Seeking recommendations for nearfield monitors.

[Chet_Jettison]

I'm looking to upgrade my desktop speakers. I currently have Presonus Eris 5", but I think I can do better. These are good, but honestly sometimes I hear my Realistic Minimus 7s in another room, and I think "these little Realistics can put out more bass than my studio monitors".

I'll mostly use these speakers for listening to music and movies, the occasional video game. I also do some mixing and sound design, but nothing too serious.

I have a very nice DAC with balanced out, so I'd prefer to have active speakers with balanced XLR inputs. If that isn't possible, then I'd be amenable to passive speakers with external balanced amps, like maybe monoblocks or something... if that even exists.

I'm quite handy, so I'm open to DIY/kit suggestions as well.

Is there a good step up from my Presonus monitors, without spending an absolute fortune? $1000/pair is my max.

PS. I feel it’s important to mention that I had some JBL 300 series, but the hiss was too much for me so I returned them.

 

[sweetchaos]

$1000/pair is my max.

Neumann KH 80

 

[test1223]

Hello,

I would start with buying a measurement microphone and integrate a dsp. With windows equalizer apo is an option of a software for free. Especially the quality of the bass is dependent on the room and placement. A dsp helps a lot with every speaker.
You can also alter the tonality a lot with it and get a "new" speaker.
Also the placement of the speaker in the room and on the desk are very important.
But you need to put in some work to set everything up.
If that is not enough new speaker is the path to go.

Neumann KH 80

No not enough bass and spl.

 

[mSpot]

The combination in @mitchco's article is just under $1000 (iLoud MTM + DSP software).
https://audiophilestyle.com/ca/revi...rs-using-focus-fidelity-filter-designer-r990/

 

[Moonhead]

Refurbished KH120 or 8030C

 

[Chet_Jettison]

Hello,

I would start with buying a measurement microphone and integrate a dsp. With windows equalizer apo is an option of a software for free. Especially the quality of the bass is dependent on the room and placement. A dsp helps a lot with every speaker.
You can also alter the tonality a lot with it and get a "new" speaker.
Also the placement of the speaker in the room and on the desk are very important.
But you need to put in some work to set everything up.
If that is not enough new speaker is the path to go.


No not enough bass and spl.

That's an interesting idea. My room is quite "dead" however, heavily carpeted with plenty of sound absorption everywhere. I've never tried DSP before.

You don't think the Neumann's are up to snuff? I've gotten several recommendations for those particular speakers both on this thread and elsewhere.

 

[test1223]

You don't think the Neumann's are up to snuff? I've gotten several recommendations for those particular speakers both on this thread and elsewhere.

They are very small and the lack of bass is something I wouldn't be happy with in the long run. You can add a subwoofer but it isn't easy to place it well (desktop system). The max spl is also low if you play bass heavy stuff and especially for mixing and sound design where you have higher dynamics.

iLoud MTM + DSP software

They might work but only if you are okay with low max spl.

That's an interesting idea. My room is quite "dead" however, heavily carpeted with plenty of sound absorption everywhere. I've never tried DSP before.

Yes even if you decide to buy better speakers a proper dsp corrected system sounds much better. The presonus should provide good potential, so equalizing will probably help a lot. A cheap measurement microphone e.g. the one from mini dsp and the use of a dsp will be one of the best investments.

To much absorbtion is not a good thing for listening pleasure. Some room acoustic changes might also help a lot.

 

[Chet_Jettison]

They are very small and the lack of bass is something I wouldn't be happy with in the long run. You can add a subwoofer but it isn't easy to place it well (desktop system). The max spl is also low if you play bass heavy stuff and especially for mixing and sound design where you have higher dynamics.


They might work but only if you are okay with low max spl.


Yes even if you decide to buy better speakers a proper dsp corrected system sounds much better. The presonus should provide good potential, so equalizing will probably help a lot. A cheap measurement microphone e.g. the one from mini dsp and the use of a dsp will be one of the best investments.

To much absorbtion is not a good thing for listening pleasure. Some room acoustic changes might also help a lot.

My Presonus Eris 5s are sturdy and well built, and I like the look of them. Perhaps I should experiment with EQ/DSP. I'm using the SMSL SU-9 dac which has some built-in EQ and DSP modes I can experiment with.
I enjoyed the sound of the JBL 305's, but the hiss was too much because of the built-in amplifier. That has me wondering about a passive option, paired with a balanced amp. I've had my eye on the LS3/5A for awhile now, too, as I've heard they're good passive nearfields. But I'm hesitant because on paper their bass extension isn't as good as the Presonus.

 

[weasels]

I second the DSP recommendation. Equalizer APO is free, so a little experimentation will cost you nothing but some time and you may be pleased with the results.

 

[Chet_Jettison]

I second the DSP recommendation. Equalizer APO is free, so a little experimentation will cost you nothing but some time and you may be pleased with the results.

I have Equalizer APO on Windows, to solve some of the inherent problems with Windows audio. But I switch back and forth between Windows and Mac at this workstation constantly, so I'd need a DSP solution that works for both platforms.