Most people will agree that sitting in silence is no fun… most. Luckily, in this day and age, you don’t need to hire a bard to sing you tales. Instead, you can just pick up a nice pair of speakers and listen to music, watch movies, or play games.
However, the market for speakers is full of choices, and making the right one can feel like a daunting task. This is why we rounded up our picks for the top ten best computer speakers on the market today and reviewed all of them for you. Also, we included a short guide below to help arm you with the knowledge you need to make an informed purchase.
Excellent sound quality
Razer Nommo Pro
- Included Speakers: 2 satellites and a subwoofer
- Bluetooth: Yes
- Connections: Optical, 3.5mm, and USB
- Frequency Response: 35Hz - 20kHz
Unique looking
Harman Kardon Soundsticks 3
- Included Speakers: 2 satellites and a subwoofer
- Bluetooth: No
- Connections: 3.5mm jack
- Frequency Response: 44Hz - 20kHz
Powerful speakers
Logitech G560 Lightsync
- Included Speakers: 2 satellites and a subwoofer
- Bluetooth: Yes
- Connections: 3.5mm jack and USB
- Frequency Response: 40Hz - 18kHz
Best soundbar for desks
Razer Leviathan
- Included Speakers: Subwoofer and soundbar
- Bluetooth: Yes
- Connections: 3.5mm jack and optical
- Frequency Response: 180Hz - 20kHz
classic design
Bose Companion 2
- Included Speakers: 2 satellites
- Bluetooth: No
- Connections: 3.5mm jack
- Frequency Response: 70Hz - 35kHz
Compact yet powerful
Audioengine A2+
- Included Speakers: 2 satellites
- Bluetooth: No
- Connections: 3.5mm jack, RCA, USB
- Frequency Response: 65Hz - 22kHz
Large yet refined
Edifier Luna Eclipse
- Included Speakers: 2 satellites
- Bluetooth: Yes
- Connections: 3.5mm jack and optical
- Frequency Response: 50Hz - 20kHz
Best budget
Logitech Z333
- Included Speakers: 2 satellites and a subwoofer
- Bluetooth: No
- Connections: 3.5mm jack and RCA
- Frequency Response: 55Hz - 20kHz
Balanced sound profile
Logitech MX Sound
- Included Speakers: 2 satellites
- Bluetooth: Yes
- Connections: 3.5mm jack
- Frequency Response: 75Hz - 20kHz
Most affordable
Creative A250
- Included Speakers: 2 satellites and a subwoofer
- Bluetooth: No
- Connections: 3.5mm jack
- Frequency Response: 40Hz - 20kHz
Table of Contents
1. Razer Nommo Pro
Best PC Speakers on the market
- Included Speakers: 2 satellites and a subwoofer
- Bluetooth: Yes
- Connections: Optical, 3.5mm, and USB
- Frequency Response: 35Hz - 20kHz
- Excellent sound quality
- Convenient volume adjustment knob
- THX and Dolby certified
- Expensive
Many people might be shocked to see a Razer product at the top of any list that doesn’t start with the word “gaming”. But hear us out, the Razer Nommo Pro are some of the best computer speakers you can find today.
For starters, the sound’s quality is fantastic and suitable for any application. These speakers are the best computer sound system for music listening thanks to their incredible fidelity, but also boast astounding performance for movie viewing or gaming.
The subwoofer puts out punchy and powerful bass, while the two satellite speakers produce clear mids and highs. The satellite speakers also produce spatial sound that is second to none thanks to both Dolby and THX certifications, which further enhances the movie viewing and gaming experience.
What’s more, is that the Razer Nommo Pros are RGB speakers that are compatible with Razer Chroma. This means that you can customize the lighting built into the base of the speakers to match your other Razer devices. And don’t worry, if you don’t have other Razer peripherals now, you’ll be converted into a fanboy just like me after you experience these speakers.
2. Harman Kardon Soundsticks 3
Unique looking all glass speakers
- Included Speakers: 2 satellites and a subwoofer
- Bluetooth: No
- Connections: 3.5mm jack
- Frequency Response: 44Hz - 20kHz
- Elegant looks
- Good sound
- Limited connectivity
Harman Kardon is an audio equipment manufacturer that has been making high-quality products since 1953. To many, they are most known for their rather unique looking and at times innovative designs.
The Soundsticks 3 are no different and are eye-catching enough to be the centerpiece of a room. While taste and style are subjective, these elegant glass speakers are the best 2.1 computer speakers for putting on a bookshelf or similar spot where not only their sound, but also their looks can be appreciated.
Speaking of which, the sound profile of these speakers is unique. Rather than resonating inside the plastic or metal housing that most speakers have, the sound produced by these is resonated inside the glass chambers giving a unique timbre to the sound (but at the cost of being noticeably fragile).
The only thing we can say that is negative about these speakers is their lack of connection options. These lack wireless connectivity and only support standard 3.5mm audio cables.
3. Logitech G560 Lightsync
Powerful speakers with tons of bass
- Included Speakers: 2 satellites and a subwoofer
- Bluetooth: Yes
- Connections: 3.5mm jack and USB
- Frequency Response: 40Hz - 18kHz
- Powerful 240-watt speakers
- Customizable RGB lighting
- Can get distortion at high volume
If you’re “all about that bass” as we hear people say these days-- wait, that song was released in 2014… wow, can’t believe it’s been 5 years!-- then we have just the speakers for you. The Logitech G560 Lightsync is a phenomenally powerful pair of speakers that come in at a whopping peak power of 240 watts.
To put this into perspective, I am currently at my desk listening to music through a pair of two-watt speakers that produce enough sound to fill the room. The main culprit of this seemingly immense power draw is the pounding subwoofer that Logitech has designed.
The G560 offers punchy and strong bass from the subwoofer along with powerful audio from the satellite speaker that can be turned up to 97 decibels, which is actually powerful enough to damage your hearing if left at maximum volume for several hours-- we suggest against leaving them at maximum volume for several hours.
Additionally, the G560 sports excellent customizable RGB lighting on the back of the satellite speakers. This lighting can be configured in Logitech’s software and can even react to in game events in some cases.
4. Razer Leviathan
Best soundbar for desks and computers
- Included Speakers: Subwoofer and soundbar
- Bluetooth: Yes
- Connections: 3.5mm jack and optical
- Frequency Response: 180Hz - 20kHz
- Dolby 5.1
- Excellent wireless connectivity
- No USB plug
When thinking of the best desktop speakers, for most people a set of two separate speakers comes to mind. But what if we told you that you could get the best surround sound experience from a soundbar?
The Razer Leviathan is a powerful soundbar that sports Dolby 5.1 certification and truly immerses you in the content you love. Whether gaming, watching movies, or listening to music Razer continues to impress us with the build quality and performance of its products.
The soundbar itself produces clear highs from its pair of tweeters and rich mids from the duo of full range 2.5” drivers. The soundbar paired with the included subwoofer offers an immersive media experience.
What’s more is that Razer has designed what is probably the most advanced wireless connectivity possible into these speakers. For starters, it uses Bluetooth aptX which provides much clearer audio and carries superior sound fidelity than standard Bluetooth. Additionally, these speakers use NFC to communicate with your phone while pairing to make the pairing process faster and in many cases practically automatic.
5. Bose Companion 2
Simple speakers with a classic design
- Included Speakers: 2 satellites
- Bluetooth: No
- Connections: 3.5mm jack
- Frequency Response: 70Hz - 35kHz
- Great mids and highs
- Easy to use
- Underwhelming bass
Bose is a name that almost anyone shopping for speakers will be familiar with. A company founded 55 years ago, Bose was catapulted to fame largely due to the success of the tremendously popular quiet comfort headphones.
The Bose Companion 2 lives up to the company’s reputation of making high-fidelity audio equipment. The tuning on the speakers is excellent for high notes and especially in the mid-range, but might not be for everyone. Due to the lack of a subwoofer and the general tuning that Bose tends to use, these speakers are a little lacking in the bass department.
These are also some of the easiest speakers to set up and use. One of the speakers has a typical 3.5mm audio jack on the back, and all you need to do is plug it into a device. On the front of the speaker is a headphone jack passthrough and a volume know.
6. Audioengine A2+
Compact yet powerful desk speakers
- Included Speakers: 2 satellites
- Bluetooth: No
- Connections: 3.5mm jack, RCA, USB
- Frequency Response: 65Hz - 22kHz
- Very compact
- Excellent build quality
- Extra Colors!
- No subwoofer
Audioengine is a company with an interesting outlook on how a speaker setup should work. Modularity is the name of the game for Audioengine and the A2+ is at the very center of their modular speaker system.
The A2+ speakers are very capable on their own and are some of the best small computer speakers for those who want to save every inch of desk space they can. The hand-finished wood cabinets will fit on practically any desk and look stunning in either black, white, or red.
However, while these speakers produce excellent sound, they cannot reach their full potential on their own. Audioengine sells a wide variety of add-ons for the speakers ranging from subwoofers, to Bluetooth receivers, to wireless transmitters that can wirelessly connect to more speakers elsewhere.
Some people see this as a feature that lets them make their ideal audio setup with all the bells and whistles they want. Others see it as more of a hassle. How you see it is up to you, but keep an eye on this kind of technology as there may be more modular devices like it in the future.
7. Edifier Luna Eclipse
Large yet refined
- Included Speakers: 2 satellites
- Bluetooth: Yes
- Connections: 3.5mm jack and optical
- Frequency Response: 50Hz - 20kHz
- Refined looks
- Powerful audio
- Quite large
Many people-- especially those who’ve picked themselves up an ultrawide monitor-- like to enjoy movies or other types of content right at their computer. If this sounds like you, then the Luna Eclipse from Edifier might be a good fit for you.
These speakers are touted as being mainly designed for TV and home entertainment setups, but they also happen to be some of the best 2.0 computer speakers on the market. They produce a lot of sound with a surprising level of audio fidelity even for the price.
The unique looks are what draw some in, while others are drawn to the wireless capabilities or even the included remote, which is something of a rarity these days. The one major drawback to these speakers is their size. Since they are intended for home theater use they are a bit on the large size for some desks, but there are some ways around this including the optional stands or wall mounting.
8. Logitech Z333
Best budget computer speakers for those who like it loud
- Included Speakers: 2 satellites and a subwoofer
- Bluetooth: No
- Connections: 3.5mm jack and RCA
- Frequency Response: 55Hz - 20kHz
- Can go very loud
- Excellent controls
- Lacking in mids and highs
As some of our readers may already know, many of our reviews start with the highest of the high-end products so we can all gawk and dream (or at least that’s what I do). Then, as we move through the ranks, we begin to see more and more affordable products that still deliver impressive performance. Well, now is when that section of the review starts.
As such, the Logitech Z333 is the first pair of speakers that we’re looking at that begins to fall into the budget category, but in this case, very few compromises are being made. These speakers include two tweeters and a subwoofer and are stunningly powerful given their price.
These 80-watt speakers can easily fill a home with music, perhaps even to the point of annoying neighbors. And if you need to turn them up Logitech includes a cool and easy to use control knob that you can place near your keyboard for easy access. This knob also has a headphone output on the side of it for when it is time to stop annoying your neighbors and put on headphones.
The only place that these speakers begin to show their more affordable price is in the mids and highs. While not distorted or crackly they simply aren’t as present or rich as more high-end options and can sometimes feel washed out by the bass of the front firing subwoofer.
9. Logitech MX Sound
Balanced sound from understated speakers
- Included Speakers: 2 satellites
- Bluetooth: Yes
- Connections: 3.5mm jack
- Frequency Response: 75Hz - 20kHz
- Easy connectivitiy
- Balanced sound profile
- Lacking a subwoofer
For those who appreciate the simple things, the Logitech MX Sound is an excellent choice of desktop speaker. These speakers fit nicely on almost any desk and look good to boot with the soft glow of the touch controls shining through the soft fabric speaker covers.
The speakers are easy to use and easy to pair thanks to the simple button layout on the front. There are volume up and volume down buttons as well as a Bluetooth button. Switching between multiple Bluetooth or aux cable connected devices is easy as well. All you need to do is pause on the connected device and play another and the MX Sound speakers will automatically switch inputs.
These speakers also offer a very balanced sound profile with reasonably strong bass, crisp mids, and sharp highs. What’s more is that they can actually be turned up pretty loud without losing fidelity, which is great for those who like their media loud but not crunchy.
10. Creative A250
Most affordable computer speakers
- Included Speakers: 2 satellites and a subwoofer
- Bluetooth: No
- Connections: 3.5mm jack
- Frequency Response: 40Hz - 20kHz
- Highly Affordable
- Impressive Bass from subwoofer
- Limited connection options
Creative is a name that might be familiar to those who have been interested in audio, especially as it pertains to gaming, for several decades. They are most known for their “Sound Blaster” line of sound card (they’re still around and still good, actually… just less needed), which played much the same role as a graphics card today, only it was used to process higher fidelity sounds.
Today, Creative offers a line of speakers, many of which are very budget friendly. These are the best budget PC speakers for those who are looking for the most affordable set of speakers possible without making huge sacrifices.
The Creative A250s come with two satellite speakers and a subwoofer (somewhat astounding for the price) and produce a good amount of sound for the size. The sound profile is pretty balanced with surprisingly powerful bass thanks to the subwoofer. At higher volumes though, the sound does begin to distort and get a bit noisy.
How to Pick the Best Computer Speakers for Your Needs
Now that we’ve looked at our top ten picks for the best computer speakers on the market right now, let’s go over a few things to keep an eye on while shopping. Depending on what you plan to use your new speakers for it can be important to keep an eye out for certain features.
Surround Sound
Surround sound has come a long way since its first introduction. Believe it or not, it is possible to create the effect of things like overhead sound without using any overhead speakers at all. Instead, some soundbars today can bounce the sound off the walls and ceiling of the room to produce very convincing spatial sound.
If you plan to watch movies or play games, then surround sound is a fantastic feature to have. The improved immersion in movies and television with surround sound is often understated and the competitive edge in many games that spatial sound offers is significant.
For the best surround sound experience, we suggest the Razer Leviathan. This powerful soundbar comes with a subwoofer, two tweeters, and two full-range drivers. These drivers in the soundbar can cast their sound around you in Dolby 5.1 surround to give you the feeling of being in the action.
Volume
Generally, when measuring how loud something is, the measurement is made in decibels. Decibels are a surprisingly complex unit of measurement since it is not a linear scale, but rather a logarithmic one. This means that an increase of 10 decibels will always amplify the intensity of the sound in question by a factor of 10.
For a little perspective, a vacuum cleaner is roughly 70 decibels and an average lawn mower runs at around 90. Obviously the latter is significantly louder than the former. If all of this sounds confusing, that’s because it is.
When it comes to volume, the Logitech G560s are king. These speakers can reach a (potentially literally) deafening 97 decibels that will rattle your house and annoy your neighbors.
Clarity and Fidelity
When it comes to audio clarity and fidelity, it is much more difficult to pick any single outright winner, unlike volume or surround sound. Those things are relatively easy to quantify, whereas fidelity is much harder to measure (that’s an entirely different type of website though; we aren’t trying to get into that!) and even doing so doesn’t really remove the subjective aspects from the equation.
Each set of speakers will have a different tuning, meaning they can either be heavier in the lower, higher, or mid frequencies. In each individual review, we try to touch on the sound profile of that speaker, but in this section, we will pick three winners.
Frequency Response
Finally, the last vocabulary word for the audiophile uninitiated is “frequency response”. This is a term that is found on the spec sheet of almost any audio related equipment ranging from headphones to microphones and, in this case, speakers.
Frequency response is the range of frequencies that the speakers can produce. The average human can hear sounds ranging from 20Hz to 20,000kHz. Many of the speakers on our list are lacking a bit in the very low end of this range, so if you’re looking for powerful bass then be sure to look at the lower limit of the frequency response of each speaker.
Additionally, some of the speakers we looked at go even higher than the limit of human hearing. This design choice is usually made as a way to allow a speaker some headroom to produce exceptionally clear highs without distortion.
- The Razer Nommo Pro wins for overall audio fidelity and clarity. These speakers sport excellent audio in all frequencies and no portion of the sound profile pushes its way to the forefront.
- The Logitech G560 wins for best bass clarity. These speakers as we have mentioned are super loud and have pounding bass.
- The Harmon Kardon Soundsticks 3 wins for best fidelity in the mids and highs. The glass housing of these speakers allows the sharper sounds in the mids and highs to resonate better and come through more clearly.