Last Updated: 07/13/2010

WHY USB SPEAKERS? COMPACT - PORTABLE - SELF POWERED

Some are BETTER than others: These featured sound suprisingly good!

The best Universal Serial Bus audio systems can provide quality, pure digital sound - and be powered with a single USB cable. Eliminate a tangle of wires, potential battery issues, and power strip clogging transformers if you so desire. Compact and small external travel speakers compatible with Mac or PC slip into a laptops carry-case with room to spare. Enjoy great sound, higher volume levels and wider frequency response which most notebook and desktop computer's built-in speakers can't even begin to match.

LAPTOP TRAVEL SPEAKERS: BIG PORTABLE SOUND

Logitech Z205 NEW: Compact USB Stereo SoundBar. A safe rubberized clip protects your LCD screen bezel - and also acts as a desktop stand. USB bus-powered for pure digital 2.0 audio - plus a 1/8" input jack option for iPhone, iPad or other MP3 device. Get better volume and wider frequency response to finally hear what you're missing in TV shows, Music videos and more.

Altec Lansing advances it's superlative 1-piece ORBIT travel speaker with a new version:
USB Orbit iM237 With Travel Case - 1-Cable. Self-Powered. Solidly built. High quality speaker driver. USB cable management and flip-out tilt stand underneath. It refines and redefines it's predecessor without the need to futz with batteries.

Small doesn't have to mean wimpy. The original Tritton SoundBite Portable USB Digital Speaker System (pictured in the sidebar) is the size of a Burger King Whopper. As top-rated reviews attest - kicks out impressively loud sound with well-engineerd sensitive drivers. It's metal speaker grille protected 52mm 'Sub-Woofer' is larger than drivers in the many portable notebook speakers - and you can hear the difference. Dual 28mm high-end drivers let you adjust stereo sound angle, and fold down for safe travel. Its USB 1.1 cable stores neatly in the base. SMART DESIGN from Tritton!

Creative Labs N-400 Dual - Driver USB Speakers. Two 2" high-performance full-range drivers and includes travel case. Compact 7"x3"x2" size. Features an on-board control panel, volume up-down, previous-next track, play & pause. A quality audio solution for mobile presentation professionals.

Innovative 2-piece Coagent SP001U MusiCAN travel speakers. These lock together for travel, then separate for wide stereo field. Thoughtful cable management and speaker grill center strip protectors, as well as a beveled base so that when detached, the speakers sit angled and point at you. Smart speaker enclosure design!

Another single-cable solution that sounds REALLY GOOD: Logitech V20 Notebook Speakers features a 50mm Active driver - and a 75mm High-Excursion Passive Radiator cone to enhance low-end frequency response: Logitech's specs state down to 70Hz bass response. Although Logitech offers a more compact V10 Series, their sound quality doesn't match the V20.

Likewise, the smarter choice of siblings in Altec Lansing's product line is in a Dual Active Driver Speaker (with Microphone, Aux input jack for iPod, and optional Subwoofer output jack too!) is the Altec Lansing 2-Piece Portable X-T2 Speakers . Supporting two power options, it outputs 1.5 watts of sound output over USB - but also includes an AC adapter for 4 watt output when external-power is available. Sounds better than it's kid-brother, the slightly cheaper XT1.

3-Way Power Options: USB + Battery + AC Yamaha's highly-regarded upscale Yamaha NX-U10SL USB Powered Stereo Speaker (Silver) uses special power-boost circuitry to claim more watts of sound over a 5 volt USB port. It can ALSO run off batteries - or AC power for 10 watts of volume. An 3.5mm audio-in jack for any MP3, iPod or audio source makes these HIGHLY VERSATILE SPEAKERS for any-use, any-where. Yamaha is known for its dual high-quality drivers and impressive portable bass response down past 80hz with its SR passive driver. A slimline design in Silver or Black color options makes this easily fit into a laptop carry case pocket.

Another super-thin, slip it in your laptop pocket speaker is the Sony VAIO Portable Speaker featuring USB power.

From Roland's Edirol division known for it's Pro Audio Studio equipment - Here's an exceptional pair of separate stereo Edirol MA-1EX L/R Channel speakers 1.5 Watts which have IMPRESSIVELY LARGE 60mm DRIVERS in a ported bass-reflex enclosure to improve its low-frequency range. Thump! at your Desktop or To-Go. These mini studio monitors feature a headphone headset jack and S/P DIF optical output as well.

SPEAKERS FOR THE ROAD-LESS DESKTOP... GOT POWER?

Tho not in the truly portable category - for those who spend most of your life at your desk, the Logitech AudioHub Notebook Speakers which does require AC Power, is the loudest speaker of the bunch - and can clean up and consolidate your desktop considerably. Logitech's AC-powered 2.1 speakers feature a 75mm woofer and dual 50mm drivers that can be extended to wider laptops. External volume control with mute switch, 3-port USB 2.0 hub, and a special riser bracket to mount a webcam. Nice, multi-function combo unit with 15 watts RMS of very highly-rated audio quality and clarity - Low end frequency response goes down well below 40hz for good bass.

FOR MUSICIANS + PODCASTERS: USB AND ANALOG INPUTS

Alesis offers an interesting 10 watt AC powered set: Alesis M1Active 320 USB Studio Monitor Pair (also rebranded as the ION Desk Rockers) with 3" Woofers & 1" High-End drivers - featuring multiple USB 2.0, 1/8", 1/4" and RCA stereo inputs for instruments, microphones, MP3, whatever - which feeds back into your computer for CD high-quality digital recording. 10 watts of high-end, mini studio monitor digital audio under $100.

OMNI-DIRECTIONAL USB SPEAKERS - WITH iTUNES REMOTE

Logitechs USB 2.0 Speaker System
Here's a pair of USB speakers with a handy REMOTE CONTROL that's supported both on Windows and Mac OS X platforms: The Logitech Z-5 USB Stereo Speakers for Mac and PC Logitech continues to innovate with dual Front-Rear facing Active + Passive speaker cones for omni-directional USB powered sound. Whether used with Windows or Apple Macintosh - the remote allows you to launch and control your favorite audio app like iTunes.

CHEAP? LOW-COST BUDGET USB SPEAKER

One Simple Cable - Stereo Sound $12 Free Shipping
Logitech's value USB speakers can satisfy your ears and the cheapsake in you.