8 Best 2.1 Computer Speakers In 2022 (Under $50 to Over $250)-Computerfanfield

The best computer speakers of 2022

Even if you just like listening to music while you work, computer speakers mean that you don’t have to be stuck wearing headphones all day. CNN Underscored extensively tested 10 top computer speakers over the past few months, ranking them based on factors like their design, audio quality, connectivity features and more. After spending countless hours listening to our favorite music and podcasts, here are our picks for the best computer speakers:

Logitech Z407 Best overall computer speakers Logitech Z407 Logitech The Logitech Z407 computer speakers offer a sleek design, tons of connectivity options and a cool puck-shaped controller that you can put anywhere you want. Anyone who wants reasonably priced computer speakers will love what they have to offer. $119.99 at Logitech

Cyber Acoustics CA3090 Best budget computer speakers Cyber Acoustics 2.1 Subwoofer Speaker System with 18W of Power Amazon The Cyber Acoustics CA3090 speakers are extremely inexpensive, but they’re a serious upgrade over your built-in computer speakers. These come with a subwoofer for extended bass response, and have a wired remote for easy control. $28.99 at Amazon

PreSonus Eris 3.5 BT Best computer speakers for music PreSonus Eris E3.5-3.5" Near Field Studio Monitor Amazon If you want to prioritize audio quality and have a bit of extra space and cash, the PreSonus Eris 3.5 BT speakers are the way to go. These speakers offer both wired and Bluetooth connections, but they also offer a more detailed audio quality and decent bass. $129.95 $99.95 at Amazon

Best overall computer speakers: Logitech Z407

$119.99 at Logitech

Logitech Z407 Christian De Looper/CNN

The Logitech Z407 computer speakers leverage the company’s years of experience in building computer peripherals, delivering a versatile, high-quality pair of speakers that doesn’t break the bank.

Perhaps the best thing about these speakers is how great they sound for the price, boasting relatively crisp highs with a well-tuned mid range. As consumer-focused speakers, they don’t have the flattest frequency response, meaning they’re built to sound good rather than accurate. Because of that, audiophiles should look at the PreSonus Eris 3.5 BT. But the Z407 does offer a generally exciting sound profile that should work well in any situation.

The bass response on these speakers is pretty solid too. They come with a subwoofer, ensuring that you’ll get deep, extended bass that brings a little more oomph to your listening experience. Even songs like AC/DC’s “Back in Black,” which is light on bass, get a bit more kick than they otherwise would.

The Logitech Z407 speakers offer more than just great sound quality. They’re also well designed, and while they are entirely built from plastic, it’s a strong plastic that should be able to withstand most day-to-day use. And they come with a control puck that works wirelessly, so you can place it anywhere on your desk, and it lets you play, pause, control volume and more — which we found very handy during day-to-day use. The only thing that would make it better would be a headphone jack. The speakers were relatively easy to set up too, though it did take a few minutes to get everything plugged in properly.

The Logitech Z407 also offer Wireless Bluetooth and wired connectivity, including an aux port and a Micro USB port. It would have been nice if Logitech included a USB-C port instead.

Best budget computer speakers: Cyber Acoustics CA3090

$28.99 at Amazon

ca3090 Christian De Looper/CNN

The Cyber Acoustics CA3090 speakers won’t reach the heights of the other options on this list, but they’re certainly better than the speakers built into your laptop, and represent a great option for those who don’t want to spend more than $50.

The Cyber Acoustics CA3090 speakers may not have the most modern design, and they have limited connectivity options — the only way you can listen is through an audio cable that you’ll connect to your device, or through an aux port on the remote control. You won’t get any wireless connectivity options here, so don’t expect to be able to use Bluetooth. That said, the aux port is definitely the most important connection option, so most will be perfectly fine with that alone.

The audio quality on these speakers isn’t great, but it’s not bad for the price. The two desktop speakers are a little tinny, so there’s not a lot of depth to them, and the bass is boomy, so you’ll need to fine-tune the volume of the subwoofer with the knob on the back of it. But despite those issues, they still offer more depth than other options in this price range, and they were able to represent the entire frequency range when listening to music like Betty Who’s “I Love You Always Forever,” even if there were some weird boosts and cuts.

One of the best things about these speakers is the fact that they have a wired remote control puck that you can place on the top of your desk. Using this puck, you can change the volume and turn the speakers on and off. The puck also has a headphone jack and an aux port, which helps make the speakers much more versatile.

Best computer speakers for music: PreSonus Eris 3.5 BT

$129.95 $99.95 at Amazon

Presonus Eris 3.5 Christian De Looper/CNN

Perhaps you’re looking for a bit of a boost in audio quality, which is exactly where the PreSonus Eris 3.5 BT speakers come in. PreSonus is more of a pro and prosumer audio brand — and the company easily leverages that experience for these speakers.

On their own, the speakers offer excellent surround sound quality. You’ll get a well-tuned mid range, with good detail in the high end and solid low-end response. Generally, the speakers have a flatter frequency response, meaning that they’ll more accurately play back any audio that you listen to. On the back of the speakers, you’ll get some tuning options too, including a knob for tuning both highs and lows, depending on your environment.

The speakers offer pretty comprehensive controls and ports too. On the front of the left speaker, you’ll get an aux in port and a headphone jack, along with a volume knob. This is perfect for those who might want to access these features quickly and easily. On the back there are both quarter-inch inputs and RCA inputs, which are common connections in home studio and audiophile setups, and mean that the speakers can integrate more easily into those environments without adapters.

There’s another way to connect to the speakers, though, and it’s a way that you wouldn’t necessarily expect from speakers in this class: Bluetooth. Connecting to Bluetooth is pretty easy, thanks to the pair button on the back of the left speaker, and the connection remained strong in our testing.

The speakers look pretty nice, with a sleek black color profile. They’re definitely larger than the other options on this list, so you will need to make sure you have enough room on your desk to use these as your Mac or PC speakers, but they’re not quite as large as studio monitors can get.

There are some available add-ons that can augment the listening experience. For example, the speakers are compatible with PreSonus’ Eris Sub8 subwoofer, which delivers extended and enhanced bass response. Unfortunately, because of how the speakers are set up, if you use Wireless Bluetooth connectivity the subwoofer won’t work, but it will work in wired setups. A work-around for this is the new PreSonus MicroStation BT Bluetooth controller, but that costs extra.

Best computer speakers for gaming: Logitech Z625

$199.99 $162.99 at Amazon or $199.99 at Logitech

Logitech z625 Christian De Looper/CNN

If you’re a gamer and want something to make your gaming experience a little more immersive, then the Logitech Z625 speakers are the way to go. These speakers are powerful, support the THX audio standard and have a design that should look right at home on a gaming battle station.

The first thing you’ll notice about the Logitech Z625 speakers is their design. They offer a relatively small build, meaning that they’ll fit on most desks, and the right speaker has a volume and bass knob that you can control individually, making for a more personalized stereo sound. On the side of the right speaker, you’ll also get a headphone jack and an aux port, for added flexibility.

Of course, more important than design is the audio quality, and the speakers sound great too. They offer decent detail in the high end, along with plenty of deep bass, thanks to the included subwoofer. And, as mentioned, they support the THX audio standard, which can be helpful in making compatible games more immersive, and for occasional use in a home theater setup. The speakers are a little mid-heavy in frequency response, which means that things like guitars and vocals are a bit more boosted in the mix. That, however, can actually be helpful during gaming, as it helps your teammates’ voices cut through the rest of the sound coming from your PC speakers.

There are plenty of ways to connect to these speakers; however, you can’t connect to them wirelessly. Wired options include aux ports on both the subwoofer and right speaker, along with RCA and optical inputs on the subwoofer. That optical input also helps in gaming situations, as it means they’re easier to use in a console setup.

How we tested

The testing process for these computer speakers was rigorous, and sometimes painful, depending on how well the speakers performed. We focused on a range of different criteria, including design, sound quality and how easy it is to connect to the speakers. Read on for the categories and their breakdowns.

Audio quality

Overall quality: We judged how well the speakers handle different frequencies, from the lowest of bass to the highest of highs. We listened to a four-song playlist of songs for testing these speakers, which consisted of “I Love You Always Forever” by Betty Who, Joshua Bell’s rendition of Bach’s “Violin Concerto No. 1 in A Minor,” “Forgot About Dre” by Dr. Dre and “Back in Black” by AC/DC. We also used the speakers to listen to podcasts, play video games and watch movies.

Bass quality: Bass quality can vary widely in smaller speakers, and is an important aspect of making for an immersive listening experience. Speakers with subwoofers tend to score better here.

Design

Size: Not everyone has a lot of space to spare on their desk, and speakers that have a smaller footprint are easier to set up on a smaller desk.

Controls: Most speakers have a way to quickly and easily change the volume, but some also have controls for bass response, playing and pausing audio, and more. The more controls the better.

Aesthetics: You’re more likely to want a pair of speakers on your desk if they look nice. That’s not to mention build quality, which is even more important than looks, especially if you plan on moving the speakers every now and then.

Features and software

Connectivity: Versatile speakers allow you to connect in multiple ways. Most speakers should offer an aux port for quick and easy connections, but some also connect through USB, and others also have Bluetooth. Higher-end speakers usually have options for TRS and RCA inputs too.

Extra features: Sometimes you just want a little extra from your speakers. Some might want RGB lighting, while others could use some software integration. These kinds of features were rare in the speakers that we tested.

Warranty

Warranty: What happens if you break your speakers — or worse, they come broken out of the box? All of the options we tested had at least a one-year limited warranty, which only covers manufacturer defects, but some went an extra step.

Other computer speakers we tested

$39.99 at Amazon

The Creative Pebble V3 are another great budget option, and came close to beating out the Cyber Acoustics CA3090. Unfortunately, they didn’t have the same bass response on offer, nor the handy remote control. They still have a solid design, and while they are a bit tinny and don’t have much depth, they sound pretty good for the price. They also offer a range of connectivity options, including Bluetooth, USB-C and an aux port.

$24.99 $19.99 at Amazon

The Creative Pebble 2.0 speakers have the same overall design as the Pebble V3 speakers, but like the V3s, they’re a bit tinny and don’t have a whole lot of depth. Unlike the V3s, however, the Pebble 2.0 speakers can only connect through an audio cable, not through any wireless connection or an aux port.

$47 at Amazon

The Creative Pebble Plus speakers offer a similar experience to the Pebble V3 speakers, but they also come with a subwoofer, so you’ll get much deeper bass and better sound overall. Unfortunately, like the Pebble 2.0 speakers, you can only listen to audio through the included audio jack, and there’s no Bluetooth connectivity or other wired options.

$299.95 at Amazon

If you’re looking for a pair of unique-looking computer speakers, the Harman/Kardon Soundsticks 4 speakers may be the way to go. These speakers are built from a clear plastic and come with a main hub, which doubles as a subwoofer, that’s built from the same material. It won’t work on every desk, but it will definitely work on some. The speakers also sound great, plus they offer a range of connectivity options, including Bluetooth and an aux port.

$149.99 at Amazon

The Mackie CRX-4 speakers are another great option for audiophiles who want a relatively flat frequency response that delivers equal lows, mids and highs for a balanced music listening experience. These speakers are pretty large, so you’ll need to make sure you have space on your desk, but they offer a few different connectivity options, and they have a switch built into them to change which speaker is left and which is right. The base model does not have Bluetooth, but you can spend extra for a Bluetooth-compatible pair.

$199 at Amazon

The Audioengine A1 speakers were an excellent contender, and were only beat out by some of the audiophile-focused pairs on this list. The speakers offer excellent audio quality, with a good amount of detail and solid bass — plus, they’re a little smaller than some of the options on this list, and they offer both wired and wireless connectivity options. These are also some of the only speakers that have a better warranty than most of our testing pool — you’ll get a three-year limited warranty instead of a one-year one.

Read more from CNN Underscored’s hands-on testing:

The best PC speakers in December 2022

Get the most out of your computer with the best PC speakers. Whether you're gaming, creating or just surfing YouTube, high-quality audio will make a world of difference over your standard laptop speakers or cheaper alternatives.

There are so many good brands and products out there now, it can be hard to choose what's best for you. You need to consider elements like connectivity, Bluetooth compatibility and audio inputs. You'll also want know if it features parts like a subwoofer, as these can take up a substantial amount of room that you will need storage space for in your set up. That's where our handy guide comes in: we've compiled our top picks into one list with links directly to retailers if you see something that takes your fancy! We've also made sure to include a variation of budget options as we know not everyone can afford to break the bank when looking at the best PC speakers, and luckily our live links will even let you know if there's any sales happening.

If you're an audiophile, we also have a guide to the best wireless headphones for listening to your favourite tunes on the go. You can also check out our guide to the best laptops for music production. For now, let's take a look at the best PC speakers.

The best PC speakers available today

Why you can trust Creative Bloq Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

(Image credit: Logitech)

01. Logitech Z407 The best overall PC speakers Specifications Audio inputs: 2 x 3.5mm, RCA Number of speakers: 2 Bluetooth: Yes Subwoofer: Yes Extra features: External dial control Today's Best Deals View at Ryman (opens in new tab) View at Amazon (opens in new tab) View at John Lewis (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Strong bass + Wireless control dial + Immersive and clear sound Reasons to avoid - Design is a bit basic

Logitech are one of the top names when it comes to PC accessories, and the best PC speakers are no exception. The Logitech Z407 speakers deliver precise and immersive sound with 80 watts of power, and their modern design will fit neatly on your workspace. The bass has plenty of depth to make deeper sounds rich and vibrant.

The wireless control dial is a great addition, especially if your speakers aren't within reaching distance whilst you're working. It runs off two AAA batteries and the rotating dial controls volume levels. It also has a button to switch between your wired or Bluetooth audio inputs. Overall, these are a quality product for a reasonable price compared to other PC speakers which is why they take top spot.

(Image credit: Razer)

02. Razer Nommo Pro The best PC speakers for hardcore audio fans Specifications Audio inputs: 2 x 3.5mm RCA Number of speakers: 2 Bluetooth: No Subwoofer: Yes Extra features: RGB lighting features, external control dial, Dolby Virtual Surround Sound Today's Best Deals View at Amazon (opens in new tab) View at CCL (opens in new tab) View at (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Fantastic sound quality + Dolby Virtual Surround Sound + Excellent app software to customise speakers Reasons to avoid - Pricey option

If you want to get serious with your gaming audio, look no further than the Razer Nommo Pro speakers. This flashy set of speakers are THX certified and feature Dolby Virtual Surround Sound to fully immerse you in your audio. The external control pod lets you control volume, varying inputs and power to your devices. They are visually stunning too: vibrant RGB lighting glows from beneath the main speakers, which are a beautiful matte black for a subtle look.

And that's not all: Razer have developed both software (Razer Synapse) for your computer and an app (NommoPro) for your phone to let you easily customise your device. This software allows you to customise the RGB lighting featured on this device if you want a different colour, movement or speed. You can also easily play with settings like audio profile presets, bass and volume from both the software and app. The price tag may be high, but we can't argue that these are among some of the best PC speakers on the market today and you won't regret investing.

(Image credit: CREATIVE)

03. Creative Pebble V3 The best PC speakers for a smaller budget Specifications Audio inputs: USB-C, 3.5 mm Number of speakers: 2 Bluetooth: Yes Subwoofer: No Extra features: n/a Today's Best Deals View at Amazon (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Affordable for smaller budgets + No subwoofer so just sits on desktop + Easy set up Reasons to avoid - Slight compromise on sound quality for price

The best PC speakers don't need to break the bank, and the Creative Pebble V3 speakers are definitely the most affordable on our list if you're looking for cheap and cheerful! These stylish little speakers simply sit on your desktop as they don't have a subwoofer, and can sync up to your device via wire or Bluetooth. They're very stylish with a unique rounded design that would look great within any set up.

It is worth saying that you will be slightly sacrificing sound quality with the smaller price point of the Creative Pebble V3. There are no customisation options like other products on this list, so you can't play with features like bass and presets: you can only adjust the volume. But for a budget option under £40/$40, we can't really complain as the sound quality is still fantastic and they will more than do the job!

(Image credit: Logitech)

04. Logitech Z333 The best PC speakers for a modern yet simple look Specifications Audio inputs: 1 x 3.5mm, RCA Number of speakers: 2 Bluetooth: No Subwoofer: Yes Extra features: Wired rotating dial Today's Best Deals View at Amazon (opens in new tab) View at (opens in new tab) View at (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Excellent sounds quality + Good price + Beast of a subwoofer Reasons to avoid - Speakers are quite bulky

Logitech have been developing computer accessories for nearly 50 years, so it's no surprise we have more than one product from them on this list. The Logitech Z333 are an excellent set of speakers sure to improve any audio set up, and they have a modern sharp squared shape that look good on a desk. The wired dial controls the volume, and the rotating wheel feels good to use and allows easy adjustments.

I have personally been using these speakers for about a year and love them. Coming from some old basic speakers, these were a massive upgrade and sound great. I mainly use them for gaming, and the directional sound is fantastic as you can really pinpoint "where" sounds are coming from. Overall, considering these retail from $50/£50 to $70/£70 they're a great investment that is both affordable and efficient.

(Image credit: SteelSeries)

05. SteelSeries Arena 7 The best PC speakers with a unique lighting feature Specifications Audio inputs: USB, 3.5mm, optical Number of speakers: 2 Bluetooth: Yes Subwoofer: Yes Extra features: RGB lighting, app comptability Today's Best Deals View at Amazon (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Customisable RGB lighting + Great sound + Designed for gamers Reasons to avoid - Can be delay between audio and lighting effects

These stylish speakers from SteelSeries are designed specifically for gaming, but they're a great addition to your PC no matter what you need them for. With a powerful subwoofer and high-quality speakers, you'll be delivered immersive and precise audio. Visually, the speakers have a sleek rounded design that are both modern and unobtrusive within your set up.

A great feature of these speakers is the RGB lighting. You can set them up using the SteelSeries app to react to whatever audio is coming out of the speakers. The price is still pretty steep sitting at around $300/£300 and there are definitely more affordable options out there, but for a flashy unique speaker design the SteelSeries Arena 7 certainly delivers!

8 Best 2.1 Computer Speakers In 2022 (Under $50 to Over $250)

If you’d ever thought of getting computer speakers or even went near a shop that sells them, you’d likely see this ubiquitous number somewhere.

Some would assume it’s a product series like 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, and wouldn’t bother much with it.

But in the speaker world, those numbers have a very specific meaning.

If you’re reading this, then you probably already know it.

Let’s just plow on for clarity’s sake and demystify the 2.1 speaker system and find you the best 2.1 speakers for your computer needs.

Quick List: 8 Best 2.1 Computer Speakers

Looking At 2.1 Computer Speakers

What is a 2.1 speaker system?

In speaker-talk, 2.1 stands for 2 regular speakers (usually stereo) and a subwoofer.

Likewise, 2.0 is just 2 regular speakers.

5.1 is 5 regular speakers and a subwoofer, and so on.

What makes the subwoofer different than a regular speaker?

The subwoofer is designed to handle the lower frequencies—the bass part. Regular speakers can only produce them to a limited extent.

Imagine having to output the entire audible sound range with one speaker. It’s like asking someone to sing from bass to tenor, all the way to soprano. That’s a lot of strain. Along comes the subwoofer to produce the deep bass frequencies, relieving regular speakers to handle the mid and higher ranges. This gives you a much better sound quality.

The best subwoofers can handle low frequencies down to the ones you can’t hear but feel. This is what gives you that thump in music. With a subwoofer, the regular speakers need to have airiness and clarity to balance it all out. You’re lucky if your regular speakers come with tweeters, the opposite of subwoofers. They’re the sopranos.

For the ultimate 2.1 computer speakers, we wanted balance and clarity. They need to take on not only music but other audio apps like movies, gaming, and online calls.

The Best 2.1 Computer Speakers

1. Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 THX Certified Computer Speakers

8,735 Reviews Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 THX Certified Computer Speaker System (Black) LEGENDARY SOUND EXPERIENCE FROM KLIPSCH AND THX - The Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 THX Certified Speaker System pairs the legendary sound of Klipsch audio with the revolutionary THX experience, filling the...

Not many computer speakers get to brag a THX certification. The Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 is one of the few.

✔️ What we like: Clean, clear sound with strong bass

❌ What we don’t like: No power button. Really.

Standout Features

Crisp sound quality

THX-certified

Additional aux input

THX is an industry-standard that you’ll usually see for cinema audio. If you get speakers that have THX-certified stamped on it, you have every right to expect pure performance out of it.

The Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 computer speakers certainly live up to sound quality expectations. The speakers produce clean, crisp audio with powerful, vibrating bass. You won’t have trouble filling a room with sound. The highs and mids are distinct but don’t hurt your ears, and are well balanced with the bass. The bass does distort at max volumes so it would be best not to push that too hard.

In any case, there are control knobs to adjust both bass and volume so you can find the optimum balance for your system. There’s strangely no power button, which is surprising for speakers of this price. And inconvenient, to be honest.

Like most good speakers, the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 does require a burn-in period. Just keep playing them until the drivers loosen up to give you that warmth of tone. You also have to be aware that good audio is dependent on having a good input source. Don’t blame the speakers if you’re running low-quality audio (please… don’t play music with only 96kpbs on these). It will sound pretty awful.

There is a headphone jack and 3.5mm auxiliary jack. This is convenient to plug in a secondary audio source, like your MP3 player or mobile phone. The supplied cables are quite long, so you won’t have too much trouble positioning the speakers.

Touching on positioning, the subwoofer has the port facing forwards and speaker cone on the side. You might want to ensure there’s space where those two elements are facing. Don’t squeeze your subwoofer in between two objects.

The Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 is an excellent set of speakers, worthy of your best audio beats and high-end movie formats. Unless the price tag makes you uncomfortable, you can’t go too far wrong with these.

2. Cyber Acoustics CA-SP34BT 2.1 Bluetooth Speakers

Here’s a bit of a party animal joining the lists. The Cyber Acoustics CA-SP34BT comes wireless and with some flashy LED lights to brighten your rig.

✔️ What we like: Easy Bluetooth pairing with clean sounds

❌ What we don’t like: Controls are on the subwoofer

Standout Features

Party lights

Clear audio output

Good build quality

Need some LED lighting to match your gaming rig?

These Cyber Acoustics CA-SP34BT have just those lights, and enough color options to cycle through that there has to be one that suits you. Placed around the rims of the speaker cones, the LEDs produce 5 rings that look pretty neat in even in a lit environment. You do have to cycle through the colors to get to the “no lights” option, which can be annoying if you want them off.

But lights aside, do the CA-SP34BT perform? For their budget price point, these speakers sound incredibly clean with a bit of a thumpy kick from the subwoofer. The bass is not earth-shattering but it’s certainly more than what regular stereo speakers can produce.

Which brings us to the one major grouse. The controls—power, treble, bass, volume, LED color selection, input selection (either Bluetooth or line-in), and even the headphone jack—are all on the subwoofer. Arguably, it’s a small subwoofer so it can sit on your desk to be reachable. But normally, you’d want the subwoofer on the floor.

The power switch is also located at the back. It would have been nice to have it together with the other knobs which are at the side, or in front. It would have been nicer to have a separate control pod altogether.

The speakers don’t recall the last setting you had them on, which can be a minor issue. The source reverts to Bluetooth even if you were using line-in, the colors come back on even if you had them off. However, build quality is good and Bluetooth pairing is a breeze. Note that Bluetooth is for audio input only. The speakers are still wired to each other.

These CA-SP35BT performs well for their price range. If you can live with controls that are on the subwoofer, there’s no reason why these can’t liven up your computer setup with some good sounds and funky lighting.

3. Logitech Z625 THX 2.1 Speakers – Runner Up

Sale 15,672 Reviews Logitech Z625 Powerful THX® Certified 2.1 Speaker System with Optical Input THX Certified audio is designed to deliver the most accurate audio experience straight out-of-the-box. These Logitech Z625 THX Certified speakers are tuned to exact specifications to truthfully...

Logitech is one of those names that will invariably pop up when computer speakers are mentioned. And for good reason. They make plenty of them, and these Z625 speakers are among those with the THX-certified mark.

✔️ What we like: Great sound quality for gaming and movies

❌ What we don’t like: Speakers are oddly shaped and look clunky

Standout Features

THX-certified

Awesome sound

Multiple input options

Being THX-certified is not just a ‘thing’. It means speakers have to go through some rigorous testing to ensure they meet THX sound standards. What you can expect from that is some excellent speaker performance.

And the Z625 do excel. Sound output is incredibly clear, good trebles, and powerful, thumpy bass. It’s strong enough that you might need to lower it to keep it from drowning out the upper registers. The volume from these speakers is commendably loud. You won’t have to up it much to get them blaring. Even at high volume, there’s no distortion.

To be honest, movies and gaming are where the Z625 shines. Voices are clear and sound effects distinct. The soundstage is wide enough for good positional accuracy in gaming. This is probably where the THX mark makes its most impact.

There are 3 input options on the subwoofer that you can use simultaneously—an optical input, RCA, and 3.5mm jack. This is very convenient if you’re hooking the speakers up to multiple devices.

Additionally, there’s an auxiliary input on the right speaker, which acts as the control center. On the right speaker, you also get the power, volume, and bass controls, as well as the headphone jack.

The build quality of the Z625 is solid and hefty. They’re heavier than they look. We do think they have a rather clunky design. The satellite speakers could have been more aesthetically pleasing, but that’s just us.

Looks aside, if you want a good set of speakers for your movie nights or gaming sessions, the Logitech Z625 should be one to consider. With a price tag under $200 and THX certification, these speakers perform admirably well within their range.

4. Edifier M3200 2.1 Speakers

479 Reviews Edifier USA 2.1 Speaker System (M3200) Uniquely designed, 2.1 audio system capable of hosting multiple audio sources via 3.5mm auxiliary input, PC to PC signal input and CD to CD signal input

Edifier has some rather stylish speaker designs dispersed among the usual rectangular bookshelf format. The M3200 hourglass is one of those that draw the eye the moment you see them.

✔️ What we like: Appealing, stylish design with excellent sound quality

❌ What we don’t like: Power and bass controls are on the subwoofer

Standout Features

Crisp sound output

Great looks

Convenient control pod

Admit it, whether you find that hourglass shape exceptionally beautiful or plain weird, the Edifier M3200 speakers are eye-catching. Whatever your thoughts, that form isn’t just for aesthetics. That shorter top part houses a tweeter, and the bottom part has the mid-range speakers. Combined with the subwoofer, you’re getting 5 speakers for your money.

But do 5 speakers equate to good sound? In this case, yes. The M3200 outputs crisp, clear highs and rather accurate, heavy lows. Depending on what you’re playing, the mids can get a little drowned, but you can tweak that with an equalizer. Overall, even without the aid of an equalizer, the sound output is good.

If the bass feels too overwhelming, it can be adjusted by the control knob at the back of the subwoofer. The power switch is located there too, along with the primary and secondary input for devices. This could be inconvenient if your subwoofer is on the floor, but well, you can’t have everything. It would have been nice for the power and subwoofer bass to be adjustable from the control pod.

And yes, there’s a nice, metal control pod. This mainly houses the volume control which is a rotating disc, a headphone input, and auxiliary input for another device. So you have 3 simultaneous input options—2 on the subwoofer and 1 on the control pod. This is convenient. They’re all 3.5mm jacks but you can find adapters for devices that don’t use those connectors.

The build of these speakers is quite solid. Be warned that the material is a glossy plastic, which is pretty, but likes to draw dust. So you won’t be able to hide the less-than-avid dusting of your room.

With a unique, clean design that is appealing, good sound quality, and a nice price tag, the Edifier M3200 looks to be one that’s worth taking home.

5. Creative Pebble Plus 2.1 Speakers – Best Budget Option

We’ve seen the Creative Pebbles 2.0 with their zen garden rock design. This one goes a step farther with the addition of a little subwoofer.

✔️ What we like: Little speakers with a bit of woofer power

❌ What we don’t like: No bass control for the subwoofer

Standout Features

Attractive design

Clean, clear sound

USB-powered

A 2.1 speaker system that’s USB-powered? Really?

The USB-powered part comes as a surprise as this system does have a subwoofer. Is it a strong subwoofer (because we all know USB ports have power limitations)? Not much, but it does add a little thumpy bass to your music, and sounds good at close distances. Which is what these speakers are designed for—near field listening. Not to vibrate your windows from 10 feet away.

For something this small, the audio output has pleasant clarity, even on very low volumes. There is some distortion at high volumes, which is expected. More complex music does sound a little muddled, but for slow easy pieces, these Pebbles perform admirably well.

If you want more bass, you can plug that USB into a 5V 2A power adapter and switch the subwoofer to “high gain” mode. This will increase the overall volume capability and ramps up the bass. Note that the USB adapter is not included in this package. There is no bass control though, which is a bummer. Having the ability to adjust it since there’s a subwoofer would have been a plus.

The volume controls are on the satellite speakers, which is convenient. There is no headphone jack or auxiliary input, and the cables are rather short and hardwired into the speakers. So it’s hard to replace or extend.

Despite its shortcomings, the Pebble Plus is a good-looking piece of audio equipment, with pleasant aesthetics and clean sounds. If you’re looking for something simply powered and priced under $50, the Pebble Plus is something to look out for to upgrade your internal PC or laptop speakers.

6. Harman Kardon SoundSticks 2.1 Bluetooth Speakers

Here’s a 2.1 speaker system that doesn’t even look like speakers on the first impression. With a predecessor that has a permanent spot in New York city’s Museum of Modern Art, the Harman Kardon SoundSticks are very hard to ignore.

✔️ What we like: Beautiful, unique design

❌ What we don’t like: Open Bluetooth that anyone can connect to

Standout Features

Great sound

Gorgeous design

Touch controls

Bored of the usual solid black speaker enclosures? Want something that can be a talk-piece even when it’s not making sounds? You don’t have to go further than the Harman Kardon Soundsticks. The version we’re looking at here comes with Bluetooth connectivity.

Let’s air out the Bluetooth issues first. It’s got all to do with connectivity, which is great on its own. No problem pairing with your Bluetooth-totting devices. The problem is the SoundSticks will connect to anybody within an estimated 60ft range if it’s powered up and you’re not paired to it.

That means your neighbor can accidentally pair with it and shock you with your SoundSticks suddenly coming alive when they’re supposed to quiet. Recipe for a heart attack. The solution is to switch them off.

Other than that Bluetooth issue, these speakers are pretty awesome. A total of 8 full-range drivers in the satellite speakers output crisp, clear sound. The subwoofer doesn’t overwhelm and has a bass control knob on it. And they’re loud. No volume issues.

The angle of the satellite speakers can be adjusted, which is a nice plus. On the right speaker, the touch controls for volume and mute are located. The combination of touch controls plus that unique transparent look just gives the entire setup a very futuristic feel. Was kind of expecting the speakers to light up, but unfortunately, they don’t.

The build quality is beautiful, using high-quality plastic that looks like glass. One thing to note—the subwoofer’s port is facing up, so it will have a habit of collecting dust more than usual. There’s also no headphone jack, so that’s a small minus.

These are classy speaker, undoubtedly. If you can live with the Bluetooth issue and no headphone jack, the SoundSticks are worth your dollars. There’s also a non-Bluetooth version if you don’t want to endure the potential hassle of accidental neighbor-pairing.

7. Edifier S350DB 2.1 Bookshelf Speakers – Best Overall

Edifier has some very interesting speaker options. Their range goes from sleek, modern looks to old-school dressing. The S350DB is one of the latter.

✔️ What we like: Gorgeous old school looks with awesome sound

❌ What we don’t like: Round remote not intuitive for aiming remote signals

Standout Features

Crystal clear sound

Beautiful looks

Multiple input options

There’s just something nostalgic about that black front and wooden enclosure. Classy, elegant, the Edifier S350DB flaunts an old-school style but packed with modern functionality.

The bookshelf speakers have titanium dome tweeters that produce a crystalline high to balance the strong bass thump of the 8-inch subwoofer. Titanium’s a rigid but light metal that works exceptionally well to vibrate the high frequencies of a tweeter, producing the accuracy these speakers display.

The mid-ranges come in clear and the subwoofer’s bass is smooth with no distortion. Volume can go quite loud, enough to fill a room. The sound output of the S350DB more than matches its price.

The variety of input options available is another nice thing about these Edifiers. It takes the usual Aux, RCA, optical, coaxial, and Bluetooth. That’s a lot of options, and the display panel on the right bookshelf speaker will show which input is currently active.

These speakers do seem to be a lot about control, which is good. The main power button is on the subwoofer, along with all the physical input jacks. The right bookshelf speakers carry the knobs for bass, treble, and volume/input. The volume doubles as an input selector, which you activate by pushing it in.

The remote control that has playback buttons, volume, power, and input selections as well. The only small inconvenience is that it’s round. When you want to send a command, you have to turn it around to get the remote signal transmitter to aim properly.

The Edifier S350DB is a great multifunctional speaker that works well for music, movies, and gaming. If you’re willing to shell out the necessary dollars, you can’t really miss with these classy-looking speakers.

8. iLive IHB23B 2.1 Bluetooth Speakers

The iLive IHB23B is a simple 2.1 Bluetooth speaker setup that costs under $50. Need some wireless simplicity?

✔️ What we like: Good sound quality

❌ What we don’t like: LED lights that can’t be turned off

Standout Features

Clear sound output

Bass and treble controls

Budget price

Wireless convenience is something that’s growing every day. There are lots of Bluetooth speakers out there. However, finding a 2.1 speaker system that supports Bluetooth, costs less than $50, and sounds good is not so easy.

Fortunately, the iLive IHB23B does have all of that.

We’ll start by saying that these are not audiophile speakers by any means. The subwoofer will not shake your walls. But constructed with wooden enclosures to be durable, the subwoofer gives out a good thump and the sound output from the satellite speakers is clear.

The volume won’t fill a garage, but works very well for a small room and certainly no problem if you’re sitting at your PC. There is a little distortion at high volumes, so you probably shouldn’t max them out.

Bass and treble control knobs are on the subwoofer, along with the volume knob. This may not be so convenient if you place the subwoofer on the floor (which you’ll probably want to, to help with bass emphasis), as the knobs are on the side. The power and audio input selection (either Bluetooth or line-in) is also on the subwoofer. These buttons are on the top, which is a good placement.

The cables are a little short, so depending on how far you set your satellite speakers, they could go into a stretch from the subwoofer (both satellites plug into the subwoofer). This can be remedied with extensions, but that’s an extra hassle that could have been resolved with just longer cables.

Bluetooth pairing is easy. Unfortunately, the speakers don’t remember which audio input was last used, so that can be a minor annoyance. There are also some neat blue LED lights on them. The lights can’t be turned off though, so again, that might be an annoyance for some.

There are small minuses with the iLive IHB23B. But for their price point, they produce good audio quality, a subwoofer to add a little thump, and easy Bluetooth pairing. If you want something simple at a budget price, these can be the ones to consider.

Finding Your Perfect 2.1 Computer Speakers

If you’re already set on getting a 2.1 system, then you’ve narrowed down your computer speaker search to one category. There are still other factors to take into consideration. Here’s the lowdown on the most pertinent ones.

That Price Tag

Computer speakers with a subwoofer tend to cost a little more than 2.0 speakers, to get that additional bass box. But not always, and subwoofers aren’t made equal. There may be 2.0 speakers out there with good bass engineering that can sound better than some 2.1 systems. We say, some. In general, the ability to produce the deep thrumming bass of a subwoofer is hard to generate with just 2 regular speakers.

Wired or Not

How do I connect 2.1 speakers to my PC?

This is a pretty important question to consider. Often, wireless 2.1 computer speakers are not 100% wireless. Meaning, they could take a Bluetooth audio signal (like from your laptop or mobile), but would still be physically wired to each other. There are 2.1 systems that are fully wireless, but they also tend to cost a bit more.

For a wired system, you may want to look at cable length, especially for the subwoofer. The subwoofer is usually positioned on the floor. You’d need to see if the cable length allows for its position in your setup.

Power Source

Here’s another important one. With a subwoofer, systems will usually draw power from a wall socket. Subs need power to produce those loud, deep bass sounds. There are smaller 2.1 systems that are fully powered via USB.

Don’t expect these to shake the walls of your home, but they’re likely adequate for personal space. However, if you’re looking to make your windows vibrate, it’s advisable to go for something that plugs into the wall.

Sweet Sultry Sounds

Sound. No matter how good the price, if the sound doesn’t please your ears, don’t get them. That may be a bit of a challenge if you’re buying online. If you can hear a sample output live, that’s the best determiner.

What are the best computer speakers for music? The answer depends on what type of music you listen to. If you’re into hip hop or rock, you’ll want to look at the speakers that generate a rich, heart-pounding bass.

This works for most pop genres too. For jazz and classical, the sweeter, airier trebles with a mellower bass work well. Ultimately, this all depends on how your ears interpret the sound.

The best computer speakers with bass will usually be able to cover most audio applications, be it music or movies, or just a chat with your buddies over Skype.

A Ported Sub or Not

This one falls into a minor consideration and dependent on taste. Subwoofers come in the ported or sealed variety. Ported means they have a ‘hole’ that allows for extra airflow into it, creating a loud and booming type of bass.

This type of bass is well-suited to the heavy thumps of hip hop and R&B. They’re also more energy-efficient. Most subwoofers for multimedia systems fall into this category.

Sealed subwoofers have no extra ‘hole’, just the speaker cone. The bass produced tends to be tighter and more accurate. This kind of bass is often well-suited to the softer classical and jazz pieces. These subwoofers are likelier to be found on higher-end systems. What’s your subwoofer preference?

Hot Looks?

Ah yes, looks. Does it matter what they look like?

Do you care if your speakers look like the wrong end of a cookie jar and flash lurid neon lights like a seedy disco?

All right, that may be exaggerating a bit. If you like neon lights that pulsate to beats, go for it. There’s something fun about flashing lights. If you like the sleek, smooth metallic look, go for that. We like the sexy look too.

The most important thing is that they function in the way that you want them to.

Taking Home Subwoofers

2.1 computer speakers are a popular setup for computers that want a little more sound range.

For all that 2.0 speakers can do, there’s just something that a subwoofer adds that can’t quite be replicated by just 2 speakers.

Be it for just pure music pleasure, movie binging, or gaming weekends, the 2.1 speaker system has a nice balance that gives some extra bass but doesn’t reach the complexity of a full surround setup.

Full surround would be too much for a computer anyway. We hope we’ve given you some ideas of what’s available, and what to look for.

Good hunting.