all these 'Desk setups'...?

[coonmanx]

Interesting thread and I totally understand where the OP is coming from. I have a "desktop system" if you could call it that. Well it's just Labtec computer speakers with a small sub being driven by the computer. So far less elaborate than a lot of systems. I also have two separate computers that I use. During the day I use the one on the left and at night while I am winding down for sleep I use the one on the right. Both are connected via a switch to one monitor and keyboard. Separate mouse for each one. Audio gets shared by using a switch as well. Pretty basic. If I really want to listen to music (via CD) I have two systems in the bedroom. All of the computer stuff is on the floor and I sit on my memory foam mattress when I use the computer...

I have thought about upgrading the audio system attached to the computer(s) but right now I don't have any need for that. Those little Labtecs do alright for late night music enjoyment at low sound levels...

 

[coonmanx]

My room is a bit of a mess and should probably be called organized chaos.

Kudos to those who choose to do a proper setup.

You can see the "real speakers" and a guitar amp in the background...

 

[A Surfer]

I don't think anyone should be judging others for spending whatever they want on any type of setup they want. Even if the judgement is veiled with a somewhat confusing presentation. So what was the question this thread posed if it wasn't to find a way to gently criticize the desktop crowd?

I can't figure out what the point of this thread was. Maybe I'm dense.

 

[Robin L]

My "Desktop system":

 

[Berwhale]

But I'm curious --- how are the speakers actually being deployed? I can grok the benefits of near field listening, but...
Unless the speakers baffles are situated at the front edge of a desk, wouldn't the output be subject to considerable 'desk bounce'?
And also SBIR (which might be good) if they are close to a facing wall?

I have iLoud MTMs, on modified screen stands either side of my monitor with tweeters at ear height (so no desk bounce). It's an electronic standing desk, everything is fixed to the desk and the whole setup works whether I'm seated for standing. During the week, I probably spend at least 10 hours a day at my desk, that's more time than any other room in the house. There are several pictures of my setup and how it's evolved over the last 5 years on the desktop setup thread.

Each MTM is EQ'ed with onboard DSP (using iLoud mic and automated process). The pair of MTMs are then further EQed (measured using moving microphone method with UMIK-1, calculated with REW and applied in Windows with PEACE/EAPO).

The total cost of my current audio setup is less than 1/2 the cost of the annual rail season ticket I used to purchase before COVID (this includes the MTMs, Topping EX5, Sennheiser HD 660 S and cables, etc.). I actually paid for the HD 660 S with part of the refund from my 2020 season ticket.

 

[pablolie]

I have iLoud MTMs, on modified screen stands either side of my monitor with tweeters at ear height (so no desk bounce). ...

Most pics I have seen show speakers elevated or pointed up in some way. Setups are as subjected to preference as are product purchase positions. It's silly to always judge from the audience. I actually see far worse sins being committed in the setup of million dollar systems that are regularly shown in top audiophile-ish publications.

 

[Somafunk]

I see tons of posts on ASR from people whose listening situation seems to mainly involve a pair of speakers on a desk.
These aren't pros with a set of small speakers on their board for comparative listening, these are just normal folk using 'desk setups' as their main(?) listening.
Some such 'desk setups' seem startlingly elaborate -- expensive speakers, subwoofers, DSP,fancy DACs and electronics.....

I needed a desk and speakers in my 4.3m x 3.4 m living room so the obvious solution was to build a long 2m x .7m desk along one wall and place iMac/monitors on the desk.

When eating breakfast/tea I sit at desk in my secretlabs chair (I'm not a gamer), when not sat at desk I'm sat in my recliner in the sweet spot 2/3rds from front wall

Works fine for my needs/wants

My entire 1 bed bungalow @50m2 is probably smaller than many U.S. living rooms so it's not as if I had a choice.

 

[ozzy9832001]

My speakers are on stands next to the desk.

Desk bounce or even issues with the monitor (if it's large enough) are relatively minor compared to some of the other room/equipment related problems.

SBIR is an issue that effects more than just desk users. A lot of people prefer to have the speakers closer to the front wall, if not just for aesthetics alone.

At the end of the day, I think PC related setups have a lot to offer. And if you're going to be sitting at a desk working or what not and have some music going, might as well sound as good as it can.

 

[Doodski]

I needed a desk and speakers in my 4.3m x 3.4 m living room so the obvious solution was to build a long 2m x .7m desk along one wall and place iMac/monitors on the desk.

When eating breakfast/tea I sit at desk in my secretlabs chair (I'm not a gamer), when not sat at desk I'm sat in my recliner in the sweet spot 2/3rds from front wall

Works fine for my needs/wants

My entire 1 bed bungalow @50m2 is probably smaller than many U.S. living rooms so it's not as if I had a choice.

I like your room treatment. Very comprehensive. I bet the imaging is great.

 

[Somafunk]

I like your room treatment. Very comprehensive. I bet the imaging is great.

Yeah its as "good" as I could afford and my mate could get it with rew/umik mic sweeps and peq applied in Roon - the stereo imagining/phantom centre is spot on, I mostly (90%+) listen to electronic music so much prefer a dry and focused sound with very defined bass thanks to my two dynaudio 18s dual opposed subs, think my R60 is around .3seconds.

I probably should be concerned about desk bounce but life is too short for chasing perfection, especially when you have SPMS and the end is rapidly approaching

 

[Doodski]

Yeah its as "good" as I could afford and my mate could get it with rew/umik mic sweeps and peq applied in Roon - the stereo imagining/phantom centre is spot on, I mostly (90%+) listen to electronic music so much prefer a dry and focused sound with very defined bass thanks to my two dynaudio 18s dual opposed subs, think my R60 is around .3seconds.

I probably should be concerned about desk bounce but life is too short for chasing perfection, especially when you have SPMS and the end is rapidly approaching

IC. Enjoy while you can for sure.

 

[thewas]

But I'm curious --- how are the speakers actually being deployed? I can grok the benefits of near field listening, but...
Unless the speakers baffles are situated at the front edge of a desk, wouldn't the output be subject to considerable 'desk bounce'?
And also SBIR (which might be good) if they are close to a facing wall?

I have mine on Thomann monitor stands behind the desk and close to to front wall which is good for SBIR and a subwoofer on the floor they give a very smooth response with minimal equalisation:

Since more than 10 years I listen to that setup actually more hours per day than my "main" couch one, for example when surfing the web and ASR and I really enjoy its immersion due to the nearfield. It should be said though that I use coaxial loudspeakers as they work better for me in such situations with the close and intense desk surface reflection due to their smooth vertical directivity.

 

[TonyJZX]

in the era of 'work from home' is anyone surprised that people have sunk major dollars into their desk setup?

this is the argument about why people spend so much on their beds... or their PC screens or even their mouse and keyboard...

how much time do you spend in your bed? get a good king size bed

how much time do you spend in a office chair? get a miller aeron or that ilk

how much time do you spend staring at a monitor? buy a large IPS quality screen

how much time do you spend banging away on a keyboard or mouse? dont use the OEM set they give away with a pc

there's also legitimate questions to be had about desktop setups... I can describe mine...

I have a 2k 32" LCD as my screen... its on a 1,500mm wide desk, say 5ft.... i'm probably going to a 1,800mm 6ft when I move.

I have a pair of JBL 7" standmounts on DJ stands + and 8" sub in the corner.

amp and dac gets rotated (which is of no surprise to anyone here)

i'm frustrated with the poor speaker management setups available right now without going to something like an AVR so I often either just use the large 6-7" bookshelfs and just use a simple amp or I use a smaller set of speakers like a 5" woofer and then use the sub and simple 80hz cut off

But yeah moving speakers off the desk is what I would recommend space permitting.

 

[A Surfer]

....

I probably should be concerned about desk bounce but life is too short for chasing perfection, especially when you have SPMS and the end is rapidly approaching

Perfect is the enemy of good. I love your room. I'm very similar, probably 80% electronic music so my sonic goals align with yours.

 

[bothu]

I searched that 24-page , ~500 post thread for the word 'bounce' and it returned zilch. Too slangy? 'Reflection' brought up seven hits, one asking the sort of question I asked, but (at least in my very casual look) not getting any direct answers:

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...s/your-desktop-audio-setup.12057/post-1070424

The main 'treatment' seems to be putting the speakes on risers.

Has anyone measured what is happening at the MLP in these setups?

Yes Here is what it looks like :

This is how it measures at listening position. Mic. is at the height of the midrange speakers, distanse is in line with the table edge.

The most dramatic difference from my ordinary system is ....... the soundstage !
I can adjust the soundstage to my liking just by moving my head a few centimeters back and forth.
I tamed a few room modes with 3 PEQ filters.

Summary : This is the best sounding system I have build in many years, it is a pleasure to listen to You Tube music at the "desk".


Bo Thunér in Linköping Sweden.