Need Help Choosing Compact Computer Speakers

[ChaoscripT]

Hi,
I need some advice on choosing the right speakers for my computer setup.

Currently I am using Presonus Eris E5 studio monitors connected to an SMSL D6 DAC. I like the clarity of the monitors, but they tend to “open up” or sound better at higher volume levels. I often work at very low volumes (around 10) and I’m not satisfied with the sound quality at those levels.

Right now the E5 monitors are lying on their side due to space and height restrictions on my desk. I’m looking for compact speakers about 14-16 cm tall that can sit upright. The ones I found that fit the size and form factor are the Audioengine A2+ and Kanto Yu2.

I understand that without a subwoofer I won’t get deep bass, but my main concern is whether these smaller powered speakers will still sound good and enjoyable at the low volume levels that I use most of the time. These options have internal DACs and will connect directly via USB or line-in (no external DAC required), which is nice.

To clarify my use case, I’m not doing any mixing or mastering at all. This setup is strictly for music listening. My primary audio source is YouTube Premium, and I mostly listen to Middle Eastern pop and Mediterranean-style music with strong vocals, rhythm, and melodic elements.

If you have any experience with small desktop speakers that perform well at low volume, or other suggestions in this size range with good sound quality for music and general computer use, I’d really appreciate your recommendations.

Thanks in advance!

 

[kemmler3D]

The best options will depend on your budget, but have a look at the Adam D3V, they do really well at lower listening levels.

Also since you are listening on a computer, look into using EQ and/or loudness EQ via EQAPO to adjust tone. This will ensure it sounds lively even at low volume. Dull sound at low volume is not really a speaker problem so much as a feature of how human hearing works, so compensating with EQ can be considered more accurate from a certain point of view.

 

[ChaoscripT]

The best options will depend on your budget, but have a look at the Adam D3V, they do really well at lower listening levels.

Also since you are listening on a computer, look into using EQ and/or loudness EQ via EQAPO to adjust tone. This will ensure it sounds lively even at low volume. Dull sound at low volume is not really a speaker problem so much as a feature of how human hearing works, so compensating with EQ can be considered more accurate from a certain point of view.

Thanks for your reply,
Adam D3V is too high for me, I have some limits with the size of the speakers.

 

[Mort]

14-16 cm

That's very small. Genelec 8010a?

 

[ChaoscripT]

That's very small. Genelec 8010a?

I know it's very small, but these are my limits.

Just curious, monitor is really better then "regular" pc computers?
I know they should be better for mixing/mastering etc, but I assume they listen to them in high volume to try to "catch" all the sounds, no?

 

[kemmler3D]

I know it's very small, but these are my limits.

Just curious, monitor is really better then "regular" pc computers?
I know they should be better for mixing/mastering etc, but I assume they listen to them in high volume to try to "catch" all the sounds, no?

Basically the biggest distinction between "pc speaker" and "monitor" is marketing. A good speaker is a good speaker. Monitors will have features so they work in a studio setup like XLR inputs, etc, but in terms of sound there is nothing that fundamentally makes a monitor a monitor except, hopefully, accurate sound.

The 8010 is a really good option for very small speakers.

 

[ChaoscripT]

The 8010 is a really good option for very small speakers.

They still high.
And I think I can't make them vertical.

 

[staticV3]

The Kanto ORA at 175mm height is the smallest traditional bookshelf monitor that I know.

They can be setup horizontally a well, as the product page shows.

Even shorter, there's the Edifier M60 at 168mm and below that, I only know of two competent options: Creative Pebble Nova and Kali IN-UNF.

KEF LSX II / LSX II LT could also be an option. Expensive though. They can be mounted horizontally and are 155mm tall then.

 

[Doenerkunde]

Right now the E5 monitors are lying on their side due to space and height restrictions on my desk. I’m looking for compact speakers about 14-16 cm tall that can sit upright.

The E5 are 17,8cm wide. Is your upper limit 17,8cm or 14-16cm? I'm asking because with such extreme restrictions every millimeter counts.

With 17,8cm as your upper limit the coaxial Fluid FX50(V2) on it's side would be an option:

Fluid Audio FX50V2 Monitor Review

This is a review, detailed measurements, listening tests and EQ of version 2 of Fluid Audio FX50 DSP studio monitor/active speaker. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $149 each. There is nothing visually that distinguishes the unit from the original FX50 I reviewed a while back...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[kemmler3D]

The Kanto ORA at 175mm height is the smallest competent traditional bookshelf monitor that I know.

They can be setup horizontally a well, as the product page shows.

Even shorter, there's the Edifier M60 at 168mm and below that, I only know of two competent options: Creative Pebble Nova and Kali IN-UNF.

KEF LSX II / LSX II LT could also be an option. Expensive though. They can be mounted horizontally and are 155mm tall then.

Among those I would personally go Kali or KEF depending on budget.

 

[ChaoscripT]

The Kanto ORA at 175mm height is the smallest traditional bookshelf monitor that I know.

They can be setup horizontally a well, as the product page shows.

Even shorter, there's the Edifier M60 at 168mm and below that, I only know of two competent options: Creative Pebble Nova and Kali IN-UNF.

KEF LSX II / LSX II LT could also be an option. Expensive though. They can be mounted horizontally and are 155mm tall then.

Thanks for reply,
I will check the Kanto Ora (on the horizontal)
Edifier - from what I checked, I can't put them horizontally.
Creative Pebble Nova seems nice, but if I buy some speakers I think I will take something that I can connect an sub (Kanto for example have sub out option)
Kali IN-UNF - out of my budget
And the KEF, oh... already saw them, but out of my budget.

The E5 are 17,8cm wide. Is your upper limit 17,8cm or 14-16cm? I'm asking because with such extreme restrictions every millimeter counts.

With 17,8cm as your upper limit the coaxial Fluid FX50(V2) on it's side would be an option:

Fluid Audio FX50V2 Monitor Review

This is a review, detailed measurements, listening tests and EQ of version 2 of Fluid Audio FX50 DSP studio monitor/active speaker. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $149 each. There is nothing visually that distinguishes the unit from the original FX50 I reviewed a while back...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Thanks for reply,
You right, they 17.8cm wide, and I have some sponge on the desk that have 2cm height,
But I want to reduce it, becuase currently my monitors are really high.
Coaxial Fluid FX50, I see that they coaxial and can be horizontal, but they have 17.6 cm width, then it's not give me nothing.

Among those I would personally go Kali or KEF depending on budget.

Thanks for reply,
They out of my budget

 

[staticV3]

I will check the Kanto Ora (on the horizontal)

Here's the picture from Kanto:


Kanto offer many different stands for their speakers: https://cdn.amplifi.pattern.com/a5844ca8-e985-400d-85ee-f1f16acb84ec

The one in the picture I think is the S2.

 

[ChaoscripT]

Here's the picture from Kanto:
View attachment 503401

Kanto offer many different stands for their speakers: https://cdn.amplifi.pattern.com/a5844ca8-e985-400d-85ee-f1f16acb84ec

The one in the picture I think is the S2.

What I meant to say that I will check price for them, I already saw that can do it on horizontal way.
What they will be better instead of my Eris E5?

 

[Jiraya369]

Thanks for your reply,
Adam D3V is too high for me, I have some limits with the size of the speakers.

Kanto ORA is smaller and i dont think there's much out there that's smaller without sounding like phone speakers.

 

[ChaoscripT]

Kanto ORA is smaller and i dont think there's much out there that's smaller without sounding like phone speakers.

I really understand that, belive me that I prefer other, but ... these are the limits, with these we need to live (currently)

 

[Jiraya369]

I really understand that, belive me that I prefer other, but ... these are the limits, with these we need to live (currently)

i think at this point a tiny bluetooth speaker like the Sony XB-100 would be the way to go, i use it in bed and i've turned down the boomy bass with eq and that's it really. You might like the added bass.

 

[ChaoscripT]

i think at this point a tiny bluetooth speaker like the Sony XB-100 would be the way to go, i use it in bed and i've turned down the boomy bass with eq and that's it really. You might like the added bass.

To be honest, I'm going to switch from Windows to macOS, I thought about get 2 mini homepods instead of the monitor speakers.
But it's connect only wireless instead of wired and I will have some latency

 

[Shrek6]

What about the iLoud Micro Monitors?

 

[ChaoscripT]

What about the iLoud Micro Monitors?

Too high
If I can put them horizontal it's good but I think It's not possible.

 

[Timcognito]

Just 24" wide FYI for a open mind

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