Speaker suggestions for PC?

[porina]

Right now I'm using some cheap USB powered 3.5mm input speakers with my main system and I think I'm overdue an upgrade. I don't need more level, but I'd like better quality in general. The current ones hiss at higher gain, and don't really have any output at lower frequencies.

 

So some considerations

1, Should be available on amazon.co.uk, or other major UK e-tailer

2, No particular budget, but let's aim below £100.

3, May be 2.0 or a soundbar. I do not want a separate subwoofer. I'm limited on deskspace so this could be a problem. Currently have about 6.5" (16cm) height from desk to monitor, and no room to the sides as there are other monitors there.

4, I'm thinking I want to move away from the mobo sound, so ideally speakers could take USB input for example, or get another USB sound device within the same total budget.

5, Ideally would have a 3.5mm headphone socket on it, which if connected would route the sound to that and not the speakers.

6, it would be a big plus if there was a physical volume knob on it that is easy to reach. Not up/down buttons. 

[Fasauceome]

This will really undershoot your budget, but honestly these speakers have been surprisingly good to me these past few years. Now I'm no audiophile (my criteria for the speakers were easy access to volume adjustment and headphone jack) but I can tell you that indeed, these speakers are verified "not crappy," with almost no distortion at the high end, even if they lack some bass.

 

https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/product/s8phP6/logitech-speakers-980000417

 

worth considering if you wanna cheap out (wanted to share the newegg UK link but it defaulted to american)

[Morgan MLGman]

Considering the space requirements and the need for the knob, have you considered Razer Nommo?

[DailyProcrastinator]

I have REALLY loved my Bose Companion 20 speakers, even my audiophile brother approves of them lol. But a bit big and a bit pricey.

 

That said the step down is well reviewed, and I've read a lot of positives about the Bose Companion 2 Series III. They would be withing budget as well.

 

Otherwise the Creative GigaWorks T20 Series II could be a good option, well balanced sound. And the Logitech Z207 would be worth looking into as well. 

 

If you could be swayed into book shelf speakers Elac makes some quality output products, especially for the price, but you'd have to go a bit outside of the budget.

[Derkoli]

2 hours ago, TheDailyProcrastinator said:

Bose

2 hours ago, TheDailyProcrastinator said:

my audiophile brother approves

 

Cursed.

 

2 hours ago, porina said:

Right now I'm using some cheap USB powered 3.5mm input speakers with my main system and I think I'm overdue an upgrade. I don't need more level, but I'd like better quality in general. The current ones hiss at higher gain, and don't really have any output at lower frequencies.

 

So some considerations

1, Should be available on amazon.co.uk, or other major UK e-tailer

2, No particular budget, but let's aim below £100.

3, May be 2.0 or a soundbar. I do not want a separate subwoofer. I'm limited on deskspace so this could be a problem. Currently have about 6.5" (16cm) height from desk to monitor, and no room to the sides as there are other monitors there.

4, I'm thinking I want to move away from the mobo sound, so ideally speakers could take USB input for example, or get another USB sound device within the same total budget.

5, Ideally would have a 3.5mm headphone socket on it, which if connected would route the sound to that and not the speakers.

6, it would be a big plus if there was a physical volume knob on it that is easy to reach. Not up/down buttons. 

It's gonna be hard to find speakers smaller than 6.5" tall that sound decent at lower frequencies. Low frequency stuff requires the speaker to produce high SPL (moreso than mids or treble) as our ears just aren't sensitive to lower frequencies.

 

As someone else has already said, the T series from Creative should do you well. The T40's are 110 on amazon right now, and the small brother to them, the T20, is 70.

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Creative-GigaWorks-Multimedia-Speakers-Technology/dp/B001IZZ2PE/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=T20&qid=1598576228&s=computers&sr=1-1

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/GigaWorks-Multimedia-Audiophile-Configuration-Technology/dp/B001IZZ2PO/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=T40&qid=1598576245&s=computers&sr=1-1

[porina]

Thanks all for the suggestions. I had seen the Creative T40 already but it seemed a bit big, and the T20's aren't much smaller. Razer Nommo is interesting, but if only the stalks were a little shorter it could be perfect. Logitech Z130, I've had good experiences with similar style speakers before, but not sure about the styling, likewise for Bose.

 

I need to think a bit more about my desk layout. Will see if I can make a bit more vertical space for speakers. This does make me think, especially for people with bigger displays, where do you put separate speakers? There will come a point where the monitor is too wide to put them to the sides, and unless you have a low desk, tall display stand, there wont be much vertical room.

[DailyProcrastinator]

15 hours ago, Derkoli said:

Cursed.

Lol he just approves, not a fly recommendation on his part. But that are really good IMO.