Computer speaker sets come in two general varieties; 2/2.1 sets(over a wide
range of quality), and “surround'', ''theater'', or ''gaming'' with four or more
speakers, which tend to be somewhat more expensive. Low-end speakers can
suffer from low bass response or inadequate amplification, both of which compromise
sound quality. Powered speakers with separate sub-woofers usually cost
only a few dollars more and can sound much better. At the higher end, one
should start to see features like standard audio cables (instead of manufacturerspecific
ones), built in DACs, and a separate control box.
The surround sets include a sub-woofer, and two or more sets of smaller
speakers. These support 5.1 or 7.1 standards that allow sound to be mixed not
only left and right, as with standard stereo speakers, but front and back and
even behind the listener. Movies and video games make use of this technology
to provide a more immersive experience. Make sure your sound hardware will
support 5.1 or 7.1 before buying such a speaker system.. If your budget allows,
you can avoid the computer speaker market entirely and look into piecing together
a set of higher-end parts. If you are buying a speaker system designed
for PCs, research the systems beforehand so you can be certain of getting one
that promises clarity rather than just simple wattage. (Note: speaker power is
usually measured in RMS Watts. However, some cheap speakers use a different
measure, PMPO which appears much higher.)
Headphones can offer good sound much more cheaply than speakers, so if you
are on a limited budget but want maximum quality they should be considered
first. There are even headphones which promise surround-sound, though these
have not been favorably reviewed.