Best 5.1 speakers for PC gaming 2022

Creative Sound Blaster Katana V2
(Image credit: Rich Edmonds | Windows Central)

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 anyone else watching you play can get in on the whole 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.

Logitech Z906

(Image credit: Logitech)

Logitech Z906

Best overall

Reasons to buy

+
500 watts of power (1,000 peak)
+
Wall-mountable satellites
+
Plenty of connection options
+
Dedicated controller and remote
+
THX-certified

Reasons to avoid

-
Cheaper options are available

The Logitech Z906 has been our top pick for a while now, and for a 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.

These speakers are fantastic for PC gaming, no matter the genre, at a whopping 500 watts of power (and up to 1,000 watts peak power). Sleek design, reliable performance, and THX certification 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.

Logitech Z606

(Image credit: Logitech)

Logitech Z606

Runner-up

Reasons to buy

+
Price is right
+
True 5.1 surround sound
+
160 watts peak power
+
Wall-mountable satellites
+
Remote control included

Reasons to avoid

-
Quality of sound not as good as other options

5.1 speakers for PC gaming don't have to cost much, and Logitech's Z606 system might offer an affordable alternative 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 many cable lengths 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.

Logitech's Z506 5.1 speakers are also a good value option if you can find them. They've been replaced here by the Z606 due to generally poor availability.

(Image credit: Razer)

Razer Leviathan V1

Best 5.1 soundbar

Reasons to buy

+
Less setup hassle
+
Booming sound
+
Includes soundbar and sub
+
Compact design for your desktop
+
Connects with Bluetooth or 3.5mm audio

Reasons to avoid

-
Not true 5.1 surround sound

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 and 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 you want to fill with booming sound. Razer revised its design with the Leviathan V2, but the lack of connectivity doesn't quite take the place of the V1 as the best soundbar.

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.

Creative Sound Blaster Katana V2

(Image credit: Rich Edmonds | Windows Central)

Creative Sound Blaster Katana V2 RGB

Premium 5.1 soundbar

Reasons to buy

+
Premium build and speaker quality
+
Plenty of connectivity

Reasons to avoid

-
Expensive
-
Still not true 5.1 surround sound

The Creative Sound Blaster Katana V2 soundbar boasts a 5.1 speaker setup with a separate subwoofer reaching around 250W peak output. Plenty of connection options, including Bluetooth, keep your options open for visiting guests to connect their phones and blast some music during a party. You need to position your seating just right to enjoy the experience to its fullest since the speakers are all located within the soundbar, so it suits a PC gaming setup even more than a living room.

Besides the wireless options, you can connect to the Katana V2 via optical, 3.5mm AUX, USB-C, or even HDMI, so your options for hooking up a PC are plentiful. Make sure you have the space for the subwoofer since it will shake the house down if you crank it up. The built-in RGB lighting bar will delight most gamers too, or anyone who loves the usual rainbow spectrum shooting out of their desktop peripherals.

It's pricey but can provide a power 5.1 audio experience if you have the desk space. At just under 24 inches, it's longer than the Razer Leviathan and stands roughly 2.5 inches tall, so consider your monitor's height too. It's one of the best premium gaming soundbars around, a solid choice if placing multiple speakers around your room isn't realistic.

Monoprice 5.1 channel home theater

(Image credit: Monoprice)

Monoprice 5.1 Home Theater

Best budget option

Reasons to buy

+
Super cheap
+
Wall mountable

Reasons to avoid

-
No remote
-
No Bluetooth
-
Basic speaker quality

If you have the space for an 8-inch subwoofer, you can pick up the Monoprice 5.1 system for 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.

Choosing the best 5.1 speakers for PC gaming

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Logitech's Z906 5.1 surround speaker system is our pick for the best 5.1 speakers for PC gaming. The system offers a potent combination of big sound and relatively affordable price, at least when compared 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. You shouldn't have any issues if you'd like to double them up as extra volume for your home theater setup. 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.

Cale Hunt
Senior Editor, Laptop Reviews

Cale Hunt is formerly a Senior Editor at Windows Central. He focuses mainly on laptop reviews, news, and accessory coverage. He's been reviewing laptops and accessories full-time since 2016, with hundreds of reviews published for Windows Central. He is an avid PC gamer and multi-platform user, and spends most of his time either tinkering with or writing about tech.

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