.
Most satellite speakers are also smaller than normal speakers, making them very portable. They only have two speaker drivers, with some having one driver per speaker.
Conclusion
And now, we have come to the end of our best satellite speaker review. The speakers I covered are the best performers in the market.
Remember to go through the list of things to consider before deciding on a specific speaker. A good satellite speaker will last you for multiple years.
Do not let the cost discourage you from buying. There is something for everyone in the satellite speaker world. Let us know which one you think is the best.
Is a musician and journalist with over 13 years of experience writing for some of the music world's biggest brands. Ray loves getting nerdy about everything from guitar gear and synths, to microphones and music production hardware.
