hey what's a cheap but ok pair of speakers for a desktop computer? USB-A and/or 3.5mm jack. Use case is music and speech. I have a shitty pair from Trust and they suck too much. Looking for something on Amazon, Currys etc in the UK. Assume I can google. But what do *you* use?
I had the same question a couple of years ago and was advised to get the PreSonus Eris 3.5s (like many of the other replies) and they were a bit more money than I was hoping to pay but the quality is way better than I expected, just brilliant.
I'm still using a set of Klipsch ProMedia 2.1's, sadly discontinued. On the low-end side I'd probably go Creative GigaWorks T20 Series II ($70) or T60's ($95.) Depends how important clarity is and what kind of music you listen to. Anything over $100, straight to bookshelves.
T60's have better low response than the T20's, but they're slightly muddier in the mids. T20's have unmatched mid-high for the price thanks to the tweeter, but the case design makes them a little weak on bass-heavy stuff.
has to work for Yoko Ono screeching but also for Stock Aitken Waterman
I would go T20's for sure then. Realistically the next step up from there would definitely be mid-range bookshelf units.
I got me a few years back a pair of Edifier Studio R1280T with an amplifier integrated for ~60–70€ for my office after haggling with cheap speakers for years.
creative pebbles
Thirding this
This! For the money they’re hard to beat.
Seconding this, $25-40 and it has a couple different connection modes. very good value
For my music setup I use a pair of KRK Rokit G5s (I think...) but they're quite bulky- and then some Carillon AMT-08s for noodling/playing synths because I've had them for nearly 20 years and can't afford more KRKs or the Adam monitors I'd really like :)
Before these I had Spirit Absolute 2s and a Samson amp, and some JBL Control One predecessors - but the JBL powered option is very expensive for what you get.
I use a set of old H-K Soundsticks with a subwoofer. The Apple iMac era ones. 3.5mm jack. But what I'd recommend from Amazon is PreSonus Eris 3.5 - small enough to be comparable to typical PC speakers, but good enough for clear reproduction of music and speech, and reasonably loud. amzn.to/3HWwkTv
i got harmon kardon sound sticks and subwoofer used off the local marketplace where i’ve also found bose, bang & olufsen etc speakers cheap secondhand
Obviously the ugly ones from the 2000s where you could hear your phone receive an SMS.
go on eBay and get an old Cambridge Soundworks set
ooh
How cheap were you thinking? The PreSonus Eris 3.5s are rather good and under 100 pounds for a pair. I use larger powered speakers that were only cheap because I caught a really good sale, but I like these, too.
3.5mm will use your computer's sound card, USB will use the device's own built in sound card. I'd go with 3.5mm if your comp sound card is decent, otherwise it doesn't matter.