Computer Speaker Recommendations
A computer used for entertainment purposes need good audio, specially if it is used to watch musicvideos at sites like Naver or movies or other audio one might enjoy. There is a large variety of "computer speakers" available. Here are some honest recommendations you may want to consider before buying a pair of computer speakers.
Typical Computer Speakers: Philips MMS 222 (example)[edit]
Philips MMS222 is an example of a typical pair of "computer spakers"
The Philips MMS 222 is a pair of traditional computer speakers from around 2005. They cost around $60 brand new at the time. They are small in size which severely limits the speaker elements on them. This is reflected in their audio output, they sound small and pathetic. This is true for any speaker of this size and "computer speakers" in general. They are just horrible compared to a real stereo even if it is a cheap one.
We do NOT recommend buying anything that is marketed as "computer speakers" or "pc speakers". Do not buy anything like that. No Logitech, no Creative, Klipsch, no nothing like that. It's all garbage.
The Soundbar Alternative[edit]
All soundbars are horrible compared to real stereo system. Do not buy anything that is or remotely looks like a soundbar.
Our Recommended Alternative: A Real Stereo System[edit]
A typical real stereo system
The advantages of getting a full-size stereo over a pair of computer speakers, any pair of computer speakers, is obvious once you put on some music, watch a movie or enjoy any other audio for that matter: It is on a whole other level. It is simply much better.
It must be mentioned that a actual stereo has one disadvantage over pathetic computer speakers: Size. A real amplifier takes up space and so do the speakers.
A higher price is not a disadvantage real stereos have over "PC speakers". A pair of "Bose Companion 2 Series III Multimedia Speakers - for PC" from Amazon will set you back $99. Something similar to the stereo system in the picture above can be had for:
- Pair of 8 ohm 100W 3-way Technics speakers (at thrift store): $15
- Pioneer VSX D1011 7.1 Surround receiver (at thrift store): $25
- Marantz 5020 tape player/recorder (because it just looks amazing): $5
That's a total of $45 for a computer speaker system which is many levels above any computer speaker you can buy. It is worth it. Look at the used market in your area. HI-FI equipment really is one of those few things that are abundant in the used market.
PROTIP: If you are willing to pay a bit more for a surround receiver or amplifier then one with a HDMI input (or SPDIF) may be worth an extra $10-20. Many people watch television and some of those people use HDMI pass-through. Older surround receivers are limited to 1080p pass-through. Many clueless people are upgrading their surround receivers to ones that are capable to 4K pass-through. Some will sell their old one with 1080p HDMI pass-through cheaply. Graphics cards have several HDMI outputs and you don't need to pass-through anything if you are using a computer with GNU/Linux installed. Thus; all that is required to send a digital audio signal and be fine is some HDMI input on the receiver.
