A black DALI speaker sitting on a wooden surface, with a CSS shelf and some electronic items in the background.

Speakers Overview

The type of speakers you need will depend on what kind of HiFi you want to build.

Gear-heads will almost always recommend that you invest in a "separates" HiFi (individual dedicated amplifiers / pre-amps / speakers, etc) and to spend as much money as possible...

In reality, the vast majority of first time vinyl listeners would be blown away with a mid-range pair of modern 'Active' speakers. 'Active' speakers have a built-in amplifier, and usually come with multiple input channels. Bluetooth is becoming standard, and more expensive ones will have things like HDMI and optical inputs for linking with games consoles, TVs, PCs, and media players.

I have both types of speakers: a full stacked 'separates' HiFi with passive speakers powered through an amplifier; and a Turntable straight into Powered speakers. I don't have a preference.