Apple MacBook External Computer Speaker Reviews

It's not your fault: Your Apple MacBook Pro and Air speakers basically suck. Apple Computer dubiuosly innovated the notion of tiny, rear-facing speakers deflecting off the LCD display so that your ears didn't have to be bothered with hearing the sound from your laptop. Then they recently put the MacBook's internal speaker drivers under the keyboard. Fortunately, external computer speakers can solve the problem of achieving quality Mac laptop audio; at home or on the go. Of note; Logitech engineers great speakers, and Altec-Lansing keeps cranking out top-quality audio systems with innovative style and design.

SonaWave USB

2.1 w/Sub-Woofer
Battery or USB Power


Only ~$15 - Altec's Compact 2.0 Speakers

USB Power With Style



Compliment Aluminum & Black Macbooks

360 Sound - Front+Rear Drivers



Dual Active+Passive Drivers USB Powered

Logitech Kick-Butt Speakers For Wide Stereo Separation



Although USB ports provide only 5 volts and 500 milliamps of juice - often limiting USB speakers to 1.5 to 3 watts of output -- Logitech's Z-5 speakers feature exceptionally high quality, very sensitive and well engineered speaker drivers that make the most of the limited power of a MacBook's USB port to deliver well balanced room-filling, 360 degree sound.

Self-Powered
Omnidirectional Stereo

New Z-5 USB Speakers with Remote!



Got Mac? Visit these other Apple computer accessory sites:
Turbo charge your Mac laptop with SSD Drive Upgrades For MacBooks - Solid-State flash memory storage drives.

Un-Wire your audio and music listening experience with Wireless Bluetooth Speakers For iPad, Mac & iPhone

Keep your Apple computer's data safe with Backup Storage For Macs featuring USB 3.0 and ThunderBolt interface drives.

Laptop MacBook Speaker Reviews : Hear What You're Missing

The single best-selling Apple computer - The consumer MacBook line - has the smallest speakers which have low-volume even when cranked up. With very dissappointing frequency response typical of tiny, tinny internal laptop speakers - you'll find nearly ANY external speaker system is a vast improvement over the MacBook built-in speakers. These featured here stand-out for audio quality, excellent engineering, easy portability, or an aesthetic that compliments your Mac computers design - and your sense of style.

Portable MacBook Speakers For Travel & Presentations

USB powered portable speakers are an ideal option for highly mobile Apple laptop users. Getting both power AND pure digital stereo audio over a single USB cable - No batteries are needed. Smart designs and with quality speaker drivers - these speakers can provide far greater volume than a MacBook's built-in speakers, enhanced frequency response - and still be compact enough to pack into your laptop carry case.

Logitech USB Stereo SoundBar. A safe rubberized clip protects your LCD screen bezel - and also acts as a desktop stand. USB bus-powered for pure digital 2.0 audio - plus a 1/8" input jack option for iPhone, iPad or other MP3 device. Get better volume and wider frequency response to finally hear what you're missing in TV shows and Movies on your MacBook.

Edifier Sound2Go Speaker - In this portable MacBook USB powered speaker, quality dual 1" drivers for each stereo channel (4 total) are supplimented with an oblong passive bass radiator in the center to deliver loud, room-filling sound. Cast aluminum enclosure about 10" long features a blue LED side-mount lighted volume up/down button and a 1/8" mini input jack for external devices like an iPad or iPhone.

GrandMax Mini SoundBar - This slim and diminutive speaker features dual oblong drivers in a sturday cast brushed alumimin case that's sized right for MacBook Air models in partcular. Includes a pull-out zip mini-USB cable and sleeve case for neat travel. Even on 11" MacBook Air it's slim enough to sit atop the keyboard and still allow access to the number keys.

2.0 USB Desktop Speakers For MacBooks - The highly affordable Logitech S150 is an excellent single-cable USB speaker solution for Mac laptop users at their desk. It offers respectable frequency response down to 90Hz and convenient onboard volume +/- and mute controls.

Altec's USB Travel Speaker. Solid, tough travel ready speaker with high quality driver needs no power other than the USB cable itself. Flip-up stand to angle the sound towards you, USB cable wrap tucks neatly away. Protective grille and zipper case included for safe travel.

Subwoofer For MacBook - Pro - Air

12-South BassJump2 Woofer for Apple MacBook - blends your laptops internal speakers for fuller 2.1 stereo sound down to 100hz in a self-powered, portable USB woofer that measures 5"x5"x2". The included sound control software is needed to control the frequency crossover of your built-in speakers to the 3" bass driver - so this is designed optimally for Macbook Pro and MacBook Air - but can be used with iMacs and Cinema/ThunderBolt Display.

MacBook Bluetooth and Wireless Speaker Options

Mac users love wireless freedom. But it wasn't until OSX 10.5 Leopard that truly High-Quality STEREO streaming to Bluetooth speakers for Mac evolved. OSX Leopard added the critical A2DP - Advanced Audio Distribution Profile protocols for better Bluetooth audio codec support to make truly Hi-Fidelity stereo pairing possible. While excellent for in-room listening, Bluetooth is a CLOSE-RANGE wireless technology: Generally only within 30 feet - and often less - Keep that in mind to temper your range expectations.

OUT & ABOUT : Sony's Battery-powered Bluetooth portable speaker can also use AC power at home. Great sound in a compact travel speaker.

AT HOME : Sony's AC-powered high-quality wireless Bluetooth speaker system. Modern Macs running OSX Lion and Leopard can take advantage of A2DP stereo audio streaming support over Bluetooth connections. Atop your desk or on a bookshelf - easy pairing with both your MacBook and iPhone is a snap once your're within range.

WIRELESS USB : Mint Studio - Stereo iPod Dock with Remote and USB Transmitter. With a range of up to 100' using it's USB based radio transmitter, and support for streaming wireless audio up to 3 Mint systems around the house - this versatile system can take your computer's audio places Bluetooth can't. Learn more at the Mint website.

Apple Airport Wireless Speaker Options

For Hi-Fi stereo music listening at home - the Apple Airport Express base station with AirTunes is still the preferred choice. With a much greater range of distance than Bluetooth, this is still a great whole-house option. Connected to your home stereo receiver - or to a set of powered speakers - iTunes music listening is easy. However to work with a full range of audio applications, we recommend RougeAmoeba's great $25 shareware utility AirFoil - which lets you send ANY Mac audio to your Airport Express.

Airport Express Module + Altec Lansing Expressionist Speakers
Note AltecLansing's stunning design with down-facing omnidirectional 4" sub-woofers provide what they call "Bass in the Base" with serious 25 watt RMS total output. Available in either Classic Mac White - or Glossy Black to compliment newer Uni-Body Macbook computers. Check out this MacWorld review of the Expressionist for more specs.

Stereo Speakers For MacBook - On Your Desktop

With AC power available - high wattage, truly deep bass response and loud volume become possible. Two exceptional desktop speaker systems for Mac users are highlighted here:

Logitech's Desktop USB Hub and 2.1 Stereo Speaker Combo is a 1-piece speaker unit providing 3 extra USB 2.0 ports and a built in 3" sub-woofer for good bass in a compact 'sound-bar' that sits neatly behind your laptop. It minimizes the usual tangle of cables most 2.1 speakers cause. The dual side drivers can be extended outward to accomodate larger-screen Macintosh laptops. Highly recommended.

Creative Labs T-20 Speakers are a great basic 2.0 speaker with well engineered, quality drivers. Shape the sound precisely to your liking with front mounted Volume, Bass and Treble controls that not all computer speaker systems offer.

Aluminum + Glossy Black Unibody MacBook Speakers

Altec Lansing MacBook Speakers compliment the new MacBook glossy screen and black style. These speakers feature Dual-Drivers with separate Power Volume and Tone controls up-front. Great styling for your desktop.