6 Best Computer Speakers for Music and Gaming

Games are incomplete without rich sound. Good games are always designed with rich sound to bring the visual scenes to life. Similarly, I can’t immerse myself in the music without good sound. That’s why gamers like me spend good money on a headset. However, clamping something on the head throughout the day isn’t ideal for everyone.  

That’s why people like to switch to speakers from time to time. However, the speaker market is much more saturated than headphones, and finding the right one for gaming and music may be difficult. You don’t need to worry since I have your back. I researched and tested out several speakers to find those that are great for both music and gaming. 

Before you check out the speakers take a sneak peek into their specs:

Speakers	Razer Nommo Pro	Audioengine A5+	Logitech Z625	Creative Pebble V3	Creative GigaWorks T40 Series II	Creative Sound BlasterX Katana
Price	Check Price on Amazon	Check Price on Amazon	Check Price on Amazon	Check Price on Amazon	Check Price on Amazon	Check Price on Amazon
Weight	27.5 pounds	15.4 pounds	18.10 pounds	2.03 pounds	6.6 pounds	17.60 pounds
Connectivity	USB/Optical/Analog/Bluetooth	Bluetooth/Analog	Analog	USB/Bluetooth Auxiliary	Analog	USB/Optical/Analog/Bluetooth
Power	NA	150 watts	400 watts	16 watts	32 watts	150 watts
Frequency Response	35Hz to 20kHz	50Hz to 22kHz	35Hz to 20kHz	100Hz to 17kHz	50Hz to 20kHz	50Hz to 20kHz

1. Razer Nommo Pro (Best for Bass Heads)

The Razer Nommo Pro is a more expensive and beefy cousin of the regular Razer Nommo speakers. In usual Razer fashion, the design isn’t subtle by any means. While I love the lack of an aggressive logo on the round matte black speakers, there’s no way you can miss the giant subwoofer. It makes the bulk of the weight of the system and also hosts all the connection ports. At the back, there are two ports for connecting the left and right speaker, a DC input port, and other signal input ports like USB, optical and more. There’s also Bluetooth connectivity. 

Unlike other Razer products, the RGB on these speakers is very subtle. The LED ring under both speakers isn’t too bright. However, they are fully customizable with the Razer Synapse app and can be synced with the rest of your devices via Chroma Connect. Razer has also integrated Alexa support in their RGB ecosystem and that means you can control the lights under the speakers with your voice.     

https://youtu.be/DhWaDD1aMnE

For controlling the speakers you get a detachable pod. There are no controls on the speaker itself. That means you don’t need to get up or reach across the desk to change the volume. The round control pod feels sturdy and well built with a volume wheel on the perimeter. At the center, you have the power button that can also be used to cycle between different inputs. The control pod also hosts an auxiliary input and a headphone jack so that you can hook up your gaming mic or headphone without reaching for the back of your PC or console.   

When it comes to sound, the large subwoofer leaves no doubt about the lower frequencies. From smooth punchy bass in EDM and hip-hop tracks to rumbling explosions from some of the latest FPS titles. It will absolutely blast your room and completely fill it up. It’s even more impressive since the subwoofer does this without leaking into the mid-range. The speakers also handle treble very well with no distortion at high volume levels.

2. Audioengine A5+ (Best Sound Quality) 

When you search for gaming or music speakers the Audioengine A5+ always comes up in the list. The speaker has been in existence for quite some time and still holds an edge over the competition. Design-wise they look like typical boxy bookshelf speakers and are chunky. They are taller than my notebook computer and I need to put a decent distance between them on a large desk to get optimal soundstage and imaging. 

If you have stands for your speakers they can be easily mounted with quarter-inch threaded holes. They come in three finishes with the bamboo taking all the style points. While these speakers are fairly large, they take advantage of that size to fit in subwoofers on both channels for powerful and tight bass. This eliminates the need for a subwoofer for explosions in the game. For controls, there is a volume knob on the right speaker that can also be pressed to mute them.   

https://youtu.be/Cm191LZUkUA

I was delighted to see an included remote for controlling the speakers. At the back, you get a bunch of inputs and outputs for versatility. From USB and analog ports to RCA. If you get the wireless version you also get Bluetooth connectivity. With 150 watts of peak power, these speakers are more than enough for my gaming setup. I also like extra attention to safety. For instance, the fuse can be easily changed if I mess up the voltages and there’s also a heat sink to keep speakers cool during extended and loud gaming sessions. 

When it comes to their sonic performance, they aren’t studio monitors and there’s a lot of coloration that’s going on. As mentioned above the bass response is tight and dominant and makes gaming sessions more immersive. However, the same attribute makes the high frequencies sound a bit distant and synthetic. That’s why I have two EQ presets for them. I switch between the presets for gaming and casual music listening. The drivers respond pretty well to EQing.  

3. Logitech Z625 (Best All-rounder)

With the Z625, Logitech has churned out another high value for money 2.1 speaker system for desktop gamers. While the speakers are compact and can fit on any desk, the subwoofer is large and beefy for that powerful bass performance. Now, this speaker isn’t a looker and it doesn’t try to. Instead, it focuses on functionality and performance. It’s a worthy upgrade to the Z623 and with an optical input port, this is now compatible with consoles as well. 

While the input ports are located at the back of the subwoofer, the right speaker has the controls with a power button, a volume knob, and a bass knob. Apart from the control knobs, there’s also an AUX input port for your mic and a 3.5mm headphone jack. The base also has a rubberized surface that makes them stand stable on my desk even when I rage quit after losing four games in a row.  

https://youtu.be/PMYLUN23UcU

The speaker system justifies its bulky size with its amazing audio performance. If it was priced anywhere near the Audioengine A5+ then this wouldn’t be on the list. However, for the price, Logitech manages to deliver a fantastic speaker system. Right away I noticed that this speaker was designed for the average gamer and casual listener in mind. It tilts heavily towards bass performance and with 400 watts of peak power, this speaker means business. 

Explosions, fog horns, car chases, and gunshots sound amazing and I didn’t even need to amp up the volume halfway to fill the room. When I turn up the volume knob all the way, the windows start to rattle too much and the cabinet reverbs too much for comfort. I had to quickly turn down the bass to protect my property. This kind of performance makes these speakers ideal for gaming. But what about music?

Bass-heavy genres are a delight on these speakers. However, when I play instrument heavy tracks like Roundabout by Yes, the speakers struggle with imaging and instrument separation. After adjusting the speakers and a lot of trial and error, I found that it has a sweet spot that improved sound quality by a significant margin. Otherwise, you need to turn down the bass to achieve a slightly bright sound signature with heavy bass.   

4. Creative Pebble V3 (Best Budget Speaker)

I can describe the Creative Pebble V3 in three words – mighty little orbs. That’s what they are. They are compact, stylish, minimal, and highly capable for their measly price. With minimal branding, the speakers look elegant on any gaming desk. While the plastic feels a bit cheap, it should hold up to daily abuse pretty well. The angled slice gives the speakers great positioning and at the back, there’s another slice that hosts the passive bass radiators. 

Another thing I love about these speakers is how they are powered, a hard-wired USB-C cable. You can plug them straight into your computer or console. It also comes with a USB-A adapter. The USB both powers the speakers and transfers the audio signal. However, Bluetooth connectivity also makes them portable. They can be powered via a USB power brick and can easily fit in a small bag. Don’t like Bluetooth? There’s an AUX-in port for playing music via your phone. 

https://youtu.be/YIp_YVxwhwI

When it comes to the sound I always had to remind myself that these are budget speakers and had to adjust my expectations accordingly. So I wasn’t expecting to get my mind blown. That said, I was pleasantly surprised. They were loud enough for my needs with crisp highs and the mids are also brought out pretty well. 

The bass is just okay and makes me miss the giant space-hogging subwoofer from Razer and Logitech. However, in some songs, the bass can bleed out into the mids. Then again I doubt there’s anything better for gaming and music at this price.    

5. Creative GigaWorks T40 Series II (Best Value for money) 

When I got my hands on the Creative GigaWorks T40 Series II, I was pleasantly surprised in many ways. This speaker brought the 2.0 channel speaker system to a whole new level. No, I’m not comparing them to studio monitors. But I could. More on this later. Each speaker has a 1inch soft dome tweeter with dual 2.5-inch drivers for the lower frequencies. Being 12 inches high the speakers have an undeniable presence. However, since they stand tall they take up minimal space on my desk. 

The speakers tilt up slightly to point at the listener and you can even customize the look with its removable covers. I like to keep them on for the stealthy look and to prevent the drivers from getting dusty. The speakers come with a beefy power brick and for input, there are RCA and auxiliary ports. There’s also a headphone jack for those private listening sessions. So, not a lot of connectivity options and features. However, the sound surprised me and blew me away and that’s what counts.   

https://youtu.be/-9-u_-Hw51U

The speakers have a relatively flat sound signature. To some, this sounds boring. But the speakers are far from it. The combination of silk tweeters and fiberglass drivers and creative’s under the hood magic makes them comparable to certain studio monitors that cost a lot more money. The music sounds natural and there’s enough bass to immerse you in the game without cracking the window. Listening to music is a delight on these speakers due to the detail in the mid-range and high frequencies. 

At 32 watts the speakers aren’t extremely loud. However, they have enough volume to fill up the room and in real-world scenarios where you’ll use it mostly while sitting in front of the desk, it’s more than enough. While gaming I like to boost up the sub-bass by a few decibels and it becomes a different speaker. There’s also minimal distortion when I crank the volume all the way up. Overall, these are great speakers for the price and may even appeal to the budding content creator in you.    

6. Creative Sound BlasterX Katana (Best for consoles)

The Creative SoundBlasterX Katana (What a mouthful!) isn’t for desktop gamers with jacked-up PCs. However, if you’re a console gamer who likes to have fun on the couch in front of a big screen, this is the perfect match. Most soundbars in the market are designed for a TV and are not gaming-oriented. This soundbar fills up that empty space.

The soundbar screams “gamer” in every way. It has an angular design with beveled edges and that RGB bling at the bottom. The soundbar feels solid and well-built. The plastic and brushed aluminum don’t feel cheap in any way. However, I can’t say the same for the subwoofer that accompanies it. The same holds for connectivity. While the soundbar is easy to set up and takes minimal space, the subwoofer stands 13 inches tall and is a space hogger. 

https://youtu.be/DSVFeTRYArg

When it comes to RGB, it’s well implemented. It’s subtle since it shines under the speaker and can even sync up with your peripherals and PC if you choose to use it with one. If the pulsing rainbow becomes tiring, you can simply turn it off. However, the speaker doesn’t just have party tricks up its sleeve. It’s made to impress with its sound quality.  

The soundbar has two drivers on either side, one at the center and two upward-firing drivers. Combine that with the subwoofer and you get a 5.1 channel Dolby Digital system that will take your gaming and entertainment experience to a whole new level. The bass is strong, mids are clear and the drivers have enough distance between each other to not creep into the higher frequencies or different channels.

The soundbar also gets surprisingly loud. When I maxed out the volume I could hear it from two rooms away. This speaker system isn’t just great for gaming and music but also has the potential to deliver a decent movie experience.

Conclusion

After testing out all the speakers I can see myself daily driving the Audioengine A5+. They sound great, respond to EQ very well, and can be customized efficiently for both gaming and music. If that’s not the one for you, I’m sure one of the other speakers would suit your needs.