Loudspeakers

Boston Acoustics Inc.

Jamo A/S

Guide to Loudspeakers

By Marianne Moro
Choose from an array of audio speakers for business use

Loudspeakers serve many functions in personal and business life whether you want to listen to music on a long drive cross country, hear presentations on your laptop or rig up a system for a lecture at a convention. Select audio speakers from many sources, including showrooms, websites and big box retail stores after determining the best set of speakers for your needs.

Many well-known manufacturers, like Bose and JBL, produce home and professional audio speakers for a variety of needs, including musical performances, seminars and office systems. When purchasing loudspeakers, determine which of the following products you'll need:

1. Audio speakers for clubs, sports arenas and other venues.
2. Car speakers for business, commercial or personal vehicles.
3. Stereo speakers for the home, office, retail or restaurant.

Action Steps

The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Buy brand name home speakers for your office Popular radio and home theater speakers are available from every conceivable outlet, including mail order, websites and big box retail stores like Circuit City and Best Buy. Compare prices and features to determine which brands and models best suit your needs.

I recommend:  Browse Infinity Systems to check out home theater speakers and surround speakers, to provide clients and employees with pleasant background noise. Infinity also sells professional and car audio speakers. Click over to Pioneer USA for more home speakers and professional loudspeakers.

Shop for car speakers from a vehicle audio specialist Considering the mobile culture in America today, it's no wonder car audio has become such an all-encompassing part of the speaker industry. If you spend a lot of time in your car while working, and love listening to music or radio programs during long road trips, consider car audio speakers from a niche manufacturer.

I recommend:  Listen to many types of sound systems and vehicle speakers from car sound expert Alpine USA. Alpine deals exclusively with vehicle sound systems and offers iPods and marine sound systems as well as car audio. Select from a number of car audio products and manufacturers at Crutchfield, a compendium of car audio and video products.

Choose from professional quality loudspeakers for your business For businesses, schools, venues and other places that offer performances and lectures to students and other large groups, locate professional systems from several popular manufacturers.

I recommend:  Consider speaker options from Cerwin-Vega, a company that makes loudspeakers for DJs, musical groups and background music. Contact JBL Professional to buy speakers for your store, lounge, restaurant or venue.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• Peruse popular bargain electronic websites that sell products from a number of manufacturers. They often feature discounted or discontinued computer speakers and portable speakers at rock bottom prices.