Computer speakers turn a mundane PC into a rip roaring multi-media machine!

Computer speakers today, produce high sound quality. In times past, listening to music or multimedia via PC speakers was akin to trying to talk to your neighbor with a can and string.

Computer speakers have evolved to the point that you can use your PC as a central hub for your music and multi-media. Many people are moving from speakers that are included for free with a computer (that should be a sure sign of low-quality) to purchasing high-end computer speakers at a discount (thanks to the internet).

Computer Speaker Brands

Many speaker manufacturers missed the significance of PC multimedia. Enter Napster, CD-Rom burners and players and the Internet. Many clued in from the beginning. Others are coming aboard quickly.

JBL speakers were the mainstay from the beginning of high tech audio. Pioneer also manufactured computer speakers and got in the game early on.

Many of the stereo/car audio speaker manufacturers saw the future and got involved with computer and laptop sound systems. From Alpine to Sony speakers, the playing level was raised.

Computer speaker brands have not only become mainstream, but the competition has enabled the average person to purchase a high-end computer audio system at a low cost.

Altec Lansing, Harman Kardon, Polk Audio, and other PC audio speaker makers have provided incredible sound at a low price.

The long list of speaker styles and choices

PC speakers, like people, come in all shapes and sizes. Here are a few to get you thinking creatively about what you could put together:

• Flat panel speakers
• Multi-colored
• Wireless
• Long-range Bluetooth wireless speakers

That's just a start. You could install PC speakers in your ceiling or wall and have music piping through your house from your desktop. A wireless computer speaker system could be used to allow you to carry your music with you to whatever room you choose.

With the rush to provide the consumer with discount computer speaker pricing and high-end options, the possibilities are endless. (Our buyer's guide should help you narrow down the choices.)

Finding what works for you

What are you looking for in an audio system? Some consumers value sound quality, while others want portability.

It might be that you have to be a little creative in how you approach your choice. If you want high end sound that is installed as an “in wall” speaker system, then you might want to look into used PC speakers. Discounted PC speakers might fit your budget as well.

Whether it be the sleekness in the design or the pure sound piercing your home's air, getting your bang for you buck is best served via the Internet (after all, multimedia and digital sound were born here).

How to determine quality

There are a few areas to cover here. A few things are assumed:

• You have a decent PC (meaning it doesn't crash every time you launch a multimedia program)

• You have music or other multimedia that is of mid- to upper-level in quality

• You have a good quality multimedia player that has an equalizer

The quality of sound, after the above, falls on the speakers and the speaker wiring (unless you have a wireless speaker set-up).

The point of connection is crucial. Most standard connections are fine on newly purchased speakers, however, if you can spring for one that is made from gold, then do so.

As far as the wiring goes…

As long as you are not going to extend the connection farther than its specified distance, you should be ok.

If you do, then a bit of research on computer speaker wiring will become important.

Where and what to buy

Speakers from recognized brands typically perform well. Computer speaker reviews bring this out time after time. The nice thing about that, is that most of these well known brands (Sony, Pioneer, Altec Lansing) can be found at a discount.

Again, check out our buyer's guide to help you find the lowest cost and best quality PC speakers available today.