Want some speakers - Computing and Networks

mikey.robbo · 29-11-2009, 23:37

I want to get some speakers for my laptop and was wondering whether to get ones to plug into the headphone socket or some USB ones. Either way they would be powered ones so I don't need to be told that usb powered speakers are weak.

thanks

frasera · 30-11-2009, 00:59

you already have a sound card.
usb speakers= built in sound card.
good if your sound card is horrible i guess. if you plug headphones in and all you hear is hissy junk then yes, get usb.
more money spent on sound chip = less money left for speaker for a given amount.
usb uses some cpu.
at the super low end it doesnt matter either way, sound quality gonna be low regardless.
spend a decent amount, you get what you pay for if you buy from decent brands. aka not bose. and not speakers built for looks not sound. esp those with the tiny drivers or see through housings etc. speaker designs been worked out for quite some time now. you need decent sized drivers, perhaps a tweeter, robust cabinets and decent amps.

sbugg · 30-11-2009, 14:36

Opps sorry I thought you were getting rid of a set

mikey.robbo · 30-11-2009, 22:59

very concise thank you. im not looking to spend a great deal of money. my soundcard is pretty good, i think it says its HD sound, i just want to get it a bit louder and get some bass out of it.

frasera · 01-12-2009, 01:07

anything can get loud though. even your clock radio. bass as well, a tiny sub can fart its way into loudness, it won't be producing "music" though. there isn't much of a short cut, you do get what you pay for. and size does matter. tiny things like tiny subs simply generate formless bass and are used to generate midrange as well to supplement the lack of lower range for weedy sats.

29-11-2009, 23:37	#1
mikey.robbo Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 572	Want some speakers I want to get some speakers for my laptop and was wondering whether to get ones to plug into the headphone socket or some USB ones. Either way they would be powered ones so I don't need to be told that usb powered speakers are weak. thanks

30-11-2009, 00:59	#2
frasera Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 7,772	you already have a sound card. usb speakers= built in sound card. good if your sound card is horrible i guess. if you plug headphones in and all you hear is hissy junk then yes, get usb. more money spent on sound chip = less money left for speaker for a given amount. usb uses some cpu. at the super low end it doesnt matter either way, sound quality gonna be low regardless. spend a decent amount, you get what you pay for if you buy from decent brands. aka not bose. and not speakers built for looks not sound. esp those with the tiny drivers or see through housings etc. speaker designs been worked out for quite some time now. you need decent sized drivers, perhaps a tweeter, robust cabinets and decent amps.

30-11-2009, 14:36	#3
sbugg Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Dunny-on-the-Wold Posts: 1,402	Opps sorry I thought you were getting rid of a set

30-11-2009, 22:59	#4
mikey.robbo Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 572	very concise thank you. im not looking to spend a great deal of money. my soundcard is pretty good, i think it says its HD sound, i just want to get it a bit louder and get some bass out of it.

01-12-2009, 01:07	#5
frasera Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 7,772	anything can get loud though. even your clock radio. bass as well, a tiny sub can fart its way into loudness, it won't be producing "music" though. there isn't much of a short cut, you do get what you pay for. and size does matter. tiny things like tiny subs simply generate formless bass and are used to generate midrange as well to supplement the lack of lower range for weedy sats.