Rolling Stone Audio Awards: The Best Speakers & Home Audio of 2026
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Going out is fun and all, but our favorite speakers and home audio releases proved how nice it is to stay in. From home theater sound systems to multiroom speakers that let you fill your house with music, the best speakers and home audio releases of the year went well beyond basic Bluetooth.
And as for Bluetooth, there were still plenty of great speakers for on-the-go, including a portable powerhouse from JBL and a new party speaker from Marshall. Below, you’ll find the best speakers and home audio products of 2026.
How We Chose Products for Rolling Stone Audio Awards 2026
Audio gear is our bread and butter here at RS Recommends. Over the last year, we’ve tested hundreds of new products from earbuds and speakers to record players and instruments. We scrutinize each product for design, durability, features, and, above all, sound quality. Some are not worth buying, and many are fine, but a select handful earn our ultimate seal of approval: a spot in the Rolling Stone Audio Awards.
Dali Kupid Speakers
Dali Kupid’s speakers are the ideal combination of style and substance. With a range of colorful styles to choose from, the Kupid speakers are low-profile, space-saving options for smaller rooms. But that doesn’t mean they don’t pack a punch, thanks to the 26 mm soft dome tweeter and 4½ inch mid/bass driver that punches above its weight.
If you’re looking for a space-saving speaker that packs Dali’s decades of expertise into a modestly-priced package, the Kupid is a worthwhile option. — Jonathan Zavaleta
Klipsch The Sevens II
Klipsch The Sevens were the best all-around bookshelf speakers on the market, and they just made them even better with The Sevens II. Our only issue with the original Sevens was their lack of WiFi streaming.
That’s been remedied in the second generation, allowing higher-resolution audio streaming to fully showcase the speakers’ excellence. Connectivity overall has been upgraded, now with HDMI 2.1 and HDMI eARC, and Dolby Atmos. Sound quality is even better as well, partially thanks to a partnership with the experts at Onkyo and upgraded drivers. — Oscar Hartzog
KEF LSX II
KEF’s LSX II wireless speakers were beloved by reviewers (us included) when they released the set back in 2024. The speakers boast rich, detailed audio with exceptional dynamics, and they’re wrapped up in a compact package that works great for small spaces.
Last year, the British audio brand unveiled two new colorways for the LSX II — cotton white and amber haze — that make the speakers part stylish decor, part top-tier audio system. — O.H.
LG SoundSuite
One of the biggest challenges of setting up a home theater system is placement. Even if you know how to place rear speakers, the realities of an apartment layout or a small living room can get in the way of ideal speaker placement.
LG’s SoundSuite uses innovative technology to adapt to however you place your speakers, adjust the volume and output accordingly. That means that with a bigger sweet spot and enveloping Dolby sound, there isn’t a bad seat in the house. — J.Z.
Marshall Heston 60
Most soundbars go for a neutral, all-black style, but that wouldn’t be the Marshall way. The storied amplifier brand has long been in the portable audio, and their first foray into the home theater is as impressive as it looks. The Heston 60 and 120 bring bold sound, but it’s the versatility that’s key.
You can switch between different modes, from TV to music to night, and the soundbar has built-in support for Spotify Connect, Tidal, and other music streaming services. — J.Z.
JBL Authentics 300
JBL may be best known for its portable Bluetooth speakers, but the Authentics 300 proves the brand’s bona fides in the home audio space. The design is inspired by JBL’s iconic orange grille speakers. But there are plenty of modern features, including support for casting and WiFi streaming.
You can set up voice assistants, including Google and Alexa, and room correction ensures great sound wherever you set it up. While the Authentics 300 are a few years old, they’re still built to keep up with the modern smart home. — J.Z.
Cambridge L/R M
Cambridge’s L/R speakers, introduced at this year’s CES, pack enormous bass thanks to their unusual design — the speakers have dual woofers and dual passive radiators. But these speakers aren’t just about bass.
They handle a variety of genres capably, and the boldly modern design stands out from the pack. If you’re looking for a pair of powered speakers that are out of the ordinary, Cambridge’s L/R series delivers — while still building on the brand’s decades of audiophile expertise. — J.Z.
Ultimate Ears Boom 4
With great sound, intuitive controls, and a durable build, Ultimate Ears’ Boom 4 speaker gets the basics right. Whether you’re looking for a Bluetooth speaker for travel or the beach, the Boom 4 is the ideal companion.
And unlike many portable Bluetooth speakers, the Boom 4 doesn’t overly emphasize bass, despite what its name would suggest. Instead, it delivers a well-rounded sound profile that suits a wide range of genres. — J.Z.
JBL Grip
JBL’s latest Bluetooth speaker is inspired by the shape and size of a seltzer can. That makes it the ideal size to slip into any bag and take on the go. Despite its size, it gets surprisingly loud, with the bass-forward profile that JBL is known for.
It also lives up to JBL’s reputation for durability, with a rugged IP68 build that can withstand whatever you throw at it. Plus, with the ability to Auracast, you can pair the Grip to other compatible speakers. — J.Z.
LG S20A Soundbar
LG makes everything from budget TVs to high-end models, and the same goes for the brand’s soundbars. The S20A 2.0-channel soundbar is a compact option for smaller TVs, but that doesn’t mean it can’t put out serious sound.
You can get immersive audio thanks to Dolby Digital audio, and you can customize the EQ for clearer vocals during movies or deeper bass when listening to music. — J.Z.
Samsung HW-Q990H
Samsung upped the ante of its acclaimed soundbars with its latest soundbar, the HW-Q990H. Unveiled at CES, the new model features Sound Elevation, which optimizes dialogue to sound like it’s coming from the center of the screen.
The soundbar has a whopping 13 drivers, including four dedicated woofers for room-filling sound. With Dolby Atmos compatibility, the latest soundbar brings movies to life in a bold, room-filling way, delivering the best of a surround sound system without the extra speakers. — J.Z.
Marshall Bromley 750
Marshall borrowed from its guitar amps in designing its first party speaker, resulting in a stylish design that trades flashy RGBs for concert-inspired stage lighting. The speaker lights also synchronize with the music, and the 360-degree sound lets you set it anywhere.
You get 40 hours of playback, and the battery can be swapped out to keep the party going. It’s rare to see a party speaker that looks as good as it sounds, and the Bromley delivers. — J.Z.
SVS SB-3000 R|Evolution
The latest Revolution speaker brings the room-rumbling sound that SVS is known for, packed into a relatively compact package. With a 13-inch driver and an output of up to 17 hZ, the SB-3000 R offers authoritative bass without compromising on clarity.
It’s the ideal companion for any home theater setup, with a design that’s subtle enough to stay hidden but sound that makes itself known. — J.Z.
WiiM Ultra
WiiM has quietly asserted itself as one of the most exciting brands in home audio. The WiiM Ultra combines the convenience of Wi-Fi streaming with playful design features. There’s a large, impressively smooth touchscreen that displays album art and can be used to control settings like the EQ.
It works seamlessly with other WiiM speakers, and the simple, intuitive WiiM app lets you link multiple speakers together. What makes it stand out is the impressive number of connectivity options — there’s even a phono preamp, letting you stream your favorite records to every room of the house. — J.Z.
Gomi Speaker
Buying new audio gear can be net-positive for the environment; Gomi proves it. The brand’s Bluetooth speaker is handmade in the U.K. using recycled materials and features a repairable design that’s meant to last. And the Gomi speaker’s exceptional sustainability is matched by exceptional sound quality.
Inside is a full-range neodymium driver and a three-inch bass radiator that produce room-filling sound from the compact portable package. — O.H.
Ikarao Break X1 Karaoke Machine
Ikarao just upgraded its lineup with a few new speakers, including the top-of-the-line Break X1. The new Break X1 is deserving of all the awards (even if your singing is not). The sleek machine features big sound (great for us novice singers) thanks to a subwoofer and two tweeters.
It also uses a large touchscreen with built-in apps to access thousands of songs and make playlists. Two high-quality microphones are included, and they’ll last for up to 30 hours — more than enough for even the longest karaoke parties. — O.H.