Buying guide for Best computer speakers
In the early days of computers, sound quality wasn’t a huge concern. Prior to the invention of streaming music, consumers were lucky to find laptop or desktop computers with speakers that sounded even halfway decent. But a lot has changed since then. Now we use web-connected devices for all kinds of audio, ranging from high-fidelity music to TV shows in multichannel surround sound, and having a good set of computer speakers makes a big difference when it comes to enjoying digital content.
Luckily, the computer speaker market has blossomed in the digital age, taking advantage of advancements in sound engineering and connectivity to perform better than ever before.
Key features of computer speakers
Most sets of computer speakers can do a lot more than make your music sound great. Here are the best features you’ll find when comparing different models.
Bluetooth
Many computer speakers include Bluetooth functionality, so you can wirelessly connect your smartphone and stream your personal music through them. If you need versatile speakers that will work with both your computer and your phone, get a set that includes Bluetooth.
External subwoofer
Subwoofers are great for bringing out the bass in your music, TV shows, and movies – they’re basically a separate box that sits on the floor and handles all of the audio’s bass. If you love big, booming bass in your music and movies, pick a set of computer speakers with a subwoofer (just remember that subwoofers can be a little bulky, so you’ll need to figure out where to put it).
Multiple inputs
Some computer speakers have multiple ports to physically connect additional devices for playback. Even if your computer will be your main source of audio, having multiple input options can be incredibly convenient for connecting things like a virtual assistant or an MP3 player.
Headphone jack
Although the days of the 3.5mm auxiliary jack are numbered, there’s still a lot of value in being able to plug a set of wired headphones directly into a set of computer speakers for critical listening.
We note the size of various computer speakers in our research. Some people prefer large, complex setups, while others only have room for compact speakers.
When we research the best computer speakers, our top priority is to find speakers with good sound quality. Clear, immersive sound improves everything from watching movies to editing videos.
We pay attention to price and note the features offered by every computer speaker we research. Decent computer speakers for casual listening can be found for $30 to $75, but speakers costing $76 to $149 offer the best balance between price and speaker quality.
Computer speakers are available in a broad range of styles. Luxury brands tend to offer more modern-looking speakers, but retro designs and novelty colors are widely available as well.
During our research, we look for computer speakers with external subwoofers, which amplify the bass in your entertainment. We want to know if the speaker offers a rich, powerful bass sound.
We check connectivity options to help shoppers find the right computer speaker setup for them. Wired speakers tend to be easier to set up and offer better sound quality, but Bluetooth and WiFi connections help make speakers more portable.
We keep in mind the differences between computer speakers and traditional speakers during our research. The most important distinction is that computer speakers connect to or provide their own power source, whereas traditional speakers don't include a power source.
We want to know how easy computer speakers are to set up, which options are good for tech-savvy users, and which are best for beginning users.
For hardcore audiophiles, we look for computer speakers with special features such as 360-degree sound, remote controls, and customizable inputs.
When researching computer speakers, we want to know how many inputs are available and how easy it is to toggle between different playback devices.
Computer speakers vs. other speakers
It’s easy to get lost when shopping for any kind of speakers. There are so many different types that it’s hard to know which ones are right for you. Computer speakers are fairly unique – if you know what to look for. Here are the main types of speakers you’re likely to see while you’re shopping.
Computer speakers
These typically come in sets of two small, rectangular speakers and a modest subwoofer. These are meant to be stationary and plugged directly into both your computer and an AC power outlet. Most importantly, computer speakers include amplifiers, so they’re designed to take an audio signal from a non-powered source (like a computer or smartphone) and amplify it.
Traditional speakers
Like those you attach to a receiver, traditional speakers don’t include a power source, so they rely on an external device to power and amplify the sound. Most devices like smartphones, tablets, computers, or laptops provide an audio signal but don’t amplify it, so the only way to connect your devices to traditional speakers is by using an amplification source like a receiver in between.
Portable Bluetooth speakers
Though usually marketed to users of mobile devices, they can be used with computers as well. Portable speakers connect to an audio source with Bluetooth and typically have a built-in battery so they can be taken anywhere. If you need a speaker that will go with you, consider picking up a Bluetooth speaker.
Computer speaker prices
It’s easy to overpay for computer speakers, so as you’re looking at your options, keep these price ranges in mind. You can expect to pay from $30 to $300 for a pair.
Inexpensive
You’ll find competent speakers that are good enough for casual listening but won’t knock your socks off for $30 to $75. Speakers in this price range are fine for small offices or users who don’t need a lot of bass in their music. If you need speakers that will make your computer sound good but don’t need them to make it sound great, you can get a good value in this range.
Mid-range
You’ll find the best balance of price and quality in computer speakers in the $76 to $149 range. These are models that come with impressive subwoofers, include full sets of connectivity, and sound fantastic. Unless you have an exceptionally large room or want a designer brand, there’s no need to spend more than this to get a good deal.
Expensive
You’ll see luxury brands offering slick, modern-looking computer speakers for $150 to $300. Computer speakers in this price range will sound good enough to please any audiophile and offer every connectivity option available, but the improvements over less expensive competitors can be so slight that they’re not worth the investment.
Tips
Decide if you want to control your computer’s volume on the computer or the speakers. When you add a pair of speakers to your computer, there will be two places to control the volume – you can adjust the volume of the signal sent from your computer in your computer’s operating system, or you can adjust the volume of the sound coming from the speakers by turning the dial on the speakers. It’s easy to lose track of what’s controlling what, so we recommend leaving your computer audio at about 60% of full volume, so the speakers are always amplifying a consistent signal. You can then make adjustments from the speakers themselves.
Measure to see what length of cabling you’ll need before setting up your speakers. It’s easy to overestimate how much audio cable you’ll need, and extra cabling behind your computer will get messy quickly. Save yourself some untangling down the road by measuring how much audio cable you’ll need – the distance between your computer’s audio output port and where you plan on putting the speakers – and only use cables of that length.
Test speakers you’re comparing by using the same music sample. In order to do a fair comparison between different sets of speakers, it’s best to pick a song you know well and play it on both pairs. Once you hear how each handles the same audio, you can accurately judge the differences. Many audiophiles use Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” to test speakers because of its sound spectrum. The band’s highest highs and lowest lows will quickly demonstrate the strengths and weaknesses of any speakers.
- Know that your speakers require a “break-in” period of about 80 to 100 hours. Over the course of the first 100 hours, the woofer (the main component that outputs the majority of the sound) will loosen enough to let more sound through. While the improvement is slight – most computer speakers sound good when you first plug them in – it’s worth noting that the sound quality will improve over time.
FAQ
Q. Do computer speakers come with a remote control?
A. Some computer speakers include a remote control that enable you to adjust the volume from a distance. Remotes are far from a common feature, however, so if you need one, pay close attention to which models have one.
Q. Can I use a set of computer speakers with my TV?
A. It depends. If you want to send audio from your TV to a set of computer speakers, you’ll need a TV that outputs audio in a physical form factor that corresponds to one of the speakers’ inputs. For example, older TVs have red and white RCA output ports, and those can be connected with an RCA cable to computer speakers with RCA inputs. Similarly, some computer speakers have optical input ports that can connect to optical output ports on some TVs using an optical cable. If you’re thinking about using a set of computer speakers with your TV, investigate the audio output options available on the back or side of the TV to determine your needs.
Q. Which sounds better: audio over Bluetooth or audio over a 3.5mm cable?
A. Bluetooth audio has made some major improvements over the last decade, so much so that most listeners can’t tell the difference in quality between music streamed over Bluetooth versus music coming from a hardwired audio source (like plugging your computer in directly with a 3.5mm cable). Technically, a hardwired connection will almost always perform better than a wireless connectivity option like Bluetooth, but unless you’re listening to high-fidelity audio formats like FLAC or ALAC, it’s unlikely you’ll notice any difference.
