Stereo Speakers from Pioneer Audio and JL Audio combine the nostalgia of home stereo and a high-end digital experience

Stereo systems have been the centerpiece of living spaces for decades. From the time of families sitting around listening to the radio, up to the time where “vinyl" was played through the latest hi-fi stereo speakers, the stage has always been about the latest high end system.

Stereo speakers were once large behemoths that required two people to lift and place on the speaker shelves. That's why so many stereo speakers were floor models.

Now you can fit a hi-tech wireless speaker in your hand and it has the ability to produce the same clear sound. Times have changed.

History

The 1960's gave birth to the momentum of home stereo systems. Music began to have more influence and that meant having to have it at home.

When the 1970's rolled around stereo systems were all the rage (that and Memorex.) They were talked about and shown off; everything from high end record players to the latest eight track players, to large, heavy speakers.

With the diversity of music, came the diversity of the sound system. Pioneer Audio, JL Audio and others began pushing wall mount speakers and speakers that would fit on the bookshelf.

The 1980's began encouraging the use of a more “hidden” stereo speaker. Everything was shrinking. Compact disks were making their entry, so the control unit of stereo systems was also getting smaller. With that came the downsizing of the loudspeaker into in-wall mounts or thin speakers.

Acoustics and stereo design also began to be more common. Speaker placement was not only talked about by audio enthusiasts but by regular home owners trying to get the best out of their systems.

Now, music is likely to be heard but never seen. With MP3 technology and the sound from wireless speakers, people search for the source. It might as well be non-existent. It is all about the sound and how you can hide the pieces of technology.

Choosing a stereo speaker

A few considerations might be helpful when looking for stereo speakers:

• Your budget (Looking for high-end Klipsch speakers or one from Pioneer Audio?)
• Speaker space: In-wall, floor standing, ceiling, etc.
• Wireless or wired

Stereo Speaker reviews might help (though they are often confusing). Most major brands offer a good quality sound. If you know where to find them, they can be bought at a bargain.

Remember quality matters

A good Pioneer Audio system creates an atmosphere that helps make a home a shelter and a haven from the rest of life. A hard day at work can be soothed with mellow sounds coming from a well thought out media player.

JL audio (it might have been Sony) once put out a marketing piece that encouraged just that, music as the tone establisher for the house.

The speakers are part of that package. Nothing is worse than a speaker set-up that crackles and pops and is muffled. Take your time when looking. It will be well worth it later on.

Speaker placement

After deciding on the brand, it is important to arrange your stereo speakers in a manner that maximizes your space. Picture the angles in the positioning of the system. Lower frequencies, such as bass, have the ability to move throughout the room without too much concern. However, treble and midrange need to have clear, unobstructed paths in order to avoid the muffled sound.

Keeping the speakers off of the ground via speaker stands or a shelf is also helpful in producing a high quality sound.

Where to find good discounts on stereo systems

We have put together a buyer's guide in order to help you find the discounters that offer incredible pricing on major speaker brands. This guide will also point you to sites that have information on speaker placement, stereo components, and other services/products related to audio equipment.