Once upon a time reality forced PC users, especially gamers, into buying often-costly external audio devices. Monitors frequently had no speakers and when they did, sound quality left much to be desired. In other words, sound quality wasn’t good at all. Everything sounded flat and weak, so external speakers were needed. But just as motherboards evolved to the point where most gamers don’t buy dedicated sound cards, so have monitors improved. Many current displays aimed at entertainment and gaming include impressive dual speaker designs with an independent subwoofer, known as 2.1 audio. They produce strong stereo with deep bass, so you don’t have to go out and get external speakers unless you really want to.