Help me choose desktop speakers (nearfield + sub)

[pedrogut]

Hi everyone, I'm putting together a setup for listening to music in my desktop pc where I work and I’m having a hard time deciding which speakers to go with.

TLDR: Desktop nearfield speakers to pair with a Polk HTS12 sub. Budget USD 1500, speakers ≤7" wide. Currently evaluating: Kali LP-UNF + Wiim Ultra (I like the measurements) or Kanto ORA4 (built-in sub out & high-pass)

I already own a Polk HTS12 sub that I plan to use in this setup, and I'm looking to add a pair of speakers no wider than 7", with a total budget of USD 1500.

Options I'm considering:

• Kali LP-UNF: the measurements look great, but I'd need something like a Wiim Ultra to connect them to the sub and having a high pass filter
• Kanto ORA4: they look like a perfect fit since they have a sub-out and a high pass filter integrated, but I think the lp-unfs might sound better and louder

While the Kali LP-UNF + Wiim Ultra would stay within budget, I'm not sure if its worth it. Also, where I live the used market is small, so reselling gear could take a while. Because of that, I’m not planning on upgrading in the short or medium term.

So, considering all this: Which option would you pick? Is having a high pass filter that important? Are there any other other passive/active options I might be overlooking?

Thanks!

 

[Shrek6]

The Kalis are an excellent choice. I love mine.

I wouldn’t use a WiiM Ultra for a desktop though, because it has high latency (there is a ~50 ms delay).

To add a subwoofer, your options are 1. Use the output on the back of the sub if available and if it has an hpf 2. use an audio interface with multiple outputs (like a MOTU M4, with equalizer software 3. Buy a dsp unit like the minidsp 2x4 hd.

If your room is small you might find the Kalis have quite a bit of bass.

 

[CptKaos]

$85 SMSL SU-1 DAC great budget DAC
$175 Ampapa + Douk Audio D1 amplifier great budget amp with HPF
$400 Wharfedale Diamond 12.1 passive speakers
$600 SVS SB1000Pro subwoofer

add a WiiM Pro if you want a streamer and room correction software

 

[Matt_Holland]

Palmer Orbit 11. No sub.
Search on here for more info and some owner opinions.

 

[ZolaIII]

Speakers only if 7.16" doesn't disqualify them take a look at Neumann KH 120 II.

 

[Mort]

I wouldn’t use a WiiM Ultra for a desktop though, because it has high latency (there is a ~50 ms delay).

This should not matter for 2.1 music should it?

 

[pedrogut]

The Kalis are an excellent choice. I love mine.

I wouldn’t use a WiiM Ultra for a desktop though, because it has high latency (there is a ~50 ms delay).

To add a subwoofer, your options are 1. Use the output on the back of the sub if available and if it has an hpf 2. use an audio interface with multiple outputs (like a MOTU M4, with equalizer software 3. Buy a dsp unit like the minidsp 2x4 hd.

If your room is small you might find the Kalis have quite a bit of bass.

Wasn't aware of the MOTU M4, considering the price I like it way more than the WiiM Ultra for this combo. And after reading amirm's review the minidsp 2x4 hd didn't convince me. So this would bring the prices a little closer, going for the Kalis would cost me ~$220 more than getting the kantos. The room is small, about 96.87 sq ft or 9m².

$85 SMSL SU-1 DAC great budget DAC
$175 Ampapa + Douk Audio D1 amplifier great budget amp with HPF
$400 Wharfedale Diamond 12.1 passive speakers
$600 SVS SB1000Pro subwoofer

add a WiiM Pro if you want a streamer and room correction software

Love the SB1000Pro but I already have the HTS12 and getting rid of it would be complicated. The Wharfedale + Ampapa + SMSL combo would work but I think I'd prefer the Kalis for that price, since I'd be listening on the near field

Palmer Orbit 11. No sub.
Search on here for more info and some owner opinions.

They look amazing, too big to fit in my desk though

This should not matter for 2.1 music should it?

Yes. Honestly didn't really consider the delay, but for music it wouldn't be a problem.

Speakers only if 7.16" doesn't disqualify them take a look at Neumann KH 120 II.

100%. They are a bit expensive but the Neumann KH 80 could work for my budget. The setup would look similar to what I had in mind with the Kalis, but since the Neumann are higher tier (and more expensive) it doesn't feel like such a waste to get something like the MOTU.

All things considered, the Neumann KH 80 makes more sense to me now than the Kalis. I think what was bugging me was that the WiiM cost almost the same as the speakers

 

[ZolaIII]

@pedrogut first you need to choose path regarding cabling connection and in your case it's unbalanced because of sub. In such case I would avoid Kali as a plague. It also eliminate Neumann's and Genelac's. Giving all in consideration even it will sound insane I will recommend you pasive speakers which you can pair with deacent small amp if that suits you and if you can find them.

Measurements for speaker Ascend Acoustics Sierra 1 V2

www.spinorama.org

You will nead multichannel deacent unbalanced DAC with (or without DSP if its desktop and PC can handle that part) and deacent measurement microphone, preferably UMIK-1 or something else + deacent SPL meter. On desktop PC you can pass with PCI-E audio card if that is acceptable for 100~150$ new. Even going balanced analog with Neumann KH 120 II (with balanced sub/sub's) you don't need more than 106 dB output SINAD from the DAC/interface as that's how much it's ADC can. For sub's you nead less.