When do you use speakers?
Speakers are audio boxes that convert an electrical audio signal into audible sound. You can use them in just about any situation where you want to play sound: at home on the couch while listening to music, at your desk as a PC speaker, in the garden during a party, or on the go with a portable Bluetooth speaker. Music speakers are also perfect for home theaters, meditation, podcasts and gaming. In short, anywhere you enjoy sound and care about quality, a good speaker makes all the difference.
Best-Selling Speakers
Xiaomi Sound Party
The Xiaomi Sound Party is a powerful and versatile Bluetooth speaker that fills any room with rich, multidimensional sound. With a 15-watt tweeter and a 35-watt woofer, this speaker delivers a total output of 50 watts, letting you enjoy deep bass and crystal-clear high tones.
Xiaomi Bluetooth Speaker
The Xiaomi Bluetooth Speaker delivers superior sound performance, is powerful and practical, and looks great too. This rugged and robustly designed device is exceptionally powerful with a whopping 40 watts. It makes your favorite music sound clear and natural in the highest quality.
Active and passive speakers
Before you buy a speaker, it's good to understand the difference between active and passive loudspeakers. An active speaker has a built-in amplifier and can be connected directly to a sound source such as a phone, laptop or TV. This makes active speakers ideal for people looking for a simple, all-in-one solution without separate equipment. A passive loudspeaker, on the other hand, doesn't have its own amplifier and needs an external amplifier or receiver to work.
Passive speaker boxes are more often chosen by audiophiles and users building an extensive hi-fi setup with separate components. For home use and everyday convenience, an active speaker is your best bet; if you want more control over your sound and are willing to invest in a complete setup, then a passive system is the better choice.
Different types of speakers
Speakers come in many different shapes, each designed for a specific use. Below you'll find the most common types, so you can choose exactly the loudspeaker that best fits your situation.
Bluetooth speakers
A Bluetooth speaker is the most popular choice for anyone who wants wireless sound. Via Bluetooth you easily connect the speaker to your smartphone, tablet or laptop, without cables. These wireless speakers are compact, portable and versatile: from the living room to the campsite, and from the desk to the beach. Most models feature a built-in battery for several hours of listening pleasure on the go. In this segment, Xiaomi offers excellent value for money, with models that stand out for their clear sound quality and rugged design.
Wi-Fi speakers
A Wi-Fi speaker connects via your home network instead of Bluetooth, which results in a more stable connection and greater range. Wi-Fi loudspeakers are ideally suited for use around the house, especially when you want to bring sound to multiple rooms. Many Wi-Fi speakers support multiroom functionality, allowing you to link several speakers together in sync for music throughout the entire home. Ideal for anyone who really wants to enjoy a seamless music experience from the living room to the bedroom.
Smart speakers
A smart speaker combines audio with a built-in voice assistant such as Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa. With a simple voice command you play music, control your smart home devices or set an alarm. Smart speakers are the central hub for your smart home and, at the same time, a fully-fledged sound box. For anyone making their home smarter and smarter, a smart speaker is a logical and intelligent addition.
TV speakers and soundbars
The built-in loudspeakers of modern televisions usually deliver disappointing sound quality. A TV speaker or soundbar fixes this and provides immersive sound that matches the picture. A soundbar is a slim loudspeaker that is easily placed in front of or below the TV and significantly enriches the sound. For a true home cinema experience, choose a system with surround sound, in which multiple loudspeakers create a spatial soundscape that puts you right in the middle of the movie.
Outdoor speakers
Speakers for outdoor use are designed to withstand the elements. A weatherproof or waterproof loudspeaker with an IPX certification is resistant to rain, splashing water and dust, so you can enjoy music carefree outdoors too. Whether it's a barbecue in the garden, a trip to the beach or a weekend of camping: a rugged outdoor speaker comes along with you and sounds powerful, even in the open air.
PC speakers
External speakers for the computer make a world of difference compared to the built-in audio of a monitor or laptop. Whether you work from home, hold gaming sessions or watch movies at your desk: a clear-sounding set of PC loudspeakers gives your workspace an instant upgrade. Connecting is done via a 3.5 mm jack or USB, making installation quick and easy.
What to look for when choosing a speaker?
The market for sound boxes is large and the range is broad. To choose the right speaker, it helps to go through a number of practical criteria beforehand. That way you can be sure the loudspeaker you order really suits how and where you're going to use it.
- Sound quality and power: the power of a speaker, expressed in watts, partly determines how powerful and full the sound is. Also pay attention to the frequency range: a wide range provides a rich sound with deep bass and clear high tones.
- Connection and connectivity: do you go for Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, a wired connection or a combination? Bluetooth speakers offer wireless freedom; Wi-Fi loudspeakers perform more stably over greater distances and more often support multiroom.
- Usage scenario: do you use the speaker at home, on the go or outdoors? A portable speaker needs a battery; for outdoor use, water resistance is a basic expectation. If you want 360-degree sound in the middle of a room, choose a model with omnidirectional sound dispersion.
- Battery life: for portable loudspeakers, the rule is: the longer the battery life, the more listening pleasure without charging. A battery life of twelve hours or more is comfortable for a full day of use outdoors.
- Dimensions and weight: a compact speaker fits easily into a bag or on a small shelf. Larger speaker boxes generally offer more power and bass response, but are less mobile.
- Extra features: think of NFC for a quick connection, stereo pairing via TWS, built-in light effects for party use or compatibility with voice assistants for smart home integration.
- Value for money: a good speaker doesn't have to be expensive. Xiaomi loudspeakers are known for their surprisingly strong value for money in the affordable and mid-range segment.
By running through these points, you'll quickly narrow the choice down to a handful of models that really suit you. Still in doubt? TechPunt's customer service is happy to think along with you by phone, email or WhatsApp.
Buy a speaker at TechPunt
At TechPunt you'll find an extensive range of speakers and sound boxes, from compact Bluetooth loudspeakers to powerful speaker boxes for the home. As an official distributor, we always offer original products with a two-year manufacturer's warranty, shipped from our own warehouse in Barneveld.
Order before 8:00 PM? Then you'll have your new loudspeaker in your home the next business day, shipped free with an order over 75 euros. With the lowest price guarantee in the Netherlands and a Kiyoh score of 9.3 based on more than 10,000 reviews, you can be sure you've come to the right place at TechPunt. View the full range and order your new speaker today.
FAQ about speakers
Which speakers are a good choice for at home?
Which speakers are a good choice for at home?
For home use, Bluetooth speakers and WiFi speakers are the most popular choices. A Bluetooth speaker works right away without any extra equipment; a WiFi speaker with multiroom support is a better fit if you want to fill several rooms with sound. For your TV, go for a soundbar for fuller, more spacious sound.
Which speakers work with my amplifier?
Which speakers work with my amplifier?
With passive speakers, impedance and power output are key. The impedance of your speakers, usually 4 to 8 ohms, needs to match what your amplifier can handle. The amplifier's power output has to be enough to drive the speakers without being structurally too high. If in doubt, check the specifications of both devices.
How many speakers can you connect to an amplifier?
How many speakers can you connect to an amplifier?
That depends on the minimum impedance your amplifier can handle. If you connect multiple speakers in parallel, the total impedance drops. Most amplifiers are stable at 4 ohms. For more than two channels, you'll need an AV receiver or an amplifier with multiple outputs.
Where Should You Place Your Speakers?
Where Should You Place Your Speakers?
Place stereo speakers at an equal distance from your listening position, ideally in a triangle with your seat as the third point, and angle them slightly inward. Avoid placing them directly against walls to prevent unwanted bass resonance. A 360-degree speaker works best free-standing in the middle of a room.
