WHY USB SPEAKERS? COMPACT - PORTABLE - SELF POWERED

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

Last Updated: January 20th, 2012

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 laptop computer carry case with room to spare. Enjoy improved sound, higher volume levels and wider frequency response -- something which most notebook and desktop computer's built-in speakers can't even begin to match.

LAPTOP TRAVEL SPEAKERS: BIG PORTABLE SOUND

#1 Best-Seller: Logitech Z305 High-end Travel Speaker. Side firing drivers give immersive wide stereo separation. Features speaker mounted volume, power and mute controls on top. Integrated tuck-away USB cable management and travel sleeve for Laptop and MacBook users on the go.

Logitech Z205 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 USB 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.

Altec Orbit 2.0Desktop or Travel - For wider stereo separation these two snap apart - then back together for easier portability. Retractable USB and audio cables, with wire flip-stands to aim the sound field towards your ears.

2.1 Subwoofer USB Speaker - The SonaWave delivers true bass punch in a compact enclosure. Auxilliary 3.5mm input with stereo device cable. AAA battery option or included USB power-supply for maximum volume when AC power is available. Dual 3Wx2 drivers plus 6W subwoofer - rubber feet keep it from rattling on your desktop when cranked up.

Edifier USB Soundbar Sleek 2.1 Audio provides dual tweeters, dual midrange cones and an oblong bass driver across the front of this 10" USB powered soundbar travel speaker.

Another two piece single-cable portable USB computer audio solution that sounds REALLY GOOD has been on the market for years: A testament to a well engieered computer accessory that's stood the test of time.
Logitech V20 2.0 Portable Speaker System features a 50mm - 2" Active driver - and a 75mm - 3" High-Excursion Passive Bass Radiator cone to enhance low-end frequency response: Logitech's specs state bass frequencies down to 70Hz. Although Logitech offers a more compact V10 Series, their sound quality doesn't match the V20.

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 Big Mac hamburger. As top-rated reviews attest - it 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.

CHEAP? BEST-SELLING BUDGET USB DESKTOP SPEAKERS

One Simple Cable - Stereo Sound $12 Free Shipping
Logitech's value USB speakers can satisfy your ears and the cheapsake in you. Large, high-quality speaker drivers for good frequency response in a compact set of desktop speakers.

Another super-thin, slip it in your laptop case 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

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.