Speaker output
Total speaker power rating — the sum of the power ratings of all components (front, rear, centre, etc.)
Rated usually means the highest average sound power that the speakers can produce without overloading and damage. Individual peaks of sound can significantly exceed this figure, but it is the average value that is key — in particular, it is it that determines the overall loudness of the acoustics. However it should be borne in mind here that in sets with a subwoofer, the latter can account for about half of the total power of the entire system, while the actual volume is determined mainly by the main speakers. In fact, this means that with equal total power, acoustics with a subwoofer can sound noticeably quieter than a model without a subwoofer: for example, a 2.0 system at 20 W will have 10 W per main channel, while in a 2.1 model at 20 W with 10- watt subwoofer on the main speakers will have only 5 watts.
As for specific values, in the quietest modern PC speakers, the power
does not exceed 10 watts. An indicator of
10 – 25 W can be called relatively modest,
25 – 50 W — average, and values of
50 – 100 W and
above are found mainly in sets with subwoofers, where a significant part of the power falls on the bass speaker (although there are also ordinary stereo speakers with similar features).
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Theoretically, the power of acoustics also affects its compatibility with a specific amplifier: speakers should not be inferior to it in terms of rated power, otherwise sound distortion and even equipment damage are possible. However, computer acoustics in the vast majority of cases are used with their own amplifiers, optimally matched to the speakers installed in the speakers. So this moment becomes relevant only in some very specific cases — for example, when replacing a complete external amplifier (see below) with another one.Front
The power rating of each individual front speaker provided in the speaker system. This parameter can be specified for a system with any number of speakers (see above) — all sound formats used in computer acoustics provide a pair of front speakers.
In the most general terms, the higher the power, the louder the speaker is capable of sounding. For more information about this parameter, see "Total power" above. Also note here that for stereo systems without a subwoofer, the power of one front channel is half of the total power; in more advanced acoustics, the power ratio between the channels may be different.
Functions
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Bluetooth. A technology used to wirelessly connect various devices. Allows you to transmit an audio signal, for this purpose it is most often used in computer speakers. This feature is especially convenient when using speakers with equipment that has its own Bluetooth modules — primarily with laptops and monoblocks; it is also possible to connect to compact gadgets like a smartphone or tablet (although it is usually more convenient to use specialized self-powered speakers with such devices). And for computers that do not have Bluetooth, separately connected adapters are available. The range of such a connection is at least several metres; the convenience of the lack of extra wires is obvious. However note that a regular Bluetooth connection compresses the sound quite strongly and may degrade its quality. Therefore, if this moment is critical for you, you should choose speakers with support for one of the aptX options or with a higher Bluetooth version. Each next "generation" has additional features.
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Support for aptX. A feature found in Bluetooth speakers (see above). The aptX codec is used to improve the quality of audio transmitted over such a connection; according to the creators, it allows you to achieve quality comparable to Audio CD (16-bit/44.1kHz). Thus, if a regular Bluetooth connection can significantly degrade the sound of even MP3 files with a decent bitrate (not to mention lossless
...formats), then when using this codec, the sound quality is often limited not by the properties of the channel, but by the properties of the source file and the acoustics itself . Of course, for aptX to work, it must be supported not only by the speakers, but also by the signal source.
— Support for aptX HD. Support for the aptX HD codec, an updated version of the original aptX (see above). This standard achieves sound clarity comparable to Hi-Res (24-bit/48kHz) audio. On the other hand, its support is more expensive; and the differences from the original aptX only become noticeable on very high-quality audio materials, for which computer speakers are rarely used. Therefore, this function has not received much distribution.
— NFC. Technically, NFC is a universal wireless technology with a range of up to 10 cm, which allows to achieve a very wide range of applications. However, in computer speakers, this technology is mainly used to speed up Bluetooth connection (see above): it is enough to bring another NFC device (for example, a smartphone) to the speaker chip — and the chips will “recognize” each other and automatically set up the connection, the user will only have to confirm his.
— USB A. USB port, which allows you to connect external peripheral devices to the speakers — primarily drives like "flash drives". Most often, such a connection is used to play music from external drives — in other words, the presence of USB A turns the speakers into a standalone music centre. Often, it is also possible to charge portable gadgets (for example, smartphones) from this port. On the other hand, note that speakers with this feature are noticeably more expensive than similar models without USB, and they may be inferior in sound quality due to the presence of additional electronics that can interfere.
— Card Reader. Own device for reading memory cards, most often the SD standard. Speakers with a card reader can work like a stand-alone music centre: music from a memory card can be played even without a computer. At the same time, the card reader itself is used only by speakers; the ability to read a memory card by a computer is usually not provided in such models. It is also worth bearing in mind that the memory card slot and the electronics that “serve” it are a potential source of interference, so speakers with this function may be inferior in sound quality to counterparts without a card reader (at a higher cost).
— FM receiver. The presence of a built-in FM tuner allows you to use the speaker system as a radio receiver — to receive and play FM radio broadcasts. It should be noted that for reliable reception, most likely, an external antenna will be required; a cable for connecting it is sometimes included, but the antenna itself must be purchased separately.
— Treble adjustment. The ability to separately change the volume of high frequencies. In fact, it is the most simplified version of the equalizer: it allows you to adjust the overall colour of the sound by changing the HF level relative to the rest of the frequency spectrum. Most often used in combination with bass control (see below), but can also be provided as the only frequency control.
— Bass adjustment. The ability to separately change the volume of high frequencies. Similar to the treble control described above, used to adjust the overall tone of the sound. At the same time, quite a few models with this function have only a LF control (without a HF control). But do not confuse this function with subwoofer level control. In this case, it is precisely the adjustment of the lower frequencies of the entire system that is implied.Lighting effects
The presence
of lighting effects in the design of the speakers. Usually, this is a backlight that can work as colour music — that is, blink and change colour to the beat of the music being played. The main and in fact the only purpose of lighting effects is decorative: colour music gives the speakers a bright and attractive appearance. On the other hand, it does not improve the sound, but it affects the cost.
Volume control
The location of the own volume control provided in the speakers. In modern computer speakers, there are regulators installed in the
front,
back,
side,
top,
on the signal cable, on the amplifier and on the remote control (the latter can be either the only regulator or in addition to the regulator with a different location; see below for details). Here are the features of each option:
— Front. The most popular arrangement nowadays: the front panel of the speaker is the easiest to reach, the regulator can be twisted at any time without any problems, and even if the speakers are tightly surrounded by foreign objects from the back and sides, the front panel usually remains free. Of the shortcomings, one can only note the moment that not everyone likes the extra handles on the front panel of the speaker — however, this is a purely aesthetic nuance that does not affect convenience.
— Behind. The knob mounted on the rear panel of the speaker is not very convenient for frequent volume changes — you usually have to find it by touch, and some free space around the speaker is required to access it. So on such speakers it is most convenient to initially select a certain optimal sound level, and then, if necessary, adjust the volume through the computer's software settings and not reach out to the regul
...ator once again. Therefore, this option is quite rare. On the other hand, such invisibility has its advantages: acoustics acquires the most accurate appearance, without unnecessary small elements on the outside.
— Sideways. A kind of compromise between the two options described above: the regulator is not as noticeable as the front one, and at the same time it is easier to get to it than the rear one. However there should be enough free space on the corresponding side of the speaker for this, but this drawback is not particularly critical. So the lateral arrangement is found, although less often than the anterior one, but noticeably more often than the posterior one.
— Above. Pretty specific option. In terms of general specifics, it is similar to the side arrangement described above, however, for a number of reasons it is extremely rare — in speakers of non-standard design, as well as in some sets in which the system control is located on the subwoofer (this component is often installed on the floor, and the top position of the regulator is the most convenient).
— On the signal cable. A regulator placed directly on the wire carrying the audio signal. It is used mainly in inexpensive compact speakers: it is easier and cheaper to install a regulator in this way than to build it into a case, and the dimensions of the case itself can be reduced due to the absence of “extra” parts inside.
— On the amplifier. Option for models with external amplifier (see above). It is the parameters of the amplifier that determine the volume of the sound, so it is more logical to place the volume control on it, and not on one of the speakers. Theoretically, the specific location of the regulator can be different; in fact, this knob (like other controls) is usually mounted on the front panel. Note that such equipment is often supplemented by a regulator on the remote control (see below) — the amplifier is not always conveniently located, for frequent adjustments it is more convenient to use the remote control.
— On the remote control. The controller mounted on the remote control — this can be either a wired or wireless accessory (see "Remote control"). Actually, the presence of a remote control is almost guaranteed to mean the presence of a volume control in it, exceptions are extremely rare; and if there are two such consoles (wired and wireless), then the regulators are often installed in both. Also note that volume control from the remote control can be supplemented by a knob located in any of the places described above (except for the signal cable).Subwoofer material
The material used for the woofer enclosure — subwoofer (of course, if there is one in the kit).
The most popular material options for such finishes today are
plastic and
MDF(medium density fibreboard). Plastic is often considered a more budgetary material, MDF is more advanced and acoustically of high quality. However, in fact, this difference is not critical, and the sound quality is more related to the price category of the acoustic set than to the material of the subwoofer. But what the finishing material affects unambiguously is the appearance.
