So, Are Built in Monitor Speakers Good? My Honest Take
Bought a new monitor. Came with speakers. Cool, right? Saved me the hassle of hooking up my old ones, or so I thought. The sound was… well, it was there. Like the audio equivalent of beige paint. Barely audible, tinny, and absolutely devoid of anything resembling bass. You plug them in, and they *work*, but that’s about the highest praise I can muster.
This brings me to the burning question: are built in monitor speakers good? My years of fiddling with tech, spending way too much on things that promised the moon and delivered a dusty pebble, have taught me one thing: if it’s built into something else, it’s probably not the star of the show. And with monitor speakers, that’s usually the case.
I’ve seen countless marketing blurbs touting ‘immersive audio experiences’ or ‘crystal-clear sound’ for monitors that are otherwise designed for visual fidelity. It’s a classic bait-and-switch, or at least a massive overpromise. So, let’s cut through the fluff.
The Harsh Reality: Why They Exist (and Why They Don’t Impress)
Manufacturers slap these speakers into monitors for a few reasons, and none of them are about delivering audiophile-grade sound. Mostly, it’s about convenience and cost-cutting. For businesses buying in bulk, or for home users who just need basic audio for video calls or background YouTube listening, it’s one less peripheral to worry about. Think of them as the free mouse that comes with a budget PC – it works, but you’re not winning any eSports tournaments with it.
My first encounter with this was a few years back with a Dell Ultrasharp. Fancy monitor, gorgeous screen. The speakers? A pathetic whisper. I remember sitting there, trying to watch a movie trailer, and I could barely hear the explosions. It was like listening to a car crash through a thick pillow. I ended up spending a solid $150 on a decent pair of desktop speakers that weekend, completely negating any ‘cost savings’ the monitor might have offered.
Are Built in Monitor Speakers Good Enough for Gaming or Music? Absolutely Not.
Let’s be blunt. If you’re a gamer, a music lover, or anyone who appreciates decent audio quality, built-in monitor speakers are going to be a massive disappointment. They simply lack the physical space for the drivers and acoustic chambers needed to produce any significant bass, dynamic range, or volume. The sound often feels thin, compressed, and lacks any real impact. It’s like trying to taste a fine wine from a paper Dixie cup.
When I was testing out a new high-refresh-rate monitor, the marketing department for the brand kept pushing the ‘integrated audio’ as a feature. I gave it a shot. For a quick video call? Fine. For the actual gameplay, where you want to feel the rumble of engines or the crack of a sniper rifle? Forget it. The difference between those tiny speakers and even a cheap pair of Logitech 2.1 speakers I had lying around was night and day. It wasn’t even a contest. (See Also: Is Dual 32 Inch Monitor Too Big )
You’re looking at speakers that are often just a couple of small drivers, maybe 2 watts per channel if you’re lucky, crammed into the monitor’s bezel. They’re designed for accessibility, not immersion. The sound signature is usually very mid-range focused, with little to no low-end punch and often harsh-sounding highs.
| Feature | Built-in Monitor Speakers | Dedicated Desktop Speakers | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sound Quality | Basic, often tinny and lacking bass. | Varies from good to excellent, with clear highs, mids, and deep bass. | Dedicated speakers win. |
| Volume | Limited; often too quiet for immersive experiences. | Can get very loud without distortion. | Dedicated speakers win. |
| Bass Response | Virtually non-existent. | Significant and impactful. | Dedicated speakers win. |
| Portability/Setup | Zero extra setup required. | Requires separate power and audio cables. | Built-in speakers win (for simplicity). |
| Cost | Included with monitor; no extra cost. | Adds $50 – $500+ to your setup cost. | Built-in speakers win (initially). |
| Immersion Factor | Very low. | High to very high. | Dedicated speakers win. |
What About Those ‘high-Fidelity’ Claims?
Every now and then, you’ll see a monitor marketed with ‘premium’ or ‘high-fidelity’ built-in speakers. This is where you need to be extra skeptical. These are often still compromises. They might be slightly larger, have a bit more power (maybe 5 watts per channel, which is still laughably small for home audio), or have some basic EQ processing. But they are fundamentally limited by the physical constraints of the monitor chassis. It’s like putting a sports car engine in a golf cart; it’s still a golf cart.
I tried one of these ‘premium’ setups last year. The sound was *marginally* better than the truly terrible ones. It was less tinny, perhaps. But it still couldn’t reproduce the low-end frequencies that are crucial for immersion in movies and games. For podcasts or casual news consumption, sure, it’s probably fine. But the moment you want to feel anything, hear any depth, it falls flat. The visual fidelity of the monitor itself is often 100x better than the audio experience it provides.
According to an article published by RTINGS.com, a reputable source for display reviews, the average frequency response for built-in monitor speakers is often quite poor, with significant dips and peaks that lead to an unnatural sound. They typically struggle to reproduce frequencies below 100Hz, which is where most of the impactful bass lies. This is a physical limitation, not a software one that can be easily fixed.
The Real Cost: Why You’re Wasting Money If You Rely on Them
So, are built in monitor speakers good? No. They’re a convenience, a placeholder, a “better than nothing” solution. But if you’ve invested in a good monitor for visual quality, especially for creative work, gaming, or even just enjoying media, then pairing it with sub-par audio is like putting a spoiler on a minivan. It’s mismatched and ultimately detracts from the experience you paid for.
I know people who have spent thousands on a top-tier display for photo editing or video production, only to rely on the monitor’s built-in speakers. They’re missing out on so much nuance. For audio mixing, even basic editing, you need accurate sound reproduction. Relying on those little speakers is like trying to mix a song in a closet. You’re not hearing the full picture. (See Also: Is Dji Spark Compatible With Crystalsky Monitor )
The argument for them is always about saving desk space or simplifying the setup. But honestly, how much space do a pair of decent bookshelf speakers or even a small soundbar take up? Not that much. And the improvement in your daily computing experience? Immense. I spent around $120 testing three different pairs of desktop speakers before settling on one, and that investment has paid dividends in enjoyment and productivity for years.
When Are They Actually Okay?
Okay, I’m not going to be *completely* dismissive. There’s a small niche where built-in monitor speakers aren’t a total disaster. If your primary use for your computer is video conferencing, like Zoom or Teams calls, then the built-in microphone and speakers are often perfectly adequate. You’re not looking for Dolby Atmos when someone is just giving you a status update.
Similarly, if you just need basic system sounds, email notifications, or the occasional quick YouTube video that isn’t music-focused, they’ll do the job. Think of them as the default setting that gets you started. But if you want to truly *experience* your content, whether it’s a movie, a game, or your favorite album, you’ll want to upgrade.
Do I Need to Buy Separate Speakers If My Monitor Has Them?
Yes, if you care about audio quality for anything beyond basic system sounds or video calls. The built-in speakers are a compromise for convenience, not a substitute for dedicated audio hardware. You’ll get a much richer, fuller, and more immersive sound from even entry-level desktop speakers.
Can Built-in Monitor Speakers Be Upgraded?
No, the speakers themselves are physically integrated into the monitor. You cannot upgrade them. The only way to improve your audio is to purchase separate external speakers or headphones.
Are Gaming Monitor Speakers Better Than Regular Monitor Speakers?
Generally, no. While some gaming monitors might boast slightly more powerful built-in speakers (perhaps 5W instead of 2W), they still suffer from the same physical limitations. The term ‘gaming speakers’ often refers to external speaker systems designed for gaming, not the integrated ones. True gaming audio immersion comes from dedicated sound solutions. (See Also: Is Edge Cts 2 Monitor Calif Compliant )
What’s the Point of Having Speakers in a Monitor Then?
The main point is convenience and reducing the number of components needed for a basic setup. It’s ideal for corporate environments, educational institutions, or users who prioritize simplicity and only need audio for non-critical tasks like video conferencing or basic audio cues. They save desk space and eliminate the need for extra cables.
How Do I Know If My Monitor Speakers Are Bad?
If you have to turn the volume up to 80-100% to hear dialogue clearly, if there’s no discernible bass, if the sound feels ‘tinny’ or ‘hollow,’ or if explosions and music lack any impact, your monitor speakers are likely bad. Trust your ears; if it doesn’t sound good, it isn’t.
Should I Use Headphones Instead of Built-in Speakers?
Absolutely. For most users who want better audio, headphones are often a more practical and cost-effective solution than dedicated speakers. They offer excellent sound isolation, great bass response, and a more personal, immersive listening experience without taking up desk space. Plus, they won’t disturb others around you.
Final Thoughts
So, to circle back to the original question: are built in monitor speakers good? My honest, no-holds-barred answer, based on years of experience and more than a few wasted dollars, is a resounding ‘no’ for anyone seeking an enjoyable audio experience. They are functional for basic tasks, sure, but that’s like saying a bicycle is functional for commuting – it gets you there, but it’s not exactly comfortable or fast.
If you’ve got a decent monitor, do yourself a favor and invest in a pair of headphones or a set of desktop speakers. Even a budget set will offer a night-and-day difference compared to the often-feeble audio output from most monitors. Your ears will thank you, and your movies, games, and music will finally sound the way they were meant to.
Think of it this way: the visual feast your monitor provides deserves an audio accompaniment that matches. Don’t let those tiny, underpowered speakers be the weak link in your setup. It’s a simple upgrade that yields disproportionately massive improvements in your overall digital life.
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