Best Computer Speakers

The best computer speakers are highly rated by both experts and consumers. Standard speakers that come with most computers generally produce mediocre sound quality, which is why some prefer to purchase separate speaker systems.

Below, you will find 4 options that are regularly updated. These three computer speaker systems represent the best options currently available in terms of price, sound quality and respected reviews.

The first section below explains how to connect your computer to your existing home theater. Often, the best option in terms of sound quality is to connect your computer to your existing home theater equipment. Using inexpensive cables or a wireless transmitter, you can extend the investment you have made in your home theater receiver and speakers to your computer. This is often the easiest, best sounding, cheapest option to get great sound from your computer. However, depending on the layout of your home, this may not be the most convenient option.

The second section reviews the best 2.1 speaker system. In the speaker world, 2.1 refers to two speakers and a dedicated subwoofer. These systems provide stereo sound and deep bass. These systems are often the least expensive option for great sound and are easy to locate to left or right of your monitor.

Next, this guide provides information about the best multi-speaker computer surround sound system. Computer surround sound systems come with either 5 speakers and a subwoofer or 7 speakers and a subwoofer. These systems provide excellent sound for games and movies that support surround sound and typically provide better sound than 2.1 systems. These systems are usually more expensive than 2.1 speaker systems and also require that the speakers are placed within reach of the cables that are included.

Last, the best portable speakers are highlighted. Speakers in this category usually sacrifice a sound quality in exchange for size. More and more however, the best speakers in this category still sound great and can easily sound great in a dorm room, beach, or even to power an impromptu party.

Often, the best sound comes from speakers that were manufactured for use as part of a Home Theater or dedicated audio setup.

In short, you require 3 things:

1. A home theater Audio Receiver
2. Bookshelf or Surround Sound Speakers
3. A 35mm to RCA adapter cable. Available at any electronics shop or at Monoprice for under $5http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10218&cs_id=1021804&p_id=5598&seq=1&format=2
4. Optionally, if you would like the absolute best sound possible, an external USB Sound Card such as the Sound Blaster X-Fi Surround 5.1 external sound card.

If you don't want to connect your computer with a wire to your audio receiver, wireless audio systems are available such as the Sound Blaster Wireless Music System. This option will add about $100 to your setup, but will give you complete wireless audio freedom and excellent sound.http://us.store.creative.com/Sound-Blaster-Wireless-System-for-iTunes/M/B002BDU95A.htm

Connect the 35mm (headphone) end of the 35mm to RCA adapter cable into your desktop computer or laptop and plug the RCA end into the AUX input of your audio receiver. Your speakers should be connected properly to your receiver. Switch the receiver input to AUX and press play on your favorite MP3 or Movie to hear the sound.

Altec Lansing Expressionist Ultra MX6021

Positive Points

CNet - "Impressive sound for the money; stylish design; very strong bass; good connectivity options; desktop controller for power, volume, bass, and treble."http://reviews.cnet.com/pc-speakers/altec-lansing-expressionist-ultra/4505-3179_7-33770025.html

PC Mag - "Pleasant audio performance at moderate levels. Remote adjusts treble and bass levels. Aux input and headphone jack."http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2355125,00.asp

Tech Radar - "Heaps of power. Clear, well-balanced sound."http://www.techradar.com/reviews/audio-visual/hi-fi-and-audio/hi-fi-and-av-speakers/altec-lansing-mx6021-expressionist-ultra-2-1-653734/review

Negative Points

CNet - "The speaker cables--which can't be extended because they use proprietary connections--are a little on the short side, so you lose some flexibility on where to place the speakers."http://reviews.cnet.com/pc-speakers/altec-lansing-expressionist-ultra/4505-3179_7-33770025.html

PC Mag - "Woofers distort at high volumes. Subwoofer is very large, and isn't a good fit for tight spaces. Hard-wired cables. Remote is wired, awkward to operate."http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2355125,00.asp

Tech Radar - "Expensive and the Bass distorts at higher volumes."http://www.techradar.com/reviews/audio-visual/hi-fi-and-audio/hi-fi-and-av-speakers/altec-lansing-mx6021-expressionist-ultra-2-1-653734/review

Logitech X-540 70 watts 5.1 Speakers

Positive Points

Newegg - "' Sound quality is excellent. Lots of power at reasonable volumes. Center speaker "clips" on to your monitor - it's made for an LCD, but unscrewing the base and putting it on backwards lets me balance it on my CRT. Remote, while wired, has a decently long cord (5') with all the right things on it - power, volume, bass, auto-bypass headphone jack, and matrix mode. Matrix mode is a nice one-touch solution for listening to music through all channels (Remember to turn it off when gaming with EAX)"http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=n82e16836121006

Test Freaks - "Convenient control deck, excellent clean smooth sound, matrix technology, convertible wall mount stands, perfect for PC"http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2355125,00.asp

Consumer Search - "'Price and Good for games and movies and Game console adapter included"http://www.consumersearch.com/computer-speakers/logitech-x-540

Negative Points

Newegg - "This set definitely has a "sweet spot" - these are NOT meant to be maxed out and will distort at higher volumes. Leave the bass and volume knobs somewhere in the middle, and you'll get great sound. If you absolutely have to have your already-half-deaf ears blown out, buy a higher wattage. Still, this set is sufficient to cheese off your neighbors, if you live in an apartment.."http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=n82e16836121006

Test Freaks - "Possible sound quality issues, fiddly annoying remote unit, cable length exposed woofer, poor overall sound quality, thx or dts"http://www.testfreaks.co.uk/pc-speakers/logitech-x-540/

Consumer Search - "Distortion at higher frequencies, Limited features, Unprotected subwoofer driver and Short cables."http://www.consumersearch.com/computer-speakers/logitech-x-540

Bose Sound Dock 10

Positive Points

CNet - "'Really good sound from a compact, single-speaker; classy, minimalist styling; plays loud without distorting, and fills a large room; simple to operate; interchangeable dock system; composite video output/line input; GSM shielded for iPhones."http://reviews.cnet.com/portable-speakers/bose-sounddock-10/4505-11313_7-33773058.html

Test Freaks - "huge sense of scale, interchangeable dock system, plays loud without distorting, single speaker, excellent sound from twiddler."http://www.testfreaks.co.uk/mp3-players-accessories/bose-sounddock-10/

Stuff TV - "'Goes loud – very loud. Huge sense of scale. Even tonal balance. Comes with Bluetooth cradle as standard"http://stuff.tv/Review/Bose-SoundDock-10-review/

Negative Points

CNet - "'Expensive; optional Bluetooth dock accessory works well but is $150 extra; no radio; you can't charge your iPod/iPhone when using the Bluetooth accessory; video-out limited to low-res composite connection."http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=n82e16836121006

Test Freaks - "Lacks subtlety and refinement, no radio."http://www.testfreaks.co.uk/mp3-players-accessories/bose-sounddock-10/

Stuff TV - " Pricey. Lacks subtlety and refinement."http://stuff.tv/Review/Bose-SoundDock-10-review/