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Active bookshelf speaker recommendations under £2000.

AlfieFroud

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I’m wanting to get a pair of active bookshelf speakers for my desk. They will be paired with the RME ADI-2 FS DAC. I have a budget of under £2000. Due to the pandemic it won’t be possible for me go and try them so it’s going to be pretty much a blind buy. My favourite headphones are the Beyerdynamic Amiron home, not sure if that gives an idea of the sort of sound that I like. Any recommendations?
 

Iangmt

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Alfie
You are probably higher up the food chain than I am.
Fwiw, I am using Ruark MR1.
Analogue in: RPi HifiBerry with flac on usb
Optical in: Revo Connect for DAB radio
Bluetooth: for BBC Sounds on iPad
Further ahead, considering KEF LSX & LS50, but getting bigger sizewise!
Ian
 

LTig

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Depends on the size available on your desk.
  • Usually a 5" 2- way like Genelec 8330 or Neumann KH120 are a very good choice and leave enough money for a sub if full range is desired.
  • You can go smaller with 4" 2-ways like Genelec 8320 and Neumann KH80DSP but then a sub is almost a must.
  • Bigger ones could be the 6.5" 2-way Genelec 8340 but I think the first configuration with a sub would be better.
 
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A

AlfieFroud

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Sep 4, 2020
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Alfie
You are probably higher up the food chain than I am.
Fwiw, I am using Ruark MR1.
Analogue in: RPi HifiBerry with flac on usb
Optical in: Revo Connect for DAB radio
Bluetooth: for BBC Sounds on iPad
Further ahead, considering KEF LSX & LS50, but getting bigger sizewise!
Ian
How are you liking the Revo Connect?
 
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A

AlfieFroud

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Depends on the size available on your desk.
  • Usually a 5" 2- way like Genelec 8330 or Neumann KH120 are a very good choice and leave enough money for a sub if full range is desired.
  • You can go smaller with 4" 2-ways like Genelec 8320 and Neumann KH80DSP but then a sub is almost a must.
  • Bigger ones could be the 6.5" 2-way Genelec 8340 but I think the first configuration with a sub would be better.
I think the 8330 would be a better size for my desk. I’m wanting to use my existing DAC DAC as it has some EQ and DSP features that I like. Would it still work well knowing the 8030C will AD/DA internally anyway or would it have a degrade in audio quality because I’m already doing DA with DAC?
 

LTig

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I think the 8330 would be a better size for my desk. I’m wanting to use my existing DAC DAC as it has some EQ and DSP features that I like. Would it still work well knowing the 8030C will AD/DA internally anyway or would it have a degrade in audio quality because I’m already doing DA with DAC?
I don't think so, with good ADCs and DACs an AD/DA conversion is audibly transparent. If in doubt go for the KH120 which is full analog.
 

Old Listener

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I have Dynaudio LYD48s for my main system and like them very much. You can find good info with freq. response graphs on the Dynaudio site.

It appears that a pair would come in under your budget limit at UK prices.

For my desktop audio system, I have Audioengine HD6 speakers. They are powered but not active. No audible hiss at 20 inches and good sound. A single volume knob on the left speaker controls volume on both speakers and a single power switch on he left speaker turns off power for both speakers. I use another pair for TV watching in another room. I use the Toslink input to get audio from the TV to the speakers. A remote control provides volume control and muting which are esse ntial in that application.

Whatever your choice of speakers, use a measurement mic and room measurement s/w to see how your system performs in your room. Then use DSP to smooth out low frequency response.
 
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