Amazon Basics USB-Powered Computer Speakers with Dynamic Sound , Single Pair, Silver

Product Information

speakers - Some PC speakers add even more channels to create a surround sound system. A 5.1 speaker system has five speakers and one subwoofer, with each speaker taking on a specific responsibility. Typically, the Centre speaker projects vocals and dialogue while the Left Front and Right Front speakers handle the main bulk of the audio. Then there are two more speakers, Left Rear and Right Rear, which add to the atmosphere by projecting ambient sounds, sound effects and far-panned audio. It’s ideal for immersing the listener in movies, games and music. But if you want to analyze your favorite song, you may find the low end a bit muddied by the present treble. This gripe aside, the build quality is solid all around. The speaker grill is sturdy and cool looking, and the case is magnetically shielded against digital interference.

This single speaker is low profile at 2.4 x 15.7 x 2.2 inches and is meant to sit under your computer screen. But its unique form factor is ultimately hit or miss. The max volume is impressive, but if you crank it up to the max you will hear a noticeable distortion. Instead, you’ll want to keep it around 80% of the volume. These cables are a little over three feet, while the one that connects the two speakers is just under three feet. Each speaker has a foam bottom underneath to prevent errant vibrations from moving the speakers around. The satellites are both 3.9 x 3.6 x 2.5 inches, which is fairly compact. Overall, the build quality of these speakers is great, and the same can be said for their sound.

Speaker Test

Streamline your PC setup with The best wireless speakers of the year - high quality sound, ultra-bass, and crisp sound all for a low price. 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 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. These are so small that you could easily toss them into a PC carry case or laptop bag in lieu of headphones. Despite their small size, these speakers can create well-balanced audio when adequately positioned. The subwoofer is also small, making it simple to install anywhere near your desktop.

Secondly, size. A larger size speaker tends to mean more volume and higher quality audio, however, it also means that the speakers will take up more space. If you’re working on a small desk, there’s no point in opting for a 7.1 surround sound option that’s going to take over your workspace. So, consider the speaker's footprint. The frequency response is 180Hz-20KHz, which means the low end is a little rounded off. The mids and highs, however, come through clearly. This speaker solves the placement problems that I identified in other soundbars by clipping onto the top of your screen like a clothespin. 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. Don’t bother trying to factor these bass ports into the sound, as they really don’t make much of a difference. The speakers do have a nice clean sound, but you won’t see a strong low end.If this speaker only came with a mounting kit and perhaps a longer set of cables, it would be the ideal mini-soundbar for use with a desktop or laptop. But even without these accessories, it is still a competitive choice. The set features versatile input options with dedicated controls over treble, bass, and overall volume. Other options include USB, built-in Bluetooth, and SD card inputs as well as line-in methods such as Mono XLR, stereo 6.35mm, and stereo RCA.

The Elegiant USB Sound Bar brings the convenient soundbar form factor into the world of portable audio. As long as your expectations aren’t too high, these inexpensive speakers will sound just fine. The sound is a little flat, but no frequencies seem overpowering or harsh. At 1.3 x 8.2 x 2.5 inches, it isn’t overly cumbersome despite weighing about one pound. It gives you enough length on its USB and 3.5mm cables to try some different positioning. Before we even start to talk about audio quality, it should be known that these speakers don’t have the physical air displacement power to deliver clear audio at high volumes. These speakers are only 2.8 x 2.8 x 2.8 inches, making them the easiest speakers we’ve found to stow and carry. You could probably even fit them on a compact lap desk. Of course, this also means its drivers are pretty small too.speakers - When a subwoofer is added to stereo audio to take care of the bass frequencies, a 2.0 speaker becomes 2.1. For most people listening to music, gaming or watching films on their PC, this setup will be the easiest to arrange while still providing a great audio experience. Bluetooth: Bluetooth speakers are a category all on their own, and they’re not very well-suited to acting as desktop PC speakers (nor are they very economical if you don’t need the portability). Bluetooth isn’t a necessity in PC speakers, but the added versatility can be a bonus — especially if you frequently switch between systems and/or devices. Another interesting fact about this speaker is that it only connects to your device via the USB2.0 port. There's no 3.5mm output or any other one.

The Logitech Z313 computer speakers with subwoofer are meant to save space on your desktop and improve your listening experience with their tight control pod and easy access to controls. But as these bookshelf speakers often stand close to a foot tall and are several inches wide and deep, they don’t make ideal desktop speakers for most people. They also tend to pump out more sound than is comfortable for most people when sitting right in front of you. They can, however, be a good option for impressive PC audio if placed behind out – on, say, a bookshelf. Everyone should be pretty familiar with the idea of stereo audio - this is when you get audio that plays out of a left and a right channel playing from a left and a right speaker. The effect of stereo is to put the listener in the centre of the action and give greater clarity to the audio. This stereo audio is also called a two-channel stereo or 2.0. Since some very recent Raspberry Pi OS changes, we've found that installing Pulse Audio (Raspberry Pi's preferred sound server) helps to get these USB speakers working properly. The vast majority of desktop speakers come in 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.

As for the sound, these speakers sound surprisingly clear. The mids and highs are the most present, which only makes sense for a speaker this physically compact. The bass gets a slight boost from the downward-facing passive radiators but still falls short if you want to hear low-end details. They get decently loud too. The problem with onboard laptop speakers is that they are simply too small to put out the volume or frequency response that you need to actually enjoy music and experience movies.