Acoustic speakers can offer an excellent sound experience if you buy the right products for your home or other purposes. However, not all acoustic speakers are equal and it’s important to understand what features you should look for when buying them. You need to consider certain things if you want to get the best sound quality from your speakers and make sure that you choose the right type of speakers for whatever purpose you require them for.
This guide will help you to understand what an acoustic speaker is, when you need one, what types are available, and what features you should look for in an acoustic speaker. We also recommend some acoustic loudspeakers to help you make your choice.
What are acoustic speakers?
Acoustic speakers or acoustic suspension speakers are a specific type of speaker that is housed within sealed cabinets and mounted. This design provides a better bass distortion and allows smaller speakers to produce a higher level of low frequencies. The acoustic speaker has been around since the 1950s and has been a popular choice of loudspeaker ever since.
The design uses the trapped air inside the sealed cabinet to create a pillow or cushion, which then allows more linear movement of the low frequency sounds. These types of speakers can produce more accurate sound and can allow sound to move greater distances while still producing clear lower frequencies. Acoustic speakers require more amplification compared to other types of speakers, and they usually include a woofer, which has a low frequency response.
There are various factors that affect the true performance of acoustic speakers. So, although they use the same basic principles, they are not all exactly the same.
All types of acoustic speaker
There are different types of speakers to choose from when you’re shopping for the best options. You might already have a specific purpose in mind, of course, which means you are probably looking for a specific type of speaker. Understanding what types of speakers are available can help you to find the right option. Sometimes, you might require several different speakers, such as when you want to set up a surround-sound audio system for a home cinema.
Full frequency speakers
A full frequency speaker covers the whole spectrum of sound between 20Hz and 20,000Hz. These speakers are often larger and more expensive than other options. They also typically have to go on the floor because of their size and weight. However, they can also produce excellent levels of sound.
Limited frequency speakers
A speaker with limited frequency usually doesn’t cover all of the lower frequencies. They will start at around 45Hz instead of 20Hz. However, they are smaller than speakers with a full range of frequency, which means they can be placed on a stand or other surfaces.
Subwoofers
A subwoofer can make very low-frequency sounds audible, helping to create better sound quality. Subwoofers can be bought with built-in amplifiers, which allows for a shorter cable. The two most common types are bass reflex and closed box subwoofers. The former type is more affordable and louder and there is no need for a high-power amplifier. However, they also transmit less accurate sound. Closed box subwoofers need more amplification and power but can provide clearer sound.
Soundbars
Soundbars are a type of speaker that is designed to be long and thin and most often rest on a table or another surface. They are often used for sound for a TV or home theater or might form part of a surround-sound system or connected system of speakers.
Floor Standing Speakers
Floor standing speakers, also known as tower speakers, are tall and typically placed directly on the floor. They often contain multiple drivers to cover a wide range of frequencies, making them ideal for larger rooms or home theaters. These speakers provide powerful sound, especially for bass, and are designed to be the main speakers in a setup.
Bookshelf Speakers
Bookshelf speakers are compact and versatile, designed to be placed on shelves, stands, or other elevated surfaces. Despite their smaller size, they deliver impressive sound quality and are perfect for medium to small rooms. They can be used independently or as part of a larger sound system.
Tower Speakers
Tower speakers are similar to floor-standing speakers but are typically larger and designed to deliver robust sound output. They can handle a full range of frequencies and are often the main choice for audiophiles or for home theater systems where deep bass and clear highs are essential.
In-wall and In-ceiling Speakers
These speakers are installed directly into walls or ceilings, making them perfect for minimalist setups where you don’t want visible speakers. They are commonly used in custom home theater installations or for multi-room audio systems. While they are less flexible in placement once installed, they offer a seamless and aesthetically pleasing solution.
Bass Speakers
Bass speakers are designed specifically to enhance low-frequency sounds. These include dedicated subwoofers and bass modules that complement existing speaker systems. They are ideal for those who want deep, rich bass for music, movies, or gaming, ensuring that the low-end frequencies are powerfully represented.
Portable speakers
Portable speakers are any speakers that are designed to be moved or carried around. They are generally small and lightweight, although they can vary in size. They might connect to any sound output source with a wire or they can connect using Bluetooth or another wireless technology.
Bluetooth speakers
Bluetooth speakers incorporate Bluetooth technology to allow them to connect with sound sources without any cables or wires. This makes them highly portable and also makes it much neater to set up a system of speakers.
Wireless speakers
Wireless speakers can also use other technologies to connect to sound output sources or even to connect to other speakers. They might use wireless internet connections to connect devices together so that they can communicate and be used at the same time.
Home theater speakers
Home theater speakers come in sets to provide a full acoustic experience in your home. They typically consist of six different speakers, including two front and two back speakers, one center speaker, and a subwoofer.
Our SB310 ATMOS soundbars are made with our unique acoustic technology, which is designed to optimize the sound field. The soundbar also has built-in EQ support so that it can be adjusted for a range of media, including movies, TV, music, sports, and gaming. The WiFi capability means that it can be used with streaming services and it can be connected to home assistants.
Features affecting the sound quality of acoustic loudspeakers
When you are looking for the right acoustic loudspeaker, you should consider several different factors and features that will affect the sound quality. Not all speakers are equal, and it’s important to carefully compare what is available to find the right speaker for your needs.
Of course, sound quality isn’t necessarily objective. People can have different preferences, so a speaker that has good quality sound for one person might not be the right choice for another person. However, there are still some features you can take into account when looking for the right one.
Type of speaker
The type of speaker can affect the sound quality. How the speaker is made and where it’s positioned can matter when you’re looking for the right one. Many of today’s small speakers can still have a powerful sound, but smaller speakers may be less capable of crystal clear sound compared to larger speakers. Different types of speakers may need to be set up or configured in different ways too, which could affect the sound quality.
Speaker placement
Where you intend to place your speakers is something to take into account when choosing the right product. Speakers can sound different depending on the size of the room and where they are installed. A speaker could sound amazing in a smaller room but not have the necessary power to fill a larger room. When considering the size of the room, it’s necessary to think about minimum sound levels and amplification to reach the desired distance. What is in the room and even the types of materials in the room can also make a difference. Some objects and materials will absorb sound while others will provide a reflective surface that helps to amplify it.
Amplification
Many speakers (active speakers) come with a built-in amplifier but not all of them do. It may be necessary to pay attention to the required amount of amplifier power to ensure you pair any speakers with the correct amplifier.
Speaker material
The material that speakers are made of can make a difference to sound quality. Wood is usually regarded as the best material for housing speakers. The quality of the wood doesn’t necessarily matter as much, however. Speakers made using wood can also look very stylish.
Connection type
When considering wireless speakers, it might be necessary to think about the technology used. Both Bluetooth and WiFi speakers can connect to each other and other devices wirelessly. Some people find that speakers that use WiFi may have a slightly better sound quality compared to Bluetooth. However, they also rely on having a stable, strong wireless internet connection to ensure the best sound and operation.
Sound technology
It can be beneficial to pay attention to the sound technology used in the speakers you choose, especially for certain types of media. For example, speakers that feature Dolby Atmos Surround Sound are a top choice for anyone who is looking for quality speakers for their home theater.
2023 best acoustic loudspeaker
Choosing the right acoustic speaker doesn’t need to be difficult. Here are some of the top options for 2023 from our range to help you find the best speakers for your needs.
Jazz Hipster SB310
Our SB310 ATMOS soundbars are made with our unique acoustic technology, which is designed to optimize the sound field. The soundbar also has built-in EQ support so that it can be adjusted for a range of media, including movies, TV, music, sports, and gaming. The WiFi capability means that it can be used with streaming services and it can be connected to home assistants.
Our SB310 ATMOS soundbars are made with our unique acoustic technology, which is designed to optimize the sound field. The soundbar also has built-in EQ support so that it can be adjusted for a range of media, including movies, TV, music, sports, and gaming. The WiFi capability means that it can be used with streaming services and it can be connected to home assistants.
Jazz Hipster Wi-Fi Speaker
The Jazz Hipster Wi-Fi speaker is a home theater speaker with a minimalist design but powerful sound. It can be synced to any mobile device or used together with a TV to create surround sound thanks to both WiFi 6-band and Bluetooth connectivity. It offers the option to personalize your sound setup with unique combinations of speakers and can be used in many different spaces throughout your home.
Jazz Hipster Z2
The Jazz Hipster Z2 speaker is a wireless audio streaming speaker that offers both style and sound quality. It features Bluetooth technology and supports multiple streaming platforms, and is perfect for filling a small to medium-sized space with sound. It’s also easy to set up, making it ideal for anyone to use.
Choosing a speaker doesn’t need to be difficult. Find your perfect speaker by outlining your needs first.
