Shopping for Computer Speakers: Understanding Frequency Response

Hey there! Today, I want to talk about a crucial aspect to consider when shopping for computer speakers: frequency response. Now, I know it might sound a bit technical, but don’t fret! I’m here to break it down for you in simple terms.

Frequency response refers to the range of frequencies that a speaker can reproduce. Think of it as the speaker’s ability to accurately convey different sounds, from the low rumble of a bass guitar to the crisp highs of a violin. It’s all about getting the full audio experience!

When looking at frequency response, you’ll typically see a range, such as 20Hz to 20kHz. The first number represents the lowest frequency the speakers can produce, while the second number indicates the highest. In simpler terms, it tells you how low and how high the speakers can go.

Now, you might be wondering, “Why is this important?” Well, let me explain. The human ear can generally hear sounds within the range of 20Hz to 20kHz. Therefore, you want your speakers to cover this entire range to ensure you’re not missing out on any details in your audio.

However, be wary of exaggerated frequency response claims. Some manufacturers might boast ridiculously low or high numbers to make their products seem more impressive. While it’s great to have a wide range, it’s equally crucial for the speakers to accurately reproduce sounds within that range.

To truly gauge a speaker’s performance, it’s best to look for reviews and listen to them in person if possible. Remember, it’s not just about the numbers; it’s about how the speakers sound to you. Trust your ears!

In conclusion, when shopping for computer speakers, pay attention to the frequency response. Look for a range that covers 20Hz to 20kHz, but remember that accuracy is key. Keep an eye out for reviews and trust your own judgment when it comes to selecting speakers that deliver an immersive audio experience. Happy shopping!

When it comes to desktop computer audio speakers, there are basically three major types. Pods, small towers, and small towers with subwoofer.

Pods are little speakers and are powered by USB and/or battery. They can go by many names, like “cubes,” “eggs,” or “spheres.” But no matter what you call them, they’re still pods.

Small towers are the most common type of computer speaker, and you can find them on many desktops. They’re just what they sound like – small towers.

Small towers with subwoofer are just like small towers, but with an extra speaker on the floor. They’re called small towers with subwoofer.

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The industry calls small towers “satellites,” especially when they’re used with a subwoofer.

For many people, having good bass is important. But even if you don’t care about booming bass and just want a good set of standard speakers without a subwoofer, how do you know if they’ll sound good? You probably can’t try them out before buying, so you’ll have to rely on numbers – like the frequency response numbers.

It’s not all about watts

Some people think that more watts means louder and better sound. But with computer speakers, that’s not always true. The shape of the speakers and the frequency response matter too. If the speaker boxes can’t handle low tones or if the frequency response for those tones isn’t good, more watts will just make the sound distorted as you turn up the volume.

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This is especially true for computer speakers without a subwoofer. The two most common watt ratings for computer speaker sets are 2 watts and 5 watts. But you probably won’t notice much difference in volume or clarity between the two – unless the speaker boxes are different shapes.

Shape matters

Tall and skinny speakers without a subwoofer can handle midrange and high tones fairly well, but they don’t have much bass. Why? Because the boxes can’t move much air. That’s why many sets with a subwoofer have tall and skinny satellites – the subwoofer takes care of the low bass tones that the satellites can’t produce.

In simpler terms, if you don’t want a subwoofer but still want some decent bass, shorter rectangle speakers (not cubes) are better than tall and skinny ones.

Understanding frequency response

People usually think that the human hearing range is from 20Hz to 20kHz. But when it comes to speaker sets without a subwoofer, you can’t expect them to start at 20Hz because the small boxes can’t handle it.

However, you can expect the low range to start around 100Hz, and the best speakers will start around 50Hz. Some expensive speakers might even start at 85Hz because of the design of the speaker boxes.

Trust me, speakers that can reproduce 50Hz can produce some really good bass – it’s the closest you can get to having a subwoofer without actually having one.

On the other end of the range, 20kHz is standard for most desktop speakers – even the cheap ones. A lower frequency is worse, so if you see a set with a range that ends before 20kHz, I would pass on it.

There are some outdoor speakers with a limit of 15kHz, but that’s okay because they’re made for a different purpose.

But when you’re sitting in front of your computer, you want a set of speakers that can reproduce the full 20kHz range.

Now you might be thinking, “If I can’t hear anything over 17kHz, why do I need speakers that can reproduce 20kHz?” Well, it’s not about hearing one specific tone, it’s about getting the fullest range of tones.

Think of it like computer monitors. They can display more colors than the human eye can see, but the more colors they can reproduce, the more realistic the images look. The same goes for speakers and their frequency ranges. The more tones they can produce, the richer and more realistic the sound will be. Even if you can’t hear anything above 17kHz, you still want the speakers to be able to reproduce it to give you the best sound possible. (This is just my interpretation, and others may have different thoughts on why the 20kHz ceiling matters.)