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Please give me some advice on PC speakers

I don't know anyone who want to listen to metal (and orchestra) exclusively at low SPL. You will be the first one.
Maybe I didn't explain clearly, but it's true that I don't really need high SPL. Since I'm quite close to the speakers, reasonable SPL is sufficient to me. I'm usually listenning at 60-75db 1m so I don't worry about the max volume of the speakers.

But I agree that bass extension can be a concern. Regarding the place I have, 5'' speakers is the max size I can get. It seems the most 5'' speakers can have around 50-60hz bass extension, which is quite close to d3v or mm. So I wonder if the 5'' speakers have advantages for near field listenning in 60-75db?
 
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Listening at 60-75 dB/1m is way below average listening SPL.
Music arrangement and mixing (and listening to metal and orchestra!) at such low SPL is uncharted territory for me, so I can't give any advice further.
 
More than one 3" woofer means bigger enclosure - bigger than 4" monitor. OP wants small loudspeaker.
Enclosure volume is not the only dimension to consider. Sometimes width or depth is more important than overall volume in a domestic environment where placement can be heavily constrained by other factors. For example, the iLoud MTM (2x 3.5" woofers) has similar volume to the Genelec 8020D (4" woofer), but the MTM is noticeably narrower....

2025-04-30 09_15_36-IK Multimedia iLoud MTM vs Genelec 8020D __ Sound & Frequency Response Com...png


I appreciate that perspective favours the MTM here. For reference, the MTM is 130mm wide, the 8020D is 148mm wide. Enclosure volume (using external dimensions) is 5.117L for the MTM and 5.085L for the 8020D, so 32ml difference.

Volume displacement of 3" woofer is smaller than 4" (if Xmax is same) - DSP will not change that.
Is the displacement of one 4" woofer greater than two 3" woofers with the same xmax?

Generally, 4" woofer is better than 3" "woofer" in every imaginable way (Fs is lower, Xmax is bigger, ...).
Imagine that you do not have space for a cabinet that can accommodate a 4" woofer...
 
Sometimes width or depth is more important...
... or height.
Every 3" MTM is higher than single 4" woofer monitor.

Is the displacement of one 4" woofer greater than two 3" woofers with the same xmax?
No, I didn't say that. I was comparing single woofer per enclosure:
Volume displacement of 3" woofer is smaller than 4" (if Xmax is same)
Notice: "woofer", not "woofers".

Imagine that you do not have space for a cabinet that can accommodate a 4" woofer..
Your comment do not invalidate what I wrote:
Generally, 4" woofer is better than 3" "woofer" in every imaginable way (Fs is lower, Xmax is bigger, ...).
 
... or height.
Every 3" MTM is higher than single 4" woofer monitor.
Unless the MTM is on it's side. This would not be a great choice from a directivity perspective, but would certainly be lower than a 4" monitor (See the majority of HT centre speakers)

No, I didn't say that. I was comparing single woofer per enclosure:
I know *you* didn't say that. I said it.

Notice: "woofer", not "woofers".
I know you said "woofer", that's why I said what I said.

Your comment do not invalidate what I wrote:
I am not trying to invalidate anything or anyone. I am just pointing out that your comments were made within a narrow set of parameters that do not necessarily reflect the OPs or others requirements.
 
Unless the MTM is on it's side.
But then it will be much wider than 4" monitor!? What is the purpose of this hairsplitting?
No matter how you look at it, 2x3" MTM has one dimension bigger (and other smaller) than single 4" monitor.

This would not be a great choice from a directivity perspective, but would certainly be lower than a 4" monitor (See the majority of HT centre speakers)
All horizontal MTM have catastrophic design error (including all HT MTM center speakers). Any (upright) 4" monitor will beat horizontally placed 2x3" MTM in smoothness of horizontal coverage.

I know *you* didn't say that. I said it.
But then, why did you quote me?! What is the purpose of this hairsplitting?

I know you said "woofer", that's why I said what I said.
But then, why did you quote me?! What is the purpose of this hairsplitting?

I am not trying to invalidate anything or anyone.
You are just hairsplitting.

I am just pointing out that your comments were made within a narrow set of parameters that do not necessarily reflect the OPs or others requirements.
Narrow set of parameters?! What did I miss? What are other requirements where 2x3" MTM will be better choice than single 4" monitor?
Any 2x3" MTM has bigger volume and is much taller than average 4" monitor. If width of loudspeaker is of paramount importance because of lack of space on the desk, then headphones are better choice - much better than any 2x3" MTM (regarding the desk space). Am I hairsplitting? :)
 
But then, why did you quote me?! What is the purpose of this hairsplitting?

My original comment was in response to broad statement you made...

Disregard all 3" monitors - unacceptable compromises here regarding max SPL output and/or low frequency extension.

Whilst the compromises for 3" monitor may be unacceptable to you, they may be acceptable to the OP or others interested in finding a pair of monitors for use in a limited space.
 
My original comment was in response to broad statement you made...
You are contradicting with yourself:
I am just pointing out that your comments were made within a narrow set of parameters



Whilst the compromises for 3" monitor may be unacceptable to you, they may be acceptable to the OP or others interested in finding a pair of monitors for use in a limited space.
In the end, it turned out that limited space is not the problem for OP:
Regarding the place I have, 5'' speakers is the max size I can get.

For others - I can't imagine situation where desk space is so limited it can't accommodate additional 42mm+42mm=84mm (3.3") for 4" over 3" monitor.
 
You are contradicting with yourself:
Nope, you are conflating one comment with others made at a different point in the thread.

In the end, it turned out that limited space is not the problem for OP:
Yes, I can read too. The OPs statement was made well after your broad comment about 3" monitors. i.e. you had no knowledge of this requirement when making your statement.

For others - I can't imagine situation where desk space is so limited it can't accommodate additional 42mm+42mm=84mm (3.3") for 4" over 3" monitor.
I am sorry for your lack of imagination.

Anyway, I have to see a man about a dog. So I shall not be reading or responding to any more of your comments.
 
Yes, I can read too. The OPs statement was made well after your broad comment about 3" monitors. i.e. you had no knowledge of this requirement when making your statement.
But you кееp beating the dead horse although you read what OP said!?

I am sorry for your lack of imagination.
You didn't give a real-world example where 3.3" extra space on desk is not possible - I would say that is the epitome definition of "lack of imagination".

So I shall not be reading or responding to any more of your comments.
Irrelevant - other members will read.
 
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