Rating of the best multi-room speakers for 2022

Is it possible to make it so that you can turn on your favorite music from anywhere in the apartment or house. Without laying cables, complex connections (as it was before, when you had to pay an amount equal to a third of the cost of a standard kopeck piece for installing a home speaker system complete with a “smart home”).
Now everything is much simpler - multi-room speakers are easy to connect, they cost adequate money, and any smartphone user will figure out the settings.

What it is

A wireless speaker capable of playing music from a smartphone or any connected device. Synchronization - via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connection.That is, if you put each device in different rooms, you will get full-fledged independent audio zones. And no problem with teenage kids who want to listen to horrible music for their parents' taste.

If desired, these zones can be combined into one by simply setting a specific playback scenario (or rather, setting one song on all speakers) - what you need for a party. By the way, the playback source can be not only a smartphone, but also multimedia storages on a laptop, streaming Internet services or radio.

There are universal models for the house and the street. The latter - with a dust and moisture-proof housing, built-in backlight, have a decent battery life, light weight and a convenient, intuitive mobile application.

How to choose

If you do not go into complex technical terms that most users do not say anything at all, then when buying, you should pay attention to several criteria:

• Connection type

For an apartment of a couple of rooms, Bluetooth is suitable - it can handle a couple of speakers, and its latest versions provide good sound quality. Pay attention to the connection radius - the maximum possible usually does not exceed 20 m. And, yes, the instructions should indicate that the column supports simultaneous connection from several devices.

If you want to connect more speakers, achieve a surround sound effect (this can also be achieved if you experiment with the placement), do not want problems associated with an unstable signal, then it is better to take speakers with Wi-Fi. They cost more, but they are more reliable, the signal is more stable, and the settings are wider.

• Sound personalization

Or a built-in equalizer (physical, with buttons on the panel, or digital, the settings of which can be changed in the application). With this function, you can set the volume, adjust the high and low frequencies depending on the genre of the song being played.

Good systems are equipped with built-in tuners, Loudness Control option, for example, to automatically adjust (correct lack of treble or bass, for example) to the genre of music. And the built-in acoustic compensation function will also adjust the volume depending on the size of the room.

• Control

Most models have buttons on the front panel (touch or keys), support for a mobile application (can be downloaded from the play store) or a remote control. Voice control is not always supported.
By the way, pay attention to the application - if everything is clear, feel free to take it. If you understand that you do not understand anything, then you should look for another option.

• Possibility of synchronous playback

That is, it should be possible to combine all the speakers into one common network. Otherwise, in order to achieve synchronous sound, you will have to switch the track for each device separately. The option to create your own playlists will also be useful.

• Positioning

If the description indicates that the column is “smart” (you can control it with voice commands), you should pay attention to the supported services. For example, Alexa and Amazon are not supported in Russia.

Of course, you can contrive, set up a VPN connection, but is it necessary to have such a hassle for decent money - additional functionality increases the cost of any device.

On the other hand, all-in-one systems do not really need any management.Indeed, they are well worth it.

• Reviews

If the design is purely a matter of taste, then it is worth paying attention to the opinion of users regarding the build quality, sound, ease of installation and changing settings.

The second point - when ordering through online stores, consider reviews about the work of the seller himself. How quickly he answers questions, how delivery is organized (it is also better to clarify in advance about packaging).

If possible, double-check the technical specifications (if they are really important) on the official website of the manufacturer. Sometimes the parameters in the product description card in the seller's IM have nothing to do with reality.
And, of course, compare prices on several sites. It happens that in large online electronics stores, the cost of a particular model without a discount is similar to the price with a 50%, 60% or 90% discount on marketplaces.

• Price

A good speaker with good functionality can be bought for 12,000-17,000 rubles. It will not convey any special musical nuances, but it will cope with the main functions perfectly. Music lovers are better off looking at more expensive devices.

Rating of the best multi-room speakers for 2022

The best devices under 50,000 rubles

Marshall Acton II 60W

Made in a retro style, it looks like an old radio. The similarity is reinforced by the brand's stylized logo, a wooden case with a textured vinyl finish, and a brass plate on the front with the brand's creation date.

The advantage is that such a device will easily fit into any interior, and even add comfort. Users additionally noted the ease of management, even despite the crooked mobile application.

Capabilities:

• connection of 2-3 devices using Bluetooth connection;
• sound personalization - fine-tuning with analog knobs on the top panel or in a mobile application;
• analog connection - to any device with a standard 3.5 mm jack (cable, however, is not included in the package);
• built-in class D amplifiers for surround sound;
  standby function;
• the ability to adjust the intensity of the light signal.

According to user reviews, the column just looks gorgeous in the interior, it copes with the declared functions perfectly. But the sound quality depends a lot on the source. And, yes, the equalizer really works - the difference in sound is noticeable even to non-music lovers.

Price - 18000 rubles

• design;
• excellent build quality;
• good sound;
• simple installation and configuration.

• outdated mobile app.

Sonos Move Black 500

Who would have thought that Sonos would grow from a startup into a large company specializing in audio systems. Move Black is an all-in-one device for indoors and outdoors in a case made of impact-resistant plastic and protected from water – it is definitely not afraid of accidental drops. Controlled by app or buttons on the front panel.

Peculiarities:

• built-in voice assistants Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa;
• Trueplay automatic setting (in fact, adjusting the sound to the genre, style of the musical composition);
• support for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth (modes are switched with a button);
• 11 hours of work without recharging.

The manufacturer also mentions the operation of the device under extreme weather conditions (according to promises, the column will withstand frost up to -50 degrees, heat, hail rain). The package includes a speaker, charging instructions.
Of the minuses - it is not compatible with devices of previous series, and voice assistants are by and large useless. But from the quality of playback, accurate assembly, users have extremely positive impressions. The design, by the way, did not let us down either.

Price - 40,000 rubles on the official website of the brand

• simple connection - you just need to add a new device to your local home WiFi network and
• you can immediately start using;
• autotuning;
• impact-resistant case - useful for fans of home parties;
• replaceable battery - complete enough for 900 cycles.

• voice control, connection of several devices - only when using Wi-Fi;
• Trueplay will launch every time you move your device.

Bose Home Speaker 500

Powerful bass, panoramic sound, simple operation. Support WiFi, Bluetooth. Special technology for capturing voice commands and 8 built-in microphones allow the device to recognize commands, even when music is played loudly. The status of the microphones (on/off) will be indicated by a color indicator.
Peculiarities:

• create up to 6 presets for your own playlists - the function of saving settings for several
• users;
• voice, analog, control via the Bose Music app, AirPlay 2 - for apple devices;
• seamless aluminum body;
• built-in display, which reflects the time and playlist covers (the last function is not to say that it is very necessary).

Of the benefits - simple setup, really powerful, clear sound, high sensitivity of microphones.Of the minuses - in order to use the voice assistant, you will either have to connect via VPN, since you can control it through Alexa or Google Assistant. And, yes, these voice assistants only understand English.
The kit includes a speaker, a cable for connecting to an outlet, instructions, and a box of course.

Price - 37,000 rubles

• setup, connection - by and large it comes down to plugging into a power outlet and synchronizing with the device from which music will be played, business for a couple of minutes;
• surround sound;
• stylish design;
• multiple control options.

• the functions of the declared voice assistant, that Alexa, that Amazon are not supported in the Russian Federation - this, of course, is not a complaint against the manufacturer, it’s just that the speaker instead of “smart” turns into a regular one;
• and if you really find fault - a very mediocre display, the picture on which can only be seen from a certain angle.

The best mini systems

They look a little like standard portable speakers, but they look stylish and fit well into any interior. More suitable for music lovers, for whom sound quality is important, not loudness.

Naim Mu-so 2nd Generation

From the British brand, with support for Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2, Bluetooth 4.2, the easiest possible integration into a multi-room system. It is controlled either from a proprietary application, which is recognized as one of the most understandable and functional, or by buttons on the case.

Peculiarities:

• aluminum body in a universal dark gray shade;
• six 75 watt amplifiers - the output sound is voluminous and soft at the same time;
• built-in encoder with proximity sensor;
• support for Chromecast, TIDAL, Spotify Connect, Roon, UPnP protocol, playback from physical drives, or streaming services;
• acoustic compensation function, which allows you to adapt the settings to the size of the room, the genre of the reproduced composition.

Plus a modified limiter algorithm that is activated only at maximum volume, which allows you to extend the life of the speakers. And of course, excellent sound, with the Loudness Control option that compensates for the lack of bass and treble, regardless of the volume level.

Price - 142,000 rubles

• great sound;
• compactness;
• the most simple integration into a multi-room system, the ability to connect several
• devices;
• adjustable backlight brightness;
• simple, intuitive application.

• no.

Ruark Audio R7 MK3

This is a mini all-in-one system, made in a retro style. It looks like a table from the 60s or a once popular radiogram. The wooden case, which is made by hand, houses branded double concentric speakers that provide high sound quality regardless of the quality of the music source, CD player, USB connector.

The same system can act as a TV stand, the bracket can be purchased separately.

Peculiarities:

• control - from the remote control, using a mobile application;
• support for thernet / Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, network streaming services Tidal, Deezer, Spotify (better paid version);
• it is possible to listen to music from connected devices - a smartphone, tablet and even a vinyl player.

In general, this is a truly stylish and functional thing that will provide excellent sound and additionally become an interior decoration.Dimensions, however, Ruark decent - 1.0 x1.85 m with a weight of 30 kg. It is hardly suitable for a small room - it is rather the best option for a country house.

Price - 243,000 rubles

• simple setup;
• good sound quality;
• all-in-one functionality - you don’t need to connect it to anything.

• no.

Denon CEOL N10

Consists of 3 blocks, looks incredibly stylish and has good functionality. Supports major streaming services, HEOS multi-room system, voice control with Alexa.
Peculiarities:

• analog and optical input;
• control from the remote control, buttons on the top panel, or through a mobile application;
• the ability to listen to music from physical drives;
• compatible with WI-FI, Bluetooth. HEOS, AirPlay;
• easily integrated into the multi-room system, the ability to simultaneously connect 2 devices;
  remembering the settings of multiple users.

There is also a built-in display that displays the name of the song, time. To the credit of the manufacturers, it looks great, the information is easy to read, and the clarity of the image does not depend on the viewing angle.
Of the minuses - Alexa, which is not supported in the Russian Federation. But, given the price and good sound, this shortcoming can be forgiven. And you can control the device from the remote control.

Price - 59,000 rubles

• design - vintage lovers will definitely appreciate it;
• multiple control options;
• wide range of settings and connections.

• no.

The rating is based on user reviews, price-quality ratio. The characteristics indicated in the description may differ from the real ones (it is still better to check them before buying).