The best 5.1 speakers for PC gaming can take your experience to the next level with tons of volume, deep bass, and that surround sound immersion that injects you straight into the action. Opting for the best 5.1 speakers means you can game comfortably without a headset, and it also means anyone else who’s watching you play can get in on the full aural adventure. Our top pick, the Logitech Z906, will not disappoint thanks to 1,000W peak power and THX certification, but there are some alternatives with different features and pricing. These are the best 5.1 speakers for PC gaming currently available.
Best overall: Logitech Z906
The Logitech Z906 has been our top pick for a while now, and for good reason. You can connect up to six devices to the system, including two optical, which is ideal for anyone with home theater ambitions beyond PC gaming. A dedicated console gives you complete control over your sound; an included remote control lets you sit back and tweak settings from the couch.
At a whopping 500 watts of power (and up to 1,000 watts peak power), these speakers are fantastic for PC gaming, no matter the genre. Sleek design, reliable performance, and THX certification together make these a great addition to any room.
You can annoy the neighbors during the day, and at night you can plug in headphones and get into the game while the family sleeps. Each satellite speaker is wall-mountable, and the wires are long enough for home theater setups. These are the best 5.1 speakers for PC gaming right now, as long as you have the budget to cover the relatively steep price.
Pros:
- 500 watts of power (1,000 peak)
- Wall-mountable satellites
- Plenty of connection options
- Dedicated controller and remote
- THX-certified
Cons:
- Cheaper options are available
Best overall
Logitech Z906
Amazing 5.1 sound at an affordable price
These speakers have 500 watts of power to knock your socks off, and they have a detailed console for easy control.
Best alternative: Logitech Z606
5.1 speakers for PC gaming don’t have to cost a lot. Logitech’s Z606 system might offer an affordable alternative, coming in at under $200. Connect with Bluetooth 4.2, 3.5mm jack, or RCA cable, and enjoy up to 160 watts of peak power. The subwoofer has a 5.25-inch driver for booming bass, and each of the five satellites offers about 11 watts.
There are built-in controls on the sub if you want to get up close and personal, plus there’s a remote control for easier tweaking if set up below your desk. There are tons of cable length for easy setup, and you can even wall-mount the satellites to take up less space. These don’t offer as much raw sound as our top pick, but they’re great 5.1 speakers for anyone looking to save.
If you can find them, Logitech’s Z506 5.1 speakers are also a good value option. They’ve been replaced here by the Z606 due to generally poor availability.
Pros:
- Price is right
- True 5.1 surround sound
- 160 watts peak power
- Wall-mountable satellites
- Remote control included
Cons:
- Quality of sound not as good as other options
Best alternative
Logitech Z606
Cheaper speakers still pack quite a punch
Logitech’s cheaper sibling offers 160 watts of peak sound, and it’s compatible with a wide array of devices besides your PC.
Best 5.1 soundbar: Razer Leviathan
The Razer Leviathan isn’t a true surround sound system, but this impressive soundbar still makes the cut as one of the best 5.1 speakers for PC gaming. It consists of a separate 5.25-inch down-firing subwoofer, as well as the stylized soundbar with dual 2.5-inch drivers and 0.74-inch tweeters.
Altogether it can emulate the sound you get from an actual 5.1 setup. It’s not going to be as immersive as our top pick, but there are far fewer wires to contend with. This is a great option for smaller spaces that you want to fill with booming sound.
You can connect the Leviathan with Bluetooth or a 3.5mm audio jack. Its stylish profile means it can fit in just about anywhere; it’s a lot shorter than conventional soundbars, so you’ll still have room for your mouse hand. This soundbar is also branded with Razer’s logo, so it will match any other gaming gear you have. If you’re not keen on a bunch of speakers and wires but still want to emulate surround sound, this is likely the best 5.1 speaker for PC gaming you’ll find.
Pros:
- Less setup hassle
- Booming sound
- Includes soundbar and sub
- Compact design for your desktop
- Connects with Bluetooth or 3.5mm audio
Cons:
- Not true 5.1 surround sound
Best 5.1 soundbar
Razer Leviathan
A quality soundbar that emulates 5.1 surround sound
This isn’t a true 5.1 setup with satellite speakers, but Razer’s Leviathan does a great job of emulating surround sound and looks great while doing it.
Best budget: Monoprice 5.1 Home Theater
If you have the space for an 8-inch subwoofer, you can pick up the Monoprice 5.1 system for an absolute steal of barely over $100. The sub kicks out 60W RMS of bass for a frequency range of 50Hz to 250Hz, paired with its satellite speakers hitting 150Hz to 20kHz for a decent dynamic range at this price.
There are no extra controls or even a remote, only a volume and frequency knob towards the back of the sub. As long as you have easy access to reach them, you’ll enjoy the benefits without worrying too much about convenience. If you’re using your PC with this set, I’d advise using the volume control on your computer instead, leaving the sub at a comfortable half volume.
You get mounting brackets for the speakers to attach to your walls if you lack desk space, including foam pads to help insulate the sound and prevent your neighbors from calling the authorities about a noise complaint. Monoprice offers the cheapest way to access 5.1 surround sound if you don’t mind simple connections and lack of Bluetooth.
Pros:
- Super cheap
- Wall mountable
Cons:
- No remote
- No Bluetooth
- Basic speaker quality
Best budget
Monoprice 5.1 Home Theater
5.1 on the cheap
Monoprice offers the entry-level option for a 5.1 surround sound no-frills setup, with a decent subwoofer and wall-mountable speakers.
Bottom line
Logitech’s Z906 5.1 surround speaker system is our pick when it comes to the best 5.1 speakers for PC gaming. The system offers a potent combination of big sound and fairly affordable price, at least when comparing it to true audiophile setups. It pumps out 500 watts of continuous power — peaking up to 1,000 watts — and has a dedicated controller and remote for easy tweaking.
You can set up the satellites with wall mounts for a clean look, or they can comfortably sit on shelves around your gaming room. If you’d like to double them up as extra volume for your home theater setup, you shouldn’t have any issues. No matter the genre of game you enjoy, these speakers should be at the top of your list when shopping for a new surround sound setup.
If you’d rather go with a quality gaming headset — or double up and have a headset and speaker options — be sure to check out our roundup of the best PC gaming headsets available now. And if you’d like to forego 5.1 surround and still get some excellent PC audio without a headset, have a look at our collection of the best computer speakers for more options.