Computer speakers - anything recommended?

[TheConsultant]

Hey all, I've got an old (quite vintage actually) set of Logitech Z3 speakers that have served me really well in the approx 20 years that I've had them. Sound quality is decent for computer speakers although the subwoofer is a bit boomy and overpowered, even turned down to minimum.

I've no reason to replace them, except that the fixed wiring on the speakers and the subwoofer cable means I can't really use my standing desk without pulling the cables tight. So I quite fancy a simple pair of more "proper" speakers on the desktop, rather than the small satellite speakers + subwoofer combo.

Amazon is awash with unknown Chinese brands of active desktop/bookshelf speakers ( random example #1, random example #2), but would there be a noticeable improvement in sound quality? I don't need amazing high fidelity, I have other speakers dedicated to listening to music, but I don't want to go back to tinny little speakers like these...



Or would it be a better combination to have a pair of passive speakers and a cheap little amp? I'm not bothered about bluetooth or WiFi etc, although a couple of inputs would be handy. Any thoughts on dropping £60 on a set of active bookshelf-style speakers or should alternatives be considered? Any thoughts & first-hand experiences welcome.

[mmm-five]

These are what I use on my gaming PC, so if you want small, with decent sound levels, then you could go for some cheap Creative Pebble v3 speakers (USB-C + Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity) for £30...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08F5BQZL8/

Other recommendations for small/bookshelf style ones may require a proper power supply, and cost a bit more.

I used to use Roland/Edirol MA-20 micro studio monitors, but they're not made any more and are only available 2nd hand...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/276165724598 (20w MA-20D version) - £180
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/335461776394 (15w MA-15D version) - £90

There's also the PreSonus Eris 3.5 which I've seen recommended a few times...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B0CC36XVLM/ - £75

Edited by mmm-five on Monday 22 July 10:59

[Harpoon]

Budget creep (blow-out!) alert...

My desk speakers are Ruark MR1 MK2. Fit nicely under my monitors which are on a central arm / pole VESA mount, look very lovely and sound superb to my ears.

Sometimes available as graded (ex-demo) at a lower price direct from Ruark

https://shop.ruarkaudio.com/collections/graded-pro...

[popeyewhite]

I use a Logitech set up. Tiny tweeters and a big bass unit provide very impressive sound. It's the second time I've bought the Logitech system. About £100.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Logitech-Z533-speaker-Uni...

[Jinx]

I use a creative soundblaster Katana There is a new version as well ( Katana V2X). A bit on the pricy side if you don't like the aesthetic but sound pretty good (to my cloth ears anyway)

[Techno9000]

Audioengine would be my recommendation. I've been using a pair of A2 active speakers in my summerhouse for a few years, tiny speakers but really great kit with a smooth detailed sound. Mine are an early version with a 3.5mm input, others are now available with RCA, Bluetooth, USB etc.

[wyson]

Harpoon said:

Budget creep (blow-out!) alert...

My desk speakers are Ruark MR1 MK2. Fit nicely under my monitors which are on a central arm / pole VESA mount, look very lovely and sound superb to my ears.

Sometimes available as graded (ex-demo) at a lower price direct from Ruark

https://shop.ruarkaudio.com/collections/graded-pro...

If we are going down this route, what about a pair of KEF LSX 2’s?

https://www.smarthomesounds.co.uk/wireless-speaker...

Edited by wyson on Tuesday 23 July 13:47

[x5tuu]

Bose Companion 3 is my go-to and has been for 10+ years

Great 2:1 setup and works amazingly well.

Can pick them up cheaply from CEX, Cash Converters, eBay, etc.

[oilslick]

x5tuu said:

Bose Companion 3 is my go-to and has been for 10+ years

Great 2:1 setup and works amazingly well.

Can pick them up cheaply from CEX, Cash Converters, eBay, etc.

Me too, but they're now of an age where the rubber on the volume control dial starts to perish and go all gooey.

[.:ian:.]

I like how everyone is ignoring the £60 budget

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Edifier-Active-Bluetooth-...

https://www.stereocheck.com/news/speakers/edifier-...

I dont think Edifier are a typical cheap chinese brand.

https://www.edifier.com/uk/

BTW I had that exact set of Harmon Kardon speakers many many years ago! I cant even remember if they were any good or not!

Edited by .:ian:. on Monday 22 July 18:23

[OutInTheShed]

I have a pair of bookshelf speakers and a small Hifi amp.
The speakers we £60 in Richer's sale a few years back.
You can get a 12V amp for about £15 on ebay.
There is also plenty of used stuff around.

[h0b0]

oilslick said:

x5tuu said:

Bose Companion 3 is my go-to and has been for 10+ years

Great 2:1 setup and works amazingly well.

Can pick them up cheaply from CEX, Cash Converters, eBay, etc.

Me too, but they're now of an age where the rubber on the volume control dial starts to perish and go all gooey.

I have Bose cinematic 2.1 set up on my pc. Most on here do not rate Bose but in this use case this setup is way better than any other PC solution I have tried. It being a home theatre set up it has a remote instead of the wheel. I set the volume relatively high and use the volume control on my keyboard.


Very pleased with the set up and it’s about 8 years old.

[SeanyD]

I use a pair of these. Seem like a reasonable half way between tinny pc speakers and proper bookshelf speakers, and they look cool, slightly overbudget at around £100.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Razer-Nommo-Chroma-Rear-F...

[markbigears]

As Harpoon had already answered. If you can expand the budget a bit, the Ruarks are simply amazing for the size.
I love mine upgrading from a Bose desktop set up.

[d_a_n1979]

TheConsultant said:

Hey all, I've got an old (quite vintage actually) set of Logitech Z3 speakers that have served me really well in the approx 20 years that I've had them. Sound quality is decent for computer speakers although the subwoofer is a bit boomy and overpowered, even turned down to minimum.

I've no reason to replace them, except that the fixed wiring on the speakers and the subwoofer cable means I can't really use my standing desk without pulling the cables tight. So I quite fancy a simple pair of more "proper" speakers on the desktop, rather than the small satellite speakers + subwoofer combo.

Amazon is awash with unknown Chinese brands of active desktop/bookshelf speakers ( random example #1, random example #2), but would there be a noticeable improvement in sound quality? I don't need amazing high fidelity, I have other speakers dedicated to listening to music, but I don't want to go back to tinny little speakers like these...



Or would it be a better combination to have a pair of passive speakers and a cheap little amp? I'm not bothered about bluetooth or WiFi etc, although a couple of inputs would be handy. Any thoughts on dropping £60 on a set of active bookshelf-style speakers or should alternatives be considered? Any thoughts & first-hand experiences welcome.

Edifier on Amazon UK - you won't need more than that (well; some isolation blocks would be a good idea to go under them)

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Edifier-R1000T4-bookshelf...

Something like: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Speaker-Isolation-Density...

I have these Edifiers in my garage and they're superb: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Edifier-R1700BT-Bluetooth...

My 'computer' set up for my office are JBL 308P MkIIs on Atacama SLX600 stands fed via my M2 Mac Mini Pro > USB to an SMSL DL200 DAC

Sounds great; but way out of budget

[Haltamer]

Budget bombing alert

I've got a reasonably competent audio setup for my PC - Aiming to get the most bang for buck without venturing into audiophilia extremes.

Fosi Q5 DAC; AKG 612 Pro Headphones, and Edifier R1700BT Speakers.

I was hesitant when shopping - Most of the decent active speakers were either incredibly expensive, or Chinese:- Took the chance with Edifier and pleased overall.

They are well built, and do the general purpose computer speaker job perfectly, with the breadth of ability to give a quality listening experience when desired.

Probably worth the investment, as most of the "Computer speaker" products I've seen are pretty crap / plastic / junk / have stupid arrangements of volume controls and inputs.

[AC43]

h0b0 said:

Most on here do not rate Bose but in this use case this setup is way better than any other PC solution I have tried.

I don't normally rush to buy Bose but I do have two of their low-end products that I think are/were excellent for their price point; a pair of Bose Companions and a Bose Mini Sound Link.

The latter has been my go-to garde and travel speaker for years, the former has done good service either plugged into various PCs, the odd small TV and, sometimes a phone or MP3 player back in the day.

They seem quite good at the cheap stuff.

[wyson]

I think Bose is a technology rather than audio company, as long as you don’t expect audiophile sound quality they have great products. I’m also a Soundlink mini fan and like their noise cancelling headphones. All their audio products have some kind of technological twist. Its never about pure sound quality.

Edited by wyson on Tuesday 23 July 13:43

[blueST]

I've had a pair of these for many years and I think they are superb for their size and price.

https://uk.creative.com/p/speakers/gigaworks-t20-s...

It's a shame these days they are mostly relegated to blasting out annoying colleagues on Teams meetings

[AC43]

wyson said:

I think Bose is a technology rather than audio company, as long as you don’t expect audiophile sound quality they have great products. I’m also a Soundlink mini fan and like their noise cancelling headphones. All their audio products have some kind of technological twist. Its never about pure sound quality.

Good point. I know a lot of my kids' generation are fixated on their headphones the same way that some people fixate on Apple products.

Personally, I tend to buy Sennheiser or Sony headphones as I think they sound a bit better but my daughter begged me for the Bose equivalent so I got got her some.

TBF, they are nicely designed and easy to use.