Shop for speakers & speaker systems

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.5 stars Spectacular

  Overall score: 9.0 (4.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 316 reviews

The Bottom Line: If you're looking for a set of 2.1 speakers, buy these. It's as simple as that. Read review

Specs: PC multimedia speaker system, Active, 40 Watt, 120 Watt

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 27 reviews

The Bottom Line: Altec Lansing has been in the iPod speaker market longer than anyone, and it shows. The inclusion of a rechargeable battery and an FM radio makes the iM600 incredibly versatile. Read review

Specs: portable speakers with digital player dock, 11.1 in x 1.7 in x 6 in, Active

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.5 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 5.0 stars out of 11 reviews

The Bottom Line: Thanks to its superbly matched satellites and subwoofer, Energy's Take Classic offers killer sound for a very affordable price. Read review

Specs: home theater speaker system, High-gloss black, Active subwoofer, passive satellites, 89 dB, 100 Watt, 200 Watt

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 69 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Harman Kardon SoundSticks II match performance with attractive visual design, a combination that always makes our hearts beat a little faster. They're nearly perfect, save for a few design flaws. Read review

Specs: PC multimedia speaker system, 10 Watt, 20 Watt

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.8 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.5 stars out of 3 reviews

The Bottom Line: Anchored by its minitower speakers, the Aperion Intimus 4T Hybrid SD is an exceptional surround speaker system that ably combines good looks and superior sound. Read review

Specs: home theater speaker system, Medium cherry, Active subwoofer, passive satellites, 150 Watt

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.8 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 17 reviews

The Bottom Line: The exceedingly stylish Philips HTS8100 SoundBar packs the home theater experience--including a DVD player--into one slim package plus a sub. Read review

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.1 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 131 reviews

The Bottom Line: A versatile set of high-end 5.1 speakers, Logitech's newest flagship will handle with near-perfect quality as many audio sources as you can throw at it. Read review

Specs: PC multimedia home theater speaker system, Active, 8 KOhm, 62 Watt, 69 Watt, 188 Watt

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.7 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 13 reviews

The Bottom Line: It may not be the most compact portable speaker on the block, but the Logitech Pure-Fi Anywhere offers useful extras and great sound for an affordable price. Read review

Specs: portable speakers with digital player dock, 13.2 in x 1.5 in x 3.6 in, Piano black, Active

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.5 stars out of 12 reviews

The Bottom Line: M-Audio's Studiophile AV 40 is a PC speaker for music lovers who care more about sound quality than compact size or rock bottom pricing. Read review

Specs: 6 in x 7.2 in x 8.7 in, 2-way Active, 20 Watt

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 103 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Altec Lansing iM7 offers good sound quality, flexible listening options, and handy features, making it a solid choice for any iPod owner in the market for a complementary sound system. Read review

Specs: portable speakers with digital player dock, White, Active

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.0 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 8 reviews

The Bottom Line: Klipsch's entry-level iGroove SXT iPod speaker system may be short on features, but it delivers a big, muscular sound considering its compact size. Read review

Specs: portable speakers with digital player dock, 12 in x 4.6 in x 4.8 in, Black, 2-way Active

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.7 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 4 reviews

The Bottom Line: Logitech's Pure-Fi Dream is one of the stronger entries in the crowded iPod clock radio category. Read review

Specs: Piano black, Active

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.3 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 40 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Logitech Z-4 2.1 speakers improve on the lackluster Z-3s in both audio output quality and design. Read review

Specs: PC multimedia speaker system, Active, 8.5 Watt, 23 Watt

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.2 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 82 reviews

The Bottom Line: If you don't mind the high price and lack of an auxiliary input, the Bose SoundDock will turn your iPod into a nice bedroom or office stereo system. Read review

Specs: speaker system, 11.9 in x 6.5 in x 6.7 in, Active

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.4 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 13 reviews

The Bottom Line: Polk's baby subwoofer belts out tight home-theater bass and sounds sweet with music, too. Read review

Specs: subwoofer, 14 in x 16.1 in x 14.4 in, Active, 50 Watt

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.6 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 1.0 stars out of 1 review

The Bottom Line: The Energy Speakers RC-Micro 5.1 speaker system delivers superb sound quality from incredibly tiny speakers. Read review

Specs: home theater speaker system, High-gloss black, Active subwoofer, passive satellites, 240 Watt

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.0 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 27 reviews

The Bottom Line: Bose's entry-level Companion 2 Series II speakers offer good bass and dual inputs--but they're not the best-sounding PC speakers in their price class. Read review

Specs: PC multimedia speakers, Active

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.3 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 5 reviews

The Bottom Line: The addition of enhanced video connectivity options cements Yamaha's already excellent Digital Sound Projector technology as the go-to choice for single-speaker surround sound. Read review

Specs: 40.6 in x 4.6 in x 7.6 in, Black, 2 Watt, 20 Watt

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.3 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 8 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Bose SoundDock Portable is a really good iPod speaker, but it should cost less than $400. Read review

Specs: portable speakers with digital player dock, 12.1 in x 5.9 in x 6.9 in, White gloss, Active

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.0 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 1 review

The Bottom Line: While we weren't blown away by their sound, the Logitech Z-5s' combination of a simple, clean design, USB connectivity, and some basic remote operation make them a decent value in the sub-$100 PC speaker space. Read review

Specs: PC multimedia speakers, Active

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.8 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 5.0 stars out of 1 review

The Bottom Line: The able Polk Audio PSW111 subwoofer delivers seamless bass despite its compact size. Read review

Specs: subwoofer, 11 in x 13 in x 12.1 in, Black, Active, 150 Watt

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.3 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.5 stars out of 9 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Harman/Kardon Go + Play is one of the best-sounding portable iPod speaker systems you can buy, but its high price and lack of compatibility with recent iPod models make it a limited recommendation. Read review

Specs: portable speakers with digital player dock, 9 in x 20 in x 9.5 in, Active, 10 KOhm, 60 Watt

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.2 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 9 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Logitech Pure-Fi Elite stands above the iPod speaker competition with a can't-miss combination of excellent design, great sound, and a low price. Read review

Specs: 16 in x 4.3 in x 7.2 in, Active, 110 dB

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.3 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 14 reviews

The Bottom Line: If you're looking for ultracompact speakers that don't sacrifice on sound quality, LG's Portable Stereo Speakers MSP-100 fits the bill--and it won't break the bank. Read review

Specs: portable speakers, 3.5 in x 0.8 in x 1.8 in, Gray, Active

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.0 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 15 reviews

The Bottom Line: If you're not looking for the virtual surround effects found on more elaborate (and expensive) single-speaker audio systems, the affordable Boston Acoustics TVee Model Two sounds swell, looks good, and includes a cool wireless subwoofer. Read review

Specs: speaker system, Midnight, Active