I didn't know the price of the Hercules XPS 2.1 Lounge speakers when I hooked them up to my test computer in the labs. They delivered pleasant, resonant bass, and clear high-end performance, typical of, say, a $120 2.1-channel set. I was greatly surprised to learn that these speakers cost only $60 (street). They can handle deep bass even at high volumes (although if you push them to the absolute limit, they will distort). The wired remote looks clunky but has a bass level control, which lets you tailor the sound to your tastes. To put it simply, these are the best-sounding low-priced computer speakers we've heard, so they earn our Editors' Choice.

The satellite speakers measure 10.2 by 3.5 by 3 inches each, and the subwoofer is 9.2 by 6.3 by 9 inches (HWD). The wired remote connects to the computer's audio output, sending sound on to the sub, which in turn sends audio to the satellites. The wavy look of the satellite speakers will strike you as either sleek or cheesy, but for most people the design alone won't be enough to be a deal breaker. The remote is the cheapest-looking part of the equation. Volume- and bass-level knobs sit in the middle of the remote, which looks like a large plastic pod. Behind them is a slot that looks like an MP3 dock. In fact, it's nothing more than a stand for your device. You supply the cable connector that comes with your iPod or Zune and plug it into your computer—not the remote or the speakers. The remote also features a prominent upright disc shape behind the stand whose only function is to adjust the depth of the stand to the thickness of your MP3 player.

Less-expensive speaker sets sometimes try to do too much, and that's my complaint here. The remote also has an aux input, a headphone jack, and a mic input. You plug the mic into the remote, then connect the mic output cable hardwired to the remote to your PC, which is unnecessarily complicated.

These speakers sound impressively full considering the $70 price. Their strongest asset, by far, is their ability to handle intense bass. The Knife's "Silent Shout" sounded awesome on these babies, with deep low end that may well rattle your walls but never the subwoofer. Typically, low-price 2.1 systems can't handle half this much bass without distorting and rattling. The guitars on Bowie's "Queen Bitch" sound crystal clear, complemented by the substantial thud of the kick drum. The XPS 2.1 Lounge speakers don't sound quite as crisp and clear as the Harman/Kardon SoundSticks II, but they generally sell for at least $40 more. The subwoofer performance on both of these speaker sets—usually the weakest part of an inexpensive 2.1 system—is quite comparable.

The accurate sound or flat response that true audiophiles demand doesn't really come into the equation in sub-$200 speakers. If you're looking for a fantastic deal on speakers for your dorm room or office, however, the Hercules XPS 2.1 Lounge should be number one on your list. They're a solid-sounding speaker set—and who cares about the cheapo wired remote when they sound this good? One thing we can't really test here is lifespan of the product, but say these break or sound lousy after a year—you've still spent only half the money you would normally spend on a decent 2.1 system. I'm impressed.

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