Other Computer Speakers We Tested
There are tons of computer speakers on the market, and many of the ones we tested are perfectly fine but don't deserve a spot above for one reason or another.
Photograph: Simon Hill
Onkyo Creator GX-10DB for $249: Capable of producing a warm and rich sound, Onkyo’s speakers are the perfect size for your desktop and come with angled stands (though they are plastic). The connectivity options are solid, with USB-C, optical, and stereo RCA inputs, and support for Bluetooth 5.3. These speakers get a little louder than our top pick, though you’ll need to pair a subwoofer if you’re into bass (there is a subwoofer-out port). Sadly, the volume knob on the back of the right speaker is tricky to reach, the slim remote control has a weird layout, and the source LED on the front is always on. But what I struggled with most was the automatic power off (Onkyo says this “feature” is an eco-regulation in Europe) that turns off the speakers if they aren’t used for 15 minutes. If you have more space and crave more power, I also tested the Onkyo Creator Series GX-30ARC ($350), which goes far louder and adds a decent thump of bass.
Creative Pebble X Plus for $120: If our budget pick isn’t quite doing it for you, Creative’s Pebble X Plus adds a cube-shaped subwoofer under your desk. The larger speakers, with RGB lighting, are also more powerful, and the sub provides punchy bass. They sound reasonably good for the money. Connectivity is also beefed up compared to the V3 above, with headphone and microphone ports and Bluetooth 5.3, but all of this invariably comes at a higher cost.
Photograph: Simon Hill
Soundblade by BlueAnt for $100: If there were an award for the most stylish soundbar, the curved Soundblade by BlueAnt would win. The Soundblade also delivers a surprisingly nuanced sound and a real punch of bass, courtesy of the built-in subwoofer. It is supposed to sit under your monitor but not serve as a stand or riser (sadly, BlueAnt told me not to put anything on top of it). Connectivity is good with USB-C, 3.5 mm, or Bluetooth 5.3, but the voice prompts are annoying. It sounded good for movies and games, but slightly muddy mids and restrained highs hampered the music. It comes with a handy wee remote.
OXS Thunder Lite for $150: This compact soundbar lacks the bells and whistles of its bigger sibling above, but is far more affordable. It can get plenty loud, supports virtual surround sound, and comes with a small remote. Unfortunately, separation was poor, so it was tough to tell where sounds were coming from in games, and it is severely lacking in bass for a soundbar with thunder in its name. Connectivity includes USB-C, 3.5 mm, Optical, or HDMI, and it supports Bluetooth 5.0.
Photograph: Simon Hill
Edifier QR65 for $500: Delivering classy looks with supercool lighting effects and a seriously big, powerful sound, these speakers are excellent for music, movies, or games. They also come with two angled stands to point them at your ears. They have USB, RCA, and Bluetooth 5.3 inputs and USB ports for charging your gadgets. Controls are decent, with a physical button on the right speaker for power and cycling through modes. The problem is that they are huge and won’t fit on most desktops, including mine.
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