The range of audio frequencies supported by acoustics. The wider this range — the fuller the reproduced sound, the lower the likelihood that some of these details at low or high frequencies will remain “behind the scenes”. At the same time, the human ear is able to hear frequencies of the order of 16 – 22,000 Hz, and with age, this range narrows even more. In modern audio equipment, especially at the top level, there may be more extensive ranges, but from a practical point of view, this does not make much sense. In addition, it is worth noting that a wide frequency range in itself does not guarantee high-quality sound — a lot also depends on the frequency response.
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mini-Jack (3.5 mm). The 3.5 mm jack is used as a standard analogue audio output in almost all modern PCs and laptops; in addition, it is installed in most smartphones, tablets and pocket players, and in many other types of technology is very common. Thus, most modern computer speakers are equipped with a mini-jack plug (with the exception of Bluetooth models). This can be a plug on a non-detachable or detachable cable, or an adapter from another connector — for example, “2 RCA — mini-jack”.
— RCA.
RCA connector, also colloquially known as a "tulip", in this case is used as a line input, for receiving an analogue audio signal — similar to the same 3.5 mm mini-jack. The differences lie in several important points. First, RCA works on the principle of "one connector per channel", and the number of such connectors will depend on the audio format. For example, stereo acoustics will need a set of two such connectors, a 5.1 system will need six, etc. Secondly, RCA is quite popular in traditional audio equipment, but it is rather uncommon among computers. Therefore, this input is relatively rare in computer acoustics — mainly in fairly advanced models (including solutions with an external amplifier). In addition, we note that in sets with a subwoofer for connecting a “sub” in the main satellite, an RCA connector can also be provided, which in this case plays the role of an output.
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Subwoofer output. The presence of a connector for connecting a subwoofer allows you to further saturate the sound of the system with low frequencies. Naturally, a subwoofer is purchased separately. And the output itself serves as an option and allows you to expand the acoustics as needed.
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Headphone output. Headphone output located directly on the body of one of the speakers. Such a connector can be especially convenient when using headphones with a traditional desktop PC: connecting the “ears” to the speaker housing on the table can be much more convenient than pulling the wire to the system unit. Usually, the role of this output is played by a standard mini-Jack 3.5 mm jack — it is under it that most modern "ears" (both computer and general-purpose) are made.
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Microphone input. An input for connecting an external microphone, located directly on the speaker cabinet. The meaning of this function is the same as that of the headphone output described above: it is often more convenient to connect a microphone to a speaker standing on a table than directly to the system unit. The speakers themselves with this feature, usually, have an additional plug connected to the microphone input of the sound card.
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USB B. An interface that allows you to connect speakers to the USB port of a computer, laptop, etc. as an external peripheral. Such a connection can be useful, for example, in cases where the standard audio output is busy or located in a hard-to-reach place; in addition, it allows the speakers to work even if there is no sound card in the system (although this is very rare today). At the same time, speakers can also be powered via USB, which, with low power, makes it possible to do without a separate power source (for more details, see "Power from the USB port"). In addition, this connector may be responsible for additional functions — for example, controlling speaker functions from a PC through special software.
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Optical input. Digital input for high quality sound transmission, including multichannel. Such a connection is remarkable for its complete insensitivity to electrical interference, however, the fibre optic cable does not tolerate bending and strong pressure.
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Coaxial input. Digital audio input. Provides the possibility of transmitting multi-channel audio. Uses an RCA connector (colloquially referred to as a "tulip"), but is not compatible with the RCA interface described above. A coaxial connection, unlike an optical one, is subject to electromagnetic interference, but it does not require special delicacy in handling the cable.
The presence
of detachable cables will save you from possible damage to the device associated with bending the wires. If such an incident occurs, an easy replacement of the wire with a new one allows you to continue using the speakers, and not carry them to a service centre. However, this solution is mainly used in higher-level models, which affects the cost. At the same time, not only audio cables can be removable, for which connectors are provided (according to the classics, this is RCA), but also the power cable.
Possibility
to mount the speakers on the wall. This feature can be very useful if there is no free space on the table or this space needs to be left unoccupied. On the other hand, hanging usually requires drilling walls and installing studs or other fasteners.
Note that with certain tricks, almost any speaker can be hung on the wall — however, it is not a fact that such acoustics will sound normal. Therefore, for wall mounting, it is worth choosing models for which this possibility is directly stated.
