Expert Reviews
Are Chesky LC1 SPEAKERS the MUST-HAVES For 2025? Designer Lucca Chesky Reveals WHY YOU NEED THEM!
The Chesky Audio LC1 Bookshelf Monitors had "the BUZZ" at 2025's Southwest Audio Fest and are making waves in the audiophile world. I caught up with the 17 year-old Designer, Founder, and CEO of NY-based Chesky Audio to talk about what makes these speakers so damn special! In this impromptu interview, Lucca breaks down his philosophy about hifi, music listening, and reveals secrets about the design, technology, and inspiration behind the LC1. Don’t miss this journey into what could be the next big thing in pint-sized, AFFORDABLE high-end audio! Could these be the speakers for you?
the audio analyst
Florida's International Audio Expo 2025 and the
Crazy Good Chesky LC1
Lucca Chesky's LC1 Speaker - FLAX 2025
Florida International Audio Expo 2025: A New Chesky and a Cost-Conscious Speaker—the LC1
Doug Schneider
Best Bookshelf Speakers Under $1,000: Editors’ Choice 2024
by Ian White
"One of the most surprising new loudspeakers of 2024."
"It’s not often that a new speaker maker bursts onto the scene with a product that shakes up the establishment."
"For under $1,000, the LC1 deliver wonderful articulation and definition, natural sounding timbre, solid imaging, and affordability in a compact and attractive design."
Audiophile Gear Awards 2024:
The Absolute Best of the Year
Winner of Best of CAF 2024
Blue Note Awards
•Chesky Audio LC1 (Loudspeaker)
Chesky's new LC1 speakers were a sensation at Capital Audiofest.
by Frank Doris
"Not “good for the money” or “good for their size,” but terrific, period."
"They delivered some of the best sound at the show."
"Surprising room-filling bass, exceptional imaging and soundstage capability, and a natural tonal balance."
"Chesky Audio LC1 Bookshelf Speaker Review: Audiophile Nirvana for Under $1000?"
Chris Boylan - ecoustics.com
"A small but mighty bookshelf speaker."
"The first word I’d use to describe the LC1s is “natural.” Drums sound like drums; piano sounds like a piano; violins sound like violins and voices sound like actual human voices."
"For under $1,000, the Chesky Audio LC1s represent an impressive first offering from a talented young designer who grew up surrounded by people who actually care how music sounds."
Chesky Audio LC-1 Preview - 1st Impressions
Chesky Audio’s New $500 LC1 Bookshelf Speaker Will Disrupt Affordable HiFi
The 2024 Capital Audio Fest: Inspirational New Products
By Andrew Quint
"Chesky LC1 is a lot of speaker for under a grand."
"With familiar Reference Recordings material, the spatial presentation bordered on immersive when listening in the nearfield."
"The buzz was palpable weeks before I hit the show."
"The greatest-value small speakers at CAF 2024."
Ken Micallef
"What’s not to love?"
"The small speakers blew out a massive soundfield that was rich, dynamic, punchy, and very well layered."
"The hefty cabinets look strong and well built."
"The tone was just this side of rich, but like my BRX bookshelf speakers—designed by Mr. Gross—clear, generally transparent, and highly engaging."
"Brass had bite and attack. Drums punched like a larger speaker. The sound was how I like it, so I asked to play the LC1s loud."
Tom Martin Reports from the 2024 Capital Audio Fest:
"An under one thousand dollars speaker contending for
BEST IN CLASS!"
"We were seriously impressed by what we heard."
"The LC1 features pinpoint imaging, surprisingly robust bass and a toe-tapping tuneful musicality that was missing from many speakers at more than five times the size and cost."
"In an industry that is slow to innovate and hard to infiltrate, it’s refreshing to see a new voice taking a new approach to providing affordable high-quality sound to the next generation of music lovers. We were seriously impressed by what we heard."
"This “little speaker that could” was holding its own at a high end HiFi show where some of the systems ran into the half million dollar range and beyond. "
Chris Boylan - ecoustics.com
Joey G's Audio Channel:
"The Future of Audio is Safe At Last"
"Room-filling coherent and engaging sound coming from his impressive and very moderately-priced LC1’s. Bravo!"
Michael Lavorgna's - twitteringmachined.com
"A definite find."
"They are a real standout at the show."
"The speakers are pretty no-frills black bookshelf speakers, but the sound is impressive. They have great bass and midrange from what I got to hear, and for the price, they are a definite find."
10 Audiophile Reviewer Observations from Capital Audiofest 2024
by Jerry Del Coliano
"Lucca is making amazing bookshelf speakers."
"These passive radiator-driven small bookshelf speakers for under $1,000 were imaging like a banshee."
"The idea that a teenager can build a speaker like this is impressive."
"The sound is spectacular"
FAQ
-
How long will it take to receive my LC1 speakers?
Each LC1 is custom-built by hand to order. On average, it takes about 4–6 weeks from the time of purchase for your speakers to ship. You will receive a confirmation email with tracking details once your order is on its way.
-
What do I need for my LC1s to work?
The LC1 is a passive speaker and requires an amplifier or integrated amplifier. We recommend at least 30 watts per channel (RMS) at 8 ohms. You can use a variety of sources—such as a turntable, CD player, streamer, or computer—as long as they are connected to an amplifier via appropriate interconnect cables. From the amplifier to the LC1, use standard speaker cables.
-
Can I use these speakers with Bluetooth?
If your receiver/amplifier supports Bluetooth, you can stream audio wirelessly to it, and then connect the receiver to the LC1s with speaker cables as usual.
Natively the LC1s are passive speakers and do not have built-in Bluetooth functionality. Whether you can use Bluetooth depends on your receiver or player.
-
What is the best placement for my LC1s?
For optimal acoustic performance, we recommend placing your LC1s as far from walls as possible on stands around 34–36 inches tall. This setup helps minimize reflections and enhances the soundstage. The LC1s also work well in other configurations—such as nearfield desktop setups, bookshelves, or dressers—but ensure the speaker sides remain unobstructed if they are placed on a shelf.