Here’s why you shouldn’t use a soundbar with your PC

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It’s worth noting that for most home entertainment setups, you’re using a surround system or soundbar with your TV and the audio overall comes from a high setup. This also extends to gaming consoles. However, with most desktop computers, people tend to install a rudimentary two-speaker system. What if you want something better? The question becomes: how can you elevate this experience? For example, could you use a soundbar on your PC for better sound, instead of basic stereo speakers?

There’s nothing stopping you from installing a soundbar. It’s quite simple to set up. Most PCs have HDMI output or support audio output to match your average system. But soundbars aren’t designed to be used on a desk; they are intended to be used while watching TV and sitting further away on a couch. They also produce sound that fills a room or open space, making them a great choice for living and entertainment rooms. At a desk, you sit closer to the sound source, which significantly changes the way sound is perceived, perhaps more than expected. It will not be distributed in the same way throughout the room, especially in an office or a bedroom. Stereo speakers, like those you use with a PC, also separate left and right channels, making it easier to identify sound cues or spatial awareness in games. Many soundbars don’t offer true left and right channels, but consolidate the audio streams into one.

There are now soundbars that are technically designed for PCs, but they are also designed for smaller, closer arrangements. They function more like standard stereo speakers than a cinematic soundbar.

Besides experience and audio quality, there are other things to consider if you’re considering installing or swapping out a soundbar on your desktop. Depending on how much space you have, they may take up more room than your average two-unit speakers, even if a subwoofer is involved. You may or may not place the sub under or near your desk and the speakers on top, but this generally takes up less space than a single elongated soundbar. Smaller versions, around 20 inches or more, can take up a lot of space.

It’s also important to understand positioning when using a soundbar. Due to the orientation of the speakers and internal components, you should place them far enough away from a wall and other surfaces. This means keeping the soundbar, and by extension your desk, away from a back or side wall. Additionally, you would ideally place the soundbar in front of your monitor(s), bringing it that much closer to where you are sitting.

Soundbars can sometimes be cheaper, which makes them seem like a great option, especially something like the Amazon TV soundbar or Bluetooth-enabled models. But again, they were never really designed for computer use. In fact, one of the cheapest ways to upgrade your gaming station or PC is to install dedicated external speakers. One PC upgrade you might actually be able to afford at the moment, given high hardware costs, is to install a dedicated sound card for better audio performance. This would pair well with high quality speakers.

Since there are dedicated 5.1 and 7.1 channel audio systems for use with a PC – Logitech’s Z906 series is a great example – it’s entirely possible to get surround sound at your desk. This could seriously improve your experience when playing games, watching movies, or listening to music. You don’t need a soundbar to enjoy these features, including support for THX, Dolby Digital, DTS, and other modern enhancements.

Alternatively, something like Razer’s Leviathan V2 speaker system, which is a 3-channel Bluetooth soundbar and subwoofer combo, could give you the audio experience and aesthetic you want – if you prefer the soundbar style. It’s specifically designed to deliver high-fidelity wideband audio for desktop gaming, and Razer encourages placing it under a monitor largely thanks to its sleek, low-profile form factor.

If you’re not too concerned about high-fidelity audio and want cheap alternatives to your monitor’s built-in speakers, which may not offer much volume, there are a few options, such as Edifier’s G2000 or Creative’s Pebble speakers.