These are the best speakers for any dorm room

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Speakers may not have been a fixture in every dorm room I visited, but they sure were a big part of mine. 

But speakers are a huge product category, and can cater to people who care about getting the best sound under completely different circumstances.

Whether you're an audiophile, want good sound on the go, or want to make your room the place on campus to watch a movie, this list has you covered.

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A party-ready Bluetooth speaker

Sony
Amazon

If you're the social type, Sony's XB40 is one of the best audio-related investments you can make. Its sound is a little bassy heavy, but if you're making a playlist with mostly pop music on it, that won't matter much. If you're looking for more balanced sound after the party's over, you can adjust the EQ through an app called Music Center.

Audio quality aside, this speaker is waterproof and dustproof, so it'll be able to handle an accidental spill or party outdoors. Not only that, but the light ring around the rim of the speaker can provide a little extra ambiance in time to the music.

Sony XB40, $148, available at Amazon

You can read my full review of this speaker here.

An audiophile-quality Bluetooth speaker

Edifier
Amazon

If portability isn't as important to you as bigger sound, but you'd still like your dorm speakers to be wireless, consider this pair from Edifier. Not only are they Bluetooth, but these speakers have two sets of analog inputs, perfect if you've got a turntable that you'd like to bring to school. Another good trick is to hook these up to your TV through its headphone jack using an aux cable. I had a pair of speakers like this in my dorm room for a while, but they weren't wireless — I'm jealous.

Edifier Bluetooth Bookshelf Speakers, $149.99, available at Amazon

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A stereo speaker system

Pioneer
Amazon

This is for the audio geeks out there. Taking the concept of stationary Bluetooth speakers up a few notches, this stereo system is for people who love music. This pair of components can deliver loud, clear sound. If you want people in the dorm building next to you to know you really love Led Zeppelin, this is the option for you.

The stereo receiver has Bluetooth integration, so you can stream music through this system as easily as you can any wireless speaker. I can say pretty definitively that this is the best audio system on this list, but it's also the most cumbersome, and will take up the most space. If that bargain sounds like one you're willing to make, though, there's no reason not to check these out.

Pioneer Andrew Jones Designed Bookshelf Loudspeakers, $99.99, available at Amazon

Sherwood Stereo Receiver with Bluetooth, $140.60, available at Amazon

 

 

 

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A 5.1 speaker system

V
Amazon

This is for all you movie buffs! The thought of having a 5.1 surround sound system in a dorm may sound crazy, and it'll definitely require a cooperative roommate, but this set makes it manageable.

Not only are the speakers relatively small (small is code for dorm-friendly), but the back channel speakers can be connected to the subwoofer. Under normal circumstances, that's a nice perk; in a dorm, it's a lifesaver, because it won't require you to string wires all over the admittedly small space.

You can also use these speakers for listening to music, but they'll primarily be the centerpiece of a solid, inexpensive home-theater system. Think of these as an investment, as you become an upperclassman and gain access to better accommodations with more space; these speakers will move with you and only get put to better use.

Vizio 38-Inch 5.1 Channel Sound Bar, $248, available at Amazon

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A tiny Bluetooth speaker

Anker Soundcore Nano
Amazon

You might not use it every day, but this mini-sized speaker will come in handy more often than you'd think, whether you need to add a little extra emphasis to a presentation (never rely on a classroom's computer speakers, trust me) or want to take your music anywhere. 

This isn't a speaker you're buying for sound quality; instead think of it as a pocketable solution to any problem that involves amplifying audio from a remote place. Believe me, this is something you'll scoff at now, but you'll be happy to have later.

Anker SoundCore Nano, $24.88, available at Amazon

You can read my full review of this speaker here.

This article was originally published on 8/9/2016.  

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