The proliferation of smart speakers and compact, portable Bluetooth units has been brilliant for giving people numerous and better ways to consume digital music. But it's also meant that buying a pair of speakers that physically plug into something, and that aren't designed for Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or voice assistants, has become increasingly difficult.

Your options typically are to go very cheap, very expensive, or just find a Bluetooth speaker that also has a line-in. But none of these are great if you need a pair of good, inexpensive speakers to go on your shelf for music, movies or games.

However ideal speakers for these kind of scenarios do exist, such as Edifier's R1280T. In a small bedroom or office, or on the desktop in front of you, I found this $129 set nicer to listen to than some wireless speakers at double the price.

These speakers are powered, meaning they have an amplifier built in and can connect directly to a source like a TV, computer, phone or a pre-amped turntable. They comprise a 4-inch bass unit and a 13mm tweeter, giving crisp highs and great mids. Bass is quite good too at all but the highest volume levels, though obviously doesn't compare to a dedicated sub.