The Best Computer Speaker Deals This Week*
*Deals are selected by our commerce team
Few things in life are as enjoyable as high-fidelity music. But as you’ve probably noticed, that music only sounds as good as the system it’s playing through. Most 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 choosing the best speaker system for your PC, along with the top computer speakers we’ve tested.
Audioengine A5+ Wireless
Best for Audiophiles
Bottom Line:
Audioengine’s A5+ Wireless speakers deliver a stellar sonic experience aimed at audiophiles with 24-bit upsampling to ensure high-quality Bluetooth audio.
PROS
- Excellent audio performance with solid bass depth and clarity throughout the frequency range.
- High-quality Bluetooth streaming with 24-bit upsampling.
- Wired connectivity options.
- Can be used with a subwoofer.
CONS
- No source knob.
- Limited remote control.
Creative Pebble Plus
Most Affordable 2.1 System
Bottom Line:
The Creative Pebble Plus speakers deliver the best 2.1 audio experience you’ll find for $40.
PROS
- Affordable.
- Powerful audio performance with bright, detailed highs and rich lows.
- Properly angled drivers.
CONS
- Lots of wires.
- No bass level knob.
- Only one input.
Harman Kardon SoundSticks 4
Most Iconic Design
Bottom Line:
The Harman Kardon SoundSticks 4 are a 20th anniversary, Bluetooth-compatible update to the classic 2.1-channel speakers, and they remain just as compelling as ever.
PROS
- Balanced, powerful 2.1-channel audio performance
- Iconic transparent design
- Long cables for ideal stereo separation
CONS
- All physical controls are located on the subwoofer
- No adjustable EQ or sub settings
Klipsch The Fives
Best Connectivity Options
Bottom Line:
The Fives from Klipsch look and sound fantastic, with far more connectivity options than your standard pair of bookshelf speakers.
PROS
- Excellent sound signature with crisp, detailed highs and round, rich bass depth
- Handsome design, with removable tweed grilles
- Lots of connectivity options, including Bluetooth, HDMI, Optical, and an input for turntables
- 192kHz/24-bit decoding from USB inputs
CONS
- Expensive
- No app or EQ support (yet)
Audioengine A1-MR
Audioengine’s Only Wi-Fi Speakers
Bottom Line:
Audioengine’s A1-MR speakers deliver top-notch audio free of digital signal processing, with Wi-Fi support for lossless audio and multiroom playback.
PROS
- Rich, natural, and detailed audio with no digital signal processing
- Multiroom playback via app
- Wired aux input and subwoofer output
CONS
- App doesn’t have an EQ
- Not for those seeking powerful bass
- Drivers aren’t angled upward for ideal playback
Fluance Ai61
Best Bluetooth/Wired Computer Speakers
Bottom Line:
The Fluance Ai61 bookshelf speakers deliver rich, clear audio with true stereo separation in both wired and wireless configurations.
PROS
- Rich, detailed audio performance with true stereo separation
- Handsome design
- Wired and wireless audio options
- Discrete bass and treble controls
CONS
- Lacks serious sub-bass (but offers subwoofer output)
- No companion app
- Can clip the beginning of tracks over Bluetooth
Logitech Z407
Best Midrange 2.1 Audio System
Bottom Line:
The budget-friendly Logitech Z407 speaker system delivers strong 2.1 wired and Bluetooth audio for computers and mobile devices alike.
PROS
- Powerful audio performance with rich lows and bright highs
- Easy to operate
- Affordable
CONS
- Subwoofer can distort at top volumes
- Hardwired cables are a little short
Pioneer DJ VM-50
Reasonably Priced Studio Monitors
Bottom Line:
The Pioneer DJ VM-50 speakers are powerful studio monitors for the price, delivering an accurate sound signature with adjustable EQ knobs.
PROS
- Powerful, accuracy-focused sound signature
- Adjustable DSP aims for flexibility, not sculpting
- Relatively affordable as a pair
CONS
- DSP cannot be bypassed
- No audio cables included
Pioneer DM-50D
Best for Accurate Mixing on a Budget
Bottom Line:
The Pioneer DM-50D monitors are solid and affordable speakers for smaller home studios, though they aren’t ideal if you frequently work with the lowest frequencies.
PROS
- Accurate and detailed sound signature
- Dual audio modes
- Multiple wired input options
CONS
- Lacks sub-bass rumble
- Limited EQ control
Razer Leviathan V2
Best Desktop Soundbar for Gamers
Bottom Line:
Razer’s Leviathan V2 soundbar improves upon it predeccesor with fun RGB lighting and improved audio, but loses two very useful wired connections.
PROS
- Full, crisp sound with thunderous bass
- Good stereo imaging
- Customizable RGB lighting
CONS
- No 3.5mm or optical audio input
- THX Spatial Audio offers limited benefits
Buying Guide: The Best Computer Speakers for 2022
Stereo vs. 2.1 vs. 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 with a subwoofer, and surround sound ideally involves at least five 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 for most users.
There are also one-piece solutions (or one-piece with a subwoofer) that offer plenty of power, but they don’t provide the stereo imaging you get from multiple satellites. You might even be able to plug portable Bluetooth speakers into your PC as a one-piece solution if they have a 3.5mm audio input or a USB connection.
Harman Kardon SoundSticks 4
(Credit: Harman Kardon)
The Best Bookshelf Speakers
The term bookshelf speaker generally describes any speaker that can comfortably fit on a bookshelf and is part of a stereo pair or other multiple-speaker setup. 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 should please anyone who knows how to set up a high-end home sound system and might 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 and wireless models, are powered, or “active.” That means a built-in amplifier takes the signal it receives and feeds 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, on the other hand, typically work passively and require a separate amp. That means whatever music you want to hear through them needs to be put through the amp first, which then connects to the speakers. They’re more expensive and take up more space once you finish the setup, but the benefit is much more powerful and clear sound.
Klipsch The Fives
(Credit: Klipsch)
There are a few exceptions, in the form of active studio monitors. Here, the distinction between a bookshelf speaker and a 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 cost more than most consumer-level computer speakers. 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 that have built-in amps. That covers the vast majority of computer speakers, wireless speakers, and consumer-oriented home theater speakers and soundbars.
Other Features to Consider
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 probably want to go with the more common 3.5mm audio output connector, though USB 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). You just have to deal with potential codec restrictions, however.
Razer Leviathan V2
(Credit: Razer)
How you plan to use your speakers can also help you determine the 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.
The Best Speakers for Recording Music
Are you a musician and want to record and mix 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 hides 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.
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