GROUP TEST
MAC DESKTOPSPEAKERS
Power up your Mac experience with dedicated speakers
REVIEWED BY HOLLIN JONES
ON TEST...
> Audioengine A
> Creative Pebble
> Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 T
> Logitech Z3
> Pioneer DJ DM–5
>Q Acoustics M20 HD
WE HAVE COME a long way since the days when audio playback was little more than an afterthought in the computer world. Apple’s machines have some of the best built–in speakers in the business, but no integrated computer speaker is ever going to be able to match a dedicated external pair for soundstage, bass reproduction, or volume. Simple physics mean the more air a speaker can move, the greater its power and sonic range will be.
The category of “desktop” speakers is distinct from pro models that music producers would typically use together with an audio interface. Here, the models are geared more towards everyday use for gaming, watching movies, or music playback. That’s not to say however that they’re not precisely engineered, with some models allowing wireless as well as wired connection, and some including a subwoofer for bass extension. Whatever your budget, a pair of external speakers will certainly enhance your audio experience when using your Mac for practically any task.
How we tested