Like a soundbar for a TV, peripheral computer speakers will make a big difference right away.
Best affordable speaker
Bose Companion 2 Series III
Bose’s Companion 2 speakers don’t have much in the way of extra bells and whistles, but the company’s top-notch audio quality combined with a cheap price point makes them excellent entry-level speakers.
In today’s world, it can be hard to get by without a rock-solid computer desk setup at home. Whether you’re on a custom-built powerhouse PC tower or merely using a work laptop, one thing brings every configuration together: The need for quality speakers to get usable audio out of your computer.
The default speakers that come built into monitors or laptops simply aren’t good enough. Most screens these days are too thin to include nice speakers, instead opting for the bare minimum, which usually produces a tinny, unappealing sound that just won’t do. Thankfully, there are plenty of options out there, whether you need something big and booming, or something that gets the job done without taking up too much space.
How many speakers do you need?
The number of speakers you need to complete your desk arrangement depends entirely on how much space you’re working with. While there are some one-speaker options out there, for the most part, you’re either getting something with two speakers and a subwoofer (also known as 2.1) or five speakers and a subwoofer (or 5.1).
A 2.1 setup is going to be adequate for most people, as it will reproduce both the left and right sound channels independently, with the subwoofer adding bass, all without hogging your entire desk. However, for those who want to get the absolute best audio output from a computer, a 5.1 surround sound configuration will be more immersive and enhance the experience. This is especially important for those who want to blast music, watch movies, or play video games with the best possible audio.
How do you want to connect them to your computer?
Some computer speakers can connect via Bluetooth, which is convenient but also prone to signal interference and latency in some cases. That’s not ideal, but it’s a nice option to have if you don’t want to deal with cable clutter any more than you have to. For the most part, though, speakers in the $100-and-up price range will depend on wired connections.
In most cases, that’ll usually mean using a USB or 3.5mm AUX connection, which you might otherwise know as the headphone jack. You might even be able to connect via digital optical or coaxial cables, but that really depends on your personal machine. Identify what ports your computer has, figure out how to accommodate more cables than you already have if necessary, and go from there.
To save you time, we’ve found seven of the best computer speakers to get that audio upgrade.
Klipsch ProMedia 2.1
The Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 speakers offer a killer combination of setup and power that’s sure to please all ears.-
Number of speakers:
2.1 -
Input:
USB, 3.5mm cable -
Wireless:
No -
Subwoofer included:
Yes
That’s where Klipsch comes in. Klipsch is one of the oldest speaker companies — they started back in 1946. Today, they make high-quality speakers for everything from TVs to stereo systems, and, of course, computers.
The Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 speaker system offers great power without an overwhelming setup. It keeps that simple 2.1 setup a majority of computer speakers use, so if you’ve had those in the past, you’ll find the setup process pretty intuitive.
But since it’s a Klipsch system, you can be sure it’s packing way more power than the average computer speakers.
The giveaway is the THX certification. Since it was established in 1983, THX has helped hold the standard to which all premium sound systems are measured. So if you get speakers carrying that THX certification, you know the quality is going to be up to snuff.
It also comes packing Klipsch MicroTractrix. This is what helps give the speaker system that extra punch and earns that THX certification. It’s going to help with general clarity and dispersion, putting the audio quality above and beyond the average speaker setup this system sticks to.
So regardless of what you’re doing on your computer, from high-end gaming to music editing, these speakers shouldn’t disappoint.
Bose Companion 2 Series III
Bose’s Companion 2 speakers don’t have much in the way of extra bells and whistles, but the company’s top-notch audio quality combined with a cheap price point makes them excellent entry-level speakers.-
Speakers:
1 -
Input:
USB, 3.5mm aux -
Wireless:
Yes -
Subwoofer included:
No
Just about anyone who’s ever purchased audio equipment is familiar with Bose. It’s a recognizable brand for a reason: With Bose, sound quality is the last thing you usually need to worry about. That holds true for the Companion 2 Series III speakers, the cheapest two-speaker setup on this list.
At a low price, you expect simplicity, and simplicity is what you get here. There are just two speakers that connect via a 3.5mm AUX cable, with a volume knob and an additional 3.5mm AUX input on one of the speakers if you feel like using headphones. This isn’t a 2.1 setup, so don’t be shocked when the box comes without a subwoofer in it.
What these speakers lack in bonus features, they make up for in value and quality. Bose’s signature sound is present and accounted for, which makes these more than good enough for listening to music, watching YouTube videos, and whatever else one might do on a computer. You won’t get fancy surround sound or overwhelming bass, but for basic everyday tasks, you’ll be fine.
Razer Nommo Pro
Several connection options, virtual surround sound, and fancy colored lights make these an excellent choice for gamers.-
Number of speakers:
2.1 -
Input:
USB, 3.5mm, optical -
Wireless:
Yes
Razer is one of the biggest names in PC gaming accessories, ranging from keyboard and mice to, yes, computer speakers. The Nommo Pro speakers might not seem like a great value, given that they’re 2.1 instead of 5.1 and nearly $600, but the other extra goodies Razer included can more than make up for a lack of speakers.
First and foremost, they can connect to your computer in just about any way you want. Got an open USB port? You’re all set. Not using that 3.5mm jack? No problem. Still wondering what the heck that optical port even does? Great news: It makes the Nommo Pro speakers deliver high quality audio during your gaming sessions. And yes, if you hate wires, Bluetooth connectivity is here, too.
Aside from the two speakers and a downward-facing subwoofer, Razer packed in a small control pod you can use to adjust volume and pair the speakers with devices on the fly. You can even use the Razer Chroma technology to control the intensity and color of the lights underneath the speakers. Colored lighting and PC gaming go hand-in-hand.
Lastly, If you’re worried about sound quality, don’t be. THX certification and Dolby virtual surround sound mean you’ll get big sound out of these little guys. Razer Nommo Pro might be costly and a little silly looking, but for PC gamers, there’s a lot to like.
Logitech Z906
With the Z906, you can bring a home theater sound to your computer.-
Number of speakers:
5.1 -
Input:
Digital optical, digital coaxial, RCA audio or 3.5 mm output -
Wireless:
No -
Subwoofer included:
Yes
That’s where the Logitech Z906 shines. The Z906 delivers a home theater setup for your computer with a 5.1 speaker system for full surround sound.
In terms of audio quality, the Z906 delivers in spades. By virtue of it being a five-speaker system with a subwoofer, you’ll get decent audio out of the box. What puts this over the edge is the THX-certified Dolby Digital audio.
Anything that has Dolby Digital is going to have excellent audio. Sure, it may not be to the scale of movie theater Dolby, but it won’t be too far off either. And anything that carries the THX certification is definitely going to deliver theater quality audio. Remember, this is the same company George Lucas founded that help set audio standards on everything from movie theaters to video games.
The Z906 also provides flexible audio controls with a wireless remote and a control console. It has fairly streamlined controls, so you won’t be too overwhelmed with controls and settings.
The biggest drawback is that set up could get a little tricky. None of the speakers are wireless, so you’ll have to be careful about a clump of speaker wires behind the computer. It’ll be even trickier if you’re trying to set up the speakers around the room for surround sound. Then you need to make sure that the cables are long enough and you know how to keep them out of the way.
If you can get around the setup, you’re still left with, easily, one of the best sets of computer speakers on the market.
Logitech Z305 Clip-On Speaker
The Logitech Z305 provides extra audio power in a portable package for most laptops.-
Speakers:
1 -
Input:
USB, 3.5mm Cable -
Wireless:
No -
Subwoofer included:
No
As convenient as laptops are, they aren’t immune to the same problems that hit regular computers. And if the speakers are disappointing, you’ll probably want to get better audio.
But you won’t have to lug around some massive subwoofer in a bag with speakers to get better audio on the go.
The Logitech Z305 is the kind of portable speaker that will be your laptop’s best friend. The speaker clips on to the back of your laptop screen and will be a major improvement over the laptop’s own speakers. All you have to do is plug it into the USB port and you’ll be good to go.
It’s also a great example of how you can squeeze power into a smaller package. Despite being a smaller speaker, the Z305 is able to deliver loud and vibrant audio that’s a massive improvement over the laptop’s own speakers. The USB cable isn’t too long, either, so it shouldn’t get in the way much, if at all.
Admittedly, given the design, there are some aspects of the audio quality that might not be up to snuff. The biggest thing is the bass. That’s not to say that the bass is just as bad as the laptop, but just that it won’t be as big an improvement as it could be.
Also, be aware of how big your screen is because of the hanging clip. It shouldn’t be an issue on most laptops, but it’s something to be aware of.
Logitech Z625
The Logitech Z625 offers the best combo of affordability and power in a single speaker package.-
Speakers:
2.1 -
Inputs:
USB, RCA, 3.5mm, optical -
Wireless:
No -
Subwoofer included:
Yes
The Z625 favors more a traditional computer speaker setup. That means two speakers that can be placed on the right and left side of a desk or monitor and a subwoofer that you’d probably stick under the desk.
The speakers can also be placed around your home, if you ever needed extra speakers. It comes built-in with a 3.5mm, optical, and RCA inputs, and the Z625 can be hooked up to gaming consoles and TVs. That’s a nice bonus to have, should the need ever arise.
Unfortunately, like most other computer speakers like this, the Z625 isn’t expandable.
Also, be aware of the potential wire clutter that could happen. You’ll have extra wires running around the back of your computers, so it’s important that nothing gets tangled. This keeps everything working as it should and keeps it from being a possible fire hazard.
Dell AC511 USB Wired SoundBar
If you want speakers for a Dell monitor or laptop but have problems dealing with space, the Dell AC511 sound bar is perfect.-
Number of speakers:
2 -
Input:
USB -
Wireless:
No -
Subwoofer included:
No
The Dell AC511 can easily squeeze into any setup that might be strapped for space. Unlike TV sound bars that sit separate from the TV, this one can be mounted to the bottom of the monitor. It also blends right in with the monitor, looking like it’s just a built-in speaker and not a sound bar. That way, if you ever needed to use it for a laptop or anything else, you can find a way to make it work easily.
From a quality aspect, the sound bar will definitely outperform any built-in speaker just by location. Most monitors, if they have speakers, now have suffer the same problem as TVs with speakers. They’re built into the back or bottom, which aren’t ideal for clear audio.
From a quality standpoint, the sound bar will definitely outperform any built-in speaker just by location. Most monitors, if they have speakers, now have to suffer the same problem as TVs with speakers. They’re built into the back or bottom, which aren’t ideal for clear audio.
You’ll definitely get clearer audio, just don’t expect it to set the world on fire. The other thing to keep in mind is that it’s designed specifically (and only) for Dell monitors, so just be sure of what brand monitor you have.