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If you recently purchased a smart home display like Amazon's Echo Show or the Google Home Hub , you likely heard all the rave reviews about -- how it would simplify your life and you'd never know how you lived without it. But what exactly can a smart display do? We're going to break down what we feel are the best uses of smart displays. If you haven't purchased a smart display yet and you're trying to figure out which one is best, we compiled a list of our favorites. While some people may want to keep AI out of their personal lives, Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa can be extremely helpful management tools, especially for families who have a lot of moving parts to their schedules.

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Content:

• Premium video meetings for everyone.
• Recession-proof tech ideas
• Denon AVC-X3700H review
• Computer Speakers Cost
• The Best Computer Speakers on Amazon, According to Hyperenthusiastic Reviewers
• Computer speakers cnet
• The 7 best things your smart display can do
• The best computer speakers in 2021
• Best PC speakers for 2021 - CNET
• The Best PC Speakers

WATCH RELATED VIDEO: Top 5 computer speakers for 2021 - Crutchfield

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Looking for a pair of speakers for your desktop or laptop computer? Here are our picks for the top Windows and Mac speakers at various prices. When you buy a computer -- whether it's a desktop or laptop -- good sound is one of the things that's typically missing.

Laptops have a small speaker or two with some sound output, but it's not exactly full, rich stereo sound. These built-in speakers aren't ideal for listening to music or watching videos -- they can only play so loud and tend to be seriously lacking in the bass department.

If you're looking to bypass your laptop speaker and take your audio experience to the next level, you should consider investing in a small or portable desktop speaker to pick up the slack. The good news -- the market is completely saturated with computer speakers that offer quality sound.

Even budget or small speakers can boost sound quality to such an extent that you'll be shocked by the poor quality of your laptop speaker. There are a multitude of PC speakers to choose from and you can certainly pair your PC with a Bluetooth speaker to augment the sound. That said, this list highlights the best in the powered speaker arena -- they have their own built-in amplifiers, which means they need to be plugged in.

Some of the speakers on this list have simple analog connectivity options, but the majority offer some form of digital connection -- that means you can plug them right into a computer with a USB cable. Others have wireless Bluetooth connectivity, which lets you easily pair the speakers with all your Bluetooth devices, including tablets and smartphones. As you might expect, better connectivity options tend to add some cost to the speakers, but a few moderately priced speakers have excellent connectivity options too, in addition to more-than-decent sound quality.

Some of these speakers can even be positioned for surround sound. Note that we haven't fully reviewed many of these picks, but we've listened to all the selected models. If you're on the hunt for great sound, keep reading -- the right speaker for your computer is sure to be here. Also, we'll update this list periodically as more laptop and desktop computer speaker options hit the market. Creative's Pebble speakers have been around for a while and now come in a V2 version with a USB-C plug a USB-A adapter is included that powers the speaker, no extra power adapter required.

Note that this V2 model does play a little louder and sounds better than the V1. They don't deliver huge sound and they're light on the bass, but they're surprisingly decent for their low price. Edifier makes a ton of PC speakers, and they're generally very good. We like the RDB because it has all the features you want, including an optical input and Bluetooth capabilities in a fairly compact package that delivers very good sound for a decent price.

In terms of sound for the money, it's hard to beat Creative's Pebble Plus 2. The 4-inch sub isn't exactly great looking, but it's a black box that you can hide in a corner of your desk or underneath it. This model is also powered by USB there's no power adapter , but you do have to connect it to your device with a standard 3.

Don't expect huge volume it is powered by USB after all , but it delivers better sound than you might think for the money. The Logitech Z is a compact system with a small subwoofer that doesn't exactly have a premium feel it's an all-plastic affair and the satellite speakers are quite light , but it's attractive and has some nice features. For starters, it's simple to set up. You can use it wired mode with an auxiliary 3.

But the majority of people will connect their devices to it via Bluetooth. It comes with a hockey puck-sized controller it's powered by two AAA batteries that doubles as a Bluetooth transceiver between any Bluetooth-enabled audio device and the speaker system. You can skip tracks forward and back by tapping on the top of the puck and turning the dial to control volume. It's also worth noting that the speakers can be stood up vertically or horizontally.

It's a nifty design. This would work fine as an audio system in a small room, but just doesn't have the juice to sound good in a larger room it's touted as having 80W of power but power ratings don't mean all that much. The most recent addition to the Audioengine family, the A1 speakers sound good for their compact size, particularly in terms of their clarity.

Like the more expensive A2 Plus see below , they're a little bass shy, but if you're using these at close range as one tends to do if you're looking at a computer screen , the bass will seem ample. You can connect a subwoofer to them, but that would substantially raise the price for the package. In a small room, they could work as your main speaker system, but they just don't have enough power for a larger room.

The nice thing about them is that they're nice looking. They're also simple to set up and wireless, so you can connect your computer -- or another device -- via Bluetooth. You just have to hit the pair button on the back to engage pairing mode. A set of speaker wires connects the two speakers the left speaker has the amplifier and all the connectivity options. You can also use the auxiliary-in port to connect your computer with an included cable.

Still, it sounds really good for a mini bookshelf-size speaker and has a glossy piano finish that gives it a premium look.

I reviewed an earlier version of the A2 Plus back in It now has Bluetooth connectivity with support for AptX streaming for AptX-compatible devices , but it still uses a standard 3.

Some sites have it back-ordered or not available in certain color options I personally like the white. Razer bills its Nommo Chroma speakers as "gaming" speakers, which isn't surprising since it's known for its gaming-oriented accessories. What I like about these speakers is they deliver a decent amount of bass without having a separate subwoofer, and you can adjust the bass with a knob on the left speaker.

That ability to produce some bass that has some kick to it should indeed appeal to gamers who like having some visceral impact from in-game explosions to add to the game's immersion. They're also pretty decent for movie watching and sound fine with music. The added gaming touch is that the bases light up on the bottom with Razer's Chroma lighting tech.

You can program the colors or sync the lighting up with your gameplay to create an ambient effect. You can connect to the analog auxiliary port on the back of the left speaker there's also a headphone jack on back , but the digital connection sounds significantly better.

Read our Razer Nommo Chroma preview. Harman Kardon's SoundSticks have been around for 20 years and have always been a favorite of Mac users because, well, they -- and their transparent aesthetics -- were marketed from the get-go to owners of the early iMacs. The SoundSticks 4 offers some design changes over earlier iterations, particularly to the subwoofer, which has a cleaner, sleeker look without the plastic funnel inside.

The SoundSticks 4 are rated for watts of power -- the SoundSticks 3 was rated for 40 watts. Also, Bluetooth connectivity now comes standard with the SoundSticks 3, there was a step-up model you had to buy to get Bluetooth.

The speaker comes in two color options -- one with white trim and one with black. The system is a little more compact than you'd think seeing some of the pictures, and it does deliver strong sound with bass that will rattle a table at higher volumes if you leave the sub on your desk the sub is actually slightly smaller at 5. From what I remember of the SoundSticks 3, this new model does sound fuller.

The only fault I found with it was the lack of a wired digital connection. Like the previous version, there's an analog cable that you plug it into the headphone jack or auxiliary output on your computer or another device. As a result, I tended to just use the Bluetooth, which gives you more flexibility with the placement of the sub the power cord is a little short.

That said, you do have to connect the elegant mini tower satellite speakers to the sub with cables that are color-labeled for easy hookup, so the sub has to stay pretty close to the satellites.

It's also worth noting that you don't have to be a Mac user to buy these speakers. They're compatible with any audio device that has Bluetooth or a 3. While they don't weigh as much or have quite the build quality of Audioengine speakers, they do offer strong sound and good connectivity options, including an optical digital input and Bluetooth options. I tried the white and bamboo version but the speakers are also available in black.

They're about the same size as Audioengine's A5 Plus speakers see below but cost half the price. I can't say they sound quite as good as the A5 Plus speakers, but they do sound clear and well-balanced and have just enough bass to make you think they aren't bass shy there is a subwoofer connection if you want to add a sub. You can get a little more bass by placing them near a wall. A remote is included for not only raising and lowering volume but tweaking the treble and bass settings.

These will fill a small room with sound. Not that if you want a wired connection to your computer via the headphone port, you'll need an RCA to 3. The Ai41 have 5-inch drivers while the step-up Ai61 have 6. However, the Ai41 is already fairly larger for a set of computer speakers. They could also be connected to your TV via the optical connection.

Audioengine's powered A5 speakers have been around for several years and have received some technology upgrades over time. You can connect to your PC either with a cable or via Bluetooth, but having Bluetooth is nice if you want these speakers to double as standard bookshelf speakers.

As you might expect, they have significantly more bass than Audioengine's smaller A2 Plus, and they resemble traditional monitor speakers. With a built-in W amp, they deliver clean, dynamic sound with lots of volume, and will rock a medium-size room without a problem.

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David Carnoy. Jump to details. Best design Harman Kardon SoundSticks 4. Value powered bookshelf speakers Fluance Ai Best cheap USB-C speakers. Creative Pebble V2. Best-sounding cheap PC speaker system. Creative Pebble Plus 2. Logitech Z

Recession-proof tech ideas

A good set of speakers is essential when it comes to fully experiencing music, movies, and games on your PC. Over the last decade, many have moved on to listening music on the go, with a multitude form of headphones or portable speakers that play from your phone. And yet there's still plenty of room for those who keep a desktop PC for work, play or both. The choice of PC speakers has evolved accordingly from standard systems to more audiophile oriented monitors and practical yet refined solutions covering all price segments. The fifth category includes honorable mentions for retro setups, 5.

Denon AVC-X3700H review

Search thousands of topics on CostHelper How much does cost? The type and number of speakers to get for a home or office computer largely depends on how the computer is primarily used -- whether for listening to music, playing games or watching movies. Typical costs:. Inexpensive computer speakers are useful for boosting general computer sounds or for listening to online radio stations but offer little improvement in audio performance than the generic speakers included with most computers. Logitech LS11 speakers are an example of basic 2. This adds a subwoofer bass to the twin speakers the. A subwoofer enhances bass clarity and adds depth to audio effects such as gunshots and explosions. These speakers are ideal for listening to music at medium volume levels or if there is limited available space. The two additional rear speakers make it ideal for game playing since it allows users to better determine the source of sound effects, while the additional front-center speaker delivers a movie's dialogue track.

Computer Speakers Cost

Triangle Borea BR08 5. What Hi-Fi? Vizio M-Series 5. Dolby Atmos Beyond 7. Best 5.

The Best Computer Speakers on Amazon, According to Hyperenthusiastic Reviewers

Whether you're looking for a wireless Bluetooth speaker, a soundbar or loudspeakers for your home theater, these are the best products for the money. If you're thinking about taking your home theater or desktop system to the next level, our picks for the best speakers right now should help. Whether you're in the market for bookshelf speakers, computer speakers, outdoor speakers, a small Bluetooth speaker, smart speakers with Amazon Alexa or a full sound system, you'll want to make sure you get the best performance for the money. While most of the included systems are powered, you'll also find passive loudspeakers, such as the Elac Debut 2. Each product highlighted has great sound and can be considered the best speaker in its particular category.

Computer speakers cnet

Gaming desks are often overlooked pieces of furniture but they're the foundation upon which every great gaming setup is built. From being a sturdy place to put your gaming PC and gaming monitor to having enough space to spread out with your gaming mouse , there's a lot to consider when buying the right gaming desk. What's more, you should strive to achieve proper ergonomics. If your desk is too high or low, you might be putting undue strain on your joints and muscles that could really make it hard to enjoy lots of gaming. So, it's worth your while to get a quality gaming desk built with a gamer's needs in mind.

The 7 best things your smart display can do

During this year when gamers are spending more time gaming, musicians are spending more time recording, and everybody else is just eager for good entertainment, anyone can use a great set of computer speakers. The set includes Bluetooth and plenty of inputs. The CR5-XBT set also offers welcome conveniences: It has built-in Bluetooth and a variety of input options, and the volume knob, power switch, and headphone jack are located on the front of one of the speakers, so those controls are more convenient to access.

The best computer speakers in 2021

RELATED VIDEO: Audioengine A2+: Top PC speaker gets enhanced

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Best PC speakers for 2021 - CNET

These built-in speakers are not ideal for listening to music or watching videos. It can only be played very loud and tends to be seriously deficient in the bass. If you want to bypass laptop speakers and take your audio experience to the next level, you should consider investing in small or portable desktop speakers to regain your headroom. The good news-the market is completely saturated with computer speakers that provide high quality sound. Even low-budget or small speakers can improve sound quality to the point of being shocked by the poor quality of laptop speakers. There are many PC speakers to choose from, and you can even pair your PC with a Bluetooth speaker to enhance the sound. That said, this list highlights the best in the field of powered speakers-they have their own built-in amplifiers and need to be plugged in.

The Best PC Speakers

For instance, PC gamers might want something flashy and loud that heightens the atmosphere of their favorite first-person shooter. Music lovers may require a system that pumps out dynamic, well-balanced sound to enjoy every detail of a recording. Then we have the work-from-home types who just need something to keep them entertained during work hours. Much like how the best soundbars improve on the audio output of built-in TV speakers, even an affordable set of desktop speakers will likely outperform those within your laptop or monitor.