With so many of us turning to home options for enjoying media content, upgrading your sound space is more crucial than ever. But, whether you are streaming the latest movie or show, gaming, or squeezing the last bit of enjoyment from this season’s hit song, you are missing out on high-fidelity sound experiences by relying on basic speakers. So here, we offer a few recommendations for the best PC speakers you can buy today.
Prices and availability of products discussed below were accurate at the time of publication but are subject to change.
Check out PC speakers on Newegg.
Best small-space speakers with big sound: Creative Pebble Plus Speakers
Sometimes space is at a premium, but you still want better options than your built-in laptop speakers or wearing earbuds all day. Creative’s Pebble Plus speakers provide big sound within a small footprint for those of us with that problem. The dual speakers incorporate far-field drivers set at a 45-degree angle and a down-firing subwoofer to provide beautifully clear sound with strong driving beats.
Best speakers for the media multitasker: Samsung HW-S50B/ZA 3.0CHC All-in-One Soundbar w/ Dolby 5.1 DTS Virutual: X
Do you use your computer for movies, music, and games and want something that won’t disappoint you with any of those experiences? Then, the Samsung HW-S50B/ZA 3/0CH All-in-One speakers are for you.
Featuring built-in Dolby-certified 5.1 surround decoding and DTS Virtual:X expands your listening experience to make your movies and games feel incredibly immersive and authentic. The powerful tweeters and midranges in the bar and the subwoofer give a clear and strong soundstage for music that allows you to pick out details while feeling the notes. The connection options are also impressive, supporting both tap and play and dual Bluetooth smart device connections to simultaneously share the sound tower.
Best budget speakers: Creative Pebble V2 2.0 USB Speakers
You don’t have to spend an arm and a leg to buy a set of speakers that sound great while offering a nice selection of features. One great example is another offering from Creative. Their Pebble V2 2.0 USB speakers which is priced at a very reasonable $29.99. With 2” 45-degree elevated drivers, the Pebble V2 provides impressive personal listening. In addition, volume control is easy. The speakers are powered by USB-C, which eliminates the need for a wall outlet, making the Pebble V2 perfect for use on the go where outlets may be hard to find.
Alternative: Cyber Acoustics CA2016 USB Powered Speakers
If your budget is more limited, or you’re mainly concerned with casual YouTube viewing and light everyday usage, then you’re in luck. There are several excellent speakers for well under $50 that provide you with more than enough sound quality, like the $15.66 Cyber Acoustics 2-Piece USB Powered Computer System. Their small stature provides a surprising level of audio from an attractive case. Plus, plug them in via USB, and you don’t even need a power adapter.
Best speakers for music: AudioEngine AD2+
Some speakers are just made for music, with superior drivers and built-in support for high-quality audio. The AudioEngine AD2+ is one of the most popular choices in that category, and for good reason. Although not inexpensive at $269, these speakers offer excellent audio performance that will fill your room with music. You’ll get a detailed and balanced performance that enhances your listening pleasure without taking up a ton of space.
The 6” (H) x 5.3” (W) by 4” (D) speakers are powered, meaning they have their own built-in amplifiers that provide a total of 60 watts to their four drivers. They can accept audio inputs from multiple sources, including 3.5mm auxiliary, RCA plugs, USB, and Bluetooth, providing a ton of flexibility and the best quality sound from your devices.
Alternative: AudioEngine A5+Wireless Powered Bookshelf Speakers
If you’re willing to step up your investment, then the AudioEngines A5+ Wireless Powered Bookshelf Speakers are an excellent choice. They’re a pretty penny at $499, but you get a lot for your money. The speaker dimensions are 10.75” (H) x 7” (W) x 9” (D) for the left speaker and 10.75” (H) x 7” (W) x 7.75” (D) for the right speaker. These bookshelf speakers offer excellent sound quality, including in near-field applications like a home office. Whether your music dips down low or stresses the high notes, the AudioEngine speakers will provide you with hours of listening pleasure, and you can add a subwoofer if you need even more bass.
Supporting AAC, aptX and SBC Bluetooth have you covered for wireless music from several streaming services – like Tidal, Amazon Music, Spotify, and more – and you can also plug in via 3.5mm mini-jack auxiliary, RCA and L/R Bluetooth aptX.
Best speakers for movies: Edifier Luna E 2.1 Bluetooth Speaker System
The Luna E 2.1 system employs a modern design and wireless subwoofer to deliver a premium sonic experience. Place the wireless 8” subwoofer anywhere in a room and the 5.8GHz connection provides THX-certified booming bass to enhance your viewing experience. A practical remote control allows for convenient, distanced adjustments to the sound space. The well-balanced sound produced by the Luna E will transform and elevate your viewing sessions.
Alternative: Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 THX Speakers
THX certified for premium audio delivery, the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 speakers provide big sounds at a small price point. Consisting of dual 3” drivers and a THX-certified 6.5” side-firing 260-watt subwoofer, the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 provides a full bandwidth bass response that you can feel. Plug and play 3.5mm inputs provide the utility of use and the $124.99 pricing makes these speakers a prime choice, especially for those on a budget.
Best gaming speakers: Razer Nommo Chroma Full Range 2.0 PC Gaming Speakers
Razer’s Nommo Chroma 2.0 gaming speakers offer crisp sound with thundering bass without adding a subwoofer. If you are a fan of RGB illumination, the Nommo Chroma offers RGB LEDs at the base of each 3” speaker, adding some visual panache to the sleek shape of the system. The Nommo Chroma connects via USB or 3.5mm jack, which is useful if a secondary audio source is part of your setup. Deceptively strong bass sounds are produced
through the rear-facing ports and the left speaker has an attached knob to adjust the bass gain control on the fly. Perfect for quietly indulging in late-night gaming without disturbing your household.
Alternative: Logitech Z906 5.1 Surround Sound Speaker System
Logitech Z906 5.1 surround sound speakers are hard to beat to achieve intense gaming sound. With THX, Dolby Digital and DTS Digital certified sound and a 165-watt subwoofer, the Z906 system creates cinema-quality surround soundscapes right out of the box. Set up is straightforward, and the input selection is versatile, capable of connecting six compatible devices with RCA, 3.5mm, six-channel direct, digital coaxial and optical inputs. The powerful speakers deliver 500-watt audio with 1000-watt peaks, creating immersive sound environments.
For more, visit the PC speakers page on Newegg.
