Expert Consulted: Adrian Gardiner. Years of experience building and maintaining customer PCs, in particular for gaming, have allowed me to build a wealth of expertise in this field. In this article, I’ll be sharing my knowledge with you to answer the question: Do gaming monitors have speakers?
In the past, we had big bulky monitors with no built-in speakers at all, meaning a separate set of speakers was essential. We then gradually moved on to ever thinner and sleeker-looking monitors, some with integral speakers and most without.
The problem with today’s thin monitors is that you simply can’t expect great sound from a display that’s less than 1/4″ deep; there’s literally no room or depth for a decent set of speakers.
So, to answer the question, do gaming monitors have speakers?
Yes, some gaming monitors are available with speakers. However, the audio quality of these built-in speakers tends to be basic and may not deliver the immersive sound experience that many games require. As a result, dedicated gamers frequently opt for gaming headsets or, to a lesser extent, external speakers to achieve superior audio fidelity.
However, there are excellent gaming monitors available now that have been designed with great built-in speakers in mind, giving the very best audio-visual experience for gamers, at least for those who don’t wear headphones, which, in my experience, is not that many!
To find out more about this subject and whether or not you should consider buying a gaming monitor with speakers, read on. I’ve outlined the key facts you need to know before purchasing a gaming monitor with speakers.
Related Article: For more information on gaming monitors and, in particular, what size monitor to buy, see my content on The Best Monitor Size for Gaming.
Understanding Gaming Monitors
Gaming monitors are designed to provide gamers with a superior gaming experience. They are designed with advanced features to enhance the visuals, response time, and overall performance, making them ideal for gaming.
Gaming monitors differ from regular monitors in several ways, with higher refresh rates, low input lag, and faster response times, all essential for a smooth gaming experience.
They also have unique features like G-Sync and FreeSync, designed to eliminate screen tearing and stuttering.
When it comes to audio, some gaming monitors come with built-in speakers, while others do not.
The presence of built-in speakers can be a significant advantage for some gamers as it eliminates the need for external speakers, which can be bulky and take up extra space on the desk.
However, built-in speakers typically don’t provide the best sound quality. They are usually nowhere near as powerful as external speakers and will most likely lack bass and clarity.
Many gamers prefer to use headphones or external speakers for a better audio experience.
Gaming Monitor Brands Available With Good Audio
Although built-in speakers on gaming monitors haven’t the best reputation, more recently, the situation has started to improve. You can now buy very good quality speakers integrated into some of the more high-end monitors from brands like:
- ASUS (Rog Strix range)
- BenQ (Mobiuz range)
- AsRock (Phantom range)
- Alienware
- LG
- Gigabyte.
Do Gaming Monitors Have Speakers?
Some gaming monitors have built-in speakers, but many do not. The availability of speakers depends on the model and manufacturer, some of which are now producing gaming monitors with excellent audio capabilities (like BenQ’s new superb Mobiuz range).
Monitors with built-in speakers, providing they’re of good quality, can save desk space and reduce clutter and, of course, are very convenient for gamers who don’t want to invest in separate speakers or headphones.
Some gaming monitors, like the BenQ EX2780Q, even come with a built-in subwoofer.
If you want the ultimate in great sound, then a set of high-quality external speakers will always win, hands down over integrated. A good set of high-quality headphones can also provide a superb sound experience.
In general, built-in speakers found in cheaper gaming monitors are comparable to smartphone speakers. They’re decent for casual listening or watching a video, but they won’t provide the depth and clarity an audiophile or serious gamer might be looking for.
Why Some Gaming Monitors Don’t Include Speakers
Performance is usually the number one consideration when designing a gaming monitor, and that may be to the exclusion of good sound capability. Here are a few reasons why you might not expect to find a set of integrated speakers on a gaming monitor:
| Cost-Effectiveness: | Incorporating speakers into a monitor can increase production costs. For gamers who already have high-quality external audio systems, the added cost of built-in speakers is probably unnecessary, leading manufacturers to omit them. |
| Performance Over Features: | The primary goal of gaming monitors is to deliver unparalleled visual performance. This means features like ultra-high refresh rates, minimal response times, and accurate color reproduction often overshadow the inclusion of a set of speakers. |
| Space and Design Considerations: | Integrating speakers can sometimes compromise the sleek design of a monitor, especially if they’re to be any good. With the trend leaning towards slim bezels and minimalist designs, adding speakers can pose a real design challenge. |
Are Built-In Speakers Essential for Gaming Monitors?
Gaming these days is an immersive experience where you can easily free yourself from the real world and revel in the stunning visuals and, of course, the amazing sound experience.
Some form of speakers are therefore essential, but not necessarily those that are integrated into a gaming monitor, where the quality can’t be guaranteed unless you’re prepared to spend a bit more.
You need speakers not just to hear music but also to hear the various game prompts, sound effects, and dialogue.
Speakers or Headphones?
Whether built-in or separate, speakers will allow others to participate or listen in when you’re gaming, especially if you’re engaging in a multiplayer game requiring communication between gamers (in the same room, for example).
However, if you’re gaming in an environment where sound from speakers is going to be a problem for others nearby, or you have thin walls, a good quality set of headphones would be the way forward.
Advantages of Speakers
Here are some advantages of speakers:
- Speakers allow others to listen in when gaming or watching movies, for example.
- Separate speakers will have better sound quality.
- Built-in speakers will mean less clutter with no sound cables.
- Built-in speakers will save space on your desk or in your room.
- Separate speakers can allow for an amazing surround sound system (5.1) for the ultimate setup.
- A set of separate speakers will mean you may be able to purchase a thinner gaming monitor.
Advantages of Headphones
Here are a few headphone advantages:
- With headphones, you’ll have total privacy unless you have a mic attached, in which case you’ll need to be careful what you say!
- No need for integrated speakers, which could save you money.
- No need for a bulky set of external speakers either cluttering up your desk or taking up floor space.
- Headphones for gaming often come with a microphone attachment, essential for today’s multiplayer gaming environments.
Final Thoughts
Yes, there are gaming monitors that come with speakers, although the sound quality hasn’t always been that great.
However, there are now good choices available for gaming monitors with high-quality integrated speakers, allowing gamers to enjoy a superb immersive gaming experience without having to connect external speakers or headphones.
The line between what is a gaming monitor and a TV is blurring ever more with both device types able to handle gaming and TV.
In conclusion, some gaming monitors do have built-in speakers that can provide decent sound quality, and I’d be more than happy to use them.
As always, check the product specifications carefully and read as many user reviews as you can before buying.
Image Attribution and Licensing
Main Image: ‘Turned on flat screen monitor’ by Tarn Nguyen (Unsplash)
#1: ‘Gaming Monitors with Headphones’ by Seyed Sina Fazeli (Unsplash)