Best high-end wireless speakers for 2021

Most elegant design — Cleer Crescent

The Cleer Crescent smart speaker resembles its namesake — the crescent moon. It has Google Assistant built-in, so you can verbally command the speaker to play tunes from your favorite streaming service (or just find out the weather).

You can also stream directly to the Crescent using your phone's Bluetooth. The speaker lets you choose from three sound modes: Stereo Widening for two-channel stereo music, 3D for virtual surround sound with movies and games, and Room Fill for an ultra-wide soundfield.

Details

• Connects wirelessly via WiFi or Bluetooth
• Apple AirPlay 2 lets you stream directly from an iPhone or iPad and ask Siri to play Apple Music
• Voice control via Google Assistant built-in 
• Eight 1-1/2" full-range drivers and two 3-1/4" bass drivers

Most versatile — Q Acoustics Q Active 200 system

Q Acoustics is a relatively young British company that's been making waves in audiophile circles. Their Q Active 200 system features a central hub for control and signal input.

By keeping these electronics out of the speakers, Q Acoustics eliminated a primary source of electrical interference, resulting in an exceptionally clean, clear sound. Each speaker has two drivers and a subwoofer — each individually powered for optimal performance.

Details

• Connects wirelessly via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth 
• Apple AirPlay 2 lets you stream directly from an iPhone or iPad and ask Siri to play Apple Music
• Voice control via Google Assistant built-in
• Control hub wirelessly distributes signal to speakers
• Each speaker has two 2-1/4" BMR (Balanced Mode Radiator) drivers and a built-in rear-firing subwoofer

Most innovative — Bowers & Wilkins Formation Duo

The Formation Duo powered speaker system features high-resolution 24-bit/96kHz streaming, for exceptionally clear and accurate sound.

You can use them with other Formation speakers to create a wireless multi-room audio system. The speakers use their own mesh network (rather than your home Wi-Fi) to ensure sufficient bandwidth for high-res audio streaming.

Details

• Connects wirelessly via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth
• Apple AirPlay 2 lets you stream directly from an iPhone or iPad and ask Siri to play Apple Music
• Free Bowers & Wilkins Home app lets you group and control multiple compatible Formation speakers
• Each speaker has a 1" Carbon Dome tweeter and a 6-1/2" Continuum cone woofer 

Easiest to use — Klipsch The Three II

Klipsch combines retro styling with modern electronics in The Three II wireless powered speaker. Nickel switches, real wood veneer, and classic acoustic design emulate vintage hi-fi components. It even has a built-in phono preamp. Just connect a turntable and start enjoying your vinyl collection. But you can also wirelessly stream to The Three II via Bluetooth.

Details

• Connects wirelessly via Bluetooth
• Two 2-1/4" full-range drivers
• One 5-1/4" long-throw woofer for solid bass with dual opposed 5-1/4" passive radiators

Most unique — Devialet Phantom II 98db Opéra de Paris

The sophisticated styling of the Devialet Phantom II 98 db Opéra de Paris wireless powered speaker gives notice that this is no ordinary speaker.

The high-performance Phantom's frequency response extends both above and below the range of human hearing for exceptionally detailed and realistic sound. Plus, it's driven by 400 watts RMS. It delivers distortion-free music at all volumes levels — even at its maximum, 98dB.

Details

• Connects wirelessly via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth
• Apple AirPlay 2 lets you stream directly from an iPhone or iPad and ask Siri to play Apple Music
• Free Devialet app lets you control playback and pair two Phantom II speakers for stereo sound
• One aluminum full-range driver and 2 aluminum side-firing bass drivers

Best-looking — iFi Audio Aurora

The look of Aurora’s ultra-modern aluminum and bamboo cabinet makes a striking statement. And so does the sound. Its built-in vacuum tube preamp circuit adds analog warmth to your digital music. And built-in microphones monitor the room’s ambiance, letting the Aurora optimize the sound for your listening space.

Details

• Connects wirelessly via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth
• Apple AirPlay 2 lets you stream directly from an iPhone or iPad and ask Siri to play Apple Music
• Free MUZO Player app lets you control playback and stream music simultaneously to Auroras in different rooms
• Two 1-1/8" silk dome tweeters, four 4-1/2" long-fiber cone drivers, and two down-firing 4-1/2" x 8" steel passive bass radiators

Best vintage-style wireless speaker — McIntosh RS100

McIntosh is renowned for its superior sound and superb craftsmanship. The RS100 wireless loudspeaker system draws on that heritage, presenting an attractive retro-style wireless speaker.

The cabinet features a high-gloss finish and a clear acrylic front. Large control knobs and the signature blue meter pay homage to McIntosh's classic hi-fi gear. A 3/4" titanium tweeter and 3" long-throw woofer deliver clear, accurate sound. A rear-firing port reinforces low tones.

The RS100 connects to your home Wi-Fi network. Built-in DTS Play-fi lets the RS100 be a part of a compatible multi-room audio system.

Details

• Connects wirelessly via WiFi
• DTS Play-Fi allows speaker to communicate with other Play-Fi compatible components and speakers in a multi-room music system
• One 4" long-throw mid/bass woofer and one 3/4" titanium dome tweeter
• Rear ported cabinet for enhanced bass

Best for high-resolution multi-room music — Bluesound PULSE 2i

If you have a library of high-resolution digital music, the Bluesound PULSE 2i streaming music speaker can do it justice. This high-performance speaker is compatible with high-res files up to 24-bit/192kbps.

You can use the PULSE 2i with high-res services such as TIDAL, and it's compatible with MQA. The PULSE 2i can be part of a Bluesound multi-room audio system — which means you can enjoy high-quality audio all through your home.

Details

• Connects wirelessly via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth
• Apple AirPlay 2 lets you stream directly from an iPhone or iPad and ask Siri to play Apple Music
• Works with Amazon Alexa compatible voice control assistants
• Free BluOS Controller app lets you control playback and group multiple Bluesound speakers or components in a multi-room music system
• Two 5-1/4" woofers and two 1" tweeters

Best all-around — KEF LS50 Wireless II

Since 1961, KEF has been producing beautifully styled speakers that deliver beautiful sound. Their LS50 Wireless II powered stereo speakers feature curved front baffles with a modern, stylish look.

KEF placed the tweeter inside the center of the bass/midrange cone. This enlarges the speakers' acoustic "sweet spot," giving you more options for room placement. Two custom-designed amplifiers in each speaker plus an advanced digital-to-analog converter ensure richly detailed natural sound.

Details

• Connects wirelessly via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth
• Apple AirPlay 2 lets you stream directly from an iPhone or iPad and ask Siri to play Apple Music
• Free KEF Connect app lets you control playback and optimize your audio settings
• Bi-amped design with separate woofer and tweeter amplifiers for greater headroom and lower distortion
• Each speaker has a 5-1/4" aluminum cone woofer (amplifier power: 280 watts) and a 1" vented aluminum dome tweeter (amplifier power: 100 watts)

Need help choosing?

Have questions about how these wireless speakers compare? Our expert Advisors know speakers inside and out. Contact us today.

Free lifetime tech supportis included with your Crutchfield purchase.