Are the speakers that come with new computers usually total crap? (In this case, the computer is a Dell desktop, maybe three years old, not particularly high-end at the time.)
I had been bothered somewhat by the fact that the speakers were, even with the volume (both something that looks like the Windows default volume, and the Realtek audio controller volume) cranked up to the maximum, they weren't very loud. This contrasted with this set of headphones I have, where the first click from the bottom is not quite loud enough, but the second click is much too loud, and turning the volume up to the maximum would probably result in hearing damage.
The pair of speakers have one cable that connects the two of them together, then two other cables which go to the computer - a USB plug, and an audio jack. My guess is that the USB plug provides the power, but maybe some control functions as well (e.g., maybe the speakers tell the computer what they are). Should that type of speaker (power coming from the USB plug, assuming I'm correct) normally be on the quiet side?
Moving the speakers around, they stopped working completely! A light inside one of the speakers is still on, so they are getting power, but I can't get sound out of them at all now. So I'm thinking about buying new speakers, but I'm not sure what kind to get, and whether this will solve the problem.