Labs

The SRS A205 speakers are larger than most of the others on test, although still a reasonable size for a pair of desktop units. Notable features are the 10W total output (5W per channel), an additional line in, headphone port, and volume control. It's also worth noting that the power supply is built-in - which makes the left-hand speaker somewhat heavy - and all the cables are captive. The built-in PSU means that the power cable is shorter than most, giving less flexibility when positioning the speakers.

The SRS A205 features Sony's Mega Bass technology, which may go some way to explaining the fact that the bass is very prominent in the audio mix. Unlike some other Mega Bass products, there's no way to turn the Mega Bass off.

Despite the bass being prominent, and slightly muffled, the overall sound from these speakers is excellent. Treble and mid-ranges are crisp and bright and there's no distortion, even at high volumes.

If you have the desk space and have a plug socket close at hand, the additional input and excellent sound make the A205 a good choice.