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Few things in life are as enjoyable as good music. But as you’ve probably noticed, that music only sounds as good as the system it’s playing through. Many PCs and Macs don’t come with very good speakers. And that’s to say nothing of the tiny built-in drivers found in most laptops. Even if you’re on a tight budget, low-cost speakers can noticeably improve your listening experience. Here are things to consider when picking the best speaker system for your computer.
Stereo, 2.1, or Surround Sound: What’s the Difference?
Stereo speakers consist of only a left and a right speaker, “2.1” refers to a pair of speakers augmented by a subwoofer, and surround sound involves between five and seven speakers plus a subwoofer. The role of the subwoofer is to cover deep bass frequencies, generally below 100Hz. A solid sub at a reasonable volume can add rumble to film explosions and depth to kick drums, bass guitars, analog synths, orchestras, and more. Some stereo speaker pairs, however, sound great even without a subwoofer, primarily because their woofers (the drivers dedicated to low-mid and low frequencies below 1KHz) are perfectly capable of handling the bass response.
The vast majority of desktop speakers are stereo pairs. Some have accompanying subwoofers, but you won’t likely have more than two or three satellites to deal with. Some serious gamers and cinephiles might want to look for a 5.1-channel (or higher) surround sound system, but the extra cost and inconvenience of placing all those speakers around the room isn’t worth it to most users.
There are also one-piece solutions (or one-piece with a subwoofer) that offer plenty of power but don’t provide the stereo imaging you get from multiple satellites. Even portable Bluetooth speakers can serve as one-piece systems for your PC if they have a 3.5mm audio input or support a USB connection (or if your computer has Bluetooth).
What About Bookshelf Speakers?
The term bookshelf speaker generally describe any speaker that can comfortably fit on a bookshelf and is intended for use in a stereo pair or other multiple speaker setups. However, especially among audiophiles, it has a much more important implication: Bookshelf speakers are small, unpowered stereo speakers. That unpowered part is a very big detail that will please anyone who knows how to set up a high-end home sound system and will frustrate everyone else.
All speakers require power to run. Without electricity flowing into the drivers, a speaker is just a box with some weird paper and metal bits in it. The vast majority of computer speakers, along with all Bluetooth-enabled speakers and wireless speakers, are powered, or “active.” That means an amplifier is built into the speaker itself to take the signal it receives and feed enough power into the drivers to reproduce it. This is very handy, because it means you don’t need to get a separate amp to drive your speakers; you just plug them into your computer and they work.
Bookshelf speakers are typically unpowered, or “passive.” They’re intended for use with a separate amp. That means whatever music you want to hear through them needs to be put through the amp, which then connects to the speakers. They’re more expensive and take up more space when everything is configured, but the benefit is much more powerful and clear sound.
There are a few exceptions, in the form of active studio monitors. Here the distinction between bookshelf speaker and computer speaker blurs. Basically, some powered speakers are designed for high-end audiophile use, like home studio mastering. They don’t need an amp, but generally sound better and are more expensive than speakers designed for use with a computer. Of course, you can use them with a computer just as easily, since it’s still just a matter of plugging the speakers into your sound card.
We primarily test active speakers with their own built-in amps. That covers the vast majority of computer speakers, wireless speakers, and consumer-oriented home theater speakers and soundbars.
Do Extra Features Matter?
You might not think much about extra features when it comes to PC speakers, but there are some things to consider: Do the speakers include bass and treble controls so you can tailor the sound to your tastes? How about a Mute button? Or a remote control?
High-quality sound and robust extra features are not necessarily mutually exclusive; it depends on the set. If your PC has a limited number of USB ports, you’ll probably want to go with the more common 3.5mm audio output connector, though USB-powered speakers sometimes come with extra features, or even software that enables special functions. And, if your PC has Bluetooth, you can stream music wirelessly to any speaker that accepts it (which is the vast majority of portable speakers, and a large number of desktop speakers).
Listening at Home or at the Office?
How you plan to use your speakers will also help determine your best option. You probably don’t need a mammoth subwoofer if you’re listening at work—small speakers with decent clarity might be the wisest choice, particularly if you’re just using them to watch YouTube videos or listen to internet radio streams. For home, maybe you want larger or more stylish speakers, and the ability to blast them without distortion (especially if your PC is your main music source). For more, see our guide on how to set up your speakers.
How About Speakers for Music Recording?
Are you a musician and want to record and mix your own music at home? Look for a pair of active studio monitor speakers that represent your work as accurately as possible, and don’t color the sound in a way that way hide flaws in a recording that could show up on other listeners’ systems. Audioengine does this nicely. And be sure to pair them with a good microphone.
Check out our speakers product guide for the latest reviews. And our list of the best wireless speakers offers even more recommendations depending on how you want to listen.
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