Best 5" desktop monitor options for a £750/$1000 budget? (inc. used)

[spiritlevel]

I currently have a pair of Eve SC204s on my desk that I've had for over a decade. Used to have the Eve 8" sub but it died a death years ago and had issues trying to get it fixed (Eve didn't seem interested and couldn't find anyone here in the UK to fix it at the time). Still have it in a box somewhere. Needless to say I've been bass light for a long time now and the 204s also starting to make some high pitched noises when turned up beyond about 50% volume – time to do something about it!

Both budget and desk space are limited. I was looking at the Adam T5V's which look like great value for money but they are way too deep for my desk. Ideally I'm looking for something much closer to 20cm depth (like my 204s) than 30cm (like the t5Vs).

Budget is around £750/$1000. Also I'm keen to move up from a 4" woofer to 5". I know that still won't give me deep bass but it should be an improvement for now and at some point in the future I'll likely get another sub - but not yet.

I do want to go as decent quality as I can and right now I'm veering toward the Neumann KH120a which I can pick up used for around £750. I know the Mk II's are a significant upgrade but they are also nearly twice the price so out of budget.

I guess my question is, are used KH120a's my best option given budget and available space constraints? Anything else I should be giving a serious look at?

As an aside am currently running 2 interfaces - an RME Digiface (4 x ADAT + headphone out) and an Audient ID22. The audient is connected to the digiface by ADAT and is mainly used to drive the monitors and serve as a mic inputs. The other 3 Digiface ADATs interface with my modular and other synths. I'm open to the idea of losing the ID22 at some point and connecting to monitors digitally using spdif out from the Digiface (I know the KH120a's don't offer that). Also have decent headphones I can mix bass on for now.

As I understand it, I could get a KH750 sub with DSP later and benefit from room correction even when using the older analog KH120a's - is that right?

Other used options on the radar are Genelec 8030/8330 (although the latter likely over budget). And for new the iLoud MTM Mk2s.

 

[VietnamRadioEnjoyer]

Take a look at Kali IN-UNF, an unorthodox solution that either gets rid of the desk space problems or doesn't work in your use case

 

[ivayvr]

"Other used options on the radar are Genelec 8030/8330 (although the latter likely over budget). And for new the iLoud MTM Mk2s."

My vote goes to Genelec 8030.
If I am not mistaken, their 5 year warranty (if registered with Genelec) is transferable.

 

[spiritlevel]

Take a look at Kali IN-UNF, an unorthodox solution that either gets rid of the desk space problems or doesn't work in your use case

That setup wouldn't work for me - have a monitor stand with kit under it that I wouldn't want to move.

 

[LTig]

You can't go wrong with either KH120a and Genelec 8030. And if you somewhat later add a sub like the KH750DSP, you can feed it via SPDIF and still use those analog monitors. I do, my KH705DSP feeds a pair of Genelec 8020a, and sound quality is great, a real full range system at my desktop.

 

[spiritlevel]

You can't go wrong with either KH120a and Genelec 8030. And if you somewhat later add a sub like the KH750DSP, you can feed it via SPDIF and still use those analog monitors. I do, my KH705DSP feeds a pair of Genelec 8020a, and sound quality is great, a real full range system at my desktop.

Thanks. Are the 8330's an even better option than the 8030's if I could find them close to my budget? I know the 8330s have the DSP but wondered if there are any downsides to them.

 

[ivayvr]

The AI says the following (to be taken with a big grain of salt):
The main difference is that
the Genelec 8330 includes SAM (Smart Active Monitoring) technology and a digital crossover, allowing for automatic room calibration via Genelec's GLM (Genelec Loudspeaker Manager) software. The 8030 uses a traditional analog crossover and lacks this automatic room correction, though it has basic manual tone controls (DIP switches). The 8330 is generally considered the better monitor due to its advanced features, but the 8030 is a strong, less expensive option for users with well-treated rooms or who prefer to use their own room correction software.
To take the full advantage of the SAM, you will have some additional expenses for GLM Calibration kit. That option would limit your choices of the sub to some of the Genelec SAM subs.
If you opt for a non SAM speaker you may be able to integrate any sub using Dirac.

 

[spiritlevel]

Update...

Ordered a pair of 8330's, GLM kit and remote control package for £1,000 today (pre-owned). Looks to be in great condition and had been traded in to a pro-audio supplier when a customer upgraded. It comes with a 6 month warranty which made the package more attractive than buying off eBay.