The speakers that come with your new computer will usually be hopeless for
anything other than tinny music and raspy speech. For decent sound — whether
to bring life to a computer game, watch a movie or listen to music — you
need to buy a decent set of speakers.
Fortunately there is plenty of choice on the market, and an excellent setup
can cost as little as £100. Be wary of packages that offer too much kit for
too little cash; they’re a false economy.
Computer speakers come in two categories: stereo or surround sound.
Stereo-only systems usually comprise two small satellite speakers plus a
bass unit known as a subwoofer or sub. These packages are referred to as
2.1. Achieving the surround-sound effects in games or movies requires a
system with five satellites plus a sub — known as 5.1.
Although surround sound may be tempting, you should consider buying it only if
you are sure that you need it. If you don’t, the rear speakers will clutter
up the room to little purpose. And there’s the cost: 5.1 systems contain
complex electronics, making them much pricier than straightforward stereo
speakers, so as a rule of thumb a decent 2.1 system is the best bet.
Most computer speakers are “active”, which means they have an amplifier built
in (usually in the subwoofer) that requires mains power. Handily, this means
some can double as fairly decent hi-fi speakers without being connected to
the computer, if, say, you connect them to an MP3 player.
Computer speakers are often good value, but one drawback is that although the
subwoofer gives a powerful sound, many systems tend to lack finesse in the
midrange and so are better suited to sound effects or techno music than
anything more subtle. The Acoustic Energy, Eclipse, and even the budget TDK
system were exceptions to this rule. Indeed, the pricey Eclipse system — and
to some extent the Acoustic Energy — offer credible hi-fi for those for whom
the computer is the principal source of entertainment. And while all of
these speakers can create stereo sound independently of a computer, a select
few — the Logitech is one — have digital connections and built-in circuitry
that allows surround sound to be created without a computer.
Many systems have utilitarian styling, so it’s tempting to plump for an
exotic-looking setup such as the Harman Kardons, although the price of such
aesthetic allure is often wishy-washy sonics. Computer speakers also tend to
lack features such as wireless remote control, although this may not be
wanted because most users will only want to control the sound from the mouse
or keyboard.
Another innovation is so-called “wireless” speakers. These remove the need to
connect the rear speakers of a 5.1 setup directly to the amplifier in the
sub. Instead the wires attach to a mains-powered radio receiver at the rear
which receives its signal from the front. This increasingly popular
technology is employed successfully by the Creative package, with no
detectable trade-off other than cost.
If all else fails, a handy indicator of a speaker’s quality is often its
weight: the heavier the satellites are, the better.
But whatever system you choose, remember that careful positioning of the
speakers creates superior sound. A subwoofer is best placed on the floor in
a corner of the room, and satellites as far apart as is practical, ideally
with some dabs of Blu-Tack between each satellite and the surface they rest
on, to dampen vibration.
JARGON BUSTER
2.1 Most simple PC speaker setups comprise two satellites and a
subwoofer. Those without subwoofer are called 2.0
5.1 Surround-sound systems generally have five satellites and a
subwoofer. A sixth satellite makes 6.1
Active speakers Speaker set with an amplifier built into one of the
speakers and requiring mains power
DTS (Digital Theater Systems) Surround-sound format for movie
soundtracks, considered superior to Dolby Digital
NXT Type of high-tech flat-panel speaker with a clean and spacious
sound, but lacking bass
Satellite speakers Compact speakers that handle only middle and high
frequencies. Designed to work in tandem with a subwoofer
Subwoofer Large single-drive speaker that handles bass frequencies
only. This is the “1” in a 2.1 or 5.1 system
FAMILY WORKHORSE
5/5
Acoustic Energy Aego M 2.1 — typically £99, or £90 from www.play.com
Rock-solid system by British speaker specialist
Acoustic Energy has dispensed with ornate styling to create an understated
stereo speaker package. This fine-value system comprises a pair of small yet
surprisingly weighty aluminium-bodied satellites, a decent-sized subwoofer
and five metres of thick speaker cable. Setup proved straightforward: the
subwoofer contains a hi-fi style RCA socket and a 3.5mm minijack input.
However, there’s no remote control and additional features are sparse.
Nonetheless, the Aego M delivered exceptional clarity for a 2.1 system.
Granted the bass output didn’t exactly rattle the windows, but the sound was
taut and energetic, even with pounding dance music. All in all a nononsense
system that performed a treat.
AUDIOPHILE’S TREAT
4/5
Eclipse TD307PAII — £400 from www.eclipse-td.com
Sensational sound and design at a hefty price
With ultra-modern styling and cultured sound, this 2.0 Eclipse system seems a
real winner until you notice the cost. So how does the maker justify this?
For a start the sculpted egg-shaped speakers and strikingly styled amplifier
are both extremely well engineered. Better still, as soon as it was
connected this highly revealing system immediately sounded special. In fact
in our group test its performance was unsurpassed, especially for more
refined tastes such as classical or jazz. The only real drawback, aside from
price, was that bass — a crucial aspect of sound quality — was limited, and
the optional subwoofer is £650 more (yes, really). Still, lovers of design
and audio will no doubt covet this package, on sale next month.
TEENAGER’S MONSTER
4/5
Logitech Z-5500 Digital — typically £279, or £198 from www.amazon.co.uk
Monster power creates movie magic but sloppy music
This muscular 5.1 surround-sound system is ideal for a teenager’s den. It
boasts a huge 10in subwoofer along with its five satellites, control unit
and remote control. The controller contains a powerful processsor and comes
with handy digital connections. This means it is able to conjure surround
sound effects without a computer: you can experience decent 5.1 listening
just by connecting a DVD player or games console. Setup was a little fiddly,
but once done the Logitech was fun to operate. Although good on games and
movies, it’s less well equipped for music, and that’s largely due to its
overpowering bass. The Z-5500 wins few prizes for style, but provides
peerless value for thunderous home cinema and games.
GAMER’S BEAST
3/5
Creative Gigaworks G550W — typically £210, or £199 from www.ebuyer.com
Punchy gaming despite fussy setup and mediocre music
This 5.1 surround-sound extravaganza includes a chunky subwoofer.
Unfortunately its boxy styling and plasticky finish give a poor first
impression. Unlike the Logitech, there are no digital connections;
consequently it required three analogue cables from a computer to connect it
up. The two “wireless” rear speakers are in fact hard-wired to a
mains-powered radio receiver, but at least you don’t need to run
rear-speaker cables to the controller. The system delivered punchy sound for
games, going as loud as the Logitech when playing Need for Speed, but
sounding cleaner, with less bass boom. However, it was as unimpressive as
the Logitech when playing music.
FASHIONISTA’S FOLLY
3/5
Harman Kardon Soundsticks II — typically £130, or £99 from www.komplett.co.uk
More style than substance and therefore thin value
With its striking design and impressive build quality, this suave 2.1 package
will certainly draw admiring glances. The translucent Soundsticks show off
their internal components. Each of the tall, slim satellites sports four 1in
drivers and the compact subwoofer is too much of an objet d’art to be hidden
under a desk. Minimalism is the order of the day here; a single 3.5mm input
is provided and there is no headphone socket, which seems a bit stingy.
Although the touch-sensitive volume control — located on the right satellite
— looks good, it proved fiddly to use, and the sound quality was poor for
the money. With few features and modest sound, these style kittens lack
bite. Shame.
SPACE-SAVER’S GIFT
3/5
TDK XA-60W — typically £35, or £28 from www.cclonline.com
Super-slim, but a surprisingly heavyweight performer
Reclaim space on your desk with this compact TDK system. The two speakers use
NXT flat-panel technology, making them extremely thin. The system comes with
a discreet subwoofer to form a 2.1 setup. There is a handy headphone jack
and tone controls, but as these are on the subwoofer they’re not at your
fingertips. The advantage of NXT speakers is clarity, while the subwoofer
adds bass weight and enables the system to fill a moderate-sized room.
However, the woofer failed to plumb the really low frequencies and its
modestly powerful amp did not handle the Chemical Brothers as effectively as
it did Bach. That said, at reasonable volumes the TDK competed well. A
bargain.
Reviews by David Price
Prices include Vat and delivery Apologies to Aardman
