The 4 Best Gaming Speakers
Internal computer speakers suck. For serious gamers, external speakers are a must. Even for casual gamers, external speakers are much-needed because it's hard to enjoy games when you can barely hear them. We figure that most people aren't able to spend thousands of dollars buying top-of-the-line studio-quality speakers. So we reviewed 4 speakers that won't require you to take out a second mortgage. But we know how important sound is to gamers. So we searched high and low to make sure we found 4 speakers that will deliver the kind of sound that makes you forget you're sitting in your room and makes you feel like you're in the game. Read on for our reviews of the 4 best speakers to enhance your gaming experience.
Logitech Z623 Home Speaker System
In Your Face Sound
If you want to feel like you’re in the game, hook up the Logitech Z623 and turn them up. Actually, you’ll probably end up turning them down when you realize how loud they are. But they’re not just loud, they’re close. In other words, they make you feel like you’re right there, in the environment, not watching from afar. These THX-certified 2.1 speakers can handle 200 Watts (RMS) of power, which will surely do more than satisfy your home gaming needs. Turn them up as loud as you want, without being plagued by distortion, and game on.
Pros
- Attach 3 devices at once
- THX-certified
Cons
- No remote
- Need to turn up base to get best sound
Bose Companion 2 Series III Multimedia Speakers
The Bose Brand Sound
Bose is the brand known for making small speakers that produce a big sound. The Companion 2 Series III certainly lives up to the Bose name. It may be their most affordable computer speaker, but its sound is rich. No matter how loud you turn the volume, these speakers will not distort and will continue to produce a crystal clear sound. These speakers maintain a balanced sound with a little extra bass, so you will hear the complete sound design of the game. A nice bonus feature of these speakers is that they remain silent and don’t produce a feedback hiss when they’re on but not in use. For the trusted Bose sound, these speakers will not disappoint.
Pros
- No feedback hiss
- Crystal clear sound
- Smooth turning volume knob
Cons
- Not as deep a bass as some speakers
Creative Pebble Plus 2.1 USB-Powered Desktop Speakers
Affordable But Powerful Speakers
Considering its affordable price, you may be surprised that these speakers from Creative come with an external down-firing subwoofer. This is a new addition for this line of speakers and upgrades this speaker over the previous model to provide a more powerful, richer sound. These speakers are conveniently USB-powered so you don’t need another wall jack to plug them in. Unlike many desktop speakers which point straight ahead, the drivers in these speakers are angled at 45 degrees, so they point up at your ears. This means the center of the sound is really coming at you, so you really do have the best seat in the house when you’re using these speakers.
Pros
- USB-powered
- Angled up to point at your ears
- External subwoofer
Cons
- Sound still goes through 3.5mm cable
Sanyun SW102 Computer Speakers
Small And Sexy Speakers
For gamers on the go, or those that don’t have a lot of space, these tiny speakers still make a lot of noise. They’re small enough to fit anywhere, they’re easy to carry, and they look really cool with a blue LED light ring around the bottom. They are smartly designed to remain steady and not vibrate when sound is coming through them. These also are USB-powered, which makes them easier to use anywhere. The sound itself is loud and clear and the bass is good compared to other speakers its size. The combination of performance, price, and aesthetic make these speakers a great buy for gamers.
Pros
- Small size
- Blue LED lamp ring
Cons
- Bass not as strong as bigger speakers with a subwoofer
- Must unplug the cable to turn off
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a subwoofer?
A subwoofer is a part of a speaker system that produces lower frequencies than regular speakers. Bass is at the low end of the sound frequency range, so subwoofers greatly enhance the bass of any sound coming though them.
What is RMS vs. Peak Watts?
You’ll notice that a lot of speakers list two numbers of their power capacity – Peak and RMS. For example, 400 Watts Peak and 200 Watts RMS. The Peak number is the maximum power the speaker can take at once but can’t withstand continuously. The RMS number is the power the speaker can handle coming through regularly.
How do the speakers attach to my computer?
These, and most, computer speakers attach via 3.5mm cable into the headphone jack. USB-powered speakers attach via USB cable to draw power, but they also attach via 3.5mm cable to transport the sound.
Why Trust Us
With the constantly shifting landscape in the world of technology, GameRevolution seeks to provide gamers and tech-enthusiasts with the information they need to select the right products for their needs. Since 1996, our experts have used their knowledge on all the latest gadgets – everything from headphones to standing desks – to help millions of people navigate specs and answer common questions.