upgrade your home office audio

Best desktop computer speakers Buying Guide: Welcome to What Hi-Fi?’s round-up of the best desktop computer speakers you can buy in 2021.

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Best desktop computer speakers 2021

If you want music to sound good in your home office or a spare room, a pair of neat desktop stereo speakers to flank your computer or sit on your shelf could well be the answer. They’ll blast out your Spotify playlists, YouTube videos and Zoom calls much more capably than your laptop’s built-in speakers – and they won’t take up much room in the process.

Some can connect over Bluetooth so you needn’t worry about unsightly cables trailing all over your desk space; others you’ll need to connect to a source via more traditional (i.e wired) means.

Think a single-box Bluetooth speaker might do the trick instead? We’ve plenty of options for you there, too.

Gorgeous looks, streamlined design and features, sound quality that’s been improved in every way – the Ruark MR1 Mk2s are multi-What Hi-Fi?-Award winners and deservedly top this list.

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You can connect over Bluetooth, optical or 3.5mm – easily and qucikly – and hi-res audio is supported all the way up to 24-bit/192kHz. The step up in performance from the original MR1 model is impressive, making the Mk2s even more appealing than before. 

Quite simply, these are superb speakers of their type.

Read the full review: Ruark Audio MR1 Mk2

Despite their dinky proportions, these active bookshelf speakers wowed us with their accomplished, expressive and full-bodied sound. There’s much more to them than just sonic supremacy, though, as they double as a wireless all-in-one system capable of handling hi-res files up to 24-bit/192KHz. 

They might look like they’ve been zapped with a shrink ray when compared to the LS50 Wireless speakers, their older sibling, but they’re no less impressive and ideal for a desktop or computer-based system. Blessed with Uni-Q drivers, 200W Class-D amplification and a choice of stylish colours that would put Farrow & Ball to shame, these come top of KEF’s class.

Read the full review: KEF LSX

For a desktop solution, the NS3 speakers certainly play their part well. They’re capable enough to work as your everyday speakers, and will look suitably stylish while doing it. They may not be the most transparent offerings out there, but they’re neat and well-appointed wireless speakers with solid bass.

If you’re looking for an entry-level way to get your workplace audio sounding better, these speakers are worth considering.

Read the full review: Steljes Audio NS3

While the more insightful KEF LSX would be our first choice at this price, it’s still difficult to think of an amplifier/passive speakers combo that could better these Acoustic Energy active speakers for the same money.

These 2018 What Hi-Fi? Award winners do everything with a flourish. They’re relatively basic in terms of set-up and function – connect them to your source via either their RCA or balanced XLR inputs and you’re ready to go. There’s no Bluetooth, but you can always affordably attach a separate module (such as the iFi Zen Blue) post-purchase.

You’d need to invest in a more expensive pair of components to offer a marked improvement on these Acoustic Energy active speakers – and you owe it to yourself to track down a pair to discover that for yourself.

Read the full review: Acoustic Energy AE1 Active

When you bear in mind the Xeo 10s are successors to the 2017 Award-winning Xeo 2, their success is hardly surprising. They may be expensive – perhaps even pricier than your computer – but those who’re serious about sound quality won’t be disappointed. 

They’re hugely entertaining and insightful, and for small speakers (each about the size of a thick hardback book) they sure belt out a large and spacious soundstage.

Their both wireless (Bluetooth) and wired (line-level, optical and 3.5mm) connectivity options seal their five-star fate, too.

Read the full review: Dynaudio Xeo 10

The Excite family wear rosewood and walnut veneers or satin white or satin black finishes, and the X14as are almost dead ringers for their passive X14 relatives. Which means they look the business.

Sonically the Dynaudio X14a active speakers could do with more outright attack and energy, but there’s no doubting they do a lot of things very well. If you’re looking for clean, precise and transparent active speakers, give these a whirl.

Read the full review: Dynaudio Excite X14a

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