PC monitors and other screens now come with built-in speakers. Even your laptop probably has one. But are they good enough to replace a speaker? They might cost you a lot less and do the job most of the time. But when it comes to a better audio experience with spatial sound, they can lag. So, before you consider buying a monitor with a built-in speaker, you should consider some things.
The most important thing is your budget. If you can afford a separate speaker, you should invest in it. Because more often than not, the built-in ones won’t have the same audio quality. Moreover, you should also consider your usage. Let’s assume that you use Spectrum internet packages mostly for listening to music. So, you might need better speakers and should go the extra mile.
Are Monitor Speakers a Good Idea?
Monitor speakers might not be a no-go for everyone. If you have a smaller budget, then they could be a great investment. You can kill two birds with one stone and spend much less money. Moreover, they can also be better for people who have space issues. If you have a small desk space, then fitting in a speaker can be difficult.
However, you should be ready to compromise on audio quality. Monitors have come a long way when it comes to video quality, resolution, and frames per second. This leaves very little space for speakers to fit in. So, integrated monitor speakers are usually very small in size. As a result, the audio quality and spatial awareness can be below average. Even if the monitor speakers perform at their best, it is a long shot to compare them with bookshelf speakers
So, you should think of your monitor speakers as a backup plan. If and when your main speakers fail, you can fall back on your built-in speakers.
Why Should You Get Built-In Speakers
So, why do companies put speakers in monitors, then? There are always exceptions to every rule so, they might be good for some people. In certain cases, your monitor having speakers could be best for you. So, it can be fine to buy a monitor with speakers when
#1: You Hardly Use Speakers
Some people are music lovers and are almost always blaring out their speakers. In the present scenario, many people have to take online calls because they are working from home. So, for these people, speakers can be very important. On the other side, some people hardly ever use them. So, it doesn’t make sense to invest in speakers for the latter group. In this case, it is more feasible to rely on monitor speakers. So, consider how much you use your PC and what you use it for.
#2: The Monitor You Want Has Speakers
Many gamers and video editors can have specific requirements for monitors. They would want a certain frame rate or resolution along with other specifications. So, you might have your heart set on one specific model. But the model only comes with built-in speakers. In this case, you might not have a choice. It can sound obvious, but you should get that monitor. If it has all the other required features, the speakers can be a bonus. Otherwise, you might have to continue the search and might not find the perfect one
#3: You Don’t Have Room
Not everyone has a huge work desk to themselves. Most people have a small workspace especially if they work from home. So, getting bigger speakers might not be ideal, no matter how much you like them. In this case, you can settle with the speakers in your monitor. They don’t need any additional space and might be enough in utility for you.
#4: You Don’t Have Enough Money
Sometimes, you can have enough space and utility for good speakers, but not enough money. External speakers can be heavy on the pocket, especially if they are good ones. So, it might not be financially feasible for everyone. In this case, you can opt for monitor speakers for the time being. Later on, if you have the funds, you can buy a smaller Bluetooth speaker or bookshelf speakers.
Conclusion
So, if you consider all the above conditions and situations, you can decide on your own. If you think the ends justify the means, you should get a monitor with speakers. More importantly, if you have a smaller budget, you should focus on getting a good monitor. You can worry about the speakers later as they might not be that important.
