CR's auto reviews are pretty simple and straightforward:

Are you using the Dayton B652 speakers? The older production runs were not bad for their $30 sale price, but the new ones are less impressive, and carry a heftier $50 price tag.
I took my pair of the old ones and did some mods (Vifa tweeter, aperiodic vent, bracing, custom crossover) that make them actually sound…

IMO You can't mention desktop speaker set ups without mentioning the Lepai 2020A and a pair of decent bookshelf speakers. IMO opinion that route can't be beat for the money.

Note: This article contains content some readers might find objectionable.

AudioTechnica M50X combined with Vmoda BoomPro Microphone. Best gaming headset, absolutely no doubt.