Compact Speakers

Magpie2121 · 27 Jan 2026 at 16:54

Can someone please recommend me some great sounding compact PC speakers primarily for gaming? I don't need or want a sub-woofer.

My table is quite high and so I can't raise the monitor any further up. I'm looking for something that will fit nicely and look good with great sound.

Budget is around £250. Many thanks

Gray2233 · 27 Jan 2026 at 17:13

That's a really tight space to get genuinely good sounding speakers into, I honestly think I'd rather just stick to headphones.

The Edifier G2000 might fit but the sound is going to be pretty limited, especially with no sub.

You might be actually be better off going with a soundbar.

hornetstinger · 27 Jan 2026 at 17:14

Maybe look at soundbar above or below the monitor

That's not large enough space for speakers

[HB]Rugrat · 27 Jan 2026 at 17:47

The icons... my god, the icons

What's the clearance there between the bottom of the monitor and top of the desk? The Audioengine A2 plus are pretty dinky at about 15cm high and sound terrific (and in budget).

whitecrook · 27 Jan 2026 at 18:04

I'd consider a sound bar. Perhaps mounted above the monitor, either on the stand, or on the wall behind.

Or maybe some sort of sub/sat system (plenty to choose from) and mount the satellites in the corners above the screen. I have a bose system and the speakeres are only about 2" square. It sounds really great in the nearfield. I have something like this Bose Companion 3 Series II 2.1 Computer System . The neat thing i forgot is it has independent volume so I can adjust the volume with the controller. I also recommend gaetting a £10-20 USB volume control rotary it's so nice to be able to adjust volume with out having to click stuff, and great if you swap between headphones and what not

hornetstinger · 27 Jan 2026 at 18:10

Certainly not bose haha

What about these wall mounted and a small amplifier

Minx | Cambridge Audio UK

Minx redefines what’s possible from compact speakers. Each model is discreet in form and style, yet all produce a sound normally associated with much bigger speakers.The award-winning Minx series is now in its 3rd generation. Evolved with new speaker drivers, and an even more subtle look.Minx...

www.cambridgeaudio.com

Probably need a sub for speakers that small though, and need to ensure it has high pass/bass management (which most don't) so next step up would be wiim amp and then a sub.

https://www.cambridgeaudio.com/gbr/en/products/speakers/minx/minx-x201

Slightly above budget :cry:

Magpie2121 · 27 Jan 2026 at 18:12

[HB]Rugrat said:
The icons... my god, the icons

What's the clearance there between the bottom of the monitor and top of the desk? The Audioengine A2 plus are pretty dinky at about 15cm high and sound terrific (and in budget).

Haha! Yes, the icons are a result of my laziness but I'll sort one day!

Clearance between the bottom of monitor and top of desk is 10cm.

hornetstinger · 27 Jan 2026 at 18:16

Magpie2121 said:
Haha! Yes, the icons are a result of my laziness but I'll sort one day!

Clearance between the bottom of monitor and top of desk is 10cm.

I've seen some pc gaming soundbar but unsure if they're any good.

The sennheiser ambeo Max will fit in that space no problem

Those minx plus amp around £100 probably be ok but want need a sub 120hz is quite poor

Big speakers probably won't sound good in that alcove either so something like wharfedale diamond 9.0 will be ok but too cramped

I'd move the pc tbh to a bigger desk allows you big speakers which means don't need a sub so saving money

Magpie2121 · 27 Jan 2026 at 18:21

hornetstinger said:
Certainly not bose haha

What about these wall mounted and a small amplifier

Minx | Cambridge Audio UK

Minx redefines what’s possible from compact speakers. Each model is discreet in form and style, yet all produce a sound normally associated with much bigger speakers.The award-winning Minx series is now in its 3rd generation. Evolved with new speaker drivers, and an even more subtle look.Minx...

www.cambridgeaudio.com

Probably need a sub for speakers that small though, and need to ensure it has high pass/bass management (which most don't) so next step up would be wiim amp and then a sub.

Look
https://www.cambridgeaudio.com/gbr/en/products/speakers/minx/minx-x201

Slightly above budget

These

hornetstinger said:
Certainly not bose haha

What about these wall mounted and a small amplifier

Minx | Cambridge Audio UK

Minx redefines what’s possible from compact speakers. Each model is discreet in form and style, yet all produce a sound normally associated with much bigger speakers.The award-winning Minx series is now in its 3rd generation. Evolved with new speaker drivers, and an even more subtle look.Minx...

www.cambridgeaudio.com

Probably need a sub for speakers that small though, and need to ensure it has high pass/bass management (which most don't) so next step up would be wiim amp and then a sub.

https://www.cambridgeaudio.com/gbr/en/products/speakers/minx/minx-x201

Slightly above budget

These look really nice and compact but over budget. I don't need anything too high end and these look as if they require the sub and amp add ons too.

hornetstinger · 27 Jan 2026 at 18:24

If you want speakers without a sub then you need bigger speakers . Bigger than bose .

Something with 4.5" should be ok . But they're not small and in that small alcove they'll sound bad .

Measure up wharfedale diamond 9.0

Magpie2121 · 27 Jan 2026 at 18:29

Does anyone have experience with the Creative Pebble Pro and do you think these could be a viable option?

Was looking at the Razer Levithian V2 X soundbar but reviews were quite mixed.

Sirrel Squirrel · 27 Jan 2026 at 18:31

hornetstinger said:
Certainly not bose haha

What about these wall mounted and a small amplifier

Minx | Cambridge Audio UK

Minx redefines what’s possible from compact speakers. Each model is discreet in form and style, yet all produce a sound normally associated with much bigger speakers.The award-winning Minx series is now in its 3rd generation. Evolved with new speaker drivers, and an even more subtle look.Minx...

www.cambridgeaudio.com

Probably need a sub for speakers that small though, and need to ensure it has high pass/bass management (which most don't) so next step up would be wiim amp and then a sub.

https://www.cambridgeaudio.com/gbr/en/products/speakers/minx/minx-x201

Slightly above budget

These are great little speakers, I built a small 7.1 system with them in a very small room (3.5m x 1.7m iirc). I'd say the sub is overpriced for what it is though but the mini speakers are brilliant.

Magpie2121 · 27 Jan 2026 at 18:33

hornetstinger said:
If you want speakers without a sub then you need bigger speakers . Bigger than bose .

Something with 4.5" should be ok . But they're not small and in that small alcove they'll sound bad .

Measure up wharfedale diamond 9.0

Again, these look great but would need a separate amp.

hornetstinger · 27 Jan 2026 at 18:33

Maybe get focal flax second I've seen them sold second hand good prices

hornetstinger · 27 Jan 2026 at 18:33

Magpie2121 said:
Again, these look great but would need a separate amp.

Not expensive

£25-£50 for little amp will do

hornetstinger · 27 Jan 2026 at 18:40

BT20A-Black £65 so that gives you freedom to choose speakers and change if needed.

I'd go for that instead of creative/razor.

hornetstinger · 27 Jan 2026 at 18:44

Good price maybe something like that wall mountable and coaxial so will help with dispersion

Kef q series speaker & pair of kef q8s speakers – Badgers Auctions

Pair of Kef Q8 bookshelf speakers from the Q Series. Known for high-fidelity sound and robust construction. Ideal for audiophiles and vintage audio enthusiasts.

badgersauctions.com

Magpie2121 · 27 Jan 2026 at 18:53

hornetstinger said:
Good price maybe something like that wall mountable and coaxial so will help with dispersion

Kef q series speaker & pair of kef q8s speakers – Badgers Auctions

Pair of Kef Q8 bookshelf speakers from the Q Series. Known for high-fidelity sound and robust construction. Ideal for audiophiles and vintage audio enthusiasts.

badgersauctions.com

Don't really want to wall mount anything but the suggestion of using an amp with those Cambridge Audio speakers or with the focal flax has given me real food for thought.

I could probably strap the amp underneath my desk and feed the speakers off it.

Not really bothered about a sub-woofer / bass but wondering if this setup would be a significant improvement over the simplicity of a set of Pebbles, especially considering the limited space available and potential quality of sound in this restricted space

hornetstinger · 27 Jan 2026 at 18:58

Magpie2121 said:
Don't really want to wall mount anything but the suggestion of using an amp with those Cambridge Audio speakers or with the focal flax has given me real food for thought.

I could probably strap the amp underneath my desk and feed the speakers off it.

Not really bothered about a sub-woofer / bass but wondering if this setup would be a significant improvement over the simplicity of a set of Pebbles

yeah they would also allows you to change amp or speakers later. Having a amp with physical dial to control volume is much better than software control

Monitor Audio Radius 45 as well but those will need a sub. Radius 90 as well seen pair for £60

Magpie2121 · 27 Jan 2026 at 19:01

hornetstinger said:
yeah they would also allows you to change amp or speakers later. Having a amp with physical dial to control volume is much better than software control

Monitor Audio Radius 45 as well but those will need a sub. Radius 90 as well seen pair for £60

Thanks mate, you've been really helpful and really appreciate your help as well as everyone else here.

Will showcase my sound setup once I've made a decision and have everything in place.

Cheers