The LM386 isn't very powerful. With a 6V supply and an 8 ohm speaker, it produces a whopping 0.2W at clipping. With a higher supply voltage its output power is more, but it might melt.
I used National's "amp selection" program to find 25W into 8 ohms with 1% distortion and a dual 28V supply. Their cheapest amp is the LM4701T. It is a very good amp and gives only 0.1% distortion at 30W. :lol:
Their stereo amps cost a lot more.
25 Watts would turn a typical little computer speaker into smoke.
My new computer came with amplified speakers that have 3" little speakers inside, and they are powered by a 12VDC/1A wall-wart.
12W from the mains, 4.8W to heat the amplifiers and 7.2W for the total power for both speakers.
3.6W in each speaker sounds quite loud.
I have 32W coming out of my computer speakers. 6W per 3" "satellite" speakers and 20W for the small 5" subwoofer. And although the subwoofer packs a nice ooomph, the satellites are way too easily overpowered by the sub, and could use a bit more power. But what I have is just a notch above mediocre, so it might explain the lack of treble/higher frequencies response.
You know, some people listen to more than Windows' DING! on their computer Just look at what kind of peripherals Creative Labs has to offer to gamers, musicians and the average music enthusiast on the computer...
Just a little bit of high frequency equalization will change your mediocre system into a fabulous one.
Luckily, high frequencies use very little power. :lol: