Looking for desktop computer "audiophile" speakers

[simplywyn]

I have a small workstation that's running of a work machine, the sound is literally coming out of the screen's 20W (wow) speakers.

Does anyone have suggestions for a desktop speaker? The desk is relatively small (standing desk around 60inch x 30inch) but would be nice to be able to listen to something that isn't garbage quality.

 

[Berwhale]

What's the budget? What will the speakers be connected to?

If space is a concern, then the Vanatoo's are a good option: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...anatoo-transparent-zero-speaker-review.13717/

or the iLoud Micro: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...surements-and-quasi-anechoic-spinorama.10988/

I had enough room for the iLoud MTM's either side of my 34" WQHD monitor: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...imedia-iloud-mtm-review-active-monitor.18347/

You can get a good idea of what other ASR members are using on the Desktop Audio Setup thread. Here's mine in 2020: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...-desktop-audio-setup.12057/page-7#post-605125

 

[simplywyn]

What's the budget? What will the speakers be connected to?

If space is a concern, then the Vanatoo's are a good option: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...anatoo-transparent-zero-speaker-review.13717/

or the iLoud Micro: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...surements-and-quasi-anechoic-spinorama.10988/

I had enough room for the iLoud MTM's either side of my 34" WQHD monitor: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...imedia-iloud-mtm-review-active-monitor.18347/

You can get a good idea of what other ASR members are using on the Desktop Audio Setup thread. Here's mine in 2020: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...-desktop-audio-setup.12057/page-7#post-605125

Budget I'm thinking between $100-$1500, the problem is I have limited desk space, I was thinking of LS50 Wireless II but I don't think those will even fit.

Basically have to be powered, not using amps / dac combo for these. Sounds coming out of a usb from mac mini work station

 

[Turambar]

If you like the LS50 WII, maybe you can settle for the LSX II with a smaller footprint...

 

[Andretti60]

Do you have a monitor (I suppose you meant for “screen”) with 20W speakers? What’s that.

 

[Koeitje]

I use Adam T5V's at my PC, with a shelf filter to drop the treble a bit they are a fantastic.

 

[simplywyn]

Do you have a monitor (I suppose you meant for “screen”) with 20W speakers? What’s that.

They're just Dell ultrasharps that come with 20W speakers or some random number they put on marketing sheets

 

[Zapper]

Genelec G One, Two, or Three, with matching F One or Two subwoofer. Look up the reviews for the 8010, 8020, 8030, which are acoustically the same as the G One, Two, Three with some minor feature differences.

 

[gorb]

Maybe the Kali IN-UNF?

 

[McGillroy]

Many options if you look for studio monitors. Their use case is sitting next to monitors: check HEDD, Adam, Genelec, Neumann, Geithain, Amphion to name a few.

 

[SlamTaz]

my vote goes to adam or kali, they're somewhere around your mid-price range and you can get your choice of woofer from size 5 & up

to save desk space, you can get a clamping desktop speaker stand. if you're in the US, there's a lot of choices at amazon.

i have a standing desk size 62in, and i have dbr62's on clamp type stand with 2 monitors vertically stacked in between (34in & 27in on clamp type monitor stands) and there's still good space on the desk

 

[LTig]

Budget I'm thinking between $100-$1500, the problem is I have limited desk space, I was thinking of LS50 Wireless II but I don't think those will even fit.

Basically have to be powered, not using amps / dac combo for these. Sounds coming out of a usb from mac mini work station

That's quite a range, so for SOTA sound quality check Neumann KH80 / KH120 and Genelec 8x20 / 8x30. For both smaller speaker models consider a sub you can place beneath the desk.

 

[AnalogSteph]

It's definitely a more than decent budget for desk-fi even if you include (desk) stands and a basic audio interface. (You have a half-decent chance for a 3.5 mm to 2x XLR cable to be sensibly constructed, but it's definitely not a given.)

A photo would be useful, so we can see just how cramped it really is. 60" x 30" is about 1.5 m x 75 cm, which would be a decent size by itself but obviously it depends on what kind of other stuff is on there.

 

[Zensō]

IK Multimedia iLoud MTM Review (active monitor)

This is a review and detailed measurements of the IK Multimedia iLoud MTM Monitor (active speaker). I purchased it when it was on sale for US $299 on Amazon. Normal cost is US $350 (each) with the calibration/EQ microphone. Despite being quite narrow and rather small, the iLoud MTM has a...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[Berwhale]

Budget I'm thinking between $100-$1500, the problem is I have limited desk space, I was thinking of LS50 Wireless II but I don't think those will even fit.

Basically have to be powered, not using amps / dac combo for these. Sounds coming out of a usb from mac mini work station

I don't have much space either. I went for the iLoud MTMs because of their small footprint and mountability on microphone stands...

The Presonus Sub8 under the desk integrates well and is cabled in-line between the Topping EX5 DAC/Amp and MTMs (all balanced connections).

 

[truckers_atlas]

Kali IN-UNF are excellent if like me, you don't even have the space for traditional studio monitors. I have a pair on my desk right now and they're very impressive. The IN-UNF has mostly cured me of whatever desire I had to look into high-end open-back headphones, like the Hifiman Arya.

There's built-in DSP to mitigate whatever room effects you suffer from if your sources don't support parametric EQ. I run mine with the bass-cut option as rock basslines sounded boomy otherwise.

The IN-UNF allow direct connection via USB so you don't even need a separate interface or DAC to control volume if you don't have one already.

 

[Keith_W]

Out of curiosity, has Amir ever reviewed any Desktop speakers?

 

[CDMC]

You can fit a lot on a 30x60 desk.

 

[Marc v E]

That's quite a range, so for SOTA sound quality check Neumann KH80 / KH120 and Genelec 8x20 / 8x30. For both smaller speaker models consider a sub you can place beneath the desk.

I have the 8030. Very much worth it to go for Neumann or Genelecs and don't save here on cheaper speakers. Close to best buy ever for the money.

 

[Trell]

Out of curiosity, has Amir ever reviewed any Desktop speakers?

You mean monitors intended to be used on a desktop? Many, as for passive speakers, not that many as I recall.