Choosing Acoustic Speakers

Nowadays, speakers (speakers) are an integral part of any modern computer. With their help, users listen to music, watch movies, play games. Agree, some headphones are not enough for this. Next, we'll show you how to choose the right speaker for your computer.

However, one thing should be noted at once. As a rule, speakers are not designed to reproduce high-quality sound. Therefore, music lovers or movie fans who prefer to watch movies in HD quality usually choose to purchase a good music center or home theater with a powerful acoustic system, instead of listening to your favorite tunes or watching movies using a computer. And the purpose of our article is to choose acoustic speakers suitable for normal daily work on a PC, while their price is not too high, and the quality is on the level. The main properties of computer audio systems are: smaller size, an isolated magnetic field, compatibility with a sound card and its connectors.

Attention should be paid to the type of columns. They are of two kinds: active and passive. In the first case, the speakers have a built-in amplifier, in the second - no. The only significant advantage of a passive audio system is its low cost. However, the sound quality leaves much to be desired, since the built-in sound card amplifier is usually designed only for the use of headphones and can not guarantee full playback. Therefore, the best option for fans of loud and high-quality sound will be the speakers that have a built-in amplifier.

There are various options for the layout of computer audio systems. The simplest of these is the 2.0 system, which consists of only two columns. In the same system 2.1, 4.1, 5.1 and 7.1, in addition to satellite speakers, responsible for medium and high frequencies, is also a subwoofer, whose task is to reproduce low-frequency sounds.
2.1 speaker speakers are optimally suited for playing quality music with good bass. In the case of using the PC as a home theater, we recommend that you pay attention to version 5.1. However, please note that before buying, you need to make sure that the selected speaker system is supported by the motherboard and sound card of your computer, since in this case the sound is transmitted through six channels. Otherwise, you can only select the speakers, but they do not already connect them.
If you decide to buy all the same on a 2-column system, you will have to face the problem of choosing between its size and quality sound. Note that the more compact the speakers, the poorer the bass frequencies are reproduced . Buying a system with a subwoofer, you should know that it and the center speaker should have only one speaker, and the so-called front and rear speakers are always sold only in pairs.
The next important point to pay attention to is the material from which the body is made. We advise you to refrain from buying plastic columns. Despite their cheapness and, possibly, interesting design decisions, their acoustic parameters are close to zero. The optimal choice will be a system, the body of which is made of fiberboard / chipboard, such devices sound at times better. The only thing in the purchase make sure of its tightness: there should be no cracks or excess holes, except for one - bass reflex. It is located near the speaker on the front panel and is designed to play low-frequency sounds. However, remember that if the volume of columns - no more than one liter, there is no need for it.

Also one of the important parameters are power, sensitivity and frequency. The sensitivity is responsible for the volume of the sound (its optimal value is 85 dB), and the power is responsible for the mechanical reliability of the speaker system.

Another audio system should have an output signal regulator (otherwise - volume), which should be located on the front panel. When buying speakers, we advise you to check at what volume the sound starts to distort, whether you need it for listening. The big advantage at a choice will be presence of regulators of high and low frequencies. Of additional useful "lotions" can be the following: the presence of an output for headphones, remote control, rack. They do not have to be included in the kit, but if they are present - this is undoubtedly a plus.

The most important point is the compatibility of the speaker system with your sound card. After all, even the most expensive sound card is not able to give a decent sound on cheap and substandard speakers. Conversely, you will not be able to appreciate all the charm of your great speakers, if you connect them to a simple built-in sound card.