
We prefer systems that provide their own volume control even better, many systems let you adjust bass and treble levels to fine-tune audio output for your particular listening environment. If you’ll want to listen to other audio sources, look for a system with additional inputs these days, many speakers offer at least a second audio-input jack (preferably within reach for easy access–not under your desk) for connecting an iPod, iPhone, or other source.Ĭontrols: The most-basic systems have no controls of their own you connect your computer and then adjust output volume using your computer’s own volume controls. Inputs: Some speakers offer only a single audio connection, limiting you to listening to sound from your computer. Otherwise, consider a set of speakers that forgoes the lowest frequencies altogether in favor of accurate sound across the rest of the audio spectrum. If deep, controlled bass is important to you, you’ll need speakers with relatively large woofers. This approach adds some punch, but it can also make the speakers sound boomy or thumpy–a trait that becomes fatiguing over time. In an attempt to give the impression of bass performance, many vendors tweak their speakers to pump out prominent upper-bass frequencies.
COMPUTER SPEAKER WHICH IS RIGHT AND LEFT DRIVERS
Speakers (including subwoofers) that use small drivers simply can’t reproduce the lowest notes. While it’s not difficult to find a set of speakers that offers enjoyable detail and midrange frequencies, quality bass is a bigger challenge.

A good speaker system provides good balance between the treble (upper), midrange, and bass (lower) frequencies, producing full, rich sound while preserving detail. Instead, use your ears if you can’t audition a system in person, read reviews from sources you trust. With very few exceptions, you can’t rely on these numbers to tell you anything about a system’s audio quality. There’s no standard testing methodology for speakers, and many vendors exaggerate their specs–often laughably so–making them essentially worthless. Specs and sound quality: Ignore manufacturers’ specifications–especially frequency response numbers. But that larger size lets them host larger woofers that provide decent bass performance without the need for a subwoofer. Studio monitors tend to be much bulkier than traditional 2.0 computer speakers and the compact satellites used in most 2.1 systems.

Studio monitors: One variant of 2.0 systems is studio monitors, which are essentially powered bookshelf speakers designed for use in recording and production studios. (It also follows that the larger the woofer in a speaker system, the better–or at least the more powerful–the bass performance.)

The big benefit of that large subwoofer unit is that a 2.1 system can generally reproduce lower frequencies-a trait called bass extension–and provide more powerful bass than the smaller drivers of a system without a subwoofer. With a 2.1 system, the lower frequencies are handled by the subwoofer, which allows the satellites to be even smaller that subwoofer/amplifier unit, however, often takes up a big chunk of space under your desk. A 2.0 system generally takes up less space overall–just two, generally small, spots on your desk. The biggest differences between the two types of systems relate to size and bass performance.
