Purchasing monitors with built-in speakers sounds attractive to the average consumer on a budget or working in tiny spaces.
Before buying a monitor with built-in speakers, ask yourself: should you get a monitor with built-in speakers? And how do these speakers compare in terms of sound quality?
Read on for more about which model will work best for you, product recommendations, and considerations you should take before investing.
When to buy a monitor with built-in speakers
Whatever your situation, speakers matter. Below are a few predicaments that may apply to your needs.
You don’t have external speakers
Some people only use their monitors for essential purposes such as work. Most people in this situation don’t find it necessary to buy external speakers, as long as their monitor speakers minimally function.
Some circumstances may need external speakers for better sound. Those that are hard of hearing, for example, should consider external speakers for clarity.
You rarely use speakers
How often do you use your internal speakers, if at all? If you only use them once in a blue moon, you may not need external speakers. But, if you don’t use them because of the low-quality sound they generate, external speakers may remedy that predicament.
If you don’t see yourself using your speakers for everyday (or even weekly) tasks, buying a PC with internal speakers isn’t a bad idea. You get to save a little money and focus more on features you know you’ll use.
You don’t have space for speakers
External speakers aren’t the best for cubicle setups or intimate quarters. Sometimes, you don’t have the space for external speakers – or you have the room, but having the units on your desk feels crowded and cluttered.
If you need a monitor for home use and live in a shared apartment with one desk, external speakers may not work.
You need a backup audio source
Picture this: you log on to do an important presentation, and just as you’re about to start, your external speakers go out. And you don’t have a PC with backup internal speakers.
Having a plan B is never a bad idea, and the same goes for internal PC speakers. They aren’t as high-quality as your external units, but they’re something! Plus, knowing you have a backup can alleviate anxiety when technology fails.
You are a minimalist
Minimalism is on the rise, and if you aren’t obsessive about collecting the latest-and-greatest technology, you may not want external speakers. Internal sound systems could be just fine for your needs.
Remember, though, that internal speakers don’t have the same level of sound or quality as external units. You will not enjoy the depth of sound or volume levels as with external speakers.
When to buy a monitor with built-in speakers
Whatever your situation, speakers matter. Below are a few predicaments that may apply to your needs.
You don’t have external speakers
Some people only use their monitors for essential purposes such as work. Most people in this situation don’t find it necessary to buy external speakers, as long as their monitor speakers minimally function.
Some circumstances may need external speakers for better sound. Those that are hard of hearing, for example, should consider external speakers for clarity.
You rarely use speakers
How often do you use your internal speakers, if at all? If you only use them once in a blue moon, you may not need external speakers. But, if you don’t use them because of the low-quality sound they generate, external speakers may remedy that predicament.
If you don’t see yourself using your speakers for everyday (or even weekly) tasks, buying a PC with internal speakers isn’t a bad idea. You get to save a little money and focus more on features you know you’ll use.
You don’t have space for speakers
External speakers aren’t the best for cubicle setups or intimate quarters. Sometimes, you don’t have the space for external speakers – or you have the room, but having the units on your desk feels crowded and cluttered.
If you need a monitor for home use and live in a shared apartment with one desk, external speakers may not work.
You need a backup audio source
Picture this: you log on to do an important presentation, and just as you’re about to start, your external speakers go out. And you don’t have a PC with backup internal speakers.
Having a plan B is never a bad idea, and the same goes for internal PC speakers. They aren’t as high-quality as your external units, but they’re something! Plus, knowing you have a backup can alleviate anxiety when technology fails.
You are a minimalist
Minimalism is on the rise, and if you aren’t obsessive about collecting the latest-and-greatest technology, you may not want external speakers. Internal sound systems could be just fine for your needs.
Remember, though, that internal speakers don’t have the same level of sound or quality as external units. You will not enjoy the depth of sound or volume levels as with external speakers.
When not to buy a monitor with built-in speakers
If the above situations don’t apply to you, you may not need a monitor with built-in speakers. Below are circumstances in which external units are your best bet.
You already own a great pair of external speakers
Do you already have a decent, functioning set of external speakers? Then you probably don’t need a PC with internal speakers. Save yourself some money and invest in that new gaming keyboard you’ve been eyeing.
If you have a reliable backup audio source
External speakers may not break often, but you still need a backup plan. If you have a spare set of speakers or another way to connect to sound without your speakers (like Bluetooth) don’t worry about buying a PC with internal speakers.
Internal speakers may have the convenience factor, but they do not deliver the same sound quality, bass, effects, and volume as external sound systems.
If sound quality holds any value
99% of monitor speakers don’t compare to external speakers in terms of quality sound. If sound quality holds any value for you, there’s no need to buy a monitor with built-in speakers.
Things to consider when purchasing monitors with built-in speakers
If you’ve decided to take the plunge and buy a monitor with built-in speakers, consider the below suggestions before clicking add to cart.
The type of content you listen to
Do you enjoy listening to music consistently throughout the day for background noise, or do you prefer a quiet house? If you stream music each day, external speakers are the better option.
Additionally, streaming movies and TV shows sound better on external speakers than on internal ones. You’ll be able to hear everything that happens, from whispers to jumpscares.
Whether built-in speakers are worth it
Besides the poor sound quality, monitors with built-in speakers tend to have a premium price.
Built-in speakers are worth it if you rarely use speakers, have limited working space, and don’t care about the sound quality. However, if you know you’ll use your speakers often and have room for them, external units have your back.
The amount of space you have
Purchasing a monitor with built-in speakers is advisable when there’s not enough space for external speakers.
If you have to buy a PC with internal speakers, try using a dual-monitor setup. Two monitors will provide better sound than a single desktop computer.
What are your deal-breaker, must-have features (other than built-in speakers)?
Not all monitors are created equal. Consider your personal needs from a monitor – do you need a Retina display? Would you prefer a large screen or something minimal?
Additional features include:
- Height-adjustment
- Higher brightness levels - 300 nits +
- Vertical rotation
- High refresh rates
- Hardware vertical sync
Best Monitors With Built-in Speakers
It’s challenging to tell the best monitors with built-in speakers since there are several of them on the market.
Below are two best-sellers with high-quality internal speakers and several other appealing features.
Apple Studio Display
Apple Studio Display
The six-speaker system in this monitor (2x tweeters and 4x subwoofers) works well with music, movies, and video calls. The speakers are powerful and sound way better than most displays available today.
The only downside of this monitor is the high price tag, but the quality of the Apple Studio Display and its lasting power make the cost worth it in the end.
Its notable features include:
- A 27-inch 5K display
- Six built-in speakers system
- One Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) port
- Three USB C ports
LG 27UP850-W
LG 27UP850-W
The LG 27UP850-W is another monitor with decent built-in speakers. The LG monitor is miles behind the speakers of the Apple Studio Monitor but comes at an affordable price.
The built-in speakers have a decent volume with better clarity than most built-in speakers. The sound output is sufficient for music, movies, and calls but will not have as much depth as the Apple Studio Display monitor.
Wrap up
Buying a monitor with built-in speakers isn’t for everyone but can be the best option for some. If you have next-to-no desk space or work with groups of people, they’re the better choice.
Do you want more information on internal speakers? Visit our page for an in-depth guide on the best monitors with built-in speakers.
FAQ
Questions about built-in speakers? We have the answers.
You can get sound from a monitor without speakers in various ways. These include using an HDMI audio extractor, 3.5mm output, opting for WiFi, and through the monitor’s optical connections.
Not all monitors have built-in speakers, but some do. Built-in speakers allow users to enjoy audio without connecting to external speakers but typically do not deliver the same sound quality.
While that depends on your definition of good, 2w speakers are quiet. You can turn them to the highest level and still have volume problems.
The Apple Studio Display monitor has the highest quality built-in speakers available (although it comes with a hefty price tag). If you want outstanding internal speakers, it’s your best option.