PC audio system advice (under 250€)

[Talisman]

Hi everyone, I'm looking for advice on PC speakers, I already have high-end audio systems for critical listening so I don't need anything very powerful or incredibly precise (I don't mix, I just want to listen to background music).
Budget 250 euros, 300 maximum.
I'm looking for something that can go deep enough with the bass even if at low volume (something with dsp I imagine) and that is as compact as possible, to be clear I thought about iloud micro monitors which are under 300 euros a pair, alternatively I'm evaluating studio monitors with a maximum 4 inch woofer and very compact dimensions but since I haven't followed this market much I don't know the products.
Thanks everyone.

 

[Mike_Trueman]

The new Kanto ORA4 are some good 4" speakers or you can go cheap with the edifiers MR4.

 

[TechnoTroll101]

Kali Audio LP-UNF

 

[somebodyelse]

The new Kanto ORA4 or some good 4" speakers or you can go cheap with the edifiers MR4.

Erin seems to like the MR3 more than the MR4:

Edit: The ADAM D3V may be worth a look at the smaller end of the scale. I'm not aware of any 3rd party tests yet, but their own measurements look good.

 

[Talisman]

Thanks for the replies.
I'm actually looking at both the Adam d3v and the iloud micro monitors. But considering that we're around 300 euros I've also considered small monitors, for example for 320 euros a pair I've seen the Adam audio T5V, but unfortunately it's a bit too big for my desk, but anyway the idea is that for similar figures I'm also looking at small monitors that could have similar or better performance at similar or even lower prices

 

[uwotm8]

for 320 euros a pair I've seen the Adam audio T5V, but unfortunately it's a bit too big

The thing is, T5V are physically and sonically "normal" speakers and will sound bigger and fuller, not as a cranked-up 3" toy (with all the respect to iLoud and D3V - size matters).

In Amir test they sonically dwarfed Neumann KH80s which are definitely a step up from iLouds but still a small speaker.

They're not ideal tho, you get what you've paid for, and they require EQ to tame down HF. However, they can play reasonably loud with no harshness and even more important - they're perfect at low volumes. You're also getting a very deep soundstage in that desktop-nearfield use case and overall strong illusion of big and even sound.

I managed to use them on 120x60 cm table, not saying it's a good idea tho

So, if you can fit 5" - go for it; iLouds, D3Vs and such are portable/travel focused solutions. Or a nice second/backup pair of speakers if you need it for whatever reason.

 

[Talisman]

The thing is, T5V are physically and sonically "normal" speakers and will sound bigger and fuller, not as a cranked-up 3" toy (with all the respect to iLoud and D3V - size matters).

In Amir test they sonically dwarfed Neumann KH80s which are definitely a step up from iLouds but still a small speaker.

They're not ideal tho, you get what you've paid for, and they require EQ to tame down HF. However, they can play reasonably loud with no harshness and even more important - they're perfect at low volumes. You're also getting a very deep soundstage in that desktop-nearfield use case and overall strong illusion of big and even sound.

I managed to use them on 120x60 cm table, not saying it's a good idea tho

So, if you can fit 5" - go for it; iLouds, D3Vs and such are portable/travel focused solutions. Or a nice second/backup pair of speakers if you need it for whatever reason.

Believe me I understand what you mean, but the point is that I already have at least two complete sound systems for critical listening, so I'm just looking for something good enough for when I'm on the PC but I don't want to sacrifice space for quality (and I don't want to spend a lot of money) if I need absolute quality I'll go and listen on my main system, which is why the essential requirement is that it's something small and really suitable for a desktop.

 

[AnalogSteph]

You just have to be aware that every time you're picking a fight with physics, it's going to cost you. You can pretty much count the number of decent 3" class speakers up to 300€ on one hand despite some notable additions in the last couple of years. (*) Include everything up to the 5" class, and you're virtually drowning in choices. So you better think long and hard about which kind of dimensions you can tolerate, and ideally specify them in cm W/H/D to make it easier to help you. (Also think about what other features you need. Front power / volume? Digital inputs? If you are allergic to hiss, that can be a concern as well.)

*) Let's see... iLoud Micros, Edifier MR3, KRK GoAux 3, and with a slight stretch of the budget, ADAM D3V. Kanto YU2 seem decent with a bit of EQ but are maxing out the budget before you can even think of a measurement mic, Audioengine A2+ have little going on below 100 Hz and could also use some EQ.

You'll also want some sort of speaker stands either on or behind the desktop. (If in doubt, stacks of books or similar will do.) IME, placement directly on a desk creates a bit of a phasey mess more often than not.

Also, having a measurement setup (plus system-wide PEQ) tends to be invaluable. The wavy treble and lack of lower bass in my EVE SC203s at the office could be addressed quite nicely this way. (Otherwise these had exactly the feature set I needed, from front power/volume to no hiss to speak of. This was only like two years ago but there was a lot less choice at the time, so I ultimately went over budget and still had things to correct via EQ.)
I was even able to salvage the Panasonic SB-PM01 speakers from a quarter-century old micro stereo (which are a bit bumpy by default and dropping off below 100 Hz) using a bit of MMM action and a combination of automatic and manual PEQ. Those are my parents' PC speakers and they had been shoved behind the monitor for years due to space constraints (think 1991 PC desk + 24" monitor). Even getting them placed on a regular desk made a huge difference, and yielded fairly good sound post-EQ, but now at ear height on stands and measured again they are pretty much passing the "getting lost in music test" for me, which is what it's all about. The low bass remains a bit deficient despite my best efforts, but for something I'll be using for a few hours once a week that's a good result. (This only works out that well because it's all in nearfield roughly at arm's length. With the speakers' stock single capacitor crossover, their dispersion actually isn't all that great.) Only the accompanying SA-PM01 micro receiver gets a bit hissy when trying to play dynamic classical recordings, so I've been on the hunt for a better replacement lately. My parents don't actually care about their PC sound that much but they know better than to get in the way of a harmless fun project.

 

[crappypanther]

iloud mm - the best choice, yes. they have very deep bass.

what else can I recommend from pc speakers?

edifier hecate g2000 - cheap plastic speakers that surprisingly sound pretty good.
but they won't have the incredible bass of the MM (but I don't need it anyway). maybe g5000 will have the bass you need.

edifier s880db - not cheap, but very high quality small speakers 3.5 inches. but bass is not enough for you (not deep)

 

[Talisman]

Thanks to everyone for the answers, in the end I decided to try to arrange a solution with the countless audio remnants that I have scattered around the house/garage.
I used an SMSL A200 that I had unused, it has a USB input which is what I need for the PC, I put it to drive some very small low cost speakers sold in Europe, 4-inch woofers, extremely small dimensions, the Lonpoo LP42, about 60 euros a pair when I bought them. Since they are speakers with a very accentuated natural bass rolloff I used the A200 sub output to an old Energy subwoofer with an 8-inch woofer that was gathering dust and that fits perfectly under the desk. I took some measurements with REW until I got a satisfactory result (certainly not perfect) by adjusting the volume and sub cut and adjusting the bass and treble on the SMSL. I must say that listening to this improvised system has given me a lot of satisfaction and I find it extremely pleasant. In addition, I have optimized my compulsive purchases of amplifiers and recovered some old material that I no longer knew what to do with.

 

[dedobot]

Kali Audio LP-UNF

Yes, but risky. They can shake OP's faith in his main system

 

[Talisman]

I wanted to share with you the rew measurements from my listening position, I have to be honest, I didn't think I could get such a globally smooth response considering that the sub is crossed without hpf on the main speakers and that the adjustments were made using the filters and the volume control of the sub and the generic tone adjustments of the SMSL AO200
Smoothing 1/6

 

[Mojo Warrior]

Lonpoo LP42 for the win !