Are two speakers better than one?
A single speaker will often have limitations when it comes to the placement of your speakers. Having two speakers will let you create a better soundstage.
The advantage of using a computer is the listener you is always sitting in front of it. That means you can use two or more speakers to create great stereo sound. Choosing a pair of speakers will give better results.
Where do you put computer speakers?
The left and right speakers should be placed on your desk equidistant from where you’re sitting. They should be visible, not hidden behind the monitor, to give the best sound, angled toward where you sit.
If your speakers include a subwoofer, this is best placed on the floor under the desk, ideally toward the centre. If you put a subwoofer on the desk, it will make the desk vibrate when using it.
How do you connect speakers to a computer?
There are a number of connection options available. Bluetooth has the advantage of being wireless, so it can make for a cleaner setup, as well as syncing the volume controls between the speaker and the computer. But wired speakers — either through a 3.5mm connection or USB — will avoid any connection problems if Bluetooth stops working.
It’s worth checking before you buy to make sure your computer supports the wired connection option, or if you’ll need an adapter. Usually the computer will recognise the speakers as soon as you connect them, regardless of what connection you choose, but sometimes you’ll have to head into the settings to select the sound output from your computer.
Things to consider when buying computer speakers
When choosing the best computer speakers for you, it’s worth considering what you’ll use them for. If it’s just occasional computer sounds and the odd video call, then a simple setup might be all you need. There will be designs to consider, with some premium, higherquality speakers pushing the price up but rewarding you with better overall sound. Some of the premium speakers will be perfect for music listening and podcasts, if that’s what you want to do, but could be much more expensive.
If you want to watch films, then a set with a subwoofer will make it sound better, as the subwoofer will handle the bass. Often referred to as a 2.1 system (two speakers, one subwoofer), these are more popular as general computer speakers.
For those who want a more minimalist finish, you might want to consider a soundbar. These are now designed specifically for computers, so will sit under your monitor and reduce the wires you might need stretched across your desk. Some can also be paired with a subwoofer, for better sound in games and films.
If you want a full surround sound offering to take advantage of spatial audio offered on some films or games then you might be more interested in a 5.1 system. This gives you five main speakers, designed so you can have two behind you. This will create a more immersive sound, coming from all directions. But they also need more space and installation and are much more expensive.
Computer speakers are generally compact because they’re designed to be used on a desk, so often aren’t as big as speakers you might use for a music system aiming to fill the whole room with sound. You’re only sitting about a metre away from computer speakers, so they don’t need to be too large.
Finally, you might want to consider control. When connected to your speakers you can control them with your computer volume, but you might also have the option for additional controls on the speaker or a separate volume dial or remote. This will make it easier for you to change the volume without using the keyboard, as you can just twist a dial, but some speakers will work independently of the volume your computer is set at.
