Recommendations for Tiny Monitors

[lewdish]

I'm looking for a tiny nearfield monitor setup for desk speaker, anyone have any recs? I'm not budget strapped, but I'm looking at small monitors like the Kanto Ora & Genelec 8010, the smaller the better, but anyone have any other recs I might wanna consider or look into. Ideally looking for active / powered speakers.

I tried the Mackie CR2-X Cube & CR2-X Bar the response & distortion characteristics are really undesirable, I like BMRs but these weren't any good tbh. Any other thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[bachatero]

Check out the Neumann KH80 or Kali LP/IN-UNF for some great small options, and you can pair either with a subwoofer to get the bass you would otherwise miss!

 

[lewdish]

Check out the Neumann KH80 or Kali LP/IN-UNF for some great small options, and you can pair either with a subwoofer to get the bass you would otherwise miss!

The Neumann I'll def consider, they always do good speakers. I did look into the Kali because of its size and I like that theyre coaxial, butI'm not sure what to think as far as the response goes. Erin did a review on them, and they werent "ideal" seemingly. Kali typically does make great measuring speakers but the IN UNF. Hard to make out what it would actually be like though because its hard to measure what the at-desk response is like. I guess its designed to have a diffuse desk response.

If anyone else has owned the IN-UNF id love to hear their experience. I do like that its a single point source coaxial.

 

[staticV3]

@lewdish Here's a list and size comparison of sub compact studio monitors:

Kanto ORA vs iLoud Micro vs Genelec 8010A vs EVE SC203 vs Vanatoo

comparesizes.com

Edit:
Bass extension:


It's an old graph, hence without the Ora or KH80.
If useful, then I can make a new one with those included.

 

[kemmler3D]

If a sub is an option I'd be keen on the 8010s myself. But that low end extension from the Vanatoos seems like something to consider heavily if a sub is not an option.

 

[Bruce Morgen]

Kali Audio IN-UNF.

ASR Thread

 

[staticV3]

Here are measurements of the ORA:

Kanto ORA 리뷰 - Audio-re

2way ported, 62.5 Hz (-6dB)

audiore.kr

Kanto ORA Powered Desktop Speakers & sub8 Review

Kanto’s new ORA powered desktop speakers push their technology further than ever by introducing an active crossover and other innovations. What does this do to the sound? Read on to find out.

www.audioholics.com

 

[lewdish]

Here are measurements of the ORA:

Kanto ORA 리뷰 - Audio-re

2way ported, 62.5 Hz (-6dB)

audiore.kr

Kanto ORA Powered Desktop Speakers & sub8 Review

Kanto’s new ORA powered desktop speakers push their technology further than ever by introducing an active crossover and other innovations. What does this do to the sound? Read on to find out.

www.audioholics.com

Measurements for the Ora look great esp at its price & size, distortion at bass will suffer from the size (imo fairly non-issue) but directivity & response seem to imply high value! If Kanto stuck something like a Purifi 4" extended woofer in there they'd have themselves a $1000+ speaker imo!

The Kali's measured from Audio-Re seem to match w/ what Erin measured which seems to imply that it will be somewhat problematic in upper response and will need DSP to get around some of the weird response issues.

If a sub is an option I'd be keen on the 8010s myself. But that low end extension from the Vanatoos seems like something to consider heavily if a sub is not an option.

Ideally i dont need a sub, if it gets down the 50-ish hz i think that will be fine the lower the better but its not necessary, I think i'll tolerate it on something like the Kali IN-UNF since it can be tucked away somewhere as its somewhat low profile, but its not necessary.

 

[staticV3]

Measurements for the Ora look great esp at its price & size, distortion at bass will suffer from the size (imo fairly non-issue) but directivity & response seem to imply high value! If Kanto stuck something like a Purifi 4" extended woofer in there they'd have themselves a $1000+ speaker imo!

The Kali's measured from Audio-Re seem to match w/ what Erin measured which seems to imply that it will be somewhat problematic in upper response and will need DSP to get around some of the weird response issues.

Multitone distortion is an argument for the IN-UNF:

 

[kemmler3D]

If Kanto stuck something like a Purifi 4" extended woofer in there they'd have themselves a $1000+ speaker imo!

If they put Purifi drivers in there it would cost $2500 lol

 

[staticV3]

If they put Purifi drivers in there it would cost $2500 lol

Ain't that bad actually:

 

[lewdish]

Multitone distortion is an argument for the IN-UNF:
View attachment 386371 View attachment 386372 View attachment 386373 View attachment 386376

While true I assume its most likely to just be due to the subwoofer unit and it would still require somewhat significant EQ to finagle the response to a more ideal place and the directivity doesnt seem to be amazing either

Ain't that bad actually:
View attachment 386380

If they put Purifi drivers in there it would cost $2500 lol

I assume at wholesale pricing it would be a lot cheaper too!~

 

[kemmler3D]

Ain't that bad actually:
View attachment 386380

Well, not sure what OEM pricing is, but don't forget that retail tends to be at least 4x BOM cost... up to 10x with 3x a bare minimum to run a business. 2x 232 EUR x4 = is already >1800 EUR per pair before we even consider any of the other parts of the speaker. So with the (wrong) assumption that Kanto would be paying retail, $2500/pair may not be much of an exaggeration.

I am sure bulk pricing (500+ units) is no more than half of this, (how many fit in a 40' container? That's when prices really come down...) but still, it would blow up the cost of the speaker to use these TOTL drivers.

 

[staticV3]

the smaller the better

Would you already be able to exclude some of these based on size alone?

 

[lewdish]

I suppose something like the KEF LSX LT II @ $900 could also be considered. They're quite pretty as well, but they look quite large in comparison. Response isn't too shabby, but not the best value in this range, but I've always been a fan of the sound of the LS50 Meta.

Would you already be able to exclude some of these based on size alone?
View attachment 386383

Def leaning toward the ORA & the KH80 right now. My desk is quite small so as pretty as the KEF's are they're less ideal for my situation. I really do wish those ORAs came in white or something. Unless anyone else has any fun suggestions I think I'll probably end up with one of those 2.

 

[staticV3]

Def leaning toward the ORA & the KH80 right now.

KH80 available in white, way lower distortion, built-in room correction.

But also 2.5x as expensive, and you need an XLR DAC (ORA has USB).

 

[staticV3]

ORA bass extension:

 

[mmi]

Don’t forget stands. I got 8010s in part because the L stand (comes in white and black) is designed specifically for the speaker and looks so much better than whatever you would need to use with KH80s.

https://www.genelec.com/accessories/8010-320-table-stand-l-shape

 

[vactor]

iLoud Micro's are pretty darn great in nearfield. have some toggle EQ options, very robust, and are definitely worth a 30 day audition!! i am loving mine at about 30 inches from my listening position. also not very expensive when on sale.

 

[komhst]

I'm looking for a tiny nearfield monitor setup for desk speaker, anyone have any recs?

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