The best passive speakers for a PC for use with an amplifier & DAC [vs active computer speakers]
Following on from my previous post covering budget amplifiers for the PC that can drive passive speakers. Let’s look at the various passive speaker options out there.
The beauty of passive speakers is that the range of options is extensive. They cover all price points and physical dimensions. Used speakers are also a viable option too, passive speakers have fewer things to go wrong with them, and speaker technology itself doesn’t move at the same pace as other technology. So used speakers in good condition should perform to a similar level as newer models and offer excellent value for money.
Under £100 Passive Speakers
JBL Control One
- Compact design and unobtrusive footprint
- Outstanding JBL Performance
- Easy setup and use: frequency Response 80Hz - 20kHz
- Wall-mounting System included
- Finish: Black and Silver
These affordable speakers offer 200W peak power with a frequency response of 80Hz – 20kHz. They are well-reviewed and the go-to option for many people wanting to keep prices as low as possible.
Cambridge Audio Minx Min22
- Sound that defies its size - huge sound from a little speaker and with wide frequency response and pin-point accuracy.
- Wider sound dispersion - No matter where you place them, or where you are in the room, Minx sounds great thanks to innovative Balanced Mode Radiator (BMR) drivers
- Additional dedicated driver - extra speaker driver offers improved bass handling and wider frequency response
- Incredible Versatility - optional wall mount, floor stands, or desk stands offer complete control of placement making for a better home audio or cinematic listening experience
- Subtle design and premium finish - available in gloss black and gloss white
These tiny speakers weigh just 0.75kg with a frequency response of 120Hz-20kHz. The Minx range receives glowing reviews from both users and critics alike. There is also a subwoofer should you wish to upgrade the system to add a bit more depth.
Polk Audio T15
- BUILT TO IMPRESS - Featuring one 0.75" tweeter, a 5.25" Dynamic Balance Driver, and a performance tuned bass port, these speakers are designed to produce a natural, well-balanced sound with massive bass even at the lowest frequencies.
- MAKE YOUR MUSIC COME ALIVE - Expand the boundaries of what entertainment should sound like with the Polk T15 speaker system. Supporting Dolby & DTS offering you mesmerizing detailed audio with crystal clear vocals.
- CREATE YOUR OWN HOME CINEMA SOUND SYSTEM - With the complete range of T-series speakers from Polk with two T50 Tower Speakers, one T30 Center Channel, two T15 Bookshelf speakers and a subwoofer you easily build your home theatre setup.
- WALL MOUNTABLE - Equipped with a keyhole slot for wall mounting. Use these bookshelf speakers as front, left-right setup, surrounds or as rear speakers. Enough to fill any small to medium-sized room.
- MAXIMUM COMPATIBILITY - The speakers are compatible with most home theatre AV-receivers giving you many setup arrangements options in single or multi-room with 2.0, 2.1, 3.1 systems or an immersive 5.1, 7.1 or 9.1 setup.
Polk Audio has long been fan favourites for anyone wanting value for money with their audio. The Polk Audio T15 Bookshelf Speakers are a little less desktop-friendly than the previous speakers. However, if you can accommodate larger speakers, you will normally be rewarded with superior sound (especially bass) compared to their compact counterparts.
£100 – £200 Passive Speakers
Wharfedale Diamond 9.1
- CLEAR AND PRECISE SOUND: The speakers offer unmatched sound reproduction at its level.
- CURVED, BRACED CABINETS: Reduce enwanted cabinet vibrations. Dissipate standing waves to improve sound quality.
- DRIVERS: Five-inch Kevlar mid/bass driver for full, controlled lows. One-inch textile tweeter for sparkling highs. Together, they reveal details in tracks that may have previously gone unheard.
- GOLD-PLATED BI-WIREABLE BINDING POSTS: Typically found in higher-priced speakers. Ensure complete versatility in setup. Help achieve a precise and clean sound where high and low frequences blend harmoniously.
- DIMENSIONS W x H x D (mm): 194 x 296 x 278
These have been out for many years, they are so good Wharefdale still make them, and they have always been a very popular pair of speakers at a very affordable price. They are quite deep at 278mm.
Q Acoustics 3010i
- Powerful Bookshelf Hi-fi Speakers: Immerse yourself in music with our 3010i bookshelf speakers. The cabinet is 25% bigger than our previous models for larger scale sound and deeper bass. A 22mm decoupled high frequency driver with wide surround creates a wide even dispersion of stereo image.
- Low Profile Terminals: Designed with recessed cut-outs to reduce cabinet noise, and featuring low profile binding posts with sockets deep enough for 4mm (0.16") banana plugs, you can shelf mount or stand mount these speakers near a rear wall.
- P2P Bracing: With internal bracing placed with computer aid, the structural integrity of the bookshelf speakers' enclosures is greatly improved. This helps keep the enclosure extra quiet, enhancing the focus of the stereo image and giving the soundstage more accuracy.
- Passive Speaker Specifications: Enclosure Type: 2-way Reflex, Bass Driver: 100mm (4"), Tweeter: 22mm (0.9"), Frequency Response: (+3 dB, -6 dB) 65 Hz – 30 kHz, Average Impedance: 6 Ohms, Minimum Impedance: 4 Ohms, Sensitivity: (2.83 V@1 m) 86dB, Power Input: 50-125W, Cross-over Frequency: 2.6kHz
- What’s Included: 2 x 3010i Bookshelf Speakers (W150mm x H253mm x D252mm, Weight: 4.1kg), 2 x Foam Bungs, 2 x Speaker Grilles, 1 x User Manual, 8 x Rubber Speaker Grips.
These have been a popular choice of speakers, both desktops and affordable 5.1 systems. They are quite deep at 252mm, which is about the same as the height. These newer models have a ported design allowing them to achieve an extended low-frequency response.
£200 + Passive Speakers
It is worth noting; once you start spending a bit more on speakers, you probably don’t want to be driving them with a cheap desktop amplifier.
KEF Q150
- The KEF Q150 Bookshelf Speaker is the newest iteration of KEF award-winning Q Series. The Q150 features a new cabinet, sleek new finishes, and an improved 5.25” Uni-Q Driver Array for room-filling sound.
- The Q150 contains an enhanced Uni-Q Driver Array designed to smooth out treble frequencies, and reimagined crossovers to provide cleaner and more accurate bass.
- The Q150 uses a rear-firing port and the internal architecture has been redesigned to reduce internal resonances to improve audio clarity.
- Nominal Impedance: 8Ω (min.3.7Ω)
- The Q150 is available in 2 sleek colours
These are about as affordable as you get with Kef, and these were designed as a sort of budget LS50. The LS50 has been regarded as the best bookshelf speakers on the market at their price point for many years, with various newer models launched over the years.
When looking for opinions of these, one Reddit user states “If you need a desktop setup, get these. I can’t think of a better desktop speaker besides the LS50. The coaxial makes these perfect for a desktop.”
And, to make things better, these offer improved bass over the LS50, so there is less need to pair them with a sub.
Similar to all the other bookshelf speakers, as you move up in price, the physical size is quite large. These are again 278mm deep then 303mm wide.
Elac DBR62
- Housing type: 2-way bass reflex
- Frequency Response: 44Hz 35000Hz
- Sensitivity: 86dB at 2.83V/1m
These are quite new speakers but appear to be getting rave reviews from users, and at £499 they are surprisingly affordable (in the world of audio). During my research, the users over at audiosciencereview.com adore these and strongly disagree with the What HiFi review of them. According to that website, these are the best thing you can buy up to around the £1k mark. While they are quite deep, they are front-ported, so a little more forgivable if your desk is against a wall.
I am James, a UK-based tech enthusiast and the Editor and Owner of Mighty Gadget, which I’ve proudly run since 2007. Passionate about all things technology, my expertise spans from computers and networking to mobile, wearables, and smart home devices.
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