Small speakers for a computer: types, purpose and tips for choosing

It's no secret that without speakers, a personal computer is inferior. And it's hard to imagine anyone buying a PC without an audio system. To get a good device for sound reproduction, you need to familiarize yourself with the parameters and conduct an analysis. It won't take too long, but in the end you will be sure that you spent your money wisely.

Without knowledge and understanding of the technical characteristics of sound systems, you should not even go to the store or choose them on the Internet.

The parameters of audio systems are as follows.

1. Power Is the amount of sound that the speakers can produce. There are three types of power (measured in watts): nominal - this is the operating power at which the sound comes out cleanly and without distortion; maximum - with such a system will work, the sound will be loud, but distortions (wheezing, creaking and blocking) are possible; Peak load is the highest power value that a given speaker can deliver without failing.
2. Sensitivity - this is also an important parameter, the volume of the sound produced by the speakers directly depends on it. The higher the value, the stronger the sound will be. For household audio systems, an indicator of 85 decibels is considered worthy; you can find on sale speakers with a sensitivity of 120 dB.
3. Frequency range. It affects the palette of sounds that these speakers can produce. Formula 20-20 (20 Hertz and 20,000 Hertz) is considered acceptable.
4. Dimensions (edit)... Small speakers for a computer or tablet and high sound quality are rarely found in an audio system of modest dimensions.

Computer speakers can be divided into types according to the following criteria.

• The presence of a built-in signal amplifier. If present, the column is said to be active. In the case when there is no amplifier and it is inside the device to which the satellites are connected, they are called passive.
• Configuration. This term refers to the number of elements in a speaker system. The most popular are 2 speakers (one of them active), 2 passive plus a subwoofer, 5 passive satellites + active subwoofer. The latter configuration is also called "home theater". There may be many more, even the most unthinkable options. But these varieties are considered the most reasonable choice.
• Body material. They mainly use plastic, MDF and wood. Plastic is the cheapest option, wood looks representative, the sound in such speakers is cleaner. Pressed sawdust is a compromise between price and quality.

The purpose of audio speakers is to broadcast high-quality sound. But this can be done in different places. So, according to their purpose, these systems can be divided into office, home, game and home theaters. It makes no sense to equip a computer in the office with an expensive sound system. The cheapest plastic "tweeters" will suit him, because system sounds are important at work, however, sometimes you can listen to soft music as a background.

For a stationary home computer, better speakers are more suitable, configurations of the user's choice, with power supply through a household network and sound transmission through a cord with a mini jack 3.5 mm. You can already connect USB speakers to your laptop, powered by the simplest USB cable.They receive the audio signal through the standard headphone output. They can also be used on a PC.

Game and home theaters are powerful systems with multi-channel sound, at least 5 and 1, they have many different outputs. If a PC has a good sound card, these systems can be connected to it. For a tablet and a phone, the most suitable option is portable or Bluetooth speakers. These devices are portable, so you can enjoy music or movies in any environment, regardless of the nearby electrical network. There is a rechargeable battery inside these speakers, the operating time depends on its capacity.

The modern computer acoustics market is oversaturated, manufacturers are trying to achieve maximum quality at an affordable price. Therefore, for quite modest money, you can buy decent small speakers for your computer. There are a huge number of acoustics models from various companies, the current rating of inexpensive speakers in the mini category looks like this.

• Defender SPK-530 - a very budget option, the price is up to 10 cu. e. The technique is characterized by good price and quality, small size. The presence of a volume control allows the user to adjust the sound on the device itself. The bad news is that the speakers are not immune to interference.

• SVEN 315– also has a low cost of up to 15 cu. That is, however, there is a chic cube-shaped design, compact size. The loudspeakers can be powered both from the mains and from a computer, they are shielded from interference. The disadvantage is poor bass at low sound.

• Genius SP-U115 - these speakers are popular due to their excellent sound, the presence of power from two sources. They have the ability to adjust the level of the outgoing audio signal. The disadvantages include the presence of a background signal when connected to a playback device.

First you need to decide what you need columns for. The main directions are watching movies, playing games, listening to music and just for the background. For work or background use, the cheapest mini speakers will do. For music, you need powerful speakers with good sound. When choosing speakers, you should pay attention to these aspects.

1. Appearance. Beautiful products do not always sound better, and you have to pay more for modern design.
2. The presence of the remote control and the location of the knobs or control buttons. If there is no remote control, then you will have to adjust the sound manually. Better when the controls are on the front or side.
3. Nutrition. When buying portable devices, you should pay attention to the battery capacity and the possibility of its replacement in the future.
4. Power and number of channels.
5. The presence of protective panels. The speakers are afraid of mechanical damage. It's good if there is protection.
6. Cord length. Too short will be inconvenient, you will have to use an extension cord, and this can affect the sound quality.
7. Additional functions. Some manufacturers equip speakers with various "gadgets" such as an alarm clock, FM radio, etc. If you need it, then pay attention to such options.
8. Speaker material and size. The larger the speakers, the better they sound. But here we must also take into account their location. It may also happen that large items do not fit on a computer desk or other designated place. And, naturally, it is better to buy wooden speakers.
9. Guarantee. No one is immune from troubles with the equipment, and the longer the warranty period, the calmer the owner.

See below for an overview of small speakers.