Edifier’s new QR65 Active Monitor Speakers pack 70 watts of power with hi-res audio certification, put on a light show and act as a fast gallium nitride (GaN) charger for your other gadgets, too.
And the value-oriented Chinese audio brand brings all that and more across for $369 per pair.
For those who get by with audio from a laptop or display speakers in their computer setup — as good as that can be these days — an upgrade to desktop speakers offer a real treat for the ears. Today’s MacBook Pro setup from a Florida-based rapper just got a nice set of brand new Yamaha speakers and jacked them in to a huge subwoofer under the desk.
Sonos audio products are popular for a reason — they sound great and they’re not too far from affordable. Today’s MacBook Pro and Studio Display user thinks the monitor’s built-in speakers are good for many uses, but when they really want the big sound — for gaming, it turns out — they’re all about their Sonos One SL speakers and Sonos Beam soundbar.
Back when Fiio released its jack-of-all-trades R7 desktop hi-res audio player and amplifier in March 2023, it promised its new SP3 powered desktop speakers would follow, its first active speakers. And so they have, released earlier this month.
They could be the perfect companion for the R7 and a variety of desktop audio needs. They carry Hi-Res Audio certification and feature decent connectivity options via cable.
Drop, known for mechanical keyboards as well as headphones and other audiophile gear, unveiled its first set of desktop speakers Wednesday at CES 2023. The small Drop BMR1 Nearfield Monitors promise big, clear sound in a small footprint for just $129.
If you noticed that’s not an audiophile price tag, you’re right. So if you want more sound than your computer provides, you can preorder the new monitors on January 31.
★★★★☆
If you ever work on the road, you know relying on your laptop for sound can be as disappointing as relying on it instead of an external display for visuals. Not every laptop has great — or even good — speakers.
Enter Edifier and its MF200 Portable Bluetooth Speaker. The company sent me one for review. The elegant little wedge-shaped soundbar can add plenty of power and clarity to “meh” laptop speakers.
But that doesn’t necessarily mean the MF200 blows away all laptop speakers, as I’ll explain below.
Creative recently unveiled a new addition to its distinctively round and tilted Pebble line of USB desktop speakers — Creative Pebble Pro.
With overhauled full-range drivers and digital amplifiers — plus flashy new RGB lighting — the new speakers jack up volume and bass so no subwoofer is needed, the company said.
If you have the space on or near your desk for them, Monoprice just put out a pair of powered desktop speakers that promise audiophile sound to boost your computer setup’s audio output.
The Monoprice Monolith MTM 100 Powered Desktop Speakers put out 50 watts of sonic power apiece and feature bass panels on the sides.
Steelseries, known for gaming headsets, has jumped into the desktop speakers pool with a big splash. Its new Arena line of desktop speakers is the company’s first product of that type.
And it includes what the company calls the world’s first 5.1 surround sound speakers you can run with a single USB connection to a Mac, PC, gaming console or TV.
Klipsch likes to draw on it lengthy history when it rolls out new speakers, and the ProMedia Heritage 2.1 Multimedia Speaker System is no different. But the fabric-covered speakers and subwoofer, designed to recall the company’s Heresy speakers from the 1970s, also pack 220 watts of peak power.
That’ll blow the room away, whether you’re cranking tunes, enjoying your home theater or playing games.
