Computer Speaker Review

The best speaker reviews compare sound quality and value

In our search for first-rate computer speakers, we found the best tests at CNET, PCMag.com, TomsHardware.com and MaximumPC magazine. Experts there put speakers through all of their paces -- music, movies and games -- and compare them with their rivals before picking the best buys. TechTree.com in India also keeps up with the latest in PC speakers and publishes detailed reviews, though reviewer Frazier Barretto compares models with some that aren't available in the United States. Macworld covers more iPod speakers in its speaker reviews listing, but the PC speaker reviews we found are detailed and authoritative. Amazon.com and Newegg.com are the best places to read user-written reviews. ConsumerReports.org tests home theater speakers, but not computer speakers.

Like the larger systems used for home theater, computer speakers are classified and marketed by the number of audio channels they support. The most basic type is a 2.0-channel system (more conventionally called stereo) that includes speakers for the right and left audio channels. These can be more expensive than surround-sound systems if the components are audiophile quality. A 2.1-channel speaker system is similar but includes a subwoofer (that's the ".1" designation) to fill in some lower frequencies that the small enclosures of PC speakers usually can't handle.

Surround-sound, 5.1-channel computer speaker systems (five speakers plus a subwoofer) promise a home theater-like experience. Reviews say surround sound can be exciting for films and games, with spaceships whizzing past your ear or enemies creeping up behind you. Most modern digital sound cards can handle 5.1-channel sound, though you should check your computer's specs before buying these speakers.

You'll also find some 7.1-channel PC speaker systems. These add two rear-surround speakers for what's supposed to be a more immersive surround-sound experience. Many experts question their value, however. First, there's no denying the hassle of finding just the right place for an extra pair of speakers behind your viewing area. The majority of computer rooms just don't have the space. Second, the content to optimize the capabilities of a 7.1 system is still hard to find -- although some sound cards include support for Dolby Digital EX, which creates the sound for those extra channels from a standard 5-channel surround-sound source.

In fact, unless you really relish the surround-sound experience for movies or gaming, some experts warn that even 5.1 systems can be more trouble than they're worth, with multiple speakers to find places for and cables snaking everywhere. Two of our top sources -- CNET and TomsHardware.com -- describe 5.1 systems as "impractical" for computers, saying they now prefer compact 2.0 or 2.1 systems.