Lenovo has the Lenovo M0520 2.0 Portable Mini Speaker, Black (57Y6360) for $30 - $21 off with coupon code USP1FE426360 [Exp 2/11] = $9 with free shipping. Portable speakers feature 2W total output, 90Hz to 20 KHz frequency response and are about 3.5" tall.
I always liked usb powered speakers more than the old ones that needed the sound card to power it through the audio cable. This at least gets you a bit more sound out of it.
^ Depends on the era of system, some OEM systems used to have a power amp chip capable of around 7W and were enough to even drive bookshelf speakers. Think I still have a Creative Labs card around here somewhere that also does this but has only analog 2 channel output.
I always liked usb powered speakers more than the old ones that needed the sound card to power it through the audio cable. This at least gets you a bit more sound out of it.
^ Depends on the era of system, some OEM systems used to have a power amp chip capable of around 7W and were enough to even drive bookshelf speakers. Think I still have a Creative Labs card around here somewhere that also does this but has only analog 2 channel output.
Guess modern mobo cheaped out the sound and require external power to get them to have any amp out of them.