Shop for home audio

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.7 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 22 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Jambox is the most stylish portable speaker we've seen, with features and sound quality you won't find in comparable compact designs. Read review

Specs: Speakers, Portable speaker, Wireless - Bluetooth 2.1 EDR, Wired, Active, 85 dB, Black

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.9 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 2 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Beats Pill outperforms the Jawbone Jambox and has a couple of intriguing extra features, but Apple iOS 6 users may encounter some problems. Read review

Specs: Speaker, Portable speaker, Wired - Bluetooth, Wireless, Active, Black

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.3 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: The SpeakerCraft CS3 is a handsome, excellent-sounding sound bar that's well worth its lofty price. Read review

Specs: Speaker, Sound bar, Wired - Bluetooth, Wireless, Active, Matte black

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.0 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 2 reviews

The Bottom Line: While it packs an impressive punch in terms of sound performance and feature set, the G-17 is more expensive than an iPad and doesn't seem worth its $550 price tag. Read review

Specs: Speaker, Speaker, Wireless - AirPlay via Wi-Fi, Wired, Active, 30 Watt, High-gloss black

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.7 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 8 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Creative D100 speaker plays music wirelessly from your Bluetooth-compatible music player with impressive low-end range from its dual 3-inch drivers, making it a worthwhile addition to your next outdoor get-together. And although it doesn't have a remote control or speakerphone functionality, the price is right for this portable speaker and it earns our recommendation. Read review

Specs: Speakers, Portable speaker, Bluetooth 2.1 EDR, Active, Black

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.7 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 19 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Jambox is the most stylish portable speaker we've seen, with features and sound quality you won't find in comparable compact designs. Read review

Specs: Speakers, Portable speaker, Bluetooth 2.1 EDR, Active, 85 dB, Blue

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 43 reviews

The Bottom Line: In the sea of affordable, forgettable iPod speakers, the Logitech S715i is a beacon for those who prefer their music to sound great. Read review

Specs: Speakers, Portable speaker, Wired, Active

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.7 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 5.0 stars out of 1 review

The Bottom Line: An attractive form factor and a good feature set give the JBL Micro Wireless a leg up in the tiny wireless speaker competition. Read review

Specs: Speaker, Portable speaker, Bluetooth, Active, 3 Watt, Black

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.3 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 9 reviews

The Bottom Line: The relatively affordable--and compact--Creative D200 Bluetooth speaker offers wireless audio streaming and reasonably good sound for the money. Read review

Specs: Speakers, Portable speakers, Wireless - Bluetooth 2.1 EDR, Wired, Active

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.7 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 28 reviews

The Bottom Line: While it's expensive and isn't loaded with features, the Bose SoundDock 10 is classy looking and sounds excellent for a compact iPod/iPhone speaker. Read review

Specs: Speakers, Wired, Active

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.4 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: While it's a bit overpriced, Philips Fidelio SoundRing is one of the better compact AirPlay speakers we've tested -- and it has a battery-powered option to boot. Read review

Specs: Speakers, Speaker, Wireless - AirPlay via Wi-Fi, Wired, Active, 78 dB, 4 Watt

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.3 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 9 reviews

The Bottom Line: With its durable outer shell, multiple connectivity options, and wide range of sound, the Logitech Wireless Speaker Z515 makes a great sidekick for your next backyard barbecue or picnic party. However, if portability isn't your primary concern, you can trade size for sound quality with the Creative D100, another Bluetooth speaker that costs less than the Logitech. Read review

Specs: Speakers, Wireless, Active

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 20 reviews

The Bottom Line: The BlueAnt S4 delivers good call quality and, with its voice trigger system, increased vehicle safety. However, it excludes many popular handsets from its true hands-free claim by not including its own voice dialer. Read review

Specs: Speakers

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 32 reviews

The Bottom Line: M-Audio's Studiophile AV 40 is a PC speaker for music lovers who care more about sound quality than compact size or rock bottom pricing. Read review

Specs: Studio monitors, Wired, 2-way - Active, 20 Watt

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.4 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 5.0 stars out of 8 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Zvox Z-Base 555 has a nearly perfect sound-bar design and a solid feature set, but it won't please critical listeners. Read review

Specs: Speaker, Sound bar, Wired, Active, 70 Watt, High gloss ebony

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

  Overall score: 0.0 (0.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 10 reviews

Specs: Speakers, Active, Black

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.7 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 11 reviews

The Bottom Line: You'll have a hard time finding a more stylish and feature-packed speaker choice in this price range. The inclusion of Bluetooth support makes it an attractive buy for iPad and smartphone owners. Read review

Specs: Speakers, Active

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.0 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 8 reviews

The Bottom Line: If you need a durable, portable, and practical way to get loud, the Ion Block Rocker is an impressive and easy-to-use solution. Read review

Specs: Speakers

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.4 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 20 reviews

The Bottom Line: Polk's baby subwoofer belts out tight home-theater bass and sounds sweet with music, too. Read review

Specs: Powered subwoofer, Wired, Active, 50 Watt, Black

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.4 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.5 stars out of 8 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Zvox Z-Base 580 has a nearly perfect sound-bar design and a solid feature set, but it won't please critical listeners and the smaller Z-Base 555 is a better value. Read review

Specs: Speakers, Surround sound speaker, Wired, Active, 120 Watt

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

  Overall score: 0.0 (0.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

Specs: Speakers, Wired, Active

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.1 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 7 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Sony SS-B1000 Bookshelf Speakers may not quite win the budget-bookshelf-speaker battle, but they do deliver quite decent sound for the money. Read review

Specs: Bookshelf, Wired, 2-way - Passive, 8 Ohm, 87 dB

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.7 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 2 reviews

The Bottom Line: The X-Mini Max II Capsule Speaker is an excellent option for anyone looking for an ultraportable speaker that offers great sound quality at a very reasonable price. Read review

Specs: Speakers, Wired, Active, 2.5 Watt, Red

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.0 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.5 stars out of 2 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Logitech Z305 is an unobtrusive solution if you're sick of the tinny, enclosed sound from your laptop speakers but don't have room for a five-piece PC speaker set. We recommend this plug-and-play external audio device for its simplicity of operation, low cost, and convenience for use on the run. Read review

Specs: Speakers, Wired, Active

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

  Overall score: 0.0 (0.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 5.0 stars out of 1 review

Specs: Subwoofer, Wired, Active, 8 Ohm, 90 dB, 150 Watt, Black