Computer Speakers

Most likely if you own a PC or a laptop, you listen to music, watch movies and play games on it. To maximize your entertainment experience you will definitely want it to invest in some speakers that deliver better quality sound, since the built-in computer speakers  are far below par for a decent audio experience.

Intended Uses

People today are turning their computer space into a place for watching TV, surfing the web, listening to music and watching movies. Surround sound for computer rooms is becoming more popular, as the sound quality is getting more impressive. Below there is a rough guideline for what you might want to invest in should you enjoy the following activities. If you don't have a lot of money to spend, then a good pair of quality 2.1 speakers will be fine. However, if you have the money and want the best, the options are limitless.

• Internet surfing and general productivity.
• If you aren't into the entertainment aspect of your computer then chances are that the internal speakers on your computer will suffice.
• If you must have external speakers, a 2.0 or 2.1 system will do just fine.
• Listening to music.
• A 2.1 speaker  system that supports stereo sound is the most basic set of speakers available. They are perfect for people on a budget or if you just want extra volume. Since they are often very compact they are good portable speakers for your MP3 player or CD player as well.
• For serious sound, or if you want to use your computer as a main sound system in your apartment or home, a 5.1 speaker system would be the top-of-the-line. You should also look into wireless speakers with a receiver. By hooking the receiver up to your PC, you can stream music throughout your home via wireless speakers. It is a costly option, but oh so sweet.
• Watching movies and playing games.
• Go for a 5.1 surround sound  speaker system or higher. It will make these 5-channel supported applications much more entertaining and realistic. You will be able to hear more details and the experience will be more vivid overall. Note that 5.1 speaker systems contain five speakers plus a subwoofer. You might need to make some room.

Compatibility & Other Features

• Look for the highest frequency.
• You'll get the clearest sound and best high/low range from a higher frequency.
• Check the specifications sheets and look for how many hertz a system has.
• Hertz measurements will look like: 10 Hz to 20 kHz or 10 Hz to 20,000 Hz. The higher the numbers, the better.
• Look for high signal to noise ratio (SNR).
• This will be shown as 65 dB, 75 dB, >90 dB, etc.
• Again, the higher the number, the better.
• External Devices
• Are you planning to use the speakers with an iPods, MP3 player,  game console  or any other additional components? Check to make sure the inputs are the right kind.
• Sound Card
• Make sure that if you opt for a 5.1 surround sound system that your PC card  supports -- a 5-speaker Dolby  or DTS system  -- otherwise you will need to upgrade and buy a new sound card. 
• The highest quality (and priciest) surround sound comes in 6.1 and 7.1 systems for all the hardcore sound fanatics. The same goes for checking compatibility.
• A 3-D audio accelerator card will be best matched with a 4-, 5-, 6- or 7-channel system.
• Wattage
• Don't go higher than what you need unless you want to blast the whole neighborhood with sound.
• Generally go for enough wattage to power the speakers and the subwoofer, if you are going with surround sound.
• Keeping hush hush.
• Make sure that the speakers have a headphone jack so that you don't disturb the rest of the world when you're playing Far Cry  at 1am.
• Make sure the speakers are magnetically shielded.

Acclaimed Systems

"The more you spend, the better your system" is not always a rule of thumb. Certain models are head-and-shoulders above their price ranges and the competition. Think about how much you're willing to spend and check out the top picks in your price range.

Less Than $50
Sony SRS-T77  A bit low on wattage, the Sony SRS-T77  speakers still offer great sound. They can run off of four AA batteries or the AC adapter, making them perfectly portable. A great deal for the price.	Logitech V-20 Notebook Speakers  The V-20 Notebook Speakers  have great sound and can pump the volume. They don't require any remote power, but that means they won't work with CD or MP3 players.	Logitech X-530  The Logitech X-530  is probably the most affordable 5.1-channel speaker system available. The subwoofer is not the best, but considering the price, the quality is excellent. Not to mention, the system isn't bad looking either.

Between $50 and $150
Logitech Z-2300  The Z-2300  set has gotten lots of attention and are widely considered to be the best Stereo 2.1 speakers available. The speakers come with a game console adapter and it can handle almost any frequency, providing crisp sound for music, movies and video games.	Harden Kardon Soundsticks II  Harden Kardon's innovative Soundsticks II  have great sound and a unique design. The lack of a headphone jack and the inability to know exactly what volume level you're set on can cause some problems, but overall, the sound and sleek look make the Soundsticks II a strong choice.	Creative I-Trigue L3800  Creative is known for doing things differently and doing them right. The I-Trigue L3800  exemplifies this approach. Even though it lacks the wattage of some of its competition, the I-Trigue L3800's sound representation is accurate and strong. The system comes with a wireless remote too.	Logitech Z-10 Speaker System  Plug these sleek, slim Logitech speakers  into your laptop via USB for beautiful sound. Inside the 3"-tall speakers are dome tweeters and woofers. What's more, the interface is touch sensitive, for a futuristic feel. Track displays on the face and it has a radio tuner with four presets.

More Than $150
Logitech Z-680  Logictech's Z-680  system has great sound and tons of connectivity options (analog inputs, coaxial and optical digital ins), a wireless controller and a DTS decoder. A great 5.1 channel system overall.	Creative Gigaworks ProGamer G500  The ProGramer G500s  are high quality speakers that boast the ability to connect to auxiliary speakers for even greater sonic output. It lacks a digital audio output.	Klipsch ProMedia Ultra 5.1  The ProMedia Ultra 5.1  system is an impressive set of speakers. The subwoofer is fantastic and the spectrum of sound is tough to beat. It lacks a digital output and has no wireless controller.

Related Buying Guides

Mini Systems	Headphones	Portable Speakers	i Pod Speakers	Subwoofers

External Links

• ConsumerSearch.com: A very thorough PC speaker review.
• CNet.com: A product-by-product review and comparison ratings.