Buying PC speakers seems simple, but the wrong choice can seriously damage the sound quality and overall user experience. In order to choose the right model, it is necessary to know what really affects the quality and functionality of the speaker. Here are five of the most common mistakes buyers make and how to avoid them.
The first mistake is buying speakers without a clear idea of what they will be used for. Different purposes require different configurations: stereo speakers for music, stronger 2.1 or 5.1 systems for gaming and movies. It is very important to be as precise as possible: what genres of music you listen to, what games you play, whether you need an emphasized bass or a neutral sound. Purpose must be the first criterion.
The most common mistakes when buying PC speakers and how to make a better choice
Another mistake is ignoring room size and acoustics. Large speakers in a small room will sound too loud and stuffy, while small speakers in a larger space will lose power and clarity. An additional subwoofer should also be taken into account, as well as its correct position, because physical obstacles in the form of a table, shelf or stand seriously affect the acoustics and the overall sound presentation.
The third mistake is too much obsession with power expressed in watts (W). Strength is not a measure of quality. The quality of internal components and frequency response are far more important. If you are already looking at power, you should focus on the RMS value because it is the real power that the speaker can deliver without distortion, while “peak” is mostly a marketing figure.
The fourth mistake is neglecting to connect. Digital and analog inputs have different characteristics, and PCs, TVs and consoles do not always use the same connectors. The right choice implies that the speakers have all the necessary inputs: USB, optical, HDMI ARC or classic 3.5 mm and RCA connections. This avoids adapters and loss of signal quality through limitations in use.
The fifth mistake is skipping additional functions that significantly affect daily use. Equalizer, preset sound modes, physical volume button, remote control and even RGB lighting can sometimes be a valuable addition. It all depends on how much you want to adjust the sound and how much comfort you need.
With careful consideration of these five items, the choice of PC speakers becomes much simpler and gives a much better result, the sound you just wanted, advises PCWorld.