Best Computer Speakers for Music

Top quality computer speakers for music

If you're a musician or hardcore audiophile who values sound quality and clarity above all else, listening to even the best recordings through cheap computer speakers can be a painfully disappointing and even unpleasant experience. Muddy low-ends, weak midranges  and tinny highs can kill the beauty of an elegant recording. Fortunately, you don't have to worry about any of that with the Bowers & Wilkins MM-1 (Est. $500) . Experts and users alike agree that this speaker system packs incredible detail and sound definition, which makes high quality recordings really shine.

The Bowers & Wilkins MM-1 is a 2.0-channel system, which means that there is no subwoofer. As a result, reviewers say that these otherwise exquisite computer speakers don't deliver chest-pounding bass, but low ranges are hardly weak and integrate seamlessly with high and midranges.

The MM-1's claim to fame is clarity and detail that put other PC speakers -- including high-end speakers --to shame. This is the result of a combination of factors. Most PC speakers rely on the computer's electronics for sound processing, pulling audio from the headphone jack. The MM-1 brings that processing on board, connecting to your computer via USB. Tim Gideon of PCMag.com says, "The USB connection is fed to an 'audiophile' quality digital-to-analog converter that incorporates equalization to increase the 3-inch woofers bass output."

Also, the speaker components are of exceptional quality. Although there's usually a clear advantage to bypassing your source's sound processing system by connecting via the USB port, Gideon says audio quality doesn't suffer too much if you instead use the available headphone connection to stream music.

Aside from cost and the lack of gut-thumping low-frequency response, the Bowers & Wilkins MM-1 has few drawbacks. The biggest one is that reviewers say that playing lower-quality recordings such as heavily compressed MP3s through these speakers will mercilessly expose every flaw. Most reviewers also point out that the MM-1s are clearly meant for close-range listening.

These computer speakers aren't designed to fill a room, though MaximumPC's Michael Brown says, "We found they had no difficulty filling our 80-square-foot home office with music." David Carnoy at CNET recommends placing the MM-1 computer speakers about 3 feet away from you and separating them by 30 to 36 inches, which makes sense for most desktop setups.

We also saw a bit of love for the Audioengine A5+ (Est. $400) . This is an update of the Audioengine A5, which got lots of respect from reviewers for its clarity and detail, along with its ability to deliver a bit more powerful sound than the MM-1. Part of the reason for that was its relatively large size. Well, experts say, the A5+ is a touch larger still -- measuring 10.75 inches by 7 inches by 7.75 inches; it is also more expensive than its predecessor but offers better sound, critics say. PCMag.com notes that a major improvement is a rear ported waveguide that improves clarity and power in the bass frequencies. CNET confirms that in its tests. Comparing the A5 to the A5+, James Martin says, "Quite simply, the 5+ series sounded like bigger speakers with more expansive sound."

If you don't want to drop so much coin on PC speakers but you're still looking for above-average sound for your tunes, experts and users rate the M-Audio Studiophile AV 40 desktop monitor speakers (Est. $150) highly. Reviewers say a natural, open sound comes out of these computer speakers, with a solid bass kick -- though not the "low-end punch" of 2.1-channel computer speakers in the same price range, says PCMag.com -- but balance may have a lot to do with placement. Users in particular recommend using stands or mounting the speakers on a wall to get the placement just right; otherwise highs or lows -- or both -- could suffer.

Finding a proper site on a crowded work desk can also be a challenge as the AV 40 is physically large (8.75 inches by 6 inches by 7.24 inches). Users also say there's a breaking-in period, and that the sound doesn't reach its zenith until these computer speakers have been used for about a week. Note that though the model number has remained the same, M-Audio has instituted a few design changes over the years. Most are minor, notes PCMag.com's Jamie Lendino.