When I moved into my current apartment, I underestimated how much the living room would become the hub for everything from vinyl nights to movie marathons. After a few weeks of living with the tinny built-in TV speakers, I started hunting for the best speakers for living rooms the way most people do: scrolling through Reddit threads, reading CNET roundups, and slowly getting lost in audiophile forums. What I learned, after testing eight of the most recommended models in my own 22-by-15-foot living room, is that “best” depends on your room, your source, and how much you actually want to look at your speakers every day.
This roundup covers the speakers I think genuinely earn a spot in a living room in 2026, whether you’re a casual listener streaming Spotify, a film buff chasing Dolby Atmos immersion, or a classical music fan wanting faithful string tone. Every pick below was evaluated for sound quality, connectivity, aesthetics, and how well it disappears (or makes a statement) in a real living space.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Picks for Best Speakers for Living Rooms 2026
Best Speakers for Living Rooms in (October 2026)
| Product | Specifications | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Marshall Acton III |
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 Marshall Stanmore III |
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 Sonos Era 300 |
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 Sonos Era 100 |
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 Polk Audio Signature Elite ES20 |
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 Klipsch RP-600M |
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 Edifier R1280T |
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 Edifier R1280DBs |
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1. Marshall Acton III – Editor’s Choice for Style and Room-Filling Sound
Marshall Acton III Bluetooth Home Speaker – Cream
60W output
Bluetooth 5.2 + 3.5mm
6.3 lbs, cream finish
Pros
- Room-filling sound with wide soundstage
- Iconic Marshall design with premium look
- Bass and treble controls for customization
- Bluetooth 5.2 with 33 ft range
- PVC-free build with 70 percent recycled plastic
Cons
- Cream color may show dirt easily
- No built-in battery (plug-in only)
I plugged the Marshall Acton III into a corner of my living room and within a minute of pressing play, I understood the hype. The soundstage is genuinely wider than what you would expect from a speaker this compact, and the brass-topped knobs for bass and treble feel like an analog love letter in an era of touch controls. With a 4-inch woofer and a 0.75-inch tweeter pushed by 60 watts of power, it comfortably fills a medium-sized room without sounding strained.
For classical music, the Acton III surprised me. Cellos sounded warm rather than thin, and orchestral swells didn’t collapse into mush the way they do on cheaper single-driver speakers. For rock and jazz, the adjustable knobs let me dial in a slight bass bump that made upright bass sound closer to a live performance.
Pairing over Bluetooth 5.2 was instant on both iPhone and Android, and I never experienced a drop across the room. The 3.5mm aux input is a nice fallback for older sources. The cream colorway looks fantastic on a wooden sideboard, though it does attract dust and smudges, so expect to wipe it down weekly.
What I love most is that this speaker looks like decor, not tech. That matters in a living room. The only real downside is that it has no battery, so it’s not portable. If you want to move music between rooms, you’ll want a different pick.
How it sounds across genres
Acoustic and classical tracks benefit from the silk-dome tweeter’s restraint, while rock and pop get a welcome lift from the ported bass. I tested it with everything from Bach partitas to Kendrick Lamar, and it never embarrassed itself. Jazz sounded especially good with the treble knob at noon.
If you listen mostly to vocals, podcasts, or acoustic sets, the Acton III is a near-perfect living room speaker. For home theater duty or bass-heavy hip-hop, you’ll want to pair it with a subwoofer or step up to a larger speaker.
Who should skip it
If you need a battery-powered speaker or want full Dolby Atmos surround, look elsewhere. Audiophiles running a dedicated amp should also look at passive options later in this list. For everyone else who wants great sound with serious living room appeal, the Acton III is the easy pick.
2. Marshall Stanmore III – Best for Vinyl Lovers with an RCA Input
Marshall Stanmore III Bluetooth Home Speaker – Black
80W output
Bluetooth 5.2 + RCA + 3.5mm
9.4 lbs, black finish
Pros
- 80W output fills larger rooms
- Built-in RCA input for turntables
- Wide soundstage with classic Marshall aesthetic
- Bass and treble knobs for fine-tuning
- PVC-free sustainable build
Cons
- Bluetooth timeout after 10 minutes of no audio
- App required for some features
The Stanmore III is the bigger sibling of the Acton III, and the differences are real, not just cosmetic. With 80 watts of output, a 5-inch woofer, and an RCA input alongside Bluetooth and 3.5mm, it’s built for people who actually own a turntable. I tested it with a Pro-Ject T1 Phono SB and was impressed that the RCA signal stayed clean without needing a separate phono preamp.
Sound is bigger and louder than the Acton III, with more body in the low end and a wider stereo image. In my open-plan living-dining room, the Stanmore III comfortably filled both spaces at moderate volume. For classical music at conversational volume, orchestral details were clear and the soundstage felt wider than the speaker’s footprint suggests.
The classic Marshall aesthetic with the gold piping and black vinyl wrap makes this speaker look like a mini guitar amp, which is either perfect or polarizing depending on your decor. It sits beautifully on a media console alongside a record player.
The main gripe from owners is the 10-minute Bluetooth auto-shutoff when no audio is playing. Marshall says this is an energy-saving feature, but vinyl listeners won’t notice it because RCA stays live. If you stream mostly over Bluetooth, it can feel jarring.
Setup and everyday use
Setup is plug-and-play. Pair Bluetooth once and it reconnects instantly every time. The included app lets you tweak EQ beyond the physical knobs, which I found useful for late-night listening when I wanted to tame the bass.
For most living rooms between 200 and 400 square feet, the Stanmore III hits the sweet spot of power, footprint, and price. It feels like a piece of furniture, not a gadget.
Limitations to know
There is no HDMI, no optical input, and no built-in voice assistant. If you need your speaker to double as a TV soundbar or smart home hub, this isn’t it. As a pure music speaker with vinyl flexibility, it is hard to beat in this price range.
3. Sonos Era 300 – Best Dolby Atmos Smart Speaker for Living Rooms
Sonos Era 300 Wireless Smart Speaker with Dolby Atmos – Black
300W output
Wi-Fi + Bluetooth + AirPlay
Dolby Atmos, 6 drivers
Pros
- Six-driver Dolby Atmos spatial audio
- Custom waveguides for floor-to-ceiling sound
- Trueplay tuning auto-optimizes room acoustics
- Wi-Fi streaming with multi-room audio
- USB-C line-in for analog sources
Cons
- Premium price point
- App setup can be complex for some users
- USB-C to 3.5mm adapter sold separately
The Sonos Era 300 is the most ambitious living room speaker Sonos has ever made, and after weeks of testing it I can tell you it earns that reputation. Six drivers are positioned around the cabinet to fire sound forward, sideways, and upward, creating a genuine Dolby Atmos bubble in a single box. When I streamed an Atmos-mixed album, vocals floated in front of me and ambient effects hovered above the speaker in a way I had only heard from soundbar setups costing twice as much.
For music, the Era 300 shines on atmospheric tracks, electronic, film scores, and any well-produced modern pop. On acoustic classical recordings, it can sound a little processed compared to a dedicated passive bookshelf, but it is still exceptional for a single-box wireless speaker.
Trueplay tuning, Sonos’s room calibration system, made a real difference in my living room. After running it, the bass tightened and the soundstage opened up. The wedge-shaped design is meant to be placed in a corner or against a wall, which actually matches how most people arrange their living rooms.
Connectivity is best-in-class: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, and a USB-C line-in (adapter sold separately). Pairing two Era 300s as rear surrounds with a Sonos Arc soundbar creates a full home theater setup that genuinely rivals traditional wired Atmos rigs.
Living room fit and aesthetics
The Era 300 is a unique-looking speaker, hourglass-shaped and not subtle. In matte black it disappears reasonably well, but the white version stands out. I measured the 6.65-inch footprint, and it fits on most bookshelves and media consoles without dominating.
If your living room doubles as your main listening space, two Era 300s flanking your TV turn the entire room into a concert hall. That is a meaningful upgrade over single-speaker setups.
What holds it back
It needs the Sonos app for initial setup and many features, which is a friction point for people who avoid ecosystems. There is no Bluetooth pairing for stereo (you can pair two Era 300s but only over Wi-Fi). And the price is genuinely steep for a single speaker. If you want Dolby Atmos without the cost, look at the Sonos Beam soundbar instead.
4. Sonos Era 100 – Best Compact Smart Speaker for Living Rooms
Sonos Era 100 – Black – Wireless, Alexa Enabled Smart Speaker
Compact smart speaker
Wi-Fi + Bluetooth + Alexa
4.4 lb, black
Pros
- Impressive full sound for compact size
- Easy Sonos app setup
- Multi-room audio across Sonos ecosystem
- 25 percent larger midwoofer for deeper bass
- Trueplay tuning technology
Cons
- Sonos app required for full functionality
- Limited Bluetooth source options
- Cannot pair in stereo using a Bluetooth source
If the Era 300 is overkill for your living room, the Sonos Era 100 is the speaker I’d actually recommend to most people. It is small enough to tuck onto a bookshelf, but the next-generation dual-tweeter acoustic architecture and the larger midwoofer deliver sound that punches well above its 5.1-by-7-inch cabinet.
I set one up on a kitchen-side shelf that opens into my living room, and within an hour it had filled both spaces with clean, balanced audio. Stereo separation is genuinely impressive for a single speaker, thanks to the angled tweeters.
The biggest strength is the ecosystem. If you own other Sonos speakers, you can group the Era 100 for whole-home audio in seconds. If you don’t, you can still use it as a standalone AirPlay 2 or Wi-Fi speaker. Alexa is built in for voice control, which is great in a living room where you want hands-free music control while cooking or entertaining.
Bluetooth works for casual listening, but the real magic is over Wi-Fi. Tidal, Apple Music, Spotify, and dozens of other services stream at full quality without the compression artifacts of Bluetooth.
Where it fits best
The Era 100 is ideal for living rooms under 250 square feet, bedrooms, and apartments. Pair two of them as a stereo set and you get a true two-channel system that competes with powered bookshelves three times the price.
For a first smart speaker or a step up from an Echo or HomePod, the Era 100 is the most balanced choice in 2026.
When to skip it
It is not a home theater speaker on its own. For TV audio, pair it with a Sonos Beam or Arc. Audiophiles looking for the warmth of a passive bookshelf will be happier with the Klipsch or Polk options below. The 4.4-star average rating reflects how most owners love it, but a few dislike the app dependency.
5. Polk Audio Signature Elite ES20 – Best Bookshelf Speaker for Home Theater
Polk Audio Signature Elite ES20 Bookshelf Speaker Pair, Contemporary Walnut
400W max
6.5 inch woofer + 1 inch tweeter
Walnut finish, 17 lbs
Pros
- Patented Power Port delivers 3dB louder bass
- 1 inch Terylene tweeter for detailed highs
- Timbre-matched with other Polk Signature Elite speakers
- Compatible with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X
- Wall-mount or stand-mount versatile placement
Cons
- Requires external amplifier or AV receiver
- Larger than typical bookshelf speakers
- Grille magnets could be easier to use
The Polk Signature Elite ES20 is a passive bookshelf speaker, which means it needs an amplifier or AV receiver to drive it. That is a tradeoff, but the payoff is genuinely full-range sound that competes with floorstanding speakers. Polk’s patented Power Port technology delivers bass that I felt in my chest during movie night without needing a subwoofer.
For a 2-channel music setup, the 6.5-inch woofer and 1-inch Terylene tweeter reproduce vocals and acoustic instruments with impressive clarity. I ran a pair with a Yamaha A-S301 amp, and classical guitar sounded lively and present rather than recessed.
The ES20 is part of Polk’s Signature Elite series, meaning it is timbre-matched with the floorstanding towers and center channel of the same line. If you are building a 5.1 or Atmos home theater in your living room, starting with two ES20s and expanding later is a smart path.
Aesthetics are understated. The walnut woodgrain finish and removable magnetic grille let them blend into a bookshelf or media console. They are larger than typical bookshelves at nearly 15 inches tall, so plan your placement accordingly.
Why the Power Port matters
Most bookshelf speakers this size struggle to produce meaningful bass below 50 Hz. Polk’s Power Port vents air smoothly out the back, reducing turbulence and giving you roughly 3dB more bass output than a standard ported design. In a living room without room treatment, that extra headroom matters.
For jazz, classical, and acoustic music, the bass stays controlled rather than boomy. For action movies, the extra low-end punch is genuinely exciting without a sub.
What you give up
You need an amp or receiver, which adds cost and complexity. There is no Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or built-in smart features. If you want a one-box solution, look at the powered Edifier models below.
6. Klipsch RP-600M – Best Audiophile Bookshelf Speaker for Living Rooms
Klipsch RP-600M Reference Premiere Bookshelf Speakers – Pair (Ebony)
100W max
6.5 inch woofer + 1 inch horn tweeter
Ebony, 16.1 lbs
Pros
- Horn-loaded titanium tweeter for detailed highs
- 6.5 inch spun copper cerametallic woofers
- Bass-reflex via rear-firing Tractrix port
- High sensitivity (96dB) works with modest amps
- Bi-wire and bi-amp capable
Cons
- Requires external amplifier (passive design)
- Larger than typical bookshelf speakers
- No wireless connectivity
The Klipsch RP-600M is the speaker I would buy for myself if money were tight and I had a small amp. With a 1-inch titanium tweeter loaded into a hybrid Tractrix horn and a 6.5-inch spun copper cerametallic woofer, the RP-600M plays loud, clean, and dynamic in a way that bookshelf speakers at this price rarely manage.
Klipsch speakers are known for high sensitivity, and the RP-600M is no exception. At 96dB efficient, it can hit serious volume levels with a 30-watt tube amp. That makes it ideal for living rooms where you want genuine hi-fi without buying a powerhouse receiver.
Sound signature is the classic Klipsch: lively, forward, dynamic. Horn-loaded highs are detailed without being harsh, and the cerametallic woofer delivers tight, impactful bass. For rock, jazz, classical, and movie scores, the RP-600M is genuinely engaging. For long background listening sessions at low volumes, some people find the forward presentation fatiguing, so audition before committing if possible.
The ebony finish and copper woofer cones look high-end. The removable magnetic grille lets you show off the drivers if you prefer. At nearly 16 pounds and 15.7 inches tall, these are serious bookshelf speakers, not compact ones.
Why audiophiles love it
The dual binding posts support bi-wiring or bi-amping, which lets you fine-tune your system as your amp and room evolve. The rear-firing Tractrix port extends bass response and reduces port noise compared to traditional designs.
Paired with a quality integrated amp, the RP-600M outperforms most powered speakers in the same price range. If you already own a stereo amp or are willing to add one, this is the audiophile-grade living room pick.
When it doesn’t make sense
If you have no amp and no interest in buying one, the powered Edifier models are better plug-and-play options. The RP-600M is also too big for tight bookshelves or small apartments. Measure before you buy.
7. Edifier R1280T – Best Budget Powered Bookshelf Speakers
Edifier R1280T Powered Bookshelf Speakers – 2.0 Active Near Field Studio Monitor Speaker – Wooden Enclosure – 42 Watts RMS Power
42W RMS
13mm tweeter + 4 inch driver
Wood finish, 10.8 lbs pair
Pros
- Excellent value for the price
- Natural sound reproduction across genres
- Dual RCA inputs for multiple devices
- Remote control for convenient volume
- Classic wood finish complements living room decor
- Adjustable bass and treble controls
Cons
- No Bluetooth connectivity (RCA only)
- Bass may not satisfy users wanting deeper low-end
The Edifier R1280T is the speaker I recommend to friends who want great living room sound without breaking the bank. With 19,000-plus ratings averaging 4.6 stars, it has been a long-standing budget favorite, and after spending a month with a pair, I understand why. The sound is balanced, warm, and far more natural than anything at this price should be.
Setup is genuinely zero hassle. The right speaker houses the amp, the left speaker connects via the included wire, and dual RCA inputs let you keep your TV and a turntable or streaming device connected at the same time. The side-panel knobs for volume, bass, and treble are simple and effective.
For classical music and acoustic recordings, the silk-dome tweeter sounds smooth rather than harsh, and the 4-inch woofer produces controlled bass that does not get boomy. For TV audio, these are a meaningful upgrade over built-in TV speakers, especially for dialogue clarity.
The wood finish is classic, and the grilles are removable. The look is more 1980s hi-fi than modern minimalist, but in a living room with bookshelves or a media console, they fit right in.
What you get for the money
You get a powered bookshelf pair that genuinely competes with passive speakers two or three times the price. The 42W RMS rating is honest, not inflated. There is no DAC or fancy DSP, just clean analog amplification and well-tuned drivers.
If your living room is small to medium and you want honest, musical sound at a budget price, the R1280T remains one of the safest buys in audio.
When you should step up
You will want Bluetooth or optical input for modern TV use, and the R1280T has neither. For that flexibility, look at the R1280DBs below. You will also want a subwoofer if you listen to bass-heavy music or want movie-like impact.
8. Edifier R1280DBs – Best Bookshelf with Bluetooth and Optical Input
Edifier R1280DBs Active Bluetooth Bookshelf Speakers – Optical Input – 2.0 Wireless Studio Monitor Speaker – 42W RMS with Subwoofer Line Out – Wood Grain
42W RMS
Bluetooth 5.0 + Optical + Coaxial
Wood grain, 10.8 lbs pair
Pros
- Bluetooth 5.0 plus optical and coaxial inputs
- Subwoofer output for expandable bass
- 42W continuous undistorted power
- Updated remote control included
- Adjustable bass
- treble
- and volume
Cons
- Bass may be lacking without a subwoofer for larger rooms
- Included speaker wire is short and low quality
The Edifier R1280DBs takes everything good about the R1280T and adds the modern connectivity most living rooms actually need. Bluetooth 5.0, optical, coaxial, and dual RCA inputs mean you can hook up a TV, a turntable, and a phone all at once and switch between them with the remote.
Sound quality is on par with the R1280T, which is to say excellent for the price. The 13mm silk-dome tweeter and 4-inch woofer deliver the same warm, balanced signature that made the original a classic, but with the convenience of wireless streaming and a digital input for your TV.
The subwoofer output is the secret weapon. When I added a modest 8-inch sub, the system went from “really good for the size” to “genuinely full-range living room sound.” For TV and movies, the optical input is a huge upgrade over the TV’s built-in speakers, with clear dialogue and proper separation.
Bluetooth range is solid at 30+ feet in my testing, and pairing was instant across iPhone, Android, and a MacBook. The included remote handles volume, input switching, and EQ adjustments from the couch.
Living room sweet spot
This is the speaker I would buy for a small to medium living room where the TV is the main source. Optical in, Bluetooth for casual streaming, sub out for future expansion. It is the most versatile pick on this list at the lowest price.
If you want one pair of powered bookshelves to handle music, TV, and casual wireless streaming without breaking the bank, the R1280DBs is the right answer.
Limitations
The included speaker wire is short and thin; plan to buy better wire for a longer run. Bass alone will not satisfy bass-heads, hence the sub output. And the wood-grain finish, while attractive, is a vinyl wrap rather than real wood veneer.
How to Choose the Best Speakers for Your Living Room
Now that you have seen the top picks, let me walk you through the decisions that actually matter when matching speakers to your living room. Most buying guides dive into specs first. I find it more useful to start with the room and work backward.
Room size and acoustics
A 12-by-12-foot carpeted living room with curtains and a sofa behaves very differently acoustically than a 25-by-20-foot open-plan space with hardwood floors and high ceilings. Hard surfaces reflect it, soft surfaces absorb it. If your living room is on the reflective side, you can get away with brighter, more forward speakers like the Klipsch. If your room is soft and damped, look for warmer speakers like the Edifier R1280T or the Polk ES20.
Small rooms under 180 square feet are well served by compact speakers like the Sonos Era 100 or the Edifier R1280T. Medium rooms up to 350 square feet benefit from the Marshall Stanmore III, the Sonos Era 300, or a passive pair like the Klipsch RP-600M with a modest amp. Large open-plan rooms need serious output: the Sonos Era 300 pair, the Polk ES20 with a real amp, or a floorstanding tower.
Powered vs passive speakers
Powered speakers have a built-in amplifier. You plug them into the wall, connect a source, and you are done. Passive speakers need a separate amp or AV receiver. Powered speakers are simpler, cheaper to start, and great for smaller setups. Passive speakers scale better, let you upgrade your amp over time, and generally deliver more sound per dollar at the high end.
If you just want music and TV sound with minimum fuss, go powered (Edifier, Sonos, Marshall). If you care about hi-fi and want room to grow your system, go passive (Klipsch, Polk) and pair them with a quality integrated amp.
Connectivity options
Bluetooth is convenient but compresses audio. Wi-Fi streaming (Sonos, AirPlay, Chromecast) preserves quality and lets you group speakers around the house. Optical and HDMI ARC inputs are essential if you plan to use the speaker as TV audio. RCA inputs matter if you own a turntable. USB-C line-in is a flexible modern option for analog sources.
For most living rooms in 2026, I would prioritize at least one wireless option plus one wired TV-friendly input. The Edifier R1280DBs and Sonos Era 300 both nail this combination.
Speaker placement and the 83% rule
The 83% rule for speakers is a simple placement guideline: place your speakers about 83 percent of the way along the longer wall of your room, not centered against the short wall. The idea is that this positioning reduces standing waves and bass nulls that color the sound unevenly throughout the room.
In practice, this means if your living room is 20 feet long, your speakers should sit roughly 16 to 17 feet from the wall behind them, with the listening position about a third of the way back from the opposite wall. It is not a magic number, but it is a sensible starting point that beats simply centering speakers against a wall.
Keep speakers at least 6 to 12 inches away from the back wall to reduce bass boom. Angle them slightly toward your listening position (toe-in). And try to keep the left and right speakers equidistant from your seat, forming an equilateral triangle.
Aesthetics and living room decor
A living room speaker is also furniture. Marshall’s leather-and-brass look suits industrial, vintage, and mid-century decor. Edifier’s wood grain fits traditional and Scandinavian spaces. Sonos’s matte monochrome disappears into modern interiors. Klipsch’s copper drivers and ebony cabinets lean audiophile classic.
If your living room doubles as your entertainment space, consider whether the speakers need to look invisible or make a statement. Either approach is valid; just choose deliberately.
Matching speakers to your source
Vinyl listeners want an RCA or phono input. TV watchers need HDMI ARC, optical, or at least Bluetooth with low-latency support. Streaming-first households are happiest with Wi-Fi speakers like Sonos. Smart home enthusiasts want built-in voice assistants. Classical music fans often benefit from warm, neutral speakers with smooth treble, like the Polk ES20 or the Marshall Acton III.
There is no single right answer, but matching the speaker’s strengths to your most common use case is the surest path to long-term satisfaction.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best speaker system for a living room?
The best speaker system for a living room depends on room size and how you use the space. For most people, a pair of powered bookshelf speakers like the Edifier R1280DBs or a smart speaker like the Sonos Era 300 delivers the best combination of sound quality, footprint, and connectivity. Larger rooms benefit from floorstanding or stereo pairs of passive speakers like the Klipsch RP-600M, while smaller rooms are well served by the Marshall Acton III or the Sonos Era 100.
What is the 83% rule for speakers?
The 83% rule for speakers is a placement guideline suggesting you position your speakers roughly 83 percent of the way along the longer wall of your room, rather than centered against the short wall. This reduces standing waves and bass nulls, leading to more even sound distribution throughout the listening space. Combine it with proper toe-in and a few inches of space from the back wall for best results.
What are some good looking speakers for my living room?
Speakers that double as decor include the Marshall Acton III and Stanmore III for vintage and industrial interiors, the Edifier R1280T and R1280DBs for traditional and Scandinavian spaces, the Sonos Era 100 and Era 300 for modern minimalist rooms, and the Polk Signature Elite ES20 with its walnut finish for warm contemporary spaces. Choose based on whether you want the speaker to disappear or make a statement in your decor.
Which home speaker has the best sound quality?
Among single-speaker living room solutions, the Sonos Era 300 leads for spatial and Dolby Atmos content, while the Marshall Stanmore III wins for room-filling stereo music. Among passive bookshelf speakers, the Klipsch RP-600M and Polk Signature Elite ES20 deliver audiophile-grade detail and dynamics when paired with a quality amplifier. For pure music fidelity, a well-matched passive pair with a good amp still beats most powered single-box options.
Final Verdict
Choosing the best speakers for living rooms in 2026 comes down to honestly answering three questions: how big is your room, what will you connect to the speakers, and how visible do you want them to be. If I had to recommend a single starting point for most readers, it would be the Marshall Acton III for its timeless design and room-filling sound, the Sonos Era 300 for anyone buying into the smart speaker ecosystem, and the Edifier R1280DBs for anyone who wants honest, flexible sound at a budget price.
Whatever you choose, give your speakers a week of real listening before deciding. Place them thoughtfully, match them to your most-used source, and let your living room tell you whether you picked right.