There is a host of options available for those looking to buy a mini speaker system for an mp3 player or notebook.

Little-known UK company Minispeakers is the latest to have a go, claiming to offer a better-value solution by sourcing and importing direct from the manufacturer.

Housed entirely in stainless steel and at over a kilo in weight, the K8000 isn’t exactly light, but it is among the more compact models you can find today.

The three-way speakers (two mid/high-range side speakers and a built-in subwoofer) are entirely housed within the unit, wrapped in a minimalist but very stylish design.

The casing has a soft-touch volume control and two switches to turn extra bass and treble on or off to suit different styles of music, or indeed to make peace with neighbours. When we put the K8000 through its paces the quality was outstanding.

The dynamic range of the midrange/treble speakers is excellent, delivering crystal-clear sound on all the tracks we tested, but it’s not until you jack up the volume and put the sub to the test that it really excels.

Bass response is superb, and the speakers are loud enough for all but the most tinnitus-affected techno-head to have to turn it down a few notches.

All in all the clarity and power of the K8000 means it would easily pass for a permanent audio solution for your desktop PC, notebook or games console, let alone an mp3 player.

It’s a tad heavy to be lugged around for long, so a semi-permanent placement is more practical, but with no battery support you’ll need to be near a mains outlet anyway.

Outstanding sound quality from the K8000 mini speaker system makes the high price bearable. There are few rivals that offer such a powerful solution for the price and none with such small dimensions.

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