If you are shopping specifically for the front speakers, then the best advice for front speakers is to go with a powerful one with a subwoofer or a center channel Best front speaker for home theatre. The choice depends on your usage criteria. For instance, if you are going to use the system for movies or TV shows mainly, a center channel will take care of the dialogues.
For music, it is more convenient to use a subwoofer with a 2.0 stereo system because the extra bass is needed to enjoy the musical tones and instruments. In a 2.0 stereo system you can choose powerful computer speakers from brands like Logitech or Audioengine. Bookshelf speakers are also some of the best front speakers for home theatres.
Klipsch, Polk, Q Acoustimas have some impressive bookshelf speakers. And finally, floorstanding speakers ranks above all which you can choose given that you have enough space. Other features like transducer type, material, sensitivity, bass port and quality are some crucial factors to look into a speaker.
Top recommendation: Polk Audio Signature Series S35 Center Channel Speaker with Signature Series S15 Bookshelf Speakers
Best front speaker for home theater:
Let’s have a look at best front speakers for the different audio systems.
Best stereo speaker:2.0 system
Wharfedale Evo 4.4
One of the most basic ways to set up front speakers for home theatre is using a pair of stereo speakers. Based on the room size and space you can choose bookshelf speakers or floorstanding speakers. Floorstanding speakers are quite more powerful than bookshelf speakers.
The Wharfedale Evo uses an Air Motion transformer (AMT) tweeter and the drivers are designed to reduce distortion. The Elysian AMT uses a unique and different way to move the air. The sound accuracy from this 3-way speaker is very high. It can get very loud with a highest SPL of 107dB. They are ideal to fill large rooms.
It is one of the best sounding front speakers for home theatre that uses different and advanced technology in their speakers. It has a fabric dome mid-range driver that ensures dynamic sound within the room. The speakers don’t have any ‘coloration’ in the audio. The vocals, dialogues, male and female voices are crystal clear and accurate.
Although you might find these speakers to be expensive, the home-cinema like sound quality and the fact that you don’t have to add a sub to get deep and tight bass saves you money. The bass is excellent without any boominess and the treble range is well-balanced.
The soundstage is broad and it has a natural response. The crossover frequency is tuned after several experiments to get the best results. The build quality and design are very strong and look good. You can choose between black, white and walnut.
If you want bookshelf speakers instead of floorstanding ones, then one of the best front speakers under $300 is the Polk Audio S20 Signature Series Bookshelf Speakers. It has immersive surround sound and the Polk patented port technology ensures deep bass. Also checkout some of the cheapest speakers in our Best Budget Audiophile Speakers for better sound.
Pros:
- 3-way speaker
- Specially designed transducers
- Deep and shaking bass
- Well-balanced sound with accurate imaging
- Produces good surround sound without a sub
- Clear vocals
Cons:
- Expensive
2.1 system
What is a 2.1 system? 2.1 sound system includes a set of speakers and a sub. This is one of the ways to arrange your front speakers for home theatre.
Q Acoustics Concept 20 Compact Bookshelf Speaker with SVS SB12-NSD
In the above category we discussed floor standing speakers which you can use in case space isn’t a problem. But, these days, space is a very common issue. In that case, a bookshelf speaker along with a subwoofer will create the best front speaker for home theatre.
These compact speakers have a very stylish aesthetics to fit into any home décor. It is made of MDF and has a removable grill. These speakers can get loud without being distorted. While the mids and highs are crisp and detailed, you might miss the deep bass and that is why we recommend a subwoofer.
The SVS SB-12 NSD is a good choice. They are designed with specific reasons in mind. The Gel core Cabinet Construction is said to avoid ‘coloration of sound’ and it uses butyl rubber to minimize resonance.
The speakers have rubber feet and focus on producing rich and well-balanced pure sound. it has foam bungs which you can use to fill up the reflex port at the rear side of the speaker. This enables you to place the speakers close to the wall. The manufacturers suggest to place the speakers 7.9inches away from the wall.
You can place them on table tops and also use Q Acoustics Concept Speaker Stands. The speaker has 2 pairs of binding posts that support bi-wiring. The bass will be adequate to small to medium sized rooms but you can still add a subwoofer like the SVS SB-1000 Subwoofer (Black Ash) – 12-inch Drive.
This subwoofer has a power of 300W RMS and 720W peak power. It has a frequency response of 24-260Hz. You can use it with the speakers to produce deep and tight bass. The sub also ensures less distortion with powerful low-frequency audio representation.
Pros
- Excellent mid-range
- Well-balanced sound
- Gelcore construction
- Subwoofer will ensure deep bass
- Good aesthetics
Cons
- Difficult to mount on walls.
Best front speaker with LCR
Polk Audio Signature Series S35 Center Channel Speaker with Signature Series S15 Bookshelf Speakers
This system is one of the best front speakers for home theatre because it uses a center channel along with bookshelf speakers. LCR or Center channel speakers are a crucial part of home theatre because it deals with the movie’s dialogue/vocals and sound effects like explosions.
Polk S15 is a 2-way bookshelf speaker that is made of MDF. It has Terylene dome tweeter and Mica-reinforced polypropylene cones with butyl rubber surrounds. The tweeter produces cleaner high-frequency sound whereas the mid-range driver is designed to be durable like satellite speaker,
You can place it on open shelves or tables and the built-in keyhole gives you the option to mount them on walls. The Dynamic Balance Acoustic Array ensures decent and rich sound by looking into the electro-acoustic and mechanical system of the speaker.
The S35 center channel is 4″ tall and has placement flexibility. You can squeeze them into tight spaces or mount them on walls, horizontally or vertically. Based on performance, this 2-way speaker is one of the best front speakers for home theatre.
An amp with power of 20 to 150W can be added with this. It can produce powerful surround sound with the addition of S15 bookshelf speakers. The S35 has Dual Power Port Deep Bass technology that takes care of the low end. This feature is also found it S15 speakers
The highs are clear and precise produced by high resolution Terylene tweeters. The bass is deep, the sound is rich and has better dynamics. Dialogues are well-pronounced, clear and the soundstage is spacious.
The S35 also has an inert cabinet that eliminates standing waves which might cause coloration of audio. It supports DTS and Dolby Digital for audio.
Pros
- Powerful surround sound
- Detailed and well-balanced
- Deep bass with Dual Power Port Deep Bass technology
- Easy placement
- Crystal clear dialogues
Cons
- The bass is sometimes boomy
Alternative Option: Polk S30 and S35
Best in-wall front speaker
Polk Audio RC85i
The in-wall speakers are some of the best front speakers for home theatre if you don’t have space or you don’t want to deal with messy wires. The transducers produce full-bodied and well-balanced sound so you can use these speakers for left, right or surround sound.
The speakers are capable of producing high volume and deep bass to express the sounds in movies, sports or games. With a frequency response of 50Hz to 20kHz, you will be satisfied with the bass but if you are a bass head, then you should add a subwoofer.
The speakers are durable and moisture-resistant which makes them easily placeable in kitchens or under a shade on the front yard. The paintable grill and flanges make it easy to go with any room decor.
The installation is easy and you can also place the speaker upside down depending on your sitting and installation position. This is done so that the tweeters are directed towards your ears. The sound quality is very impressive compared to its affordable cost.
The speakers have less distortion and can produce clear vocals with accurate stereo imaging. The purpose of Dynamic Balance drivers is to produce lower distortion with smooth response.
The speakers are well-built and they have Infinite Baffle Tuning. This works with the in-wall area to enhance the bass response.
Pros
- Affordable
- Excellent sound quality
- Tight bass
- Specially designed to improve sound quality
- Doesn’t take up any space
Cons
- Nothing noticeable
Best on wall front speaker
ELAC Debut 2.0 OW4.2 On-Wall Speakers
You can use these speakers as on-wall front speakers or surround speakers. The benefits of using on-wall speakers is that they will save space and the audio will have wider soundstage and better imaging.
You can mount these on walls, or place them on shelf but you should give some room to the down-firing port. You should always install them on your hearing level. To improve the surround sound, you can add center channel, subwoofer and rear speakers.
But, for front speaker setup, these will be adequate. The drivers focus on producing accurate sound with minute details of vocals, movies, or movie effects. The speakers have thick MDF cabinet walls and the waveguide gets rid of cabinet diffraction for better directivity control.
The aramid fibre woofer is much better than polypropylene material as it has higher stiffness and damping. It has a smoother transition between the tweeter and woofer due to crossover. The bass reflex increases the low-frequency section.
Overall, each part of the speaker like driver material, cabinet material is designed in such a way that it will reduce coloration, distortion or unnecessary vibration. The speaker has 5 binding posts.
Pros
- MDF cabinet reduces unwanted vibrations
- Aramid-fiber woofer
- Smooth transition
- Room-filling sound quality
- Easy placement
- Decent frequency response
Cons
- Bass might not be too punchy without a sub
Best 5.1 system
Klipsch Black Reference Theater Pack 5.1 Surround Sound System
While the satellite speakers will work as front speakers for home theatre, the other speakers in a 5.1 system will create an immersive surround sound needed for an ideal home theatre. The satellite speakers have the Klipsch patented Injection Molded Graphite (IMG) woofers and Linear Travel Suspension (LTS) Tweeter.
They also have rear-firing ports and the magnetic grill is easy to attach or remove. The woofers are very light and quite rigid that work on low frequency parts. It also minimizes cone breakup and distortion.
If you have small to medium sized rooms but you still want to build a compact home theatre, then this one is best for you. The wireless subwoofer adds the room-shaking bass and delivers easy placement.
The satellite speakers and center channel have high sensitivity which means they can get very loud. The 8” subwoofer can go as low as 38Hz which is more than enough for most rooms. The horn-loaded tweeters are known to deliver ‘broad sweet spot and accurate spatial imaging’.
The sound will have excellent imaging and dynamics, the center channel will deal with vocals and dialogues. You can place them on stands, tables or shelves. The speakers have rubber pads which give extra protection. You can add the Yamaha rx 770 receivers.
Pros
- Broad soundstage and room-filling audio
- Room-shaking bass
- Excellent to use for movies or games
- Easy placement and installation
- budget-friendly
Cons
- Some people don’t like the ‘bright’ sound from Klipcsh
Alternative Option: Klipsch R-51PM
Best front speaker for home theatre: Buying guide
Room size
This is one of the major things to consider while shopping for the best front speakers for home theatre. The size of the room will affect which type of speaker you should get, how many speakers and speaker type.
For instance, for small rooms, a compact stereo pair with a sub or a high-end powerful pair without a sub will be the best. Again, if you know the room size and have enough space, you can add the center channel which is a very important addition to front speakers.
Type of front speakers
If you simply want 2.0 front speakers, then it narrows down to bookshelf or floorstanding speakers. For medium sized rooms, a pair of bookshelf speakers will be enough.
Floorstanding speakers have excellent acoustic performance and will be best for large rooms. You will need space if you want to have these because you can’t simply place them on tables or shelves.
Subwoofer or not
After deciding on a pair of stereo speakers and center channel as the best front speakers for home theatre, the next addition is a subwoofer. This is often considered as the most attractive element in a music system.
For large rooms you can get a 12” subwoofer. A subwoofer is for those who want to extend the low-frequency range. The deep and tight bass takes music to another level. If you want wall-shaking bass, you must include an external subwoofer with a large woofer driver. Check out these subwoofers for deep bass.
Placement
This will help you choose the best front speaker for home theatre very wisely. If you don’t want to display several speakers or want to declutter wires, you can choose in-wall, on-wall or ceiling speakers.
On the other hand, you can choose aesthetically pleasing bookshelf speakers with their dedicated stands if you have the space. You can also follow the instruction manual for placement instructions or can read our guide on speaker placement.
Rear speakers complement the front speakers
speakers are not a part of front speakers per say, but it is an essential part of a home theatre system. Rear speakers along with 2 front speakers, center channel and a subwoofer creates a 5.1 system.
Adding two surround speakers with these, another subwoofer and Dolby Atmos speakers will create a 7.2.2 system. If you have space and money, these are definitely a way to explore the home theatre systems.
Parting words:
The best front speakers for home theatre should be a combination of speakers that can effectively represent a home theatre. A 2.0 speaker, a subwoofer and a center channel can be considered as a package. We recommend going with floorstanding speakers as they have better audio representation and acoustics.
The speakers you choose should have a sensitivity of 88dB and above so that they can get loud enough to have a room-filling effect. Among many, Kevlar drivers with horn loading technology will suit you if you like bright sound. Aramid fiber woofers are also very good. Most speakers have decent build quality and they use MDF to avoid any resonance or vibration.
Even if you have a tight budget, you can choose a decent system consisting of two speakers and a subwoofer which is very good to start with like Edifier R980T and Edifier R1280T . Whichever speaker you choose, the placement will have a huge impact on the sound quality.
FAQs of Best front speaker for home theatre
This section is all about problem solving and answering some of your basic question that might raise while walking in the road of speaker.
Which front speaker should I use if I want a smaller-footprint?
as mentioned above, you can choose in-wall speakers or wall-mounted speakers. But another great choice is an inclusion of a soundbar along with a subwoofer. You can choose from Sony or Samsung.
While soundbars are often neglected, if chosen wisely based on drivers, material used and other specs, it can make huge improvements in sound quality. The subwoofer will maintain the low-frequency and overall, you will get the best sound quality with a low-footprint system.
What is the difference between satellite speakers and bookshelf speakers?
you can use both satellite speakers and bookshelf speakers as front speakers. Bookshelf speakers are bigger in size and quality than satellite speakers. Satellite speakers can be used as mains as a compromise but it is best to use bookshelf speakers.
This doesn’t mean satellite speakers aren’t powerful. They can be easily used as surround speakers or rear speakers. You can also use them with computers for near-field listening.
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