Harman Kardon Computer Speakers

Budget speakers that deliver amazing sound

The ticket to high quality sound in your home or office doesn't have to equal a high price tag. There are plenty of speakers and speaker sets that will deliver room-filling sound without emptying your wallet. Whether you want great surround-sound speakers for your home theater setup, a small speaker set to connect to your computer, or even a bedside set that will charge your phone at night and wake you with music in the morning, here are some options for you that deliver great audio bang for the buck. 

Budget Computer Speakers

Whether you have a hand-assembled gaming PC with top-of-the line tech that you bought yourself or a budget laptop you snagged on sale, you don't have to sacrifice on sound. Every computer has a stereo-out jack at the very least, and some even have high-end soundcards that support surround sound.  Even if your system doesn't support surround sound, for around $100 ($200 at the most) you can find a speaker set that supports your computer and will make your ears happy.

For example, the Logitech X-540 5.1 surround sound system has been one of our long-standing picks for the best surround sound PC speakers. Logitech has since updated the model with the Logitech Surround Sound Speakers Z506, a newer version of the same speaker set. Both systems are widely available for less than $100.

If you're not interested in four or five speakers or want a space-saving speaker setup for your home office or workspace, Harmon Kardon's SoundSticks have long been our choice for best value 2.1 computer speakers. They'll offer beautiful, detailed sound without distortion when you crank up the music. Sadly, you won't be able to plug in another device to those speakers, and you won't be able to connect headphones directly to it if someone's watching television in the same room, but they won't break the bank either. You can snag a pair for under $170 at most retailers.

If these don't tickle your fancy, head over to our report on PC speakers to pick one that might be more your style.

Budget Bedside iPod Speakers

If you have an iPhone or an iPod Touch and around $100, there's a world of speakers and peripherals designed to give you a way to use your Apple device as an alarm clock and media player to wake you in the morning or just provide some background music if you're hanging out on the porch or grilling outside. Unfortunately, Android phones and BlackBerry phones come in so many shapes and sizes it's difficult for manufacturers to make audio docks for all of them, but if you have an iPhone or iPod Touch, you're in luck.

Best computer speakers 2011 | Which are the best PC speakers in 2011

But, as in the case with gaming laptops, choosing the best computer speakers in 2011 can be very hard. There are many excellent ones on the market. Once again you’ll have to ask yourself “Why do I need new speakers?” Perhaps you want to improve your listening experience when you watch a movie or listen to a song? Or maybe you want to play a game on your computer and the sound quality is an important factor for you. Therefore personal needs play an important role in going to the store and buying the best speakers.

Another aspect to take into consideration is the budget: some of the better PC speakers out there are more expensive than others; that’s not saying that cheaper ones offer horrible sound quality, on the contrary. It’s best to get them at a price that is somewhere in the middle: neither too expensive, nor too cheap.

Here are 6 computer speakers which are the candidates to the best computer speakers you can choose from in 2011.

Cyber Acoustics are known for delivering quality products at good prices since the mid 80s. The Cyber Acoustics CA-3602 has the following specifications: 2 satellite speakers, separate desktop control pod for power, volume and bass and, finally, a cradle for MP3s. The product excels with its desktop control, headphone jack and LED light. Some drawbacks: the speakers aren’t protected with a covering and the bass can hurt your ears.

The Harman Kardon Soundsticks III Computer Speakers are among the few PC speakers that have their own exhibit at New York’s Museum of Modern Art; the reason: their futuristic looks. Unfortunately, the Harman Kardon Soundsticks III don’t come with a remote control or a headphone jack.

This model is among the largest and heaviest ones on the market. It delivers fabulous sound and ample low end bass due to the fact that each speaker features 20 watts, 3/4 –inch tweeters and also 4-inch polypropylene-coated woofers. On the down side, there is no remote control, the price is a bit too high and the bass level is not that good.

These PC speakers have received a lot of awards in their category due to their excellent sound quality.

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