Need Help Choosing Compact Computer Speakers

[berjine]

because after the speakers the screen monitors start (the screen monitors above them).

Another possibility is to place the speakers above the monitor, using a VESA arm or a mic arm.
That's what I would do, although it kinda restricts your speaker choice to ones who have VESA mount points or 3/8" thread if you don't want to tinker

 

[ChaoscripT]

Three options:

• Your Sub has Satellite output/Passthrough Line output: Do PC->Sub->Edifier
• You have an external Crossover (e.g. 2x4HD): Do PC->Crossover->All speakers
• Your Sub has no passthrough and you have no external Crossover->Do PC->DAC->2x RCA Splitter cable->L1+R1 to Edifier, L2+R2 to Sub
  ->Con: can't high-pass the Edifier for a clean crossover. You'll have to adjust the Sub LPF to match the Edifier natural bass roll-off as best as you can.

OK, but it's possible.

No. Only RCA can be cleanly converted to Aux.

These cables will not fit?

Vention 3.5mm to Double 6.5mm TRS Cable AUX Male Mono 6.5 Jack to Stereo 3.5 Jack Audio Cable for Mixer Amplifier 6.35 Adapter

Enhance your audio experience with the Vention 3.5mm to 2-6.5mm audio cable. Enjoy high-fidelity sound, a durable braided jacket, and connect your phone, PC, or other devices to speakers, amplifiers, and mixers with this versatile cable.

ventiontech.com

https://www.amazon.com/Cable-Matters-3-5mm-6-35mm-Breakout/dp/B07PJTP7DR/

If not, any good value for money RCA to 3.5mm cable?
Or prefer (if possible) coaxial/optical to 3.5mm?

Matches my math, nice!

Exactly, nice picture by the way.

Another possibility is to place the speakers above the monitor, using a VESA arm or a mic arm.
That's what I would do, although it kinda restricts your speaker choice to ones who have VESA mount points or 3/8" thread if you don't want to tinker

I had a speakers mounts above the monitors, this were very ugly (sorry) and high.
This is an old image - https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...p-image-2024-10-29-at-11-57-08-2-jpeg.402467/

 

[staticV3]

These cables will not fit?

Vention 3.5mm to Double 6.5mm TRS Cable AUX Male Mono 6.5 Jack to Stereo 3.5 Jack Audio Cable for Mixer Amplifier 6.35 Adapter

Enhance your audio experience with the Vention 3.5mm to 2-6.5mm audio cable. Enjoy high-fidelity sound, a durable braided jacket, and connect your phone, PC, or other devices to speakers, amplifiers, and mixers with this versatile cable.

ventiontech.com

https://www.amazon.com/Cable-Matters-3-5mm-6-35mm-Breakout/dp/B07PJTP7DR/

They will short your DAC's Cold output (Pin 3) to GND (="TS to RCA adapter" in the graphs below)

Bad idea:

Topping D10 Balanced Review (USB DAC)

It looks (in my case) ,that the onboard switching power supply + 5.65V / -5.6V, which supplies the output analog circuits (3 OA) behind the DAC, fails / does not start ..). That PSU is powered from 5V inputs. The all other onboard sources (3.3V, 1.2V, 1V) start up normally, they are linear (not...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Topping Pre90 Review (preamplifier)

All devices which use a transformer in the output. Very rare today, I think. RME UCX II, for example, has servo-balanced outputs. Those require shorting the negative pole to ground when connecting unbalanced: The short circuit protected, low impedance line outputs of channels 1 to 6 are...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Okto 8 Owner’s Thread

Looks like we will now have everything but Atmos decoding over a pc. I have to think that too will come at some point.

www.audiosciencereview.com

Your DAC will have some 30-50dB increased THD and have increased noise and DC offset at the output.

 

[berjine]

I had a speakers mounts above the monitors, this were very ugly (sorry) and high.
This is an old image - https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...p-image-2024-10-29-at-11-57-08-2-jpeg.402467/

Oh I see, not pretty indeed !
But I think it can look great with speakers fixed on arms (and not placed on high stands), like that for example

Now obviously you could use slightly smaller speakers haha

 

[obsessive9119]

Honestly, given the space constraints, I’d just go with headphones. Or (if possible) re-arrange your room and get a wider desk. Or, replace (what looks like 2 24” monitors?) with a single 4K 27”.

 

[ChaoscripT]

They will short your DAC's Cold output (Pin 3) to GND (="TS to RCA adapter" in the graphs below)

Bad idea:

Topping D10 Balanced Review (USB DAC)

It looks (in my case) ,that the onboard switching power supply + 5.65V / -5.6V, which supplies the output analog circuits (3 OA) behind the DAC, fails / does not start ..). That PSU is powered from 5V inputs. The all other onboard sources (3.3V, 1.2V, 1V) start up normally, they are linear (not...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Topping Pre90 Review (preamplifier)

All devices which use a transformer in the output. Very rare today, I think. RME UCX II, for example, has servo-balanced outputs. Those require shorting the negative pole to ground when connecting unbalanced: The short circuit protected, low impedance line outputs of channels 1 to 6 are...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Okto 8 Owner’s Thread

Looks like we will now have everything but Atmos decoding over a pc. I have to think that too will come at some point.

www.audiosciencereview.com

Your DAC will have some 30-50dB increased THD and have increased noise and DC offset at the output.

Then RCA To AUX only?
Prefer to buy an prepared cable or maybe RCA to RCA with an adapter to 3.5mm?
You have any recommeneded company for this type of cable?

Oh I see, not pretty indeed !
But I think it can look great with speakers fixed on arms (and not placed on high stands), like that for example View attachment 504602
Now obviously you could use slightly smaller speakers haha

Looks too much high for me
I prefer that they will be below the screens.
As I also switch table to lower one.

Honestly, given the space constraints, I’d just go with headphones. Or (if possible) re-arrange your room and get a wider desk. Or, replace (what looks like 2 24” monitors?) with a single 4K 27”.

Thanks for reply,
Don't love headphones.
I can't also re-arrange the room, it's too small.
Yes they 2 24" monitors, but with single 4K 27" I will lose some space no? (physical space of the monitors)

 

[Mort]

There are after market vesa adapters on Amazon for small genelec monitors. I attached my G one's to a clamped pole.

 

[2020]

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

Have you posted an image of your setup right here? Because you have extremely tight and specific requirements and I think that is the real problem.

The problem to solve are the limiting requirements first instead of trying to fit everything in the very narrow target zone. Is there no way you can put speakers behind your desk? What does anything look like!?

Your alternative is to go with coaxial speakers so you can have them horizontal position as well. And don't forget, it may not be ideal but you can also put two-way speakers upside down and have the tweeter on the bottom. This will also allow you to have them physically higher off the table so the tweeter isn't just reflecting off the desk.

 

[obsessive9119]

Then RCA To AUX only?
Prefer to buy an prepared cable or maybe RCA to RCA with an adapter to 3.5mm?
You have any recommeneded company for this type of cable?


Looks too much high for me
I prefer that they will be below the screens.
As I also switch table to lower one.


Thanks for reply,
Don't love headphones.
I can't also re-arrange the room, it's too small.
Yes they 2 24" monitors, but with single 4K 27" I will lose some space no? (physical space of the monitors)

A single 27 should be physically narrower (though taller) than 2 24s, and a lot nicer to work on IMO. I have a 4K 27 at home, and 3 1080 24s at work - I’d take my home setup any day.

 

[kemmler3D]

Another possibility is to place the speakers above the monitor, using a VESA arm or a mic arm.
That's what I would do, although it kinda restricts your speaker choice to ones who have VESA mount points or 3/8" thread if you don't want to tinker

This is what I do with Genelec 8030... I got a good deal on some secondhand. I think it's well worth considering stands / mounts to avoid this extreme space restriction.

Looks too much high for me

I prefer that they will be below the screens.

The ideal height for sound quality is usually with tweets at ear level. Speaking from experience it does make some difference.

 

[ChaoscripT]

There are after market vesa adapters on Amazon for small genelec monitors. I attached my G one's to a clamped pole.

View attachment 504685

Nice one!
But my desk is very small so I don't have much space for clamps to hang the speakers.

Have you posted an image of your setup right here? Because you have extremely tight and specific requirements and I think that is the real problem.

The problem to solve are the limiting requirements first instead of trying to fit everything in the very narrow target zone. Is there no way you can put speakers behind your desk? What does anything look like!?

Your alternative is to go with coaxial speakers so you can have them horizontal position as well. And don't forget, it may not be ideal but you can also put two-way speakers upside down and have the tweeter on the bottom. This will also allow you to have them physically higher off the table so the tweeter isn't just reflecting off the desk.

Thanks for reply,
No, I didn't post any image of my setup, will do.
But until then,
All start due to ergonomic problem,
My table is 100cm x 60cm, 72cm height.
On this table I have 2 24" monitors on gas spring arm they alone comes out the width of the table,
As I really love to hear music, and most of day hear, I bought an PreSonus Eris E5 monitors, they connect to DAC (SMSL D6),
Now as I don't really have place on the table, I choose the Eris because I can make them horizontal, after the speakers height (when they horizontal) finish the screen monitors start and their height really high (because the speaker monitors).
So soon I plan to switch the table to lower one, 65cm height (62cm without the top plate) and also want to replace the speakers, first they really big and also high in height.

Sure I prefer that the speakers will be as they need to, vertical but I'm taking in cosider my limitations.

A single 27 should be physically narrower (though taller) than 2 24s, and a lot nicer to work on IMO. I have a 4K 27 at home, and 3 1080 24s at work - I’d take my home setup any day.

I know that 27" will be narrower and it will be great.
I use 2 monitors much time, really love it.
I need it because I developer and like to see in one screen the design (for example), other screen the code.
In 27" 2 full windows (for example 2 full websites) comes in?
You have an 27" maybe you can make a picture how it's shows? 2 full windows of this thread (or other websites as well)

The ideal height for sound quality is usually with tweets at ear level. Speaking from experience it does make some difference.

Yes know that, but didn't love they really high.
The height of the screen monitor is 31cm.

 

[obsessive9119]

I know that 27" will be narrower and it will be great.
I use 2 monitors much time, really love it.
I need it because I developer and like to see in one screen the design (for example), other screen the code.
In 27" 2 full windows (for example 2 full websites) comes in?
You have an 27" maybe you can make a picture how it's shows? 2 full windows of this thread (or other websites as well)

I’m a developer too

Both Windows and Mac make it fairly easy to split a large screen into smaller “zones". I tend to have a 3-way split, with browser and email taking up 1/4 of the screen and my IDE taking up half.

 

[ChaoscripT]

I’m a developer too

Both Windows and Mac make it fairly easy to split a large screen into smaller “zones". I tend to have a 3-way split, with browser and email taking up 1/4 of the screen and my IDE taking up half. View attachment 504883

Thanks for that.
I see that you work with Mac, from what I understand it's prefer to work with 5K because the pixel density?
Also, in 27" (on screen), the code isn't too small?

 

[obsessive9119]

Thanks for that.
I see that you work with Mac, from what I understand it's prefer to work with 5K because the pixel density?
Also, in 27" (on screen), the code isn't too small?

Nah I don’t work on a Mac, but I can’t take a photo of my Windows work machine.

Not sure about 5k - this 4K seems to work just fine.

 

[Xristos]

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!

Mackie MR624 & MR524 are really brilliant for that you ask for. Very crisp and clean sounding and they keep that highest quality almost the same at the lowest volume.