# How do I shop for computer speakers? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 14, 2005, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-shop-for-computer-speakers/326191 "2005-10-14T05:25:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Silentgoldfish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@Silentgoldfish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silentgoldfish)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2005, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-shop-for-computer-speakers/326191/1 "2005-10-14T05:25:48Z")
I’m really not much of an audiophile: I’m been using the crappy computer speakers that came with one of my mum’s computers from 7 or 8 years ago for about 3 upgrades. They’re finally starting to crap out, and so it’s time to actually buy proper speakers for once. I don’t want to spend too much money, but I’ve got a Soundblaster Audigy and would like to actually take advantage of it finally. What kinds of things should I be looking for? Brands? Specific speakers? I use my computer sound mainly for watching movies, playing games, and listening to mp3’s, if that’s useful information. Thanks in advance! ---
**Author:** ![Hunter\_Hawk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/50afbb/32.png) [@Hunter\_Hawk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hunter_Hawk)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2005, 7:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-shop-for-computer-speakers/326191/2 "2005-10-14T07:24:33Z")
If you’re just planning to use the speakers only while sitting at the computer, you might want to consider getting a pair of headphones instead, as headphones tend to offer more bang for the buck than speakers. Do you have a particular price point in mind? ---
**Author:** ![Silentgoldfish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@Silentgoldfish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silentgoldfish)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2005, 7:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-shop-for-computer-speakers/326191/3 "2005-10-14T07:38:15Z")
I’ve already got some pretty nice headphones but they don’t really work very well when I want to watch something with my gf :). I don’t really want to spend more than 50-100 bucks but I don’t really know enough about speakers by themselves to be able to give a good price range. Basically, I don’t want to spend too much but I dont want to wind up with crap! ---
**Author:** ![Imasquare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Imasquare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Imasquare)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2005, 11:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-shop-for-computer-speakers/326191/4 "2005-10-14T11:15:15Z")
Do you want stereo or surround sound? Good surround speakers will cost quite a bit more than stereo. Here’s a link to an online store that is about as cheap as you will be able to find in Asutralia: [Stereo Speakers](http://umart.net/au/index.php?cPath=96_192&osCsid=5a5c792043d2c1d242e9030282542ac1) [Surround Sound Speakers](http://umart.net/au/index.php?cPath=96_193&osCsid=5a5c792043d2c1d242e9030282542ac1) I have a pair of Logitech stereo speakers at home that I am very happy with. They comprise 2 stereo satellite speakers and a sub-woofer and cost $69 from the first link. Logitech, Altech Lansing, Creative, Harman Kardon are all well known brands which would make good buys. ---
**Author:** ![MizGrand](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cdc98d/32.png) [@MizGrand](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MizGrand)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2005, 11:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-shop-for-computer-speakers/326191/5 "2005-10-14T11:20:44Z")
Walk into an electronics store and ask for these: [Cambridge Soundworks](http://www.cambridgesoundworks.com/store/category.cgi?category=spk_multimedia&item=c1pcwzzzz) They’re not state-of-the-art anymore, but they’re $50 and work GREAT! Good luck.