Desktop Nearfield Speakers £1k budget

[potatohead113]

For nearfield desktop use between 2 ft and 1M distance from me.
Active Studio Monitors vs. Passive Bookshelves + Small Amp? Roughly £1k budget.

I’m looking for desktop speakers/amp to pair with Topping DX5 DAC that I currently only use with headphones. Usage will be hi-res music playback (Apple Music, Tidal, Qobuz) + some lossy Spotify playback + some video listening for work + general audio, but all at roughly 1M nearfield.

I’ve worked professionally in film sound for several decades so I’m considering either 2nd-hand Neumann KH 120A’s vs. passive Philharmonic Audio Ceramic Monitors or True Mini Monitors, or 2nd-hand Revel M16s— those with an SMSL AO200 mkII class D amp. Prices are comparable. Anyone have an opinion on powered studio monitors vs. high-quality bookshelfs + small class D Amp? Any opinions much appreciated.

Many thanks,
Phil in the UK.

 

[Ron Texas]

KH120A
A lot of the smaller studio monitors are designed for nearfield although they also work in midfield.

 

[RobL]

I can buy kh120’s here new for CAD$900 each, taxes in. (~ £530)
No similar deals in the UK?

 

[Berwhale]

What's your desk layout like? How much space do you have? Will the monitors be close to a wall? (if so, may want to avoid rear ported designs) Can you get them up on stands? (to get tweeters to ear height and avoid desk reflections).

You should also factor in the cost of a measurement microphone. UMIK-1 is the easiest option, especially if you don't have an interface.

You can get a pair of iLoud MTMs + Presonus Sub8BT + UMIK-1 + stands for under £1,000 (but i'm biased and had space constraints that you may not have)

 

[Ellebob]

Studio monitors in genereal but depends on models and would depend on the deal, especially when buying used. Used is likely your best bet and if you can get a pair of KH120 I would go with them. New, Kali or JBL studio monitors with subwoofer in your price range. Although, I don't know what their pricing is in the UK. If you don't desire a subwoofer go with a little better studio montior.

 

[potatohead113]

I can buy kh120’s here new for CAD$900 each, taxes in. (~ £530)
No similar deals in the UK?

Roughly £700 buys a pair of good condition used Neumann KH120As here. The newer KH120 IIs are more than double that.

 

[lowkeyoperations]

I used to have a pair of MK120s mki for about 5 years as near fields. You can’t really do wrong. One benefit is the eq dip switches that can pull a bit of bass out if you’re putting them on your desktop that’s up against a wall as well.

You might also want to consider the KH80s as they are a bit smaller which, depending on your desk might be an advantage.

Also get some stands to get them up if the desk.

 

[YSC]

Neumann or genelec with stand should work great, especially if you don’t use EQ to tame the wall boost, their various room profile did help quite a bit

 

[nat1]

You can get a pair of Genelec 8030c's for £1k

 

[HeadDoc12]

Check out Vanatoo.

 

[potatohead113]

What's your desk layout like? How much space do you have? Will the monitors be close to a wall? (if so, may want to avoid rear ported designs) Can you get them up on stands? (to get tweeters to ear height and avoid desk reflections).

You should also factor in the cost of a measurement microphone. UMIK-1 is the easiest option, especially if you don't have an interface.

You can get a pair of iLoud MTMs + Presonus Sub8BT + UMIK-1 + stands for under £1,000 (but i'm biased and had space constraints that you may not have)

It’s a wide desk with Ultrawide computer screen, would probably be 3-6inches from wall, in a medium-sized (14’ X 11’ X 7.5’ high) room that doubles as a guest bedroom.

 

[potatohead113]

You can get a pair of Genelec 8030c's for £1k

Genelecs vs Neumann Studio Monitors pros/cons?

 

[potatohead113]

Check out Vanatoo.

Thanks just read Amir’s review, had never heard of them. How did you land on them?

 

[Berwhale]

It’s a wide desk with Ultrawide computer screen, would probably be 3-6inches from wall, in a medium-sized (14’ X 11’ X 7.5’ high) room that doubles as a guest bedroom.

There's a picture of my MTM on either side of my 34" UWQHD monitor here: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...puter-audiophile-speakers.42801/#post-1515093

Sounds like you have space for the KH80 or 8030C in your room.

 

[FunkIT]

It’s a wide desk with Ultrawide computer screen, would probably be 3-6inches from wall, in a medium-sized (14’ X 11’ X 7.5’ high) room that doubles as a guest bedroom.

Klipsch The Fives work nicely for me....real nice!
I too have an ultra wide monitor on a wide desk.
Great for gaming and high resolution music!!
No sub required but optional for those with money to spend

 

[potatohead113]

There's a picture of my MTM on either side of my 34" UWQHD monitor here: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...puter-audiophile-speakers.42801/#post-1515093

Sounds like you have space for the KH80 or 8030C in your room.

Why KH80 vs KH120A? I'd rather not get a sub. And what's your opinion between Genelec and Neumann?

 

[Berwhale]

Why KH80 vs KH120A?

If I was going up to the KH120, i'd want the MK2 which is a fair bit more expensive.

And what's your opinion between Genelec and Neumann?

Head Neumann, heart Genelec, but i'd be happy with either.

 

[unpluggged]

Why KH80 vs KH120A? I'd rather not get a sub. And what's your opinion between Genelec and Neumann?

They both need a sub. And for desktop setup, I'd rather get the KH 80 + KH 750 DSP than KH 120 + KH 750 DSP. In my environment, KH 120 are surprisingly better in a living room than on my desk. At about 2−2.5 meter distance they show some beautiful synergy with the room: the treble is more natural and bass is more prominent.

 

[lowkeyoperations]

^agreed. I prefer the KH120s as midfields rather than nearfields too.

 

[Jasperous]

Get yourself to a Richer Sound and pick up a set of KEF LSX II, or get a set of Kanto TUKs + a KEF Sub (or the Kanto Sub8)