Let’s dive deep into my favorite speakers under 1000 euros. This is not a complete list of the best speakers in the market within this price range, but rather my favorite picks and explanations as to why they made the cut.
This list may be revised every year, or whenever I feel I’ve heard enough new speakers in this price range to add or remove options.
1. Dali Spektor 2
My favorite budget speakers, the Dali Spektor 2, offer tremendous value for their cost. Their biggest strength is how musical they are. They tie a lot of elements together, creating a punchy but not overly forward sound, resulting in a very pleasant musical experience. While not clinical or overly detailed due to their budget nature, they are a perfect introduction to the world of audiophile prestige. They provide a little bit of everything sonically—soundstage, details, bass, and clarity—all packaged in a beautiful musical whole.
2. Focal Chora 806
Next is my upper-budget favorite speaker, the Focal Chora 806. These speakers offer imaging and soundstage that belong in the 1000 euro category. With great looks, they are a perfect introduction to the beautiful world of HiFi. They are very airy and can control and muster details around the midrange. They don’t have a triumphant lower end and aren’t the last word in clinical listening, but the midrange is creamy and beautiful, enveloping you in a cozy listening experience. You’ll be floored by the imaging and the presence of vocals in the center, and how the soundstage and instruments envelop you. For more details, check out my review of these speakers on my channel.
3. KEF Q150
The KEF Q150 are serious contenders for transparency and clarity. They allow a lot of details and resolution to be present in the treble, creating a separation in the soundstage and making the texture and details of instruments more forward and present. The shape of instruments is vivid and clear, providing a firm place for bass, guitar, and vocals on the soundstage. I recommend these over the Q350, as the price increase gives you bigger speakers with a bit more resolving power and bass, but the Q150 is easier to accommodate in most rooms and with most amps.
4. Q Acoustics 3030i
The Q Acoustics 3030i offers a different story from the KEFs. Their older, bigger brother is recommended more, but this budget option provides enchanting bass. They offer a lot of bass that is agile and commanding without challenging tower speakers or subwoofers. These relatively compact bookshelf speakers provide better accommodation while delivering rhythmic and low-end sound. They are also warm speakers, so they won’t tire or fatigue you, making them a great combination for those looking for extra bass, richness in mids, and warm sound.
Full Review: https://www.hifidaydreaming.com/post/q-acoustics-3020i-budget-crown-contender-bookshelf-speakers-review-vs-dali-focal
5. Bowers & Wilkins 607 S3
The Bowers & Wilkins 607 S3 are perfect lively speakers that aren’t as hard on your system or room as their older brother, the 606. The 607 offers all the great features of the 606 but is easier to accommodate due to its smaller size and less emphasized treble. They provide a punchy and detailed experience with a forward treble and midrange, offering dynamics and expression to die for in this price range. They make all your music sound more live and full of energy, perfect for those who love a lively sound.
6. ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 and Monitor Audio Silver 100
These two speakers are very similar and deliver a lot of value in their respective price ranges. They have decent reach with soundstage dispersion and place instruments in their positions, giving them structure. They also have good reproduction and resolving power, with details and textures that help you feel the instruments. The lower end and bass are very defined and pronounced, creating an interesting, full, and rich rhythmic sound. This makes listening sessions fun, especially for rock or electronic music. Both speakers offer a balanced sound that is a bit warm, but they can sound a bit bright if incorrectly paired.
7. Sonus Faber Lumina II
These are my favorite speakers in this price range. Originally retailing for around 1200 euros, their price has dropped with the arrival of the new Lumina II Amator. The Lumina II offers a great combination of details, reach, timber, and warmth. They provide a reproduction that is full and rich, yet detailed and clear, making them both musical and audiophile-grade. They have a serious soundstage with defined instruments and rich treble. Vocals have a lovely timber and decay that stays with you, surrounding you. They are also visually stunning, making them a great buy.
8. Dali Oberon 5 and Oberon 7
Dali is one of my favorite brands, and having owned the Oberon 5 for a long time, I can say that this and its smaller brother are where Dali peaks in value. They offer the great values of the Menuet or Opticon for less money. They are full-sounding speakers brimming with musicality, with an expressive presentation that pulls treble and mids towards you with punch and agility. They are informative without overwhelming you with details and provide great soundstage dispersion. They are easy to place in a room, but care must be taken with pairing equipment, as overly punchy amps can push the treble up too much.
Full Review: https://www.hifidaydreaming.com/post/masterful-musicality-of-dali-oberon-3-and-5-review
9. Focal Aria 906
The Focal Aria 906, recently discounted, is amazing for certain types of audiophile lovers. They deliver a massive soundstage and impressive imaging with decent refinement, dynamics, and details. They provide a lot of nuances, texture, and detail in instruments and vocals, creating a lovely, airy experience for hours of listening. However, if you want meat and punch from your speakers, you should look elsewhere, as they are very tame with not much punch in the treble or lower end. This can be mitigated with punchy amps and subwoofers, but they are not for those who love a live sound.
Full Review: https://www.hifidaydreaming.com/post/smooth-and-beautiful-enlightenments-great-focal-aria-906-review
Conclusion
Thanks for watching this video of my favorite speakers under 1000 euros. Do you agree with me? Do you have your favorites that you think should be here? Please let me know in the comments; I always love to hear other audiophile opinions. The HiFi world is vast, and there is always a hidden gem from smaller companies, and I dream about hearing and knowing it all. If you liked this video, please like, subscribe, and donate via Patreon if you can.
All the best, bye!
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