Need help finding good desktop speakers with a remote control

[RedPanda42]

I'm in a somewhat unique position where I don't sit at my desk but in a recliner a few feet away. So most headphones/speakers ect that rely on turning a knob don't work for me because I can't reach them. I solved this problem for my headphones by getting a dac/amp that I can set next to me and control them that way. Now I am looking to get some speakers so I don't always have to use headphones. Unfortunately it's not a problem most people have so there is almost zero information out there based on remote controls. I just have to manually search random speakers and hope that they come with one. After looking for a while I found the Aiyima S400 (version 2) which seemed like a decent choice and had a remote. I set them up and they sound fine, didn't blow me away but they were a slight upgrade over my tv's built in sound.

I have two main questions, first off if anyone knows of direct upgrades that fit my requirements of having a remote control or some other way to remotely control the sound.
Second what specifics should I be looking for to judge the quality of speakers? Is it mostly the wattage? I just discovered there is a base wattage and then RMS which seems to be a more accurate measurement of quality but I've noticed that a lot of speakers don't mention any RMS number so it's hard to figure out if they are better or not. For instance the S400 I have has no RMS number anywhere that I can find. It just says it has 80 watts, is there a way to extrapolate the RMS number for a speaker that doesn't list it or does that not actually matter as much?

As an example I was comparing them to the Edifier R1700BTS which lists it having 66w RMS, that's lower than the 80 watts the S400 have but does 66 RMS beat 80 non RMS? Another example are the Edifier M90, they list 100w RMS which seems like an upgrade either way. But what does that translate to in reality? Does it just mean they can get louder? Because the S400's I have now can get loud enough I don't max out the volume so if other speakers can just get louder that doesn't seem like it's worth paying more for.
Also considering a subwoofer in the future and I found the Edifier M601DB combo that comes with one and a remote, seems like a decent all around package. But I'm not sure if it's better to get a higher quality stand alone subwoofer. I live in a small apartment so I don't need something that will shake the walls, is 8 inches for a sub enough for a small room?
Do you think any of these alternatives I've mentioned would give me a noticeable improvement in sound over the S400's?

 

[staticV3]

Wattage is one of the last metrics you should be looking at.

Metrics that actually matter include frequency response, directivity, harmonic distortion and multitone distortion, compression, ...

You can find (almost) all of these in the speaker reviews created by Amir or Erin.

Alternatively, the website https://www.spinorama.org/ provides a comvenient hub for high quality (measurement led) speaker reviews from various sources.

Though keep in mind that the metrics on Spinorama by which you can sort and rank different speaker models (stuff like Tonality and Bass extension) ignore all data points except frequency response, so make sure you have a look at the full review before pulling the trigger.

As for high quality loudspeakers with a remote, I'd start off my shortlist with the Kali MM-6. It's identical to the LP-6v2 except for the additional remote.

Also, an inexpensive room correction solution like Equalizer APO or a WiiM Mini for standalone listening will massively improve any playback system, no matter the speakers or listening environment.

 

[RedPanda42]

Wattage is one of the last metrics you should be looking at.

Metrics that actually matter include frequency response, directivity, harmonic distortion and multitone distortion, compression, ...

You can find (almost) all of these in the speaker reviews created by Amir or Erin.

Alternatively, the website https://www.spinorama.org/ provides a comvenient hub for high quality (measurement led) speaker reviews from various sources.

Though keep in mind that the metrics on Spinorama by which you can sort and rank different speaker models (stuff like Tonality and Bass extension) ignore all data points except frequency response, so make sure you have a look at the full review before pulling the trigger.

As for high quality loudspeakers with a remote, I'd start off my shortlist with the Kali MM-6. It's identical to the LP-6v2 except for the additional remote.

Also, an inexpensive room correction solution like Equalizer APO or a WiiM Mini for standalone listening will massively improve any playback system, no matter the speakers or listening environment.

Thanks for the info, I thought of another question. I purchased a JMS Labs Atom 2 stack for my headphones and it has worked great. When I was first researching speakers I thought it would be a possibility that I could plug the speakers into it and control them that way. But asking google it said it wasn't possible because of some technical reason and speakers need a different dac/amp. But reading a review for those Kali speakers you mentioned the review specifically mentions the Fiio K11 dac/amp which looks pretty much the same type as the one I have. Did I fall for a stupid AI answer and I could actually just plug non powered speakers into my Atom stack? If so this would open up a lot more options because I was limiting myself to only powered speakers with remotes. But if I could power speakers through that I could pick from so many more choices. If I were to add a subwoofer in the future would my amp/dac have enough power to run both of them or would I need something else if I did that?
With this thought in mind I googled some more and what I got back was that it could run powered speakers but wasn't strong enough non powered speakers. Does this sound about right? It said I would need a separate amplifier if using non powered speakers. But that seems strange to me needing two amps in a chain, is that normal?

 

[Steven Holt]

I strongly suggest that you take StaticV3's advice, but let's see : you're looking for POWERED speakers with a remote, yet you have a DAC/AMP COMBO for your headphones? How about this : buy the WiiM, use non-powered speakers, run yr headphone amp thru it and you are done.

 

[Steven Holt]

it could run powered speakers but wasn't strong enough non powered speakers.

yes that makes total sense, a pre-amp is just that : A PRE-AMP, yr gonna need an AMP to boost the signal to volume.

 

[staticV3]

Thanks for the info, I thought of another question. I purchased a JMS Labs Atom 2 stack for my headphones and it has worked great. When I was first researching speakers I thought it would be a possibility that I could plug the speakers into it and control them that way. But asking google it said it wasn't possible because of some technical reason and speakers need a different dac/amp. But reading a review for those Kali speakers you mentioned the review specifically mentions the Fiio K11 dac/amp which looks pretty much the same type as the one I have. Did I fall for a stupid AI answer and I could actually just plug non powered speakers into my Atom stack? If so this would open up a lot more options because I was limiting myself to only powered speakers with remotes. But if I could power speakers through that I could pick from so many more choices. If I were to add a subwoofer in the future would my amp/dac have enough power to run both of them or would I need something else if I did that?
With this thought in mind I googled some more and what I got back was that it could run powered speakers but wasn't strong enough non powered speakers. Does this sound about right? It said I would need a separate amplifier if using non powered speakers. But that seems strange to me needing two amps in a chain, is that normal?

If your speakers have a Mains-cable plugged into a wall socket or a DC Barrel jack with an external Power brick, then you can do JDS Atom 2 Stack->RCA->Speaker Line in.
Speakers like that are called "Powered".

If your speakers have two ports labeled '+' and '-' on their back as the only ports for connecting bare speaker wires, then you'd have to do JDS Atom 2 Stack->RCA->Line in of external Speaker Amplifier->Speaker output->Speaker wire->Speakers.
Speakers like that are called "Passive".<

E.g:

These speakers have a Mains power connection to power the internal Amplifier -> you can plug the Atom 2 directly into the RCA L/R ports.


These speakers only have speaker wire connectors -> you will need to use a dedicated Amplifier between JDS Atom 2 and the speakers.

 

[RedPanda42]

I strongly suggest that you take StaticV3's advice, but let's see : you're looking for POWERED speakers with a remote, yet you have a DAC/AMP COMBO for your headphones? How about this : buy the WiiM, use non-powered speakers, run yr headphone amp thru it and you are done.

I explained in my previous post that I didn't think I could run speakers through my amp/dac but I could have been mistaken, google says it's not strong enough to run non powered speakers. I have never heard of that WiiM device before, just glancing at it, it's just talking about wireless stuff and streaming music from websites which isn't really my main use. What exactly is it doing for me? And what would the chain be if I got all that? I plug the speakers into the wiim and the wiim into the amp?
Sorry if these are stupid questions, I've only just recently gotten into sound equipment and most of the lingo is new to me.

 

[RedPanda42]

If your speakers have a Mains-cable plugged into a wall socket or a DC Barrel jack with an external Power brick, then you can do JDS Atom 2 Stack->RCA->Speaker Line in.
Speakers like that are called "Powered".

If your speakers have two ports labeled '+' and '-' on their back as the only ports for connecting bare speaker wires, then you'd have to do JDS Atom 2 Stack->RCA->Line in of external Speaker Amplifier->Speaker output->Speaker wire->Speakers.
Speakers like that are called "Passive".<

E.g:
View attachment 534598
These speakers have a Mains power connection to power the internal Amplifier -> you can plug the Atom 2 directly into the RCA L/R ports.

View attachment 534597
These speakers only have speaker wire connectors -> you will need to use a dedicated Amplifier between JDS Atom 2 and the speakers.

Ok so basically the amp I have now only has enough juice to power speakers that already amplify themselves if I am reading you correctly. Still that opens up more options if I can get powered speakers that don't have a remote because I have the atom 2 in reach. Is the Wiim you mentioned a pre amp? Would that allow me to run non powered speakers connecting the wiim to my Atom 2?

 

[staticV3]

Is the Wiim you mentioned a pre amp?

The WiiM Mini I mentioned is a Streamer + DSP + remote control unit.

It does not amplify music for use with passive speakers. Its output is equivalent to the output of your JDS Atom DAC 2 (just with extra features).

The WiiM Mini allows you to listen to music without booting up your PC,
to apply room correction to you system for better sound,
and to control volume and playback with an IR Remote.

Though if your speakers already have their own remote, or you want to use the JDS Atom 2 as your remote, then that works perfectly fine as well.

 

[JustJones]

KEF have speakers that use a remote and can connect to TV.

LS50 Wireless II

LS50 Wireless II is our best all-in-one wireless speakers deliver outstanding sound and offer a full range of connectivity options, allowing you to stream from any source.

us.kef.com

There's less expensive ones if these are more than you want to spend I didn't see a price though I might have missed it.

 

[RedPanda42]

The WiiM Mini I mentioned is a Streamer + DSP + remote control unit.

It does not amplify music for use with passive speakers. Its output is equivalent to the output of your JDS Atom DAC 2 (just with extra features).

The WiiM Mini allows you to listen to music without booting up your PC,
to apply room correction to you system for better sound,
and to control volume and playback with an IR Remote.

Though if your speakers already have their own remote, or you want to use the JDS Atom 2 as your remote, then that works perfectly fine as well.

Thank you, I really appreciate the info and advice everyone gave me. This changes my plan if I can run speakers through my amp than I no longer need to consider a remote. I don't think the WiiM is necessary for me since I only use speakers/headphones while at my computer I don't have a need for sound with my pc off. I'll do more research and look at more options now and maybe ask again when I have some in mind. Without the remote necessary anymore I would appreciate any recommendations for powered speakers in the 200-400 dollar range that would be an upgrade over my S400's.

 

[staticV3]

Without the remote necessary anymore I would appreciate any recommendations for powered speakers in the 250-350 dollar range that would be an upgrade over my S400's.

How large do you want/can you stand the speakers to be?

Larger speakers will generally give you a fuller sound.

 

[RedPanda42]

How large do you want/can you stand the speakers to be?

Larger speakers will generally give you a fuller sound.

It depends, because of the placement of my screen if the speakers were sitting on my desk no taller than 10 inches. If I could place them under my desk I don't think there would be any limit. But to get them to line up to my head I would need to stick them on a box or some kind of stand and the top would be flush against the bottom of my desk. The desk is a 1.5 inch thick solid wood. There is space behind as well so they wouldn't be up against a wall. Just mentioning this in case it matters. And I could push my budget to 400 if necessary but would prefer staying around 300ish.

 

[staticV3]

It depends, because of the placement of my screen if the speakers were sitting on my desk no taller than 10 inches. If I could place them under my desk I don't think there would be any limit. But to get them to line up to my head I would need to stick them on a box or some kind of stand and the top would be flush against the bottom of my desk. The desk is a 1.5 inch thick solid wood. There is space behind as well so they wouldn't be up against a wall. Just mentioning this in case it matters. And I could push my budget to 400 if necessary but would prefer staying around 300ish.

For placing on the desk, I would only consider the Adam D3V, Kali LP-UNF, or Kanto ORA or ORA4.