Besides how much space each unit takes up, you’ll want to pay attention to the connectivity options, while nearly all speakers and stereos feature some type of Bluetooth pairing option, depending on your setup, you may want to keep an eye out for Toslink or RCA connectivity. If you’re just getting started with your home audio setup and want a few pointers, make sure to read our beginner’s guide before investing in one of our best stereos for small spaces. Bose promises deep, striking sound, and because the speaker works a circular silhouette, it fires in all directions, giving you 360 degrees of coverage. The seamless aluminum body offers IPX4 water resistance, and the rechargeable battery offers up to 16 hours of straight play time. It works with a wireless range up to 30 feet, connects via Bluetooth, and even employs a built-in mic that allows it to sync up to Google Play and Siri. You can also control it using the Bose Connect app, and if you pair it with a second one, you can create stereo surround sound for larger settings. Size: 7.25x4.13x4.13 inches | Weight: 2.0 pounds | Controls: On-speaker, app | Input: 3.5mm, micro-B | Wired/Wireless: Bluetooth The One II measures 6x5x13 (HWD) and weighs 8.5 Lbs, this makes it comparable to the Google Home Max in terms of its footprint and weight, but it’s sharp angles and wood finish make it a far more attractive edition to your shelf. Boasting walnut or matte black wood finishes, the One II also features metal hardware that is incredibly satisfying to use but unfortunately lacks the ability to fine-tune bass or treble. Regardless, the One II still packs remarkable sound quality thanks to its dedicated bass driver and pair of 2.25-inch full-range stereo drivers. It may lack smart hub functionality built-in, but this speaker can still pair with smart hubs and other devices via Bluetooth and can be tethered to its source via 3.5mm audio cable as well. While it may not be the most compact, or most affordable, the Klipsch The One II is easily one of the prettiest smart home speakers available. Size: 12.68x5.83x5.51 inches | Weight: 8.38 pounds | Controls: On-speaker | Input: 3.5mm | Wired/Wireless: Bluetooth Each speaker features a dedicated 4-inch bass driver and dedicated tweeters, providing rich, deep sound. The R1700BT, true to its name, can connect to its source via Bluetooth, but can also serve as an excellent pair of supplementary speakers through RCA or 3.5mm audio jack connections. To complete the aesthetic the R1700BT feature bass, treble, and volume adjustment knobs on the right channel speaker that are so fun to use, you might just forget about the included remote. Bringing together versatility and affordability, the Edifier R1700BT gives speakers twice their price a run for their money. Size: 5.71x9.45x6.89 inches | Weight: 12.5 pounds | Controls: On-speaker | Input: 2x RCA | Wired/Wireless: Wired bookshelf Jason Schneider is Lifewire’s audio expert. With a background in music technology, a decade of experience covering tech, and previous publications in Greatist and Thrillist, Jason has spearheaded Lifewire’s audio coverage.
What to Look for in a Stereo for a Small Space
Connectivity
When shopping for a stereo, think about how you’ll be listening to music. Take a look at your music library and purchase a stereo that will play all the music you want it to — in all the formats you have. Your choices will basically come down to wired and wireless connections. Wired connections include 3.5mm audio jacks, RCA cables, and optical input if you have a stereo that can connect to a home theater system. For wireless connectivity, you have Bluetooth, with the newest standard being Bluetooth 5.0, though Bluetooth 4.2 and 4.1 are also likely to be common.
Footprint
Because space is a major consideration for this purchase, pay attention to how much room the stereo takes up. While all the systems on our list are small, those without built-in CD players or AM/FM radios are by far the smallest. Our top choice measures 4.2tx4.2x7.3 inches for instance and weighs a modest 2 pounds. Larger options like Yamaha Black Micro come with all the aforementioned bells and whistles resulting in a size that’s nearly double and a weight that tips 7 pounds on the scale.
Sound Quality
Sometimes, small speakers have incredibly poor sound quality. While that’s not a problem with any of the speakers we’ve selected, audiophiles may be more choosy. If getting the best sound quality is a top priority, you may want to opt for a model with a built-in subwoofer. You can get two distinct left and right speakers, or a speaker with 360-degree audio if you want room-filling sound without the bigger footprint. One measure you’ll want to keep an eye out for is the speaker’s power output which can measure anywhere from 15W or higher.
