Computer speakers - no space on desk!

[Taz]

I've got a Windows PC in a corner of a room that is solely for gaming. Space is extremely limited so I have a compact computer desk - 700mm wide. My new monitor is also 700mm wide, leaving me no space to put my little computer speakers on either side of the new monitor. Being reluctant to fork out lots of cash to solve this problem, I'm looking for ideas on how I can economically get my speakers on either side of my monitor.

Being into HiFi, the only practical solution I can think of at the moment is a pair of cheap speaker stands. Unfortunately, in the world of HiFi, cheap isn't really a thing!

[jimbouk]

Sound bar on top of the monitor?

I've wall mounted a pair of light hi-fi speakers just using hooks in the wall, little screw in hook (loop) on the back of the speaker and some zip ties. Worked better as each one was actually in a corner (rear speakers) so sat nicely.

A pair of little wall mounted shelves? These little beauties* are only £7.99



* Ugly things

[Taz]

Sound bar on top of the monitor?

I've wall mounted a pair of light hi-fi speakers just using hooks in the wall, little screw in hook (loop) on the back of the speaker and some zip ties. Worked better as each one was actually in a corner (rear speakers) so sat nicely.

A pair of little wall mounted shelves? These little beauties* are only £7.99



* Ugly things

Thanks for the ideas. I can't do wall-mount as there's no convenient wall near the computer desk. I plan on getting a pair of active near-field monitors for my computer audio soon. They will be just as tiny as my current computer speakers.

[jimbouk]

Floor mounted speaker stands will be expensive then yeah - they don't have any other use case than mount (generally expensive) speakers.

Can you make something that attaches to the side of the desk?

[Taz]

Can you make something that attaches to the side of the desk?

This is an interesting idea. The desk is 700mm wide. The monitor is also 700mm wide. I need 150mm on either side for the speakers, totalling a 1000mm width for the monitor plus speakers on either side.

I'm going to see if I can find a cheap shelf that is 1000mm wide and around 200mm deep and glued/screwed down, I think it would work.

[DanceswithUnix]

A sound bar to go under the monitor?

You can get really cheap ones even at the supermarket, though with a wide monitor you might want a more expensive one with some girth to it.

[kalniel]

Wall mount the speakers or put a soundbase under the monitor: https://www.whathifi.com/best-buys/b...eaker-upgrades

[Taz]

I'll look into sound bar options. Hadn't thought of that. My PC provides a 3.5mm stereo line out.

[jimbouk]

Although looking at my desk I'm in exacly the same position. The difference I assume is that my monitor is on a monitor arm attached to the desk and under it quite happily sit two little speakers and a microphone. So they're not 'either side' but are at the edges of desk. I rarely find the built in stands were high enough for my needs anyway so it's been a good investment.

[[GSV]Trig]

3d print something that can hold speakers and put them on the monitor or desk edges

[jimbouk]

There we go. Once I've finished decorating I'll be back in the study with a bigger desk but this part of the setup stays the same, just more space for other crud...

[Scryder]

I just use the built-in speakers on one of my monitors (I know not all have it). But for Gaming I just use a Philips Fidelio headset. It's more immersive for me, and I hear more sounds than on a desktop speaker setup.

[Tyrannosaur]

Couple of ideas:

VESA speaker mount brackets? Seem to be used to mount a soundbar above/below a tv, but could probably be used with some speaker brackets.

Desk clamp-on speaker stand. But from a quick look seem expensive.

Using a monitor arm like this guy - https://imgur.com/a/HsMxTuf

[ik9000]

@Taz, can you do a pic of desk please? Is there additional space each side of the desk where you could go out sidewards with some brackets from the desk?

If so I would look at a metal bracket that screws to top of desk on each side and drops down off each side to support the speakers you currently have. Builders metalwork usually have lots of varietys of angle brackets, metal straps and plates etc that you can bend (with a bit of effort), come pre-dilled and are sturdy enough to carry computer speakers without much drama.

[Taz]

I'm blown away by all the suggestions! Thank you so much. I installed the new monitor last night and have found a temporary (and free) solution which should tide me over Christmas and New Year. I noticed that I had a small gap between the bottom of the monitor and the desk's surface. I turned the speakers sideways. It works, but of course, it's not really an audiophile-approved solution.





Going forward, I found some clamp-on desk mouse pads that I might invest in. It's these ones here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09JCF3GMH

At £20 each they will probably do the job unless I can fashion something myself to do a similar job.

@ik9000 - the L-shaped metal bracket idea with a larger platform for the speakers would be ideal. I do want to get some miniature near-field monitors eventually so audio quality will become more important to me next year.

[[GSV]Trig]

Put some blutac under the speakers to isolate them from the desk and then its approved