i've been using the Logitech Z313 for a year, but it's not quite as loud as i'd like. i started watching a few twitch streamers lately who don't talk very loud. any suggestions on an upgrade?

not really used for music.

Ask rikuo is quite good with audio

https://www.amazon.com/Audioengine-Active-2-Way-Speakers-Black/dp/B005OA3BSY

best computer speakers i've ever bought

You don't say budget.. For under 100$ this is best you can get and will beat many more expensive speakers as well.

http://www.parts-express.com/dayton-audio-b652-air-6-1-2-2-way-bookshelf-speaker-with-amt-tweeter-pair--300-651
http://www.parts-express.com/lepai-lp-2020a-tripath-class-t-hi-fi-audio-mini-amplifier-with-power-supply--310-300

If you want strong bass with the speakers you could add a sub like this and still be with 250$ budget.

http://www.parts-express.com/dayton-audio-sub-1200-12-120-watt-powered-subwoofer--300-629

For 300$ you can get a pair of these with really good neutral sound and quite strong bass as well.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000Q6EHA2/

oops, budget completely slipped my mind. definitely < 200$ but preferably under 100$. will look at those suggestions, thanks!

regarding your second link, i'm not very familiar with amplifiers. do they just hook up to speakers and makes them louder?

This post was edited by carteblanche on Oct 29 2016 10:51am

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000VKEFN2/?tag=pcpapi-20

for 199$ these speakers are epic

For that budget I would buy used. I got a 1969 Dual CV-40 paired with KEF Chorale speakers (found the ampli on ebay and the speakers at a garage sale, for a total of about 100€) and the sound is incredible, way better than anything else I could have bought "new" at that pricepoint. Plus I think the design on these older models is fantastic, mixing wood and metal http://www.n-malek.de/bilder/CV40_Totalansicht.jpg

This post was edited by annexusquam on Oct 29 2016 11:20am

On sale. I have a set. They are plenty loud. For the price, can't really beat them.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/klipsch-promedia-2-1-speaker-system-3-piece-black/9382232.p?skuId=9382232

thats a great price

For passive speakers like I paired them with you will need amplifier to feed power for them to produce sound. So you will connect your computer to amp and amp to speakers.