stereos bluetooth

If you thought Bluetooth speakers killed the home stereo, you would be wrong. Stereo systems are making a big come back, with Bose and Sony launching an innovative home stereo system recently. In this article, we take a look at the 10 best home stereo systems with a wide variety of recommendations for you to check out. Not only have we put together a list of the best home stereo systems, but we’ve also researched and answered many of the burning questions consumers have when it comes time to purchasing. We’ve also included a comprehensive buyer’s guide at the end, so be sure to check that out as well! Our Pick! Bose Wave SoundTouch Bose Wave SoundTouch If you’re looking for the latest and greatest home stereo system you might want to consider the Bose Wave SoundTouch Music System IV. Although a little pricey, this stereo system has all the features you’d want and more. Check Price Quick Pick – Our Awards! Best Budget Best for Parties Most Advanced Most Compact Best Looking Best Overall (Our pick) Home Stereo System vs Bluetooth Speaker We took a look at the differences between home stereo systems and portable Bluetooth speakers and look at why you might want to choose one over the other. Home Stereo System Portable Bluetooth Speaker Power Source The most obvious difference is the power source and portability. A home stereo system requires power from a socket to operate while a portable Bluetooth speaker can operate off its built-in battery. This means your Bluetooth speaker is going to be portable while the home stereo system is more of a fixed unit. Remote Control Almost all home stereo systems come with a remote control while portable Bluetooth speakers typically don’t. This is because Bluetooth speakers are mostly portable and any additional accessories would probably get lost. Nowadays Bluetooth speakers come with an app which means you can adjust settings using your phone. We’re also seeing more and more home stereo systems coming out with apps that allow you to control everything from audio to internal configurations. Portability We have already mentioned portability with regards to the power source but there is another element to consider. A Home stereo system can be a single unit or, in many cases, 3-piece systems. This makes portability difficult. In most cases, you want to set up your stereo in a position where it will stay permanently. AM/FM Radio Another major difference between a Bluetooth speaker and a home stereo system is that the latter has a built-in AM/FM radio. Most, if not all, home stereo systems come with AM/FM radio as standard while most Bluetooth speakers do not have this feature. To pick up AM/FM stations, you need an antenna. Having an antenna on a portable Bluetooth speaker just isn’t practical as it would make the device less portable. Home stereo systems are installed in the home and can, therefore, connect an antenna to pick up radio stations. 1. Bose Wave SoundTouch Music System IV Bose Wave SoundTouch Music System IV volume_up Power 60 W input Inputs AUX, USB, WiFi fitness_center Weight 13.23 lbs aspect_ratio Size 8.7 x 14.5 x 4.3″ star star star star star Check Price You can always count on Bose to be at the top of most consumer audio best list articles. Bose products are always fun and innovative with good sound and great features. The Bose Wave SoundTouch Music System IV is arguably the best home stereo system currently on the market. The Wave SoundTouch IV is a dual speaker stereo system with some advanced internal processing to deliver one of the best audio experiences for a system this size. Most impressive is the Wave SoundTouch IV bass response. The bass is boosted while still retaining a good amount of definition. If you’re not fond of big bass, this can be adjusted on the Wave SoundTouch IV internal EQ. More on that in a little bit. Both the mid-range and treble are well balanced with a notable crisp high-frequency response adding to the speaker’s intelligibility and clarity. show more What’s in the box? Wave SoundTouch IV stereo system SoundTouch pedestal Remote control + battery USB cable (for connecting to PC) AC Cable Demonstration CD Bose Wave SoundTouch Music System IV Conclusion If you’re looking for the latest and greatest home stereo system you might want to consider the Bose Wave SoundTouch Music System IV. Although a little pricey, this Bose stereo system has all the features you’d want and more. If you own other Bose SoundTouch systems, these can be connected to the Wave SoundTouch IV for an integration home audio system. The Wave SoundTouch IV blends the old (AM/FM radio, CD player) with the new (Bluetooth, WiFi) to make the best home stereo system. The SoundTouch is available in two trendy colors: espresso black (as pictured) and platinum silver. Read More Customer Reviews 2. Sony CMT-SBT100 Micro Music System Sony-CMT-SBT100-Micro-Music-System-3 volume_up Power 50 W input Inputs AUX, USB, BT fitness_center Weight 5.73 lbs aspect_ratio Size 14.5 x 13.2 x 18.5″ star star star star star_half Check Price If you prefer the “classic” looking stereo system, then the Sony CMT-SBT100 Micro Music System is definitely one to check out. The CMT-SBT100 is a 3-piece stereo system with a receiver and two separate speakers. Even though this is a 3-piece system the CMT-SBT100 is compact enough that it won’t take up too much space while still providing room-filling sound. The CMT-SBT100 features 2 x two-way 25W speakers each with a low-frequency driver and tweeter. The combined 50W Sony stereo system delivers a surprising amount of volume for its size. More than enough to fill small to medium living spaces. The bass is present but I wouldn’t call the CMT-SBT100 a bassy stereo system. It’s more than adequate for most, however, bass fans might find the CMT-SBT100 somewhat limiting in the low-end. The mid-range and treble is clean delivering excellent clarity for both music and dialogue-heavy audio like the radio or podcasts. show more What’s in the Box? Sony CMT-SBT100 receiver 2 x Sony CMT-SBT100 speakers + speaker wires Remote control 2 x AA batteries AM radio antenna FM radio antenna Sony CMT-SBT100 Micro Music System Conclusion If you’re a Sony fan then the CMT-SBT100 Micro Music System is an obvious choice. This stereo system is compact yet powerful making it perfect for small to medium-sized living spaces. Bass enthusiasts might be disappointed with the bass response, however, I would say the CMT-SBT100 has a sufficient low-end response for most consumers. The best thing about the Sony CMT-SBT100 is its ease of use. Both the front panel and remote are nicely laid out making the stereo easy to control and operate. For under $200, you get a premium stereo system with premium Sony sound. The CMT-SBT100 is available in just one color which is the black pictured in the image above. Read More Customer Reviews 3. HYM Originals Seed All in One Record Player Stereo HYM-Originals-Seed-All-in-One-Record-Player-Stereo volume_up Power 80 W input Inputs RCA, USB, BT, WiFi fitness_center Weight 25.18 lbs aspect_ratio Size 15.0 x 10.6 x 13.8″ star star star star star_border Check Price If you’re looking for a modern-day record player then there’s only one product worth mentioning, the Seed from HYM Originals. The Seed was the idea of a group of designers from Taiwan who, through a Kickstarter campaign, received over $350,000 in pledges. This home stereo system not only sounds great but looks awesome. The Seed garnered a lot of attention with articles from Forbes, DesignBoom, and more. The Seed features a 4” low-frequency driver with a 1” tweeter capable of producing 80W of power from the built-in class D amplifier. Now, it’s important to note there are two different sounds to the Seed. With the turntable mounted on top of the speaker, there is a lot of dampening required of a record to play without interference. If there was no dampening, the bass from the speaker would just make the needle jump all over the place, essentially the record wouldn’t even play. To stop the needle bouncing all over the vinyl, HYM Originals had to attenuate the bass and volume. When you are playing a record the speaker is still warm and overall sound quality is excellent. It’s just not as loud when compared to playing audio via the other inputs. This is an amazing feat to overcoming and I don’t think people truly appreciate the design and technology that went into creating this modern-day record player. show more What’s in the box? HYM Originals Seed AC adapter Turntable platter Turntable sub platter Platter disc Tonearm counterweight Remote control HYM Originals Seed All in One Record Player Stereo Conclusion With the resurgence of vinyl in recent years, a lot of all-in-one record player stereo systems flooded the market. The problem is most of these are rubbish. The only company that seems to have gotten it right is HYM Originals with the Seed. The Seed not only sounds good but the trendy, contemporary aesthetic will look good with most decor. At just under $700, the Seed isn’t cheap but, if you’re a serious vinyl enthusiast, you just have to have it. The Seed is available in three incredible colors, white oak (as pictured above), walnut, and black. All of these have the same solid wood finish so no difference to the components, only the wood stain. Read More Customer Reviews 4. Sony Shake-X10 High-Power Home Audio System Sony Shake-X10 High-Power Home Audio System volume_up Power 80 W input Inputs RCA, AUX, USB, BT fitness_center Weight 75.0 lbs aspect_ratio Size 42.2 x 15.4 x 21.8″ star star star star star_half Check Price If you like to entertain people at the house, then the Sony Shake-X10 is definitely one to check out. The Shake-X10 is part of Sony’s new generation of home stereo systems which are similar to their portable EXTRA BASS Bluetooth speakers. Sony’s Shake-X10 is more than your average Sony stereo system, this setup is designed to get a party started complete with built-in DJ system, karaoke, and lighting effects. The Shake-X10 is a 3-piece stereo system with a receiver and two 7.8” speakers. Each speaker stands almost 20” high, so about a medium-sized home stereo system. The Shake-X10 is seriously loud! More than enough volume to fill a medium to a large-sized room and will even be effective out on the patio for music in the backyard. The system comes with Sony EXTRA BASS which is very impressive. Dance and urban music enthusiasts will appreciate the amount of bass the Shake-X10 can produce. Definitely enough for a house party. Not only does the Shake-X10 produce big sound but it also provides the lighting. The receiver and both speakers are illuminated with an array of LED lights. The speakers even have lights on the back which light up the wall or surface behind for added effect. Obviously, these lights are only going to be effective for night time parties with the house lights dimmed. There are a few lighting states available that can be set on the Shake-X10 receiver, the remote or via the Sony Fiestable app. show more What’s in the box? Sony Shake-X10 Power cable AM/FM antenna Remote control 2 x AAA batteries Sony Shake-X10 High-Power Home Audio System Conclusion If you like to party then the Shake-X10 is definitely for you. This Sony stereo system has features for every kind of house party including, live music (vocals and guitar), karaoke, and DJing. The lights add a cool aesthetic and create a party mood. The system is loud with a decent bass sound for making some serious noise. The Shake-X10 is available in only one color which is the matte gunmetal grey with brushed silver finishes. Read More Customer Reviews 5. Denon D-M41 HiFi System Denon-D-M41-HiFi-System volume_up Power 60 W input Inputs RCA, Optical, BT fitness_center Weight 32.2 lbs aspect_ratio Size 12.6 x 15.3 x 22.8″ star star star star star_half Check Price Denon is one of those brands which never disappoints. They aren’t as loud as Bose or Sony with marketing initiatives but, in my opinion, their products usually sound better. The Denon sound is clean and precise where Bose and Sony products are usually tweaked to sound more exciting. The Denon D-M41 HiFi System was released as an upgrade to the hugely popular, now discontinued, Denon D-M40. The D-M41 is a 3-piece stereo system with a receiver and two Denon SC-M41 speakers. Each speaker features a 4.7” low-frequency driver with 1” tweeter capable of producing 60W RMS. The D-M41 incorporates a built-in 60W amplifier (30W per channel) to drive each SC-M41. The stereo produces a nice tight bass sound with a decent amount of low-end definition from the SC-M41 speakers. The mid-range and treble are well balanced delivering excellent clarity and intelligibility. When it comes to audio quality, you can’t fault the refined, sophisticated sound of the D-M41. The D-M41 built-in amplifier delivers exceptional performance and will work with any brand of bookshelf speakers from 6 – 16 ohms. Each channel of the D-M41 delivers 30W at 6 ohms which is more than sufficient for most compact bookshelf speakers. show more What’s in the box? Denon D-M41 receiver 2 x Denon SC-M41 speakers + speaker wire Power cord Remote control 2 x AAA batteries AM/FM antenna Sony Shake-X10 High-Power Home Audio System Conclusion If you’re looking for a home stereo system with good sound and classic functionality, then the Denon D-M41 HiFi System is definitely the way to go. This no-frills mini stereo system is great for small to medium-sized rooms or even the bedroom. The D-M41 is not recommended as a party system but rather for those who like a good, balanced sound signature. At just under $500 the D-M41 isn’t cheap, but the audio quality is worth the price alone. Read More Customer Reviews 6. Onkyo CS-265(B) CD Hi-Fi Mini System Onkyo-CS-265B-CD-Hi-Fi-Mini-System volume_up Power 40 W input Inputs RCA, USB, BT fitness_center Weight 7.9 lbs aspect_ratio Size 12.5 x 10.8 x 8.0″ star star star star star_half Check Price Onkyo is another consumer audio brand well known for good sound quality and reliability. Their receivers are especially popular using quality parts to deliver exceptional performance for all makes of speakers. The Onkyo CS-265(B) CD Hi-Fi Mini System is a good example of the quality we have come to expect from Onkyo. This home stereo system is ultra-compact making it easy to install anywhere in the house. The CS-265(B) is a 3-piece stereo system with receiver and 2 x 4” 30W (Peak) speakers. The receiver delivers 20W RMS per channel which perfectly matches the speakers. The CS-265(B) sounds exceptional and is surprisingly loud for its size. While this isn’t what you would consider a “bass stereo system”, the CS-265(B) produces a tight, punchy bass sound. The CS-265(B) even has a Super Bass feature which boosts the low-end in two stages. It’s not as significant a boost as you get from a Sony speaker, but slightly cleaner sounding in comparison. The mid-range and treble are well balanced and clean with crisp highs. The system sounds great for music, radio and even podcasts. Dance and urban music lovers might find the bass lacking slightly but I’m sure will still appreciate the overall audio quality of the CS-265(B). show more What’s in the box? Onkyo CS-265(B) receiver 2 x Onkyo CS-265(B) speakers + speaker wire 8 x Rubber pads for speakers Remote control + battery AM/FM antenna Onkyo CS-265(B) CD Hi-Fi Mini System Conclusion At more than half the price, the CS-265(B) is essentially a cheaper, slightly smaller version of the Denon D-M41. The Denon has a better bass response and is louder, but it costs almost $500 where the Onkyo comes in at under $190. The CS-265(B) has excellent sound quality and will fill small to medium-sized rooms with ease. If you’re looking for an affordable mini stereo system with premium features and sound quality, the CS-265(B) is definitely the way to go. The CS-265(B) is available in two color options. The black as pictured on this article and all over white. Read More Customer Reviews 7. Philips BTM2180/37 Micro Music System Philips-BTM218037-Micro-Music-System volume_up Power 70 W input Inputs AUX, USB, BT fitness_center Weight 12.7 lbs aspect_ratio Size 8.2 x 33.0 x 14.9″ star star star star star_border Check Price Philips has been designing and manufacturing quality home audio systems for decades. Their audio products are reasonably priced and deliver good audio quality. The Philips BTM2180/37 Micro Music System is ultra-compact with a minimal footprint and yet significantly more powerful than your typical mini HiFi unit. The BTM2180/37 is a standard 3-piece stereo system with receiver and 2 x 3½” 35W speakers. As to be expected of speakers this size, the BTM2180/37 does lack in the bass department. For general background music and listening to podcasts, the bass is more than sufficient. If you’re looking for a party system, the BTM2180/37 isn’t for you. The mid-range and treble are clean but not as detailed as the more expensive Denon or Onkyo competitors. show more What’s in the box? Philips BTM2180/37 receiver 2 x Philips BTM2180/37 speakers + speaker wire Power cord AM/FM antenna Remote control 1 x AAA battery Philips BTM2180/37 Micro Music System Conclusion The Philips BTM2180/37 is a stereo system that’s simple and easy to operate with no complicated extra settings. The audio quality is pleasant and can get loud when needed. This is a great stereo system for the elderly or someone who perhaps doesn’t like technology. The remote and front display is simply laid out with clear labeling for every function. Having the USB and ⅛-inch AUX inputs on the front means everything about the BTM2180/37 is easy to access and operate. At just under $170, the BTM2180/37 offers great value for the money. The BTM2180/37 is available only in black as pictured in this article. Read More Customer Reviews 8. Sharp XL-BH250 Micro Shelf Executive Speaker System Sharp XL-BH250 Micro Shelf Executive Speaker System volume_up Power 70 W input Inputs AUX, USB, BT fitness_center Weight 15.73 lbs aspect_ratio Size 6.9 x 12.4 x 9.5″ star star star star star_border Check Price Back in the 90s, if you had a 5-disc stereo system you had some serious street cred. The Sharp XL-BH250 Micro Shelf Executive Speaker System is a great example of one of these old school home stereo systems but with some modern touches and features. The biggest difference between the XL-BH250 and 90s 5-disc changers is the size. The XL-BH250 is about half the size and sounds twice as good. The XL-BH250 is a 3-piece home stereo system with a receiver and 2 x 4” speakers each capable of producing 25W RMS. Even with only 25W, the XL-BH250 has some serious bark. Easily enough to fill small to medium-sized living spaces. The bass is clean with a nice punch, however, this is not a party system by any means. The mid-range and treble are pleasant with a good balance and clean sound. For music and dialogue, the XL-BH250 is a great easy-listening stereo system. show more What’s in the box? Sharp XL-BH250 receiver 2 x Sharp XL-BH250 speakers + speaker wire Remote control with battery AM antenna FM antenna Sharp XL-BH250 Micro Shelf Executive Speaker System Conclusion If you’re still rocking CDs, then the Sharp XL-BH250 Micro Shelf Executive Speaker System is definitely the home stereo system for you. The XL-BH250 is an easy to use stereo system where the old school 5-disc changer meets modern Bluetooth with NFC. Both the receiver and remote are neatly laid out and easy to operate. For the size, the XL-BH250 sounds really good and is surprisingly loud. At just under $180, you get great sound and a 5-disc changer in an ultra-compact home stereo system. The XL-BH250 is only available in black as pictured in this article. Read More Customer Reviews 9. KEiiD Compact Home Stereo System KEiiD-Compact-Home-Stereo-System volume_up Power 30 W input Inputs RCA, AUX, USB, BT fitness_center Weight 20.6 lbs aspect_ratio Size 26.0 x 8.6 x 6.3″ star star star star star_border Check Price Now for something completely different. Ever wanted your car stereo as a home stereo? Well, the KEiiD Compact combines these two worlds to create a stylish and unique home stereo system. The result is better than you would ever expect. The receiver is actually a VW stereo refit which gives the system a modern retro aesthetic. The KEiiD Compact is a single unit with a 2-way speaker system left and right of the receiver. Each speaker features a 4” low-frequency driver with 1” tweeter. KEiiD doesn’t specify the output of the system, however, I would put this at between 20W to 40W RMS. The wooden frame housing the stereo system gives helps to produce a punchy low-end response. The mid-range and treble are clean with a nice high-frequency sizzle. A really fun stereo system to look at and listen to. show more What’s in the box? KEiiD Compact with built-in speakers Remote control Power cable KEiiD Compact Home Stereo System Conclusion If you like quirky products, then you’ll love the KEiiD Compact. The first impression when you hear a company has installed a VW stereo in a retro speaker cabinet is “what are they thinking”! But when you listen to it, you’ll be blown away just by how good this home stereo system actually sounds. The KEiiD Compact has a vintage retro aesthetic so the stereo might not suit all living areas, however, it does come in black which gives the system more of a contemporary look. The KEiiD Compact comes in at just under $220 which is good value considering this is a piece of decor as well as a stereo system. Read More Customer Reviews 10. Yamaha MCR-B020BL Micro Component System Yamaha-MCR-B020BL-Micro-Component-System volume_up Power 30 W input Inputs AUX, USB, BT fitness_center Weight 6.9 lbs aspect_ratio Size 11.0 x 11.9 x 5.6″ star star star star star_half Check Price Yamaha is one of our favorite brands here at Outer Audio. They manufacture some amazing products, built to last and with great sound quality. The Yamaha MCR-B020BL Micro Component System delivers Yamaha’s signature sound quality in our most compact home stereo system recommendation. The MCR-B020BL is a 3-piece stereo system with receiver and 2 x 3.8” speakers. Each speaker delivers 15W of power which is suitable for smaller living spaces. Even though these speakers are small, they manage to produce a nice punchy bass sound. I wouldn’t say the MCR-B020BL is a bassy stereo, but definitely better than you would expect from a system this size. The mid-range and treble are above average and again, really good for a system this size. Keep in mind the MCR-B020BL is designed to be ultra-compact so don’t expect audiophile quality. Having said that, if you’re just looking for a mini stereo system for some background music in a specific living space, the MCR-B020BL is perfect for this application. show more What’s in the box? Yamaha MCR-B020BL receiver 2 x Yamaha MCR-B020BL speakers with speaker wire Power Cable Remote control + CR2025 type battery AM antenna FM antenna USB protection cap Yamaha MCR-B020BL Micro Component System Conclusion If you’re looking for something ultra-compact, affordable but still retains a high level of sound quality, then you won’t be disappointed with the Yamaha MCR-B020BL Micro Component System. The MCR-B020BL includes many of the features found in more expensive home theater systems but at a fraction of the price. The MCR-B020BL is only available in black as pictured in this article.