I haven’t bought computer speaker setup in well over a decade, but getting back into gaming, any suggestions?
I ask, due to the fact it looks like the old brands are all over the place in quality these days, like the Logitech G560 Speaker System, whose required software is messy. https://a.co/d/00gehZRS
Which is really making me wish I kept up to date, as Amazons current “recommendations system” can’t be trusted for quality with so many being cheapo speakers and SEO ruining result searches. 
Thanks in advance, as I feel like I’ve awaken in a speaker dystopia. 😧
I’m not an audiophile but I am a dj and music producer. I’d say the others who commented so far say not to look for “computer speakers” and they’re right. Soundbars and all that crap will sound like shit compared to any set of regular speakers.
But I wanted to add that the easiest speakers to buy and use are probably powered speakers. Meaning that you power the speaker directly with a power cable, and you send the speaker the audio signal. Other non powered speakers require an amplifier/receiver. Aka a third piece of gear you’d probably rather not have to research or buy.
So I’d recommend any powered speakers that are within your budget. Larger speakers will yield more bass because they can move more air aeound. Sound is just wiggly air. Depending on your room size, I’d probably recommend something at least with 7inch or bigger bass drivers (the bigger speaker cone). Someone else mentioned KRK which is a pretty cheap brand but they don’t sound terrible especially if you go for the larger ones.
As far as connecting powered speakers to your computer goes, it’s really not that expensive to buy a simple audio interface. I’d highly recommend the focusrite Scarlett 2i2. I have one as a secondary interface to my main one. It’s rock solid. Just plug it in and it works. There’s a volume knob on the front. Get some quarter inch audio cables to go from the back of your focusrite to the powered speakers. Done. Enjoy and hopefully this helps.
Edit: I should add that I’ve been using a pair of Fostex PM2 mkii powered speakers as my main music production speakers for the past 10+ years. I write, mix and master every song I’ve released. Look me up on Spotify. My most popular song has over half a million plays. I mixed and mastered that song myself on my trusty Fostex. So hopefully that makes my advice more credible.
Bonus question: How do you see AI affecting music production in the future? Sites like Suno can already produce some sort of music, but will that sort of technology enhance or threaten your work? Is this just like the time when the spinning jenny revolutionized the textile industry?
Acoustic instruments are going to come back in a major way. Eventually folks are going to get tired of listening to computers masturbating.
Honestly just keep your old ones.
Speaker technology hasn’t exactly advanced by leaps and bounds like graphics. The greatest innovations have mainly been adding RGB lights and manufacturing then more cheaply.
Don’t search for computer speakers, just look for normal speakers on which I can’t help out too much on. Unless you want to invest into an expensive sound card, you probably should go for an AV-Receiver which transmits the audio through HDMI as this will give you the maximum quality depending on the supported formats. I have a sound card -> old school amplifier -> speaker setup. Basically it is your choice where the digital to analogue transformation happens, whether through a receiver or sound card. A sound card does have the massive advantage of providing virtual headphone surround sound (yes on stereo headphones, and no, this is really working) which receivers typically don’t have, because reasons and it will provide you with a massive immersion boost. And no onboard sound is not comparable, even the best one is a clear step down.
Interesting direction, any recommendations? As I feel like I’m starting all over again these days lol.
I have my TV, sound system, and computer all in my living room. They all use the same amplifier and speakers. Would that work for your situation?
I feel that. Every time I need to upgrade a PC part, it’s like going back to the town I grew up in, but 50 years have passed.
Studio monitors are excellent choices, but expensive. I’ve used genelecs for pretty much every audio workstation I’ve ever done, I’m a huge fan, but you’re also talking $800 and up.
You can sometimes find a good deal on some used studio monitors, which to me is the way to go. A long ways back I decommissioned some genelecs for a studio (surprise surprise, the new studio had newer versions of the same model), and I’ve been using them since at home. Roughly 15 years now.
External sound cards have the advantage of less electrical interference, but usually the internal ones have external power not coming from the PCIe slot so it isn’t a big problem. Asus left the market leaving you with good old Creative Sound Blaster again. Choose whatever your budget allows, the two upper tier ones just differ in accessories, but that might have changed. And AV receivers the same, I am not the up to date audio guy what is a good deal. Just try to stay >120 dB SNR on sound cards for high end.
The most important parts are missing from your question.
How much money are you willing to spend? Do you just want small 2 way speakers or small + subwoofer or 3 way speakers?
As someone else mentioned, KRK can be pretty good value but decent active studio monitors start around the 200$ area at the minimum. This site is my go to for audio stuff https://www.thomannmusic.com/active_nearfield_monitors.html
I have been happily using a pair of Fostex PM0.4C that i got on sale for 250€ but i dont know how availability is wherever you are.
This Focusrite Scarlett Solo is THE standard audio interface you will find in many budget or mobile audio studios, but this is not really needed for most people. https://www.thomannmusic.com/focusrite_scarlett_solo_4th_gen.htm
Hate to jump in on someone else’s question and ask for advice, but what would you suggest for around or under $100? On a budget but getting back into gaming. TIA.
I mean for gaming, headphones are always better imo, but if you want speakers then personally i would go for used ones at that price range.
You will just get much more value for you money, but you will need to have a bit of patience to get a good deal.
Honestly even a mini amp with some random passive speakers will be a better experience than whatever active speakers you can get for 100$.
I once installed this type of thing for someone that found some passive speakers in the trash and was really strapped on money.
Guess you’re right on the headphones, any suggestions? There’s so many brands these days and I’ll assume most are garbage 😂
Short Summary:
Open back: 125$ AKG K-702 i personally used these before and can recommend them.
Closed Back: 133$ AKG K-371 Im an AKG fan so although i havent personally tested these ones, they have a good rating so i would recommend these.
These two are studio headphones, so they are not super bass heavy but try to be close to recording/true frequency distribution instead.
In ears can often be much better value (eg cheaper) but i dont really know enough to recommend something (check the following list, there are some very well rated ones in the 20-30$ range.)
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Exhaustive Lists:
Crinacle is a dude that ranks headphones and has not led me astray so far.
The following are big ranked list that start at S Tier meaning the list starts at 5-6 digit prices… Just scroll down until you find something in your price range that you like and has a decent rating. The prices might be different from whats listed there tho, because they change all the time.
If you want in ears: https://crinacle.com/rankings/iems/
If you want over ears: https://crinacle.com/rankings/headphones/
With over ears, be aware of the difference between closed/open backs. Open backs give you better surround and more natural sound in my experience, while being able to hear things around you. If your surroundings are loud, you might want closed backs instead.
Apologies for the late response, but appreciate the suggestions. I will likely go with your suggestions. 👍
