Need a Speaker recommendation for a PC

[billasif]

Current situation:

Running Micca Covo-S with a Topping MX3 while using HiFi Man Sundras.

Topping MX3 broke and after lots of searching and reading on here, I got a Topping DX5-II and a Topping PS-5 II. Yes I know its overkill for my speakers but I figured at some point I'd upgrade my speakers. I'm just wondering what would be a good speaker recommendation for my PC usage. I usually use it to watch YouTube, listen to music or watch movies on.

Budget wise I'd like to keep it reasonably under $500 but I could stretch a bit if its worth doing. I just didn't know where to start. The DX5-2 was to hook up my headphones but due to the BF sale, I got the PS-5 II also due to price and recommendation since I didn't want to just get the MX3s

Thank you again for your help. As for how far away I sit from my speakers, my desk is 30in wide and I sit on a chair with the speakers all the way back. I would ideally like to get something not too huge since the Covos are so nice and small but I'd be open to suggestion.

 

[staticV3]

Hi @billasif! Welcome to ASR.

I'm just wondering what would be a good speaker recommendation for my PC usage. I usually use it to watch YouTube, listen to music or watch movies on.

Budget wise I'd like to keep it reasonably under $500

Adam D3V, or anything Kali really would be great choices for PC audio.

Obviously that'd mean you'd have bought the PA5II for naught.

 

[billasif]

Hi @billasif! Welcome to ASR.


Adam D3V, or anything Kali really would be great choices for PC audio.

Obviously that'd mean you'd have bought the PA5II for naught.

Thank you. I could always return the PS5II but I kept reading here and on reddit/audiophile that passive is the way to go so I guess I started preparing for the passive.

 

[staticV3]

I kept reading here and on reddit/audiophile that passive is the way to go

on here would surprise me.

The advantages of active monitors are well known 'round here.

 

[notinuse]

Last January I picked up a set of Vanatoo Transparent Zero Plus near field monitors based on an earlier thread on this board. They are active. I have been very happy with them, they are connected to my PC via USB.

 

[billasif]

Hmm I guess you guys recommend returning my PS5 II and getting active speakers?

 

[kemmler3D]

The D3V is a good choice for a small desktop speaker for sure. You could sell the amp and get those.

If you are looking for a good BF deal on speakers and want to go passive under $500, the ELAC Debut 2.0, Polk ES20 and KEF Q150 are all on sale, reasonable choices IMO.

 

[staticV3]

Q1 Meta are heavily discounted on Crutchfield: https://www.crutchfield.com/S-kyMiM8QFOYX/p_991Q1MWA/KEF-Q1-Meta-Walnut.html

I'd still go active personally, but this certainly wouldn't be a bad choice.

 

[mlankton]

HS8 was on sale at amazon a day or two ago but I think they are not now
I have Swans M300 and their sonic signature is perfect for me. These Swans I have now are more pleasing to my ear than any studio monitor I've had on my desk. Used for music, movies and gaming, I can't fault them anywhere for my use.

 

[AnalogSteph]

If you are limited by size - which generally means anything smaller than a 6.5" woofer in a decent-sized enclosure - then going active has substantial advantages. The 3"-3.5" class of desktop speakers would not even exist without a good bit of help from active electronics / DSP, or not without anything resembling decent bass response anyway. The D3V for example has been flattened out to 50 Hz, where something passive of the size would probably start to roll off well above 100 Hz. Obviously level handling will still be dictated by the passive parts, but this way you can pick a better tradeoff between bass response and level handling, extending bass response when level needs are modest.

 

[billasif]

I'm going to see if I can return or cancel the PS5 II then. I hope they left me without charging me from Topping Store

 

[billasif]

So I was able to cancel the PS5 II and I'm trying to pick speakers. Is there a recommendation between the D3V and the HS8? I know right now the HS8's are cheaper on amazon but not sure which would be the best choice

 

[staticV3]

So I was able to cancel the PS5 II and I'm trying to pick speakers. Is there a recommendation between the D3V and the HS8? I know right now the HS8's are cheaper on amazon but not sure which would be the best choice

What's your listening distance and how much space do you have on your desk?

Is the budget still $500, or is it more now that you've cancelled the PA5II order?

 

[billasif]

I was trying to keep the budget at around $500 if possible. My desk is 30 inches wide and 72 inches across. If I do diagonal distance, its about 35 inches to each end?

 

[mlankton]

don't discount adding some 30" speaker stands to the side of your desk, that's what I have

 

[billasif]

30" tall?

 

[mlankton]

yeah my ear is at 45-46". You a dwarf?

 

[billasif]

yeah my ear is at 45-46". You a dwarf?

lol no that's just above my monitors which I guess makes sense since my monitors won't block them.

 

[mlankton]

lol no that's just above my monitors which I guess makes sense since my monitors won't block them.

sit in your chair and see where you ear sits with a tape measure. Get the height of the speaker you are going to use, guess where in that number the tweeter is centered, subtract that from your first measurement, and that will tell you how tall you need your stands.

 

[billasif]

Sitting straight up, My eats at 21" up from the table. So I'll get an adjustable stand. Still not sure if I should get the D3V or the HS8