USB Speakers...Are they still naff?

[Dos_Box]

Need to get some speakers for the kids PC's but it's now quite hard to find low cost mains powered speakers. The best I can find are ones £20 upwards. As I will need two sets I'm rather reluctant to spend that.

The only real low cost options these days are USB powered affairs, but the last one I encountered (admittedly, years back) were a bit lacking in 'oomph'.

My question is this, are they still a bit weak? and if there are any good ones you can think of, please let me know.

[3s-gtech]

They're still weak, because the max current they can pull for the amp is 0.5A, so 2.5W or so (and they'll never convert all of that into musical power). When looking for cheap stereo speakers, I've always looked for second hand Creative T20 (series I or II) as they're fantastic for the size. We use them for large classroom fitment, but I've had them second hand for £10-£20.

[JATSO]

Need to get some speakers for the kids PC's but it's now quite hard to find low cost mains powered speakers. The best I can find are ones £20 upwards. As I will need two sets I'm rather reluctant to spend that.

The only real low cost options these days are USB powered affairs, but the last one I encountered (admittedly, years back) were a bit lacking in 'oomph'.

My question is this, are they still a bit weak? and if there are any good ones you can think of, please let me know.

 

How about these cheap and cheerful mains powered.

 

https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/computing-accessories/computer-accessories/pc-speakers/logitech-z150-multimedia-2-0-pc-speakers-21775705-pdt.html

[masond]

we use USB speakers in offices and places that dont really need mega loud/good sound we use the logitech oem s150 speakers not really had any issues with them and go quite loud

[Dos_Box]

How about these cheap and cheerful mains powered.

 

https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/computing-accessories/computer-accessories/pc-speakers/logitech-z150-multimedia-2-0-pc-speakers-21775705-pdt.html

 

Still more than I would want to pay I'm afraid. Was looking around the £10 mark.

'Back in the day' the Time Computers factory a short drive from here had a factory outlet called Emit (Time backwards!) where they sold off all their surplus and returns.

You could pick up powered speakers for £5 and software bundles etc. for pennies.

[FN-GM]

If you want something to "set and forget" go with 3.5mm jacks. Windows has a habit of changing its sound output setting on its own. You might find you keep having to fiddle with the settings if you use USB.

[Dos_Box]

If you want something to "set and forget" go with 3.5mm jacks. Windows has a habit of changing its sound output setting on its own. You might find you keep having to fiddle with the settings if you use USB.

 

I wouldn't go with just a USB output, but the ones with USB power and a 3.5mm jack.

[Dos_Box]

Hmm, these may fit the bill. After all, I don't exactly want bass coming through the floorboards from upstairs!

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/PC-Speakers/Trust-22132-Compact-Speaker-Powered/B071ZFYWL8/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1542366908&sr=8-6&keywords=usb%2Bspeakers&th=1

[3s-gtech]

Make sure they go in a USB 3.0 port then, or you may have ye olde 'a USB device has exceeded the power limits of its hub port' message.

[Jaan]

I have some logitech z-5 speakers (usb)

 

they are very powerful for usb.

 

I remember being amazing to find that they were USB powered when i spent 20mins trying to find the mains plug for them!

[Mark182]

We use these beasts

[dhicks]

Need to get some speakers for the kids PC's but it's now quite hard to find low cost mains powered speakers.

 

Could get cheap USB-rechargable bluetooth speakers? That's what I use at home - I generally leave them plugged in and charging via USB, but I can unplug them and move them around the flat. Does mean they don't actually need to be that loud, as you can have them sat right next to you.

[knelmes]

I bought these Logitech Z120 for £11.99 back in 2013, now up to £14 unfortunately. They're powered by USB but audio from 3.5mm - if I had these anywhere near even halfway my office mates would be annoyed, so that's good enough for me.

[Dos_Box]

I have just noticed that the CEX online store had a lot of very nice (used obvioulsy) speakers for good prices

[speakercon]

I bought some of these Trust USB powered speakers not long ago, was very impressed compared to other USB speakers I've seen. They're perfectly usable for listening to music/videos even at a high(ish) volume.

https://cpc.farnell.com/trust/17595/speaker-set-2-way-usb-trust/dp/CS21317

Edited November 18, 2018 by speakercon

[PotNoodleTech]

I run little gigabyte USB speakers on my pc and they do the job for dings dongs and watching the odd YouTube video. No use for watching a movie or something but for general school use their perfect as their powered by USB.