Stereo speakers have only a left and right speaker, “2.1” speakers have two speakers plus a subwoofer, and surround sound requires at least five speakers plus a subwoofer. The subwoofer’s function is to cover deep bass frequencies below 100Hz. A good sub at a respectable volume may give kick drums, bass guitars, analog synths, orchestras, and other sounds more rumble and depth. Some stereo speaker pairs, on the other hand, sound terrific even without a subwoofer, owing to the fact that their woofers (low-mid and low-frequency drivers below 1KHz) are more than capable of handling the bass response.
Stereo pairs make up the vast majority of desktop speakers. Some come with subwoofers, but you’ll probably just have two or three satellites to contend with. Some gamers and cinephiles may prefer a 5.1-channel (or greater) surround sound system, but for most users, the added cost and hassle of installing all those speakers around the room isn’t worth it.
Edifier S350DB Bookshelf Speaker and Subwoofer 2.1 Speaker System
- TITANIUM DOME TWEETERS – Listen to clear highs with fully titanium dome tweeters
- 8-INCH SUBWOOFER – Achieve massive booming sound with the 8-inch subwoofer
- BLUETOOTH V5.0 APTX WIRELESS SOUND – Other available inputs are AUX, RCA, optical, and coaxial
That black front and wooden enclosure have a retro feel to them. The Edifier S350DB has a classic, elegant design that is packed with modern capabilities. Titanium dome tweeters in the bookshelf speakers offer a crystalline high to offset the 8-inch subwoofer’s robust bass wallop. Titanium is a hard but light metal that works incredibly well to vibrate a tweeter’s high frequencies, resulting in the accuracy displayed by these speakers.
The mid-ranges are clean, and the bass from the subwoofer is smooth and free of distortion. The volume can be turned up to fill a room. The S350DB’s sound quality more than meets its price. Another advantage of these Edifiers is the diversity of input options available. Aux, RCA, optical, coaxial, and Bluetooth are all supported. That’s a lot of possibilities, and the LCD screen on the right bookshelf speaker will let you know which one is active right now.
These speakers seem to emphasize control, which is a good thing. The main power button, as well as all of the physical input jacks, are located on the subwoofer. The controls for bass, treble, and volume/input are located on the right bookshelf speaker. The volume controls also function as an input selector, which you can use by pressing it in.
Playback buttons, volume, power, and input selections are included on the remote control. The only minor drawback is that it is circular. To get the remote signal transmitter to aim properly when sending a command, you must spin it around. The Edifier S350DB is an excellent multipurpose speaker that is suitable for music, movies, and gaming. If you’re ready to spend the money, these elegant speakers are a no-brainer. These are the Best 2.1 Speakers in 2023.
Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 THX Certified Computer Speaker System
- LEGENDARY SOUND EXPERIENCE FROM KLIPSCH AND THX - The Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 THX Certified Speaker System pairs the legendary sound of Klipsch audio...
- KLIPSCH MICROTRACTRIX HORN TECHNOLOGY makes a major contribution to the ProMedia’s amazing clarity. Their highly efficient design reproduces more...
- POWER & ATTITUDE - The two-way satellites’ 3” midrange drivers blend perfectly with the ProMedia THX Certified solid, 6.5” side-firing, ported...
The Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 computer speakers live up to their name in terms of sound quality. Clean, precise audio with powerful, vibrating bass is produced by the speakers. It won’t be difficult to fill a space with sound. The highs and mids are distinct but not irritating, and the bass is beautifully balanced. Because the bass distorts at maximum level, it’s recommended not to push it too far. THX is a cinema audio industry standard that you’ll often notice. If you buy speakers that are THX-certified, you have every right to expect them to work flawlessly.
In any case, you can modify the bass and loudness with control knobs to get the best balance for your system. There is no power button, which is unusual for speakers at this price point. To be honest, it’s inconvenient. The Klipsch ProMedia 2.1, like most decent speakers, requires some burn-in time. Continue to play them until the drivers relax up and you get that warm tone. You should also keep in mind that decent audio requires a good input source. If you’re running low-quality audio, don’t blame the speakers. It will sound terrible.
A headphone jack and a 3.5mm auxiliary jack are included. This makes it easy to connect a supplementary audio source, such as your MP3 player or smartphone. The supplied wires are pretty long, so situating the speakers shouldn’t be a problem. In terms of placement, the subwoofer’s port is facing front and the speaker cone is on the side. You might wish to leave enough space between those two items. Avoid cramming your subwoofer between two things.
The Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 is a fantastic set of speakers that are deserving of your best audio rhythms and high-definition movie formats. You can’t go wrong with these unless the price tag makes you uneasy.
Logitech Z625 Powerful THX® Certified 2.1 Speaker System with Optical Input
- THX Certified audio is designed to deliver the most accurate audio experience straight out-of-the-box. These Logitech Z625 THX Certified speakers are...
- The 200 Watts RMS/400 Watts Peak power of Logitech Z625 2.1 speaker system delivers crisp sound and thundering bass. Powerful THX audio you can hear...
- Z625 Powerful THX Sound 2.1 speaker system provides a versatile setup by supporting multiple inputs simultaneously including optical, 3.5mm and RCA;...
It’s not merely a ‘thing’ to be THX-certified. It means that speakers must undergo extensive testing to verify that they fulfill THX sound standards. You may expect an amazing speaker performance from that. And the Z625 performs admirably. The sound quality is excellent, with crisp trebles and punchy bass. It’s powerful enough that you may need to turn it down to avoid drowning out the higher registers. These speakers have a commendably loud volume. You won’t need to do much to get them to blare. There is no distortion even at high volumes.
To be honest, the Z625 shines in movies and gaming. The voices are distinct, as are the sound effects. The soundstage is large enough for good gaming positional precision. This is most likely where the THX logo has the greatest influence. You can use all three input options on the subwoofer at the same time: optical, RCA, and 3.5mm jack. If you’re using the speakers with various devices, this is quite useful.
Additionally, the right speaker has an auxiliary input that serves as the control center. The power, volume, and bass controls, as well as the headphone jack, are all located on the right speaker. The Z625 has a sturdy and substantial build quality. They’re a lot heavier than they appear. They do have a clumsy design, in our opinion. The satellite speakers could have been more attractive, but that’s just our opinion.
Regardless of appearances, the Logitech Z625 is a nice set of speakers to consider for movie evenings or gaming sessions. These speakers perform extremely well within their budget range, with a price tag under $200 and THX accreditation. These are the Best 2.1 Speakers for Gaming in 2023.
Creative Pebble Plus 2.1 USB-Powered Desktop Speakers with Powerful Down-Firing Subwoofer and Far-Field Drivers
- POWERFUL DOWN-FIRING SUBWOOFER | The Creative Pebble Plus features a newly designed standalone 4” down-firing ported subwoofer for remarkable power...
- 45° ELEVATED DRIVERS | Featuring 2” mid-range drivers that are elevated at 45°, the Pebble Plus speakers are specifically angled towards you,...
- HIGH GAIN MODE | Bring out the most of the Creative Pebble Plus! With a simple switch of a button, access the High Gain Mode to increase the power...
The USB-powered component is unexpected given that this system includes a subwoofer. Is it a powerful subwoofer (we all know USB ports have power restrictions)? It doesn’t sound great at long distances, but it does provide a little thumpy bass to your music. Near-field listening is what these speakers are made for. From 10 feet away, do not rattle your windows.
Even at low volumes, the audio output exhibits pleasing clarity for something so compact. At high volumes, there is slight distortion, which is to be expected. More intricate music sounds a little jumbled, but these Pebbles do an excellent job with slow, basic melodies.
If you want additional bass, plug the USB into a 5V 2A power adapter and select “high gain” option on the subwoofer. This increases the total volume capability while also increasing the bass. Note that this package does not include a USB adaptor. However, there is no bass control, which is a disappointment. It would have been nice to be able to alter it considering there is a subwoofer. The volume controls are conveniently located on the satellite speakers. There is no auxiliary input or headphone connection, and the wires are short and hardwired into the speakers. As a result, it’s difficult to replace or extend.
Despite its flaws, the Pebble Plus is a stylish piece of audio gear with pleasing appearance and clear sound. The Pebble Plus is a good option to replace your internal PC or laptop speakers if you’re searching for something simple and around $50. These are the Best Budget 2.1 Speakers in 2023.
Harman Kardon SoundSticks III 2.1 Speaker System
- Compatible with all devices with a stereo minijack output
- Outstanding bass performance
- Touch volume and mute controls. Satellite Height (inches) 10.
Tired with the same old solid black speaker boxes? Want something that can be a conversation starter even when it’s not playing music? The Harman Kardon Soundsticks are a good place to start. Bluetooth connectivity is included in the version we’re looking at. Let’s start with the Bluetooth difficulties. It’s all about connectedness, which is fantastic in and of itself. It’s simple to pair with your Bluetooth-enabled gadgets. The problem is that if the SoundStick is turned on and not paired, it will connect to anyone within a 60-foot radius. That means your neighbor could mistakenly couple with it, causing your SoundSticks to come alive when they should be silent. This is a heart attack recipe. The answer is to turn them off.
Apart from the Bluetooth issue, these speakers are fantastic. The satellite speakers include a total of 8 full-range drivers that produce crisp, clear sound. The subwoofer isn’t too loud, and it features a bass adjustment knob. They’re also quite noisy. No problems with volume. The satellite speakers’ angle may be altered, which is a wonderful feature. The touch controls for volume and mute are situated on the right speaker. The mix of touch controls and the transparent appearance gives the entire system a futuristic vibe. I was hoping for the speakers to light up, but they don’t.
The construction quality is excellent, with high-grade plastic that appears to be glass. One thing to keep in mind: because the port on the subwoofer is pointing up, it will accumulate dust more than usual. There is also no headphone jack, which is a minor flaw. These are unquestionably elegant speakers. The SoundSticks are worth your money if you can live with the Bluetooth issue and the lack of a headphone connector. If you don’t want to deal with the bother of accidentally pairing with a neighbor, there’s also a non-Bluetooth version.
