From Bastion and Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance to Nier: Automata and Undertale, there are lots of PC games that feature an excellent soundtrack. Sadly, many gamers don’t realize that and regularly miss out on some of the best tunes in games because they are using low-quality speakers. Or worse, they are still using their monitor’s built-in speakers.
Whether you mostly play action RPGs or first-person shooters, we strongly recommend that you get a pair of quality speakers. Don’t be intimidated by the sheer number of options on the market, because that’s what this guide is for. In this guide, you’ll find the best PC gaming speakers, from budget speakers to space-saving soundbars.
Logitech Z200
Logitech is one of the best in the business when it comes to computer speakers, so don’t be surprised to see more than one Logitech product on this list. From budget speakers to premium speakers selling for over $200, the well-known brand offers a nice selection of computer speakers, with the Z200 being one of the best in the budget category. You can get them for less than $30, which makes them a great option if you are hesitant to spend more than $50 for speakers.
The Z200 are wired speakers with decent sound quality for the price and a simple design that won’t turn heads, featuring a mostly black color scheme with white accents. The controls are easily accessible on one of the speakers, along with the analog audio port in case you want to switch to headphones for late-night gaming. The Z200 are compact enough, with each speaker measuring just under 10 inches in height, so you’ll have no trouble positioning them on your desk.
Logitech Z313
If the Logitech Z200 is not to your liking, check out the similarly affordable Logitech Z313, a sound system composed of two satellite speakers and a subwoofer. The subwoofer is surprisingly compact, which is great if you want to place the entire sound system on your desk. The Z313’s sound quality is good for a budget product, with clear sound output.
Selling for less than $40, this sound system comes with a wired control pod where the volume control, power button, and gaming headset jack are all located. The control pod allows for more freedom when positioning this speaker system since you don’t need to worry about whether the controls are easily within your reach. Some of you might not like the idea of having another cable to worry about, though.
Cyber Acoustics CA-SP34BT
The Cyber Acoustics CA-SP34BT is a Bluetooth sound system that offers good sound quality and can get very loud, which makes it a good option if you like to crank up the volume when playing first-person shooters. It’s composed of two satellite speakers and a subwoofer, featuring an adjustable lighting system for extra flair.
While the sound quality is good, and the lighting system is a cool feature, the CA-SP34BT, unfortunately, could be better regarding overall design. For example, the control panel, located on the right side of the subwoofer, is not that easy to access, while the cables are a bit short. But on the plus side, the CA-SP34BT offers more control options than the Logitech Z313, featuring treble and bass controls in addition to the volume control. Overall, this Cyber Acoustics sound system offers good value for the money and is great for PC gaming.
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Genius SW-G2.1 1250
Designed for entertainment in general, the Genius SW-G2.1 1250 is a three-piece sound system with multiple connection options. It has a good build quality and is easy to set up out of the box. It has a clean sound output even at high volumes, and the bass is good. Whether you love to play RPGs with lots of cinematic cutscenes or rhythm games, you’ll be glad you got this Genius sound system.
Compared to the Cyber Acoustics product above, the SW-G2.1 1250 comes with a more convenient control system. In addition to the satellite speakers and the subwoofer, it also includes a dedicated control box, which is more compact than the speakers. The control box has a bass control just below the volume knob. The headphones and mic ports are also located on the control box. You might want to cover up the power light, though, as it can be annoying.
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Bose Companion 2 Series III
Considering Bose is known its expensive audio equipment, you probably did a triple take of this product’s price, which is just a hair under $100. The Bose Companion 2 Series III are wired speakers that will look great on just about any gaming desk. They are compact speakers with a minimalist design and a small footprint, so don’t worry if your desk is on the small side.
Good for both gaming and general usage, these Bose speakers feature a simple control panel composed of a single power/volume knob located on the right speaker. Right below the knob is a 3.5-millimeter headphone port. Unlike with many speakers, there is no power light on these speakers, so there’s no bright light to annoy you while you are playing a survival horror game in complete darkness. In terms of sound quality, the Companion 2 Series III are good, though some of you might find the bass subpar.
Micca PB42X
The Micca PB42X are bookshelf speakers with a very minimalist yet appealing design, just like the pair of Bose speakers above. Measuring 9.5 inches tall and 5.8 inches wide, the speakers have a clean cabinet, with the controls and connection ports all located at the back. The fact that the power switch and the volume control are at the back is inconvenient, though. There is no bass or treble control on the PB42X, which might disappoint some of you.
The front grill of both speakers can be easily removed to show off the drivers, which include 0.75-inch tweeters. The PB42X isn’t just about aesthetics, though. The sound quality is good as well, with a well-balanced sound and a deep bass. If your budget is only around $100, these Micca speakers are some of the best ones you can get, especially if you just want good-sounding speakers with none of those fancy lighting systems often found in speakers marketed toward gamers.
Logitech Z623
The Z623 is another excellent product from Logitech. Although it was released more than eight years ago, it remains one of the most popular sound systems on the market, which really says a lot about its quality. Selling for around $100-120, the Z623 is composed of two 35-watt satellite speakers and a powerful 130-watt subwoofer. The build quality is top-notch while the sound quality is great, featuring a deep bass.
A THX-certified sound system, this Logitech product has a straightforward design, with the controls located on the right speaker for easy access. The controls include a power switch, volume control, and bass control. If you want to switch to headphones in the middle of a game, there is a headphones port on the right speaker’s side, which is convenient. Overall, the Z623 is a fantastic product with not many flaws, which largely explains its popularity, not only among gamers but also among audiophiles.
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Creative Sound BlasterX Kratos S5
The Creative Sound BlasterX Kratos S5 was designed with gamers in mind, with the lighting system being an obvious proof of that. Selling for around $130, this Creative product is a wired sound system composed of two satellite speakers and a down-firing subwoofer with a 6.5-inch driver. A small, wired control pod is also included. The control pod gives you easy access to the volume control and the headphones port.
The speakers feature a strip of lighting at the bottom, which is great if your other gaming peripherals also feature a lighting system. You can adjust the lighting for a more personalized fit, but if you don’t want to play around with it, there are also color presets. Regarding sound quality, these Creative gaming speakers are decent, but they are not on the same level as the similarly priced Logitech Z623, especially concerning bass response. They are good for gaming, but if you want a more all-around sound system, there are better options out there.
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Klipsch ProMedia 2.1
The Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 are great speakers for PC gaming, especially if you love games such as Ori and the Blind Forest, Assassin’s Creed Origins, BioShock Infinite, and other games with a great soundtrack. They sell for around $150, a price tag that will feel like a total steal once you get a taste of the sound quality.
A THX-certified speaker system, the ProMedia 2.1 is a three-piece unit composed of two satellite speakers and a subwoofer. One of the speakers also acts as the control hub, featuring separate controls for the main volume and the subwoofer. Sadly, there is no power switch, which means the only way to turn off this speaker system is to unplug it. Overall, these Klipsch speakers offer great value for the money, boasting great sound reproduction with good bass.
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Razer Leviathan
Like Logitech, Razer is another noted brand when it comes to gaming equipment. From gaming keyboards and headsets, the American company has an extensive list of products. If you are in the market for the best speakers for PC gaming, check out the Razer Leviathan, a soundbar that comes with a dedicated subwoofer. Inside the black soundbar are high-quality speakers designed not only for gaming but also for music and movies.
The Leviathan features multiple input options, including Bluetooth connectivity, and integrated controls for easy access while gaming. You can easily set it up, with the unit offering three preset sound profiles, including one for gaming, which is nice. Since it’s a soundbar, you can place it under your monitor for a cleaner desk setup. Concerning sound quality, this Razer sound system is great, with the subwoofer boosting the sound output. If you can spend close to $200 for gaming speakers, you can’t go wrong with this product.
Logitech G560
If you typically crank up the volume when playing action-packed games, you’ll love the Logitech G560, a sound system built specifically for gaming. Composed of two satellite speakers and a powerful subwoofer, this Logitech sound system can get very loud, so make sure to mind the volume if you live with other people and usually game late at night. The overall sound quality is good, with excellent bass response.
Featuring a cool lighting system with four lighting zones, these Logitech gaming speakers offer multiple connection options – including Bluetooth – for versatility. They are easy to set up and come with user-friendly software, which can’t be said for many speakers out there. The controls are on one of the speakers for easy access. If you already own a gaming monitor and keyboard with a lighting system, go for the complete setup and get the G560.
Audioengine A2+
The Audioengine A2+ are speakers with a small footprint, which makes them a great option if your desk is not that big. They are expensive, selling for around $250, but for that price, you get speakers with good build quality and excellent sound quality with a very good bass, which will definitely surprise some of you, considering the size of the speakers.
Made of high-quality materials, these compact speakers are great for PC gaming. They are easy to set up out of the box, with multiple inputs to choose from. The volume control is located at the back, which is both bad news and good news. The good news is that it makes for a cleaner aesthetic out front, but on the other hand, adjusting the volume can be inconvenient. Overall, the A2+ is a fantastic product that’s well worth the money.
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Logitech Z906
The fifth and last Logitech product in this guide, the Z906 is an impressive THX-certified 5.1 surround sound system composed of five satellite speakers and a subwoofer. It has multiple input options for versatility and boasts excellent sound quality. Setting it up is easy, although you’ll probably spend a good amount of time securing the cables and making sure they are not all over the place.
The Z906 comes with a dedicated control hub that’s easy enough to use. And unlike all of the products mentioned here so far, this product includes a remote control, which is convenient if you game on a monitor larger than 30 inches and usually sit around four or five feet away from the screen. All in all, the Z906 is a recommended product if you want a more immersive experience while gaming, especially if you love to play open-world games with pretty graphics and a good soundtrack.
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Creative Sound BlasterX Katana
Selling for more than double the price of the Creative Sound BlasterX Kratos S5, the Creative Sound BlasterX Katana is a versatile soundbar built for gaming. It has a great sound quality, with good bass, and can get very loud, which is good news if you like to crank up the volume while gaming. It has a 5-driver design, which includes two tweeters in the bar.
This gaming soundbar features multiple input options and an integrated control panel. You can easily position it under your monitor for a cleaner desk setup and for easy access to the controls. You also get a remote control, which is nice. Like the other Creative sound system above, this soundbar has a customizable lighting system, which manifests in an end-to-end strip at the bottom of the soundbar. While not exactly the most affordable, this Creative soundbar is another great option if you want good-sounding audio equipment with a cool lighting system.
Razer Nommo Pro
In case the model name doesn’t make it obvious enough, the Nommo Pro is the souped-up version of the regular Nommo, which is significantly cheaper. The most notable difference between the two Razer products (other than the price, of course) is that the Nommo Pro comes with a dedicated subwoofer, which is down-firing. And unlike the regular, non-Chroma Nommo, this product features a cool lighting system that you can easily customize.
The Nommo Pro are gaming speakers with multiple connectivity options, including Bluetooth and analog. There are no on-speaker controls. Instead, all the controls are housed in an illuminated control pod that looks like a hockey puck. The control pod is user-friendly while the entire sound system itself is easy to set up out of the box. If you are in the market for the best speakers for PC gaming and can spend around $500 on one, consider these great-sounding Razer speakers.
Pros and Cons of Using Speakers for Gaming
External speakers are better than built-in monitor speakers regarding sound quality, and it’s not even close. Sure, there are a few monitors that pack decent-sounding speakers – like the Asus MX34VQ and the LG 32UD99-W – but they will never be able to match the sound quality of external speakers.
Unlike gaming headphones, speakers obviously don’t need to rest on your head while gaming, which translates to more comfortable gaming, especially if you regularly play for long stretches. You don’t need to worry about feeling discomfort after a few hours due to sweaty ear cups or the headband being too tight. Furthermore, you don’t need to worry about accidentally yanking off your wired headphones after a sudden movement – like when jumping for joy after your team wins a high-stakes, closely contested multiplayer match.
For local multiplayer gaming on the same monitor, speakers are also better options than headphones because the game’s sounds are easily shared among participants and spectators alike. Gaming on the same screen with one or both players wearing headphones isn’t fun. It’s like watching an NBA game on TV with your buddies but everyone is wearing headphones. OK, that wasn’t exactly a very good analogy, but you get the point.
On the flip side, using speakers for gaming means you’ll need to create adequate space on your desk for the speakers. That’s hard to do for people who have a very small desk for PC gaming and don’t have the room space to get a bigger desk. But the good news is that there many speakers that don’t have a large footprint or can easily slide under the monitor for a simpler setup.
The biggest downside of speakers is that, if you live with other people, you may hear complaints about your game’s sounds, especially if you usually play action-packed games with a lot of gunfire sounds involved – like Battlefield 1 or Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 – in the middle of the night. It’s great if you have your own place and live alone or have a man-cave. But if not, then you’ll find headphones to be the more practical solution for gaming.