By MICHAEL MILLER
Buying Guide for PC Speakers
Posted: 2007-06-11 16:42:55
The quickest way to improve the sound quality of your computer system is to upgrade to a better speaker system. It's unfortunate that most computer manufacturers try to cut their costs by including somewhat mediocre speakers with the PCs they sell. These stock speakers are fine for the bleeps and bloops of day-to-day computing, but they're far from high-fidelity when it comes to music reproduction.
That's why the first thing many music lovers do when they buy a new PC is to toss out the default speakers and purchase a better speaker system. You'll want a pair of powered speakers that are accompanied by a separate subwoofer, which reproduces the low bass frequencies that small desktop speakers simply can't reach.
This type of system is called a 2.1 system -- the right and left speakers are the 2 and the subwoofer is the 1. (You can also find 5.1 and higher speaker systems, designed for surround sound movies and games, but the extra speakers are overkill when it comes to listening to music.)
All PC speaker systems are built around powered speakers. Unlike home audio systems that use a power amplifier (sometimes built in to a multifunction receiver) to power the speakers, your PC doesn't have a power amplifier built in. Instead, the amps are in the speakers themselves or, in some cases, in a control unit to which the speakers are connected.
It's not always a truism, but in most cases more power means better sound. It pays to audition different sets of speakers before you buy. Speakers designed for gaming use may not have the frequency range necessary for quality music reproduction.
Look for speakers that are big enough to pump out a full-range of music at a decent volume. Here are just a few of the systems to consider: Altec Lansing FX6021 ($249.95), Creative I-Trigue 3600 ($149.95), Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 ($179.99) or Logitech Z-2300 ($149.95).
Quality speaker systems like these cost a bit more than the standard speakers you typically see (anywhere from $150-$250), but the improvement in sound quality can be worth it. Michael Miller is a writer and commentator on technology and digital lifestyle topics.
That's why the first thing many music lovers do when they buy a new PC is to toss out the default speakers and purchase a better speaker system. You'll want a pair of powered speakers that are accompanied by a separate subwoofer, which reproduces the low bass frequencies that small desktop speakers simply can't reach.
This type of system is called a 2.1 system -- the right and left speakers are the 2 and the subwoofer is the 1. (You can also find 5.1 and higher speaker systems, designed for surround sound movies and games, but the extra speakers are overkill when it comes to listening to music.)
All PC speaker systems are built around powered speakers. Unlike home audio systems that use a power amplifier (sometimes built in to a multifunction receiver) to power the speakers, your PC doesn't have a power amplifier built in. Instead, the amps are in the speakers themselves or, in some cases, in a control unit to which the speakers are connected.
It's not always a truism, but in most cases more power means better sound. It pays to audition different sets of speakers before you buy. Speakers designed for gaming use may not have the frequency range necessary for quality music reproduction.
Look for speakers that are big enough to pump out a full-range of music at a decent volume. Here are just a few of the systems to consider: Altec Lansing FX6021 ($249.95), Creative I-Trigue 3600 ($149.95), Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 ($179.99) or Logitech Z-2300 ($149.95).
Quality speaker systems like these cost a bit more than the standard speakers you typically see (anywhere from $150-$250), but the improvement in sound quality can be worth it. Michael Miller is a writer and commentator on technology and digital lifestyle topics.
2006-07-10 10:25:00
