No matter what you use your computer for, having a good set of speakers can really improve your experience. Your music or audio will sound so much better coming from a set of computer speakers, so here are some things to consider before you make your purchase.
Quick Links
- What To Look For in Computer Speakers
- The Top 10 Best Computer Speakers
- Klipsch Promedia 2.1 Computer Speaker System
- Sakobs Computer Speaker
- Dolby Sound Blasterx Katana Soundbar
- Creative Pebble Desktop Speakers
- Amazon Basics Computer Speakers
- Logitech 3.5MM Jack Compact Laptop Speakers
- Toatronics Wired Computer Soundbar
- Sanyun SW102 Computer Speakers
- Maboo Sound Bar Speakers
- Zeity Computer Speaker
- Final Thoughts
What To Look For in Computer Speakers
Stereo or Surround Sound
You should first consider how you would like to hear the audio coming from your computer. Would you like it to sound nearby and next to you? Or would you prefer to be surrounded by sound for a more immersive experience?
This is the difference between stereo speakers and surround sound. Stereo speakers are fairly simple, only having a left and a right speaker. You can place each one on either side of you to be able to hear the audio in each ear.
Surround sound speakers are much more advanced when compared to stereo speakers. A 5.1 surround sound system can have five or more speakers that can be placed around the room, allowing you to hear everything around you for a more engaging experience.
They also come with a subwoofer that allows you to hear deep bass frequencies more clearly, so any sounds such as explosions or bass guitars can feel pretty intense.
If you’re serious about your audio, you may benefit from buying a 5.1 channel surround sound system. A system with a 5.1 channel or greater is extremely high-quality and immersive, perfect for someone who is passionate about sound, but not ideal for most people as they are often very expensive and difficult to set up.
If you like to hear strong bass sounds, buying stereo speakers with a subwoofer could be ideal. This is known as a 2.1 system as not all stereo speakers come equipped with a subwoofer. With a 2.1 stereo system, you can hear a strong-sounding bass without needing to buy a surround sound system.
Wireless
Computer speakers are available on the market with both wired and wireless connections. With wired connections, the speakers can be connected to your computer through a USB port or through a 3.5mm headphone jack. These are often much easier to set up and use as all you need to do is plug the speakers in, and you’re ready to go.
Although your computer may already have a lot of wires attached to it, so you might want to avoid adding more wires and creating a tangly mess. Choosing a wireless computer speaker could be just what you need.
Wireless speakers can be connected to your computer via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi without reducing the sound quality, so you can still have the same quality as you would with a set of wired speakers.
Wireless speakers often come with a wire as an option in case your speaker runs out of charge or if your connectivity becomes temporarily unstable.
In the past, wired speakers had a much better quality of sound than wireless speakers because it was much easier to transfer data through a wire than it was to transfer it via a wireless signal. Now that it’s a lot easier to transfer data via a wireless signal, the quality between wired and wireless is very much the same.
Size and Design
You need to consider what size speakers you would like and how you would like them to look. It’s important that the computer speakers can be placed exactly where you want them whilst also fitting in with the rest of your computer setup or room.
If you’re planning on keeping the speakers on your desk, you should think about your desk space. With stereo speakers, you can put each one on either side of the desk to hear the most sound and give your desk some symmetry. There are also soundbars available that can be placed underneath your computer monitor, taking up as little room as possible.
Computer speakers are going to be on display all of the time, so having a nice set can really add to your space. There are models available that look futuristic for a more high-tech look, and there are models that have been designed to look wooden for a more cozy feeling. Different colors are available as well, so there’s plenty of options for you to find the perfect speakers for your setup.
Portability
If you’re buying speakers for your laptop or other portable device, you should consider portability. Some speakers have been designed specifically to be portable. These designs are often much smaller in size, lighter in weight, and easy to pack up and take with you anywhere.
Smaller portable speakers may not be as powerful as a larger set of speakers, but they are still much better and a higher quality than the speakers built into your device. You’ll mostly find that portable speakers have a stereo sound. This is because surround sound needs more than one speaker to work, and carrying around multiple speakers wouldn’t be very portable.
Despite the power difference, portable speakers do the same thing as regular speakers and are available with wired or Bluetooth connectivity.
Extra Features
Some computer speakers come with extra features that can make owning a set feel a lot easier and more premium.
Basically, all computer speakers come with a mute button. With just a click of a button, you can turn the volume all the way down to zero. This feature is great for when someone tries to talk to you or get a sudden phone call, and you need to switch off the music as fast as possible.
Some speakers come with a remote control that can allow you to operate them from afar without needing to stand up or lean over. You can use a remote control to adjust the volume, pause or play, and skip songs if you’re listening to a playlist.
Another feature you can have is the ability to control the bass and treble. For example, if you think the sound is too rumbly, you can lower the bass, or if you think the sound is too sharp, you can turn down the treble and vice versa. This feature can allow you to make the audio sound exactly how you want it to.
For a more colourful and exciting option, some speakers are available with RGB lighting for added atmosphere to your setup. These can have different lighting options, such as solid and rainbow, and there are often different lighting modes for you to choose from.
The Top 10 Best Computer Speakers
Klipsch Promedia 2.1 Computer Speaker System
The Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 Computer Speaker System is a 2.1 stereo system. It comes with two speakers and a subwoofer for maximum sound quality, and a strong bass, making it perfect for streaming and gaming.
Designed with space in mind, these speakers are small so that they can fit anywhere in your setup. These speakers will still provide you with crystal-clear sound and rich bass for an immersive experience despite the small size.
Using a wired connection, these speakers can be connected to your computer using a 3.5mm headphone jack and a mini plug input.
You can easily adjust the volume and the subwoofer of the speakers with the control pod on the right speaker. This control pod can also switch the power on/off with the twist of a knob. As a bonus, the speakers have a built-in headphone jack so that you have the option to listen with your headphones instead.
Sakobs Computer Speaker
The SAKOBS Computer Speaker is a stylish-looking soundbar with a lightweight, slim design. This soundbar will make any computer setup feel more modern and high-tech, and the slim design means that it won’t take up too much of your desk space.
The soundbar features powerful dual full-range drivers for high-quality sound and audio. There is a full cover of steel mesh on the front side of the soundbar, which allows the sound to pass through effectively without losing any quality, giving you a crystal-clear stereo sound and a strong bass.
You can choose to connect to this soundbar wirelessly via Bluetooth. With a Bluetooth connection, you can have up to 16 hours of playtime before the soundbar will need to be recharged. You can also choose to have a direct connection with its 3.5mm audio interface, through a USB connection, orby reading music from a TF card.
Dolby Sound Blasterx Katana Soundbar
The final product in this list is the DOLBY Sound BlasterX Katana Soundbar. This soundbar is designed to fit directly under your monitor with its slim size and features an Aurora Reactive lighting system for fully customizable ambiance lighting.
With its high-quality audio and sound, this soundbar will provide you with an immersive audio experience for your video games, music, or movies with the BlasterX Acoustic Engine and the Dolby Digital 5.1 Decoder.
There are different options available for you to connect the soundbar to your computer. You can connect wirelessly via Bluetooth for a cable-free experience, or you can use a wired connection. The soundbar can be connected with Aux, Optical connection, or through micro-USB.
A remote control is included with the soundbar so that you can operate it easily from afar. You can use the remote control to adjust the volume, play or pause, mute the sound, or power the soundbar on/off.
Creative Pebble Desktop Speakers
The Creative Pebble Desktop Speakers feature a beautiful sleek design that was inspired by the zen Japanese rock garden. These orb-shaped speakers are available in black or white and can fit perfectly into any computer setup.
Audio and sound produced from these stereo 2.0 speakers can keep you fully immersed in your activity, whether it’s playing a video game or watching your favorite anime. Its 45° elevated custom-tuned far-field drive solution directs the audio into your ears so that you can hear the sound with crystal clear details.
These speakers can connect to your computer through a USB cable for power and a 3.5mm headphone jack for audio playback.
Placed at the front of one of the speakers is a control knob for easy volume adjustments. Measuring only 4.4inches wide, the small size of the speakers means that they can be placed nearby to your computer, so you don’t need to stretch over to access the volume.
Amazon Basics Computer Speakers
The Amazon Basics Computer Speakers may not be the most exciting set in the world, but they are perfect if you’re just looking for an upgrade from your built-in speakers.
Featuring a brushed black metal finish and a smooth shape, these speakers will fit in nicely into any room décor. The small compact size makes these speakers great for portability and allows them to be placed anywhere without taking up too much space.
These speakers are stereo speakers with a frequency range of 80Hz to 20KHz for high-quality sound that allows you to hear all of the audio details.
There is a USB cable for power and a 3.5mm headphone jack for sound to connect the speakers to your computer.
Extra features available include the blue LED accent lights, a non-slip base to keep the speakers firmly in place, an in-line volume control, and a bottom radiator for an enhanced bass sound.
Logitech 3.5MM Jack Compact Laptop Speakers
The Logitech 3.5mm Jack Compact Laptop Speakers are compact in size with a simple but sleek black design. They are perfect for desks with a limited amount of space and can complete any computer setup look.
Audio produced by these speakers has a rich stereo sound and a strong bass. The speakers feature a front-facing reflex port that provides extra bass instead of a subwoofer, allowing you to experience high-quality sounds at a more affordable price.
One of the set speakers comes with control buttons that give you access to the power and the volume. It’s also equipped with a 3.5mm headphone jack so you can plug in your headphones, allowing you to choose exactly how you want to listen to your audio.
Setting up these speakers to work with your computer is simple. You can connect them to your computer or laptop using a standard 3.5mm plug.
Toatronics Wired Computer Soundbar
The ToaTronics Wired Computer Soundbar is a brilliant choice for a computer speaker. It’s compatible with a wide range of different devices, not just your computer, and has a slim design that allows it to be placed anywhere without taking up too much space.
This soundbar can produce impressive high-quality audio and sound that can keep you fully absorbed in your music, video game, or movie.
To connect and use the soundbar with your computer or another device, simply plug it into a USB port for power. There is also a pink cable available that can be used with a microphone and a blue cable that can be used with your headphones for any late-night movie or gaming sessions.
Other features that can be found on the soundbar include the dial knob for easy volume control and the LED accents that provide your setup with some extra ambiance.
Sanyun SW102 Computer Speakers
The Sanyun SW102 Computer Speakers are designed to stand steadily in place without any vibrations. The cool black and silver color gives it a modern look, and a blue oval lamp ring underneath the speakers can add some atmosphere to your computer space.
These speakers are perfect for portability, thanks to the small size and lightweight. Despite the small size, the speakers have a superb 360°stereo sound quality and a great bass tone as a result of the built-in bass diaphragm.
To connect the speakers to your computer, all you need to do is plug in the USB power supply cable, and you’re ready to go. The power cable even features a scrolling dial that allows you to adjust the volume with ease.
The speakers are highly compatible and can be used with a wide range of devices, so you can choose to use them with your computer or your phone.
Maboo Sound Bar Speakers
The Maboo Sound Bar Speakers has a stylish and innovative design that can fit in with any computer setup. Its smooth black color can be matched to any room décor, and the blue light across the bottom can add some extra ambiance to your setup.
This soundbar can be placed anywhere on your desk with its slim design without taking up too much space. It can be placed nearby underneath or behind your computer monitor, so you can reach over and adjust the settings at any time with issues.
This soundbar produces a high-quality sound that allows you to fully immerse yourself into your activity. The incredible sound quality comes from the two 5W speaker drivers inside of the soundbar.
You can plug-in the soundbar into your computer or another device easily using a USB port. The soundbar is simple to set up and use, and a spin button on the side makes it easy to control.
Zeity Computer Speaker
Despite the name, the Zeity Computer Speaker is actually a mini soundbar. Its simple design does not feature any buttons, giving it a smooth finish and allowing you to control it entirely through your computer.
The design is small and compact, making it lightweight and portable so that you can take it with you wherever you go. It will also fit perfectly onto any desk without taking up too much space.
The powerful built-in dual speakers can produce high-quality sound at any volume without making the treble or the bass sound warped. Plus, they feature a 360° stereo sound that will make you feel like you’re surrounded by music.
With this soundbar, there is no need to have any drivers on the computer in order to get it to work. It’s simple and easy to use; all you need to do is plug it into your computer with a USB cable, then press play.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, there are many different speakers available on the market, each with high-quality sound and their own different features. Hopefully, you can use this guide to figure out what you would like from a set of computer speakers and make your purchase accordingly.