best desktop speakers for your office, study and bedroom in 2020
Let’s face it, there’s nothing worse than a silent office. That's why at Smart Home Sounds, there's not a minute that goes by where there's not music playing.
But when we bring the office to our homes, the social stimulation and daily hustle and bustle that keeps us going through the 9-5 is diminished.
Studies have shown that listening to music when we are working can not only help with our productivity, but improve our mood generally.
In this blog, we’ll recommend our favourite desktop and shelf speakers that can be perched in your workspace to get you whistling while you work and busting boredom at all budgets.
1. Sonos One (RRP £199)
-
Award-winning sound
-
Many methods of control including Alexa or Google Assistant
-
Can form part of a multi-room system
The Sonos One has been a smash hit for US-based multi-room audio company, Sonos. Picking up multiple awards since its release in 2017, it’s compact, sounds crystal clear at ambient volumes but also packs a really impressive punch for break times.
The Sonos One can fill an average-sized bedroom or study comfortably and looks great on a bookshelf, windowsill, or bed-side table.
Just plug it into mains power, download the Sonos app on your phone or tablet and stream music, radio, podcasts or audiobooks from your favourite services within a few minutes.
The speaker also has both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant built in if you wanted to benefit from completely hands-free control.
And if you ever wanted to add speakers to more rooms in the future, they can all be controlled from one central place, the Sonos app, where the same music can be enjoyed everywhere or different rooms can be playing different music, all at the tap of a button.
We also love the Flexson Desk Stand for the Sonos One (£24.99) pictured below, which angles your Sonos One to the perfect listening height and reduces surface vibration!
Not interested in voice control? Check out the Sonos One SL for £179.
SHOP SONOS ONE
2. Audioengine A2+ Wireless (RRP £219 per pair)
-
Can sit either side of your monitor
-
Bluetooth aptx for wireless control plus a choice of inputs
-
Great for stereo separation
Sold as a left and right stereo pair, these little desktop speakers look fantastic on either side of your computer screen.
Not straying too far from the successful A2 model, the Audioengine A2+ Wireless speakers add a wireless method of control, Bluetooth aptx, and even a handy remote control for those who want to do away with wires.
We love the care and attention that has gone into making these with aramid fiber woofers, silk tweeters and hand-crafted cabinets offering surprisingly powerful audio to fill a workspace easily.
These are best appreciated near-field as their stereo image has been optimised for desktop use with yourself sitting about 2 feet away.
Why not add the Audioengine DS1M Stands for an additional £15 per pair to angle the speakers more in line with your PC monitor and listening position.
SHOP Audioengine A2+ Wireless
3. Marshall Acton II with Google Assistant (RRP £269)
-
Alluring, vintage style
-
Plug and play with Bluetooth 5.0
-
Voice control options available
We fell in love with Marshall speakers for their iconic design and warm sound. They just seem to fit in perfectly with a retro-style interior, looking sleek on a table, desk or bookcase.
The Acton II is the baby speaker of the Marshall home speaker range and is simple to set up and use as it plugs straight into mains power and uses Bluetooth 5.0 as the method of control.
We particularly love the Google Assistant version as it seems to work flawlessly but there is also an Amazon Alexa version available, or if you would like to avoid the voice control aspect completely, the Bluetooth version on its own comes in at only £219 RRP.
All Marshall home speakers get an Aux In to connect your other audio components and analog volume, bass and treble knobs which are very satisfying to use.
If you’re into the vintage style and want a speaker that doesn’t just sound great, but is a statement in your room, we’re confident you’ll love the Marshall Acton II.
SHOP Marshall Acton II
4. Bowers & Wilkins Formation Flex (RRP £399)
-
Premium sound quality at a compact size
-
Many ways of controlling
-
Forms part of a multi-room audio system
Now we’re starting to get serious.
The Bowers & Wilkins Formation range is similar to Sonos in the way of utilising WiFi and multi-room control but offers a step up in sound quality and distinctive styling.
If you don’t want to miss out on any cymbal, hi-hat or even breath, the newly-released Formation Flex should be high up on your list.
While it comes with a premium price tag, it’s a perfect choice for those that take their music more seriously than the average listener.
The Flex brings you closer to the artist with superb vocal clarity thanks to its tweeter taken from its epic 600 series. Deep bass from the woven glass fibre cone woofer offers a different level of immersion - but all of this is achieved in a very thoughtfully designed, compact speaker.
Again, simply give it mains power, download the Formation app and then use Spotify Connect, AirPlay 2, Roon or Bluetooth to get the tracks playing.
It even supports hi-res for those that have a Deezer Elite, Tidal Hi-Fi or Amazon Music HD subscription for a heightened audio experience.
Shop Bowers & Wilkins Formation Flex
5. KEF LSX (RRP £999 per pair)
-
Big sound for big rooms
-
Excellent heritage
-
Plenty of wireless and wired options
KEF LSX is the successor to the esteemed KEF LS50 speaker system with the LS50s winning WhatHiFi’s coveted Product of the Decade, however those would have been slightly too large for a desktop.
Utilising the same Uni-Q technology which disperses sound far wider than its form, the LSX comes in a slightly smaller package, making them perfect for the larger-than-average size workspace.
There’s no wires involved other than mains power so you can keep your space free from cables and they also come in a whole pallet of colour choices ranging from black to olive to blue to match your room’s aesthetic.
In terms of wireless control, you get Bluetooth 4.1, Spotify Connect, Tidal or AirPlay 2 but also come with plenty of wired connectivity on the back if you’ve got something else you want to hook them up with.
You’ll want to give these speakers room to breathe as they can go super loud, so are more suited towards a larger space as opposed to really compact spaces.
If you have the budget and the desk space for them, your ears will thank you for the favour.
Shop KEF LSX
So there we have it. Our top picks for getting great sound for your work-from-home days.
We hope you found your perfect speaker but if you are still in pursuit of it, or have some burning questions, please don’t hesitate to contact one of our speaker specialists at Smart Home Sounds who would love to help.
Remember: we offer extended warranties, 30 day listen better promises and next day delivery as standard on selected speakers in our online shop.
Shop all wireless speakers
By Jonathan, Sonos Specialist
