Dear Wirecutter: What’s the Best Speaker for a Classroom Projector?

Q: Which of your guides should I read to find the best speaker to use in my classroom? I’m looking for a speaker to use in a small classroom with about 19 kids to connect to our projector and Apple TV setup. I considered the Oppo Sonica Wi-Fi Speaker, but I’d like to know if there are better options out there.

Mackie CR3

The best computer speakers

The CR3 speakers will work better in a classroom than an all-in-one Bluetooth speaker, because they sound better and play louder than most.

Buying Options

Buy from Amazon
(pair)

A: Assuming your projector has an analog audio output, we’d recommend a pair of powered computer speakers. We just finished a new round of testing, and we can tell you that we’ll be recommending the Mackie CR Series CR3 (a set that typically sells for $100) as a good, low-cost choice.

Computer speakers typically play louder, sound better, and cost less than all-in-one speakers such as those featured in our guides to portable Bluetooth speakers and home Bluetooth speakers. Having two separate speakers will also cover the space of the classroom more consistently, and may allow you to play the sound a couple of decibels lower. Using just one speaker to cover a whole classroom might get pretty loud for those students who are closest to the speaker.

If you do prefer the convenience of an all-in-one speaker, be sure to get one equipped with a 3.5 mm analog input (a feature the Oppo Sonica does include), which connects to the 3.5 mm or RCA stereo analog audio outputs found on most projectors. If you’re streaming content from an iOS device (an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch) through your Apple TV, you may be able to stream the audio wirelessly to an AirPlay-compatible all-in-one speaker. But when it’s so simple to connect an analog cable from the projector to the speaker system, wireless probably isn’t worth the hassle.

The Wirecutter’s editors answer reader questions all the time (much more than once a week). Send an email to [email protected], or talk to us on Twitter and Facebook. Published questions are edited for space and clarity.