USB has come a long way and there are many USB speakers using the latest protocols that are comparable to speakers using the speaker jack. If you’re looking at cheap USB speakers from a random Amazon vendor or even from your average big-box store, you’re probably going to be disappointed, but high-quality companies do produce high-quality USB speakers. However, as in most cases with electronics, you get what you pay for. For speakers with additional features that have to communicate with computer software to function (such as synchronized lighting effects), USB is a must though, as a 3.5mm connection simply can’t carry the necessary digital information.