Sound quality is fast becoming low if you are using native built-in speakers instead of external speakers or Soundbars. And, when you are using your PC for things such as work, zoom meetings, watching movies, listening to music, and many more, you need a good external sound speaker or Soundbar for better sound quality.
But, which one is better between Soundbars and bookshelf speakers?
Soundbars are better than external desktop computer speakers. Soundbars are easy to install, they come with surround sound and they are excellent for cable management. Soundbars are also ergonomically compact in design, making them the best external speakers for small home office rooms.
Almost every PC I have come across suffers from lackluster speakers. Either the sound is really low or it’s loud and not very clear. That is why finding the best external speakers or soundbars in order to improve the sound of your entertainment system is a must.
In this article, I will share my recent research into the best soundbars available on the market, but I will also answer the one question that I have seen many people ask “which soundbars and speakers are good for PCs”?
Basically, soundbars are recommended external speakers for your computer if you have a small desk or prefer a minimalist setup; soundbars are compact sound systems that will easily fit under the monitor, providing you with more tidy cabling is clutter-free.
In this article, I will make a case for soundbars and look at the advantages and disadvantages they come with, their benefits, and the channels they provide.
While the majority of soundbars are too big for a computer setup, there are PC soundbars that are specifically designed for computer use compared to soundbars that are marketed for TVs and home entertainment setups.
What Is A Sound Bar, And, Do You Really Need It?
A soundbar, also known as a media bar is a type of compact desktop loudspeaker that projects the audio from a purposely designed wide enclosure. Pc soundbars’ appearance is very different from Pc loudspeakers as it is wider than it is tall.
This design’s reasons are acoustics experience. The Soundbar works perfectly when mounted below or above your display devices such as a computer monitor, a home theater system, or a television set.
In a soundbar, there’s always one or multiple speakers placed in one cabinet. This, in fact, helps create a sound that is surrounded (though coming from one direction) and stereo effect.
Though a subwoofer sounds like an overkill for PC audio sound system setup,the majority of soundbars come with a separate subwoofer included within and, this may as well just be used to supplement the Pc soundbar sound effects quality.
Benefits Of A PC Soundbar
Soundbars are an all-in-one system that is meant to deliver high-quality audio setup with less clutter or waste of space in your home like external desktop PC speakers or bookshelf speakers would do.
Soundbars are very good for people seeking effective cable management for home office workstations and aesthetics within the home as they can be placed right under the tv set and connect wirelessly via Bluetooth to your PC or laptop.
Soundbars have become very popular in the last few years ever since they were first created, not only because they are stylish and sizeable but also because they are budget-friendly compared to speakers and home theaters.
Types Of Soundbars
There are two different types of soundbars, namely soundbars and sound bases; both of these PC sound speakers come with wide ranging speakers sizes inside, and their sole purpose is to make your TV’s sound or pcs sound better or to have a clearer dialogue. Soundbars or sound bases will make your dialogue richer, clearer, and crispier; they will provide that cinematic sound.
Sound Bar Channels
2 channel sound bar-A 2.1 soundbar is a soundbar with two speakers and one subwoofer, usually a left and right channel. The extra speakers’ purpose is to add some extra volume and create a truer surround sound experience.
So, suppose you are looking for an immersive surround sound experience. In that case, Soundbars provides that experience using two or more speakers which will provide you with a clear left and right channel of audio, giving you an excellent building block for your sound system. However, it will not improve the listening experience in a meaningful way.
3 channel sound bar-The 3.1 channel PC soundbar usually comes with a center channel and a separate stand-alone speaker in the middle of it. Besides that, two or more supporting speakers form additional left and right end speakers inside the soundbar enclosure.
This is the kind of soundbar setup I like the most as it provides a much better dialogue and clarity to the sound listening experience as most of the dialog or voices come from the speaker in the middle.
5 channel sound bar-A five-channel soundbar comes with 5 speakers, which are center, right, left, and two rear speakers, these have been considered a home theater standard for as long as I can remember.
7 channel sound bar-This Soundbar comes with 7 speakers; basically, 7 channels are just the same as 5 channels however they come with an addon bonus for the listeners. If you split the surround and rear channel information into 4 channels, you will get 7 in total, this is the newest as well as best standard.
Are Sound Bars Good For Pc
Soundbars are so much better than most built-in monitor speakers regarding overall sound quality. Apart from watching tv, playing games, or simply listening to music, soundbars are being used to provide impeccable sound listening experience with clear tones that will engage you in whatever you are doing.
Still, the majority of popular soundbars are mainly marketed as ideal for TVs. And, as most smart TV screens are also being used as computer monitors, even if you get one that is not suitable for pcs, as long as you can get it connected to the sound source, it will work.
However, the more suitable PC soundbars are the ones you can easily place on just about any monitor or the ones that can be easily mounted below your screen and do what you expect them to do.
Many soundbars are too big for a computer setup and because of that it is very difficult to shop for soundbars for computers.
The best Soundbars For Pc
1.Dell ac511 PC Soundbar
The Dell soundbar makes for a great sound system, especially if you own an ultra-sharp monitor. The Dell AC511 PC soundbar measures 16 inches wide which is good because it will be suitable for pretty much all monitor sizes.
Though it can be adapted to connect to your PC wirelessly, the Dell AC511 comes wired with a USB port as well as a 3.5mm headphone port.
This Soundbar is relatively easy to set up as it does not require any software to get it up and running. If you are looking for a plug-and-play, with the Dell AC511 connects to the USB port and begins to play.
It has a built-in hook connector at the top which most inexperienced audio enthusiasts have found to be easy to install with, making it a cleaner home office desk free from cable clutter.
2.Gogroove Sonaverse UBR PC Soundbar
Groove Sonaverse UBR PC soundbars are not your average surround sound Pc output speakers. They are sleek in design, delivers an impeccable sound quality, and will impress anyone looking for a low-cost soundbar with fairly decent sound quality.
The Groove Sonaverse UBR Soundbar is the best option for you, even if . This is a predominantly wired sound system that comes with a standard USB connector for connecting to the audio source and powering the Soundbar’s woofers.
Unlike most PC soundbars, the Gogrooves Sonaverse UBR is as easy to use as you can expect, and it only requires you to plug and play with nothing to install a special program in order to get it up and running.
The Gogroove Sonaverse soundbar is not only attractive in design, it is of the highest quality and stylish while also delivering excellent sound quality. Its distinctive angled design with non-slip feet and a subtle led light on its volume knob, which doubles as a power switch makes it stand out.
3.Avantree Torpedo Plus.
The Avantree Torpedo Plus is literally the easiest PC soundbar for anyone new to setting up external speakers on a computer or laptop. Like most PC soundbars, the Avantree Torpedo plus is yet another exceptionally compact soundbar. Standing at just under 11 inches wide, you can mount this Soundbar in small spaces, and you won’t even have to worry about space.
The Avantree Torpedo plus is ideal for a small and compact home office desk if you have no room for spreading satellite speakers. It can be mounted easily in front of the pc or behind it.
This PC soundbar packs 5-watt speakers and an internal battery that can last for over 6 hours on a single charge, and the qualifier for the battery life is that the volume is left under 70 percent.
4.Taotronics TT-sk025 PC Soundbar
The Taotronics TT-SK025 PC soundbar features a minimalist frame. It is 16 inches wide and will look great with a 24 inch or 27-inch monitor. The Taotronics TT-SK025 PC soundbar comes with multiple input options, with one option being to connect using an analog cable and the other option being to use Bluetooth.
The Taotronics soundbar is very affordable but yet one of the best for its price range.
At less than 3 inches tall, you would be fooled to assume that this Soundbar will not deliver thumping bass when it is sat under your monitor if, of course, the monitor is not lowered to the minimum height.
Sound Bar Pros And Cons
Pros
- A soundbar is very easy to setup
- There is a little wiring to be done and can be done just by anyone
- It is compact
- The Soundbar is a little less costly compared to the speakers
- Soundbars require less space inside your home office workstation.
- Compared to pc speakers, a soundbar offers better sound quality
- Soundbars are self-contained, so don’t need a separate box to make them work
Cons
- The Soundbar does not give the best surround sound like that of speakers of a home theater system.
- Soundbars are not as loud as speakers.
- A soundbar does not provide sound that has got depth
- Soundbars usually cannot upgrade individual components or even add new surround formats
- Soundbars have got some limited features compared to a receiver
- Unlike popular beliefs,spending more money for your PC soundbar does not necessarily guarantee sound quality. So, while choosing your PC soundbar, keep in mind that price is not everything.
