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Small, cute, but good sounding desktop speakers

NeoY2k

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Jan 28, 2025
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Hello,
I am in the hunt for nice sounding, small, cute looking and affordable desktop speakers. That and a winning lottery ticket.
Passive preferred. Second hand preferred. Vintage accepted.
Compact size will be the main factor.
They are to be placed beside a 27" imac on a small desk for very near field listening at low volumes, to listen to music while I work on stuff on my computer.

I am a former audio engineer . I used to work with Genelec 8030 that I sold in the meantime.
I loved these speakers for their good imaging, natural bass extension, "impactful" feel (you could feel attacks clearly at all frequencies) and analytical capabilities (you could clearly hear all parts within the mix, with good instrument separation). But they are too big (and became too expensive) to put on my desk.
Strangely I never really liked the Genelec 8020 too much. I don't like Adam or Yamaha audio monitors.

Right now I am using Focal XS Book speakers which while not without flaws are not without merit.
https://www.kenrockwell.com/audio/focal/xs-book.htm
The sound is pretty analytical, they don't have much bass but extend naturally, they sound pleasant and have some texture and dynamic. They sound right even at very low level. Sure they are not studio monitor precise and their imaging doesn't extend past the speakers and lack depth. Don't drive them remotely lound or their sound will fall apart. They are made for very near field listening and don't work at distance. But the main problem is the noise/hiss of their integrated amplifier that drives me crazy.

I first tried computer speakers.
The Bose Companion 2 series III and Bose Compact MusicMonitor 3 lacked precision too much and sound was too manipulated. But to be fair they sounded way better than they should for their size. I also tried Focal XS (non book), a 2.1 system. They couldn't fit the bill for listening to music, the satellites weren't going low enough (150Hz), and with the sub under the desk there was a big hole in the low mid/high bass unless putting the subwoofer too high to join their frequency response, which then ends as too much bass. They also had the noise/hiss. However these became my TV speakers and with enough distance, the sub and the satellites blend and I like their sound.

I am wondering about HT sattellites.
I note that KEF made the Picoforte 3, which are HT 3001 SE satellites bundled with a small amp. If I accept to buy a full 5.1 set used, I can get them here for about 350€, and that would go with a sub. I'd have to add an amp. However my experience with the Focal XS were that a sub on a desktop system lack the distance for the sub to blend in. The Kef Eggs are rated down to 70Hz. Would they be enough if used alone? I see a lot of people use Kanto Ora or the likes that don't extend deeper. Or would they be able to blend to the sub on a desktop system if they can go as low as 70Hz?

Focal did the same thing with their Bird speakers. They had Little Birds that went down 120Hz, and Bird that went down 70Hz. These are 5 inches woofers in a sealed box. They were available with an amp that included a small sub inside. They can be had dirt cheap used here (yes, I am in France).

I tried the B&W M1 (mk1), that are rated down to 80Hz. They lacked bass extension. And high extension also. They had a nice tone and nice imaging but were severely lacking in analytical capabilities. They also didn't sound right at very low volume and needed a minimum of level to sound reasonable.
This makes me question the use of HT satellites as desktop speakers, though B&W never tried to sell these speakers as such, unless Kef and Focal.

I auditioned the KEF LSX II in a shop. I don't need all the digital wazoo. Their size is right. They have impressive "outward" imaging. However I found their bass rather bloated, find them not enough analytical, a bit boring, and there is something I didn't like in their mids that I can't put my finger on. Pretty unimpressed, except for the bass they were able to get out of small boxes. I wouldn't buy them. That might rule the KEF Eggs out if they share a similar sound signature, if using HT speakers as desktop speakers was ever a good idea.

Studio monitors might be a solution, Focal CMS40 are not too expensive used and are very compact, there might be others.
My experience with active studio monitor is that they all have that noise/hiss to a varying degree which for desktop ultra near field distance is pretty unnerving. Maybe some newer speakers don't. Maybe some active desktop speakers like Kanto Ora don't? I guess being active you can DSP manipulate the signal to get better sound out of tiny boxes.

I hope you're not too bored after this long read, but if you have opinions on the subjects touched, thank you for chiming in :)

Thank you,
Nicolas
 
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Welcome to ASR, Nicolas!
Here is a very recent thread with a very similar question. The thread starter picked the Kanto Ora.

 
Welcome to ASR!

The extra-small size question is tricky.

I wonder if you might like the LSX II with EQ?

Otherwise in the mini-size category people mention the Kali LP-UNF pretty often, and the Adam D3V also has promising measurements in a very small package, probably good for your use case.
 
Never buy new. Meridian DSP33 are a good value as they typically sell for around three to four hundred for a pair. All they need is a digital source. I have used them with the Topping D10 and the FiiO SR11. Another used candidate could be the long out of production NHT Super Zero. Not much bass with the super zero's, nothing a integrated subwoofer would not solve if that is the desire.

 
Studio monitors might be a solution, Focal CMS40 are not too expensive used and are very compact, there might be others.
These have a fairly good reputation if memory serves. Neumann KH80 would be another common pick, especially since you said you didn't really like 8020s.

You should definitely have a solution for taking measurements (MMM using REW for dummies) and PEQ. It'll allow you to take care of setup/room-related acoustic issues and iron out frequency response eccentricities. In the case of my office setup this meant I could tame some speakers that had all the properties that I wanted (compact, front power / volume, no hiss, decent dispersion, low power consumption) but suffered from some uneven treble and bass response that wasn't too much to my liking (not to mention different between left and right).
My experience with active studio monitor is that they all have that noise/hiss to a varying degree which for desktop ultra near field distance is pretty unnerving.
You are preaching to the choir here. We've had multiple threads on this, including:
Looks like you should be good with CMS40s.

This issue is complex. Some might be noisy because if inherently noisy power amps, others may be running into the limits of ADCs/DACs, and some are so sensitive they might as well be applying for the role of the princess on the pea (*cough* Genelec 8010A *cough* - especially if you are unaware of the 10 dB attenuator DIP switch position). The last one is an issue for a number of Focals (Alphas and such). Splurging on a passive monitor controller may be the best path forward under these circumstances, although a DAC or audio interface with a 120+ dB dynamic range on the output side should also do it.
 
Thank you very much for all your recommendation and great reads. I don't understand how I could miss the linked topic, thank you again.
Yes just seen about these MR3. They also are limited to 70Hz down low, which is the same that some satellites speaker go.
I also found some recommendations for Dali Spektor 1 which were not that warmly reviewed here.
In France we have Davis Acoustics that makes speakers like the Eva or Ariane 1 which are on the smallest end of bookshelf speakers.
Will be looking at all that. Thank you :)
 
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I have a pair of Klipsch the 5's in my desktop set up and I love them. They go down to 50hz with authority but with a sub(a wee bit overboard with a 15in sub but so nice) attached they cut off at 80hz. That allows the pair to relax some and play more efficiently and louder but I don't as it's to loud nearfield!!!! No hiss and they do well on their own without a sub! Good luck:)
 
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Nicolas, you mentioned that you don't like Adam Audio and I can relate to that. I used to have Adam A5X and they were not bad, but eventually I sold them and purchased Focal Shape 40.
Based on a very positive measurement results and very favorable user reviews, I recently ordered my secondary/retirement speaker, Adam D3V. They exceeded by far any realistic expectation I could have. I do not hear any hiss even when I put my ear almost directly next to the tweeter. I doubt that it could be a matter of my age.
If you are in a position to give them a listen, I would not hesitate for a second.
Again, my hearing is far from ideal but they really sound nice and they are worth a try.
 
Yes just seen about these MR3. They also are limited to 70Hz down low, which is the same that some satellites speaker go.
It's a 3.5" class speaker. You could flatten it out to 50 Hz but then it won't go very loud. The iLouds get away with it because their DSP reduces bass at increasing level, which apparently has some audible side effects on music.

f3 = 67 Hz and f10 = 53 Hz actually aren't bad stats for a speaker this size. It's about 70 / 62 Hz for Genelec 8010As, for example. My EVE SC203s got about 69 / 61 Hz (L), 65 / 60 Hz (R) in-room, and by 53 Hz were around 20 dB down. I was happy to see 60 / 54, 62 / 56 Hz post-EQ - this may not seem like much of a difference, but it does fill in the ~55-65 Hz range quite nicely so that you're not missing too much in general listening.

Arguably the most heavily pushed 3.5" at this point would have to be the ADAM D3V, which can hit 48 Hz f3 (and going by its ~43 Hz f10, you can tell it then proceeds to drop like a rock). I guess they just had to get past the iLouds. You are expected to make the level tradeoff manually via selectable bass tilt options. Don't expect reaching disco levels if you leave the response flat (woofer cone area and excursion limits haven't magically increased), but it should be enough for typical desktop audio.

Making a speaker of this size and performance level wouldn't even be possible without going active.
I also found some recommendations for Dali Spektor 1 which were not that warmly reviewed here.
In France we have Davis Acoustics that makes speakers like the Eva or Ariane 1 which are on the smallest end of bookshelf speakers.
Note how these are using 5.25" or 4.5" woofers at best. And the 4.5" Spektor 1 manages a 70 Hz f3 and 50 Hz f10, which is the same ballpark as the active MR3 with its smaller woofer.
 
Hello,
I am in the hunt for nice sounding, small, cute looking and affordable desktop speakers. That and a winning lottery ticket.
Passive preferred. Second hand preferred. Vintage accepted.
Compact size will be the main factor.
They are to be placed beside a 27" imac on a small desk for very near field listening at low volumes, to listen to music while I work on stuff on my computer.

I am a former audio engineer . I used to work with Genelec 8030 that I sold in the meantime.
I loved these speakers for their good imaging, natural bass extension, "impactful" feel (you could feel attacks clearly at all frequencies) and analytical capabilities (you could clearly hear all parts within the mix, with good instrument separation). But they are too big (and became too expensive) to put on my desk.
Strangely I never really liked the Genelec 8020 too much. I don't like Adam or Yamaha audio monitors.

Right now I am using Focal XS Book speakers which while not without flaws are not without merit.
https://www.kenrockwell.com/audio/focal/xs-book.htm
The sound is pretty analytical, they don't have much bass but extend naturally, they sound pleasant and have some texture and dynamic. They sound right even at very low level. Sure they are not studio monitor precise and their imaging doesn't extend past the speakers and lack depth. Don't drive them remotely lound or their sound will fall apart. They are made for very near field listening and don't work at distance. But the main problem is the noise/hiss of their integrated amplifier that drives me crazy.

I first tried computer speakers.
The Bose Companion 2 series III and Bose Compact MusicMonitor 3 lacked precision too much and sound was too manipulated. But to be fair they sounded way better than they should for their size. I also tried Focal XS (non book), a 2.1 system. They couldn't fit the bill for listening to music, the satellites weren't going low enough (150Hz), and with the sub under the desk there was a big hole in the low mid/high bass unless putting the subwoofer too high to join their frequency response, which then ends as too much bass. They also had the noise/hiss. However these became my TV speakers and with enough distance, the sub and the satellites blend and I like their sound.

I am wondering about HT sattellites.
I note that KEF made the Picoforte 3, which are HT 3001 SE satellites bundled with a small amp. If I accept to buy a full 5.1 set used, I can get them here for about 350€, and that would go with a sub. I'd have to add an amp. However my experience with the Focal XS were that a sub on a desktop system lack the distance for the sub to blend in. The Kef Eggs are rated down to 70Hz. Would they be enough if used alone? I see a lot of people use Kanto Ora or the likes that don't extend deeper. Or would they be able to blend to the sub on a desktop system if they can go as low as 70Hz?

Focal did the same thing with their Bird speakers. They had Little Birds that went down 120Hz, and Bird that went down 70Hz. These are 5 inches woofers in a sealed box. They were available with an amp that included a small sub inside. They can be had dirt cheap used here (yes, I am in France).

I tried the B&W M1 (mk1), that are rated down to 80Hz. They lacked bass extension. And high extension also. They had a nice tone and nice imaging but were severely lacking in analytical capabilities. They also didn't sound right at very low volume and needed a minimum of level to sound reasonable.
This makes me question the use of HT satellites as desktop speakers, though B&W never tried to sell these speakers as such, unless Kef and Focal.

I auditioned the KEF LSX II in a shop. I don't need all the digital wazoo. Their size is right. They have impressive "outward" imaging. However I found their bass rather bloated, find them not enough analytical, a bit boring, and there is something I didn't like in their mids that I can't put my finger on. Pretty unimpressed, except for the bass they were able to get out of small boxes. I wouldn't buy them. That might rule the KEF Eggs out if they share a similar sound signature, if using HT speakers as desktop speakers was ever a good idea.

Studio monitors might be a solution, Focal CMS40 are not too expensive used and are very compact, there might be others.
My experience with active studio monitor is that they all have that noise/hiss to a varying degree which for desktop ultra near field distance is pretty unnerving. Maybe some newer speakers don't. Maybe some active desktop speakers like Kanto Ora don't? I guess being active you can DSP manipulate the signal to get better sound out of tiny boxes.

I hope you're not too bored after this long read, but if you have opinions on the subjects touched, thank you for chiming in :)

Thank you,
Nicolas
I thought the CMS40s were excellent sounding small monitors as were the larger variants. They also looked quite cool in my opinion. They must be quite old now though. Be aware that the 5 or 6 inch version had an issue with the speaker driver if I am not mistaken.
 
iLoud Micro are very small. They sound amazing and have bass extension below 50hz. The pair I have are white and are a nice looking monitor. I think a pair are ~ US$300, which I don’t think is unreasonable for their performance. Some discussion on them HERE.

Edit: They also have a “Pro” version out now that is sold singly and comes with the ARC measurement mic.
 
I use Audioengine A2+ in red at my workstation. Size and looks were enormous deciding factors and these guys are very small and look great flanking a pair of 27" monitors on short stands, but I think they also sound fantastic. Of course you aren't going to get much bass extension out of a 2.5" woofer so a subwoofer is essential. Fortunately subs are inexpensive and don't need to be well-specced under a desk. One of the things I especially like is both the USB and RCA inputs are active at the same time. This allows me to have my computer and turntable plugged in simultaneously, and be able to hear alerts on the speakers while listening to records without having to switch inputs. The only drawback is the volume control is on the back, so I use an analog volume pot for the turntable and the computer's volume control for it.
 
Hello,
I am in the hunt for nice sounding, small, cute looking and affordable desktop speakers. That and a winning lottery ticket.
Passive preferred. Second hand preferred. Vintage accepted.
Compact size will be the main factor.
They are to be placed beside a 27" imac on a small desk for very near field listening at low volumes, to listen to music while I work on stuff on my computer.

I am a former audio engineer . I used to work with Genelec 8030 that I sold in the meantime.
I loved these speakers for their good imaging, natural bass extension, "impactful" feel (you could feel attacks clearly at all frequencies) and analytical capabilities (you could clearly hear all parts within the mix, with good instrument separation). But they are too big (and became too expensive) to put on my desk.
Strangely I never really liked the Genelec 8020 too much. I don't like Adam or Yamaha audio monitors.

Right now I am using Focal XS Book speakers which while not without flaws are not without merit.
https://www.kenrockwell.com/audio/focal/xs-book.htm
The sound is pretty analytical, they don't have much bass but extend naturally, they sound pleasant and have some texture and dynamic. They sound right even at very low level. Sure they are not studio monitor precise and their imaging doesn't extend past the speakers and lack depth. Don't drive them remotely lound or their sound will fall apart. They are made for very near field listening and don't work at distance. But the main problem is the noise/hiss of their integrated amplifier that drives me crazy.

I first tried computer speakers.
The Bose Companion 2 series III and Bose Compact MusicMonitor 3 lacked precision too much and sound was too manipulated. But to be fair they sounded way better than they should for their size. I also tried Focal XS (non book), a 2.1 system. They couldn't fit the bill for listening to music, the satellites weren't going low enough (150Hz), and with the sub under the desk there was a big hole in the low mid/high bass unless putting the subwoofer too high to join their frequency response, which then ends as too much bass. They also had the noise/hiss. However these became my TV speakers and with enough distance, the sub and the satellites blend and I like their sound.

I am wondering about HT sattellites.
I note that KEF made the Picoforte 3, which are HT 3001 SE satellites bundled with a small amp. If I accept to buy a full 5.1 set used, I can get them here for about 350€, and that would go with a sub. I'd have to add an amp. However my experience with the Focal XS were that a sub on a desktop system lack the distance for the sub to blend in. The Kef Eggs are rated down to 70Hz. Would they be enough if used alone? I see a lot of people use Kanto Ora or the likes that don't extend deeper. Or would they be able to blend to the sub on a desktop system if they can go as low as 70Hz?

Focal did the same thing with their Bird speakers. They had Little Birds that went down 120Hz, and Bird that went down 70Hz. These are 5 inches woofers in a sealed box. They were available with an amp that included a small sub inside. They can be had dirt cheap used here (yes, I am in France).

I tried the B&W M1 (mk1), that are rated down to 80Hz. They lacked bass extension. And high extension also. They had a nice tone and nice imaging but were severely lacking in analytical capabilities. They also didn't sound right at very low volume and needed a minimum of level to sound reasonable.
This makes me question the use of HT satellites as desktop speakers, though B&W never tried to sell these speakers as such, unless Kef and Focal.

I auditioned the KEF LSX II in a shop. I don't need all the digital wazoo. Their size is right. They have impressive "outward" imaging. However I found their bass rather bloated, find them not enough analytical, a bit boring, and there is something I didn't like in their mids that I can't put my finger on. Pretty unimpressed, except for the bass they were able to get out of small boxes. I wouldn't buy them. That might rule the KEF Eggs out if they share a similar sound signature, if using HT speakers as desktop speakers was ever a good idea.

Studio monitors might be a solution, Focal CMS40 are not too expensive used and are very compact, there might be others.
My experience with active studio monitor is that they all have that noise/hiss to a varying degree which for desktop ultra near field distance is pretty unnerving. Maybe some newer speakers don't. Maybe some active desktop speakers like Kanto Ora don't? I guess being active you can DSP manipulate the signal to get better sound out of tiny boxes.

I hope you're not too bored after this long read, but if you have opinions on the subjects touched, thank you for chiming in :)

Thank you,
Nicolas
I'm a design geek and have an KEF HTS3001 system, second owner, as one of my systems. There are spinoramas out there for them, they can be EQed from those or a calibrated microphone in your listening position using the free Room EQ Wizard software. I also like the powered KEF HTB2 subwoofer and have several. I believe KEF has a current coaxial egg desktop speaker, I would reposition at ear level. I don't think you can match the Genelec. Wireless is a compromise. Since the sound is running through your computer, you could look at putting EQ plugins, like Fab Filter in your audio chain.

Have you tried searching the Audio Science Review index? I think AmirM has tested some very small driver speakers with good results. Spinorama.org is a public repository of tests and Erin's Audio Corner is also a good source.
 
I'm a design geek and have an KEF HTS3001 system, second owner, as one of my systems. There are spinoramas out there for them, they can be EQed from those or a calibrated microphone in your listening position using the free Room EQ Wizard software. I also like the powered KEF HTB2 subwoofer and have several. I believe KEF has a current coaxial egg desktop speaker, I would reposition at ear level. I don't think you can match the Genelec. Wireless is a compromise. Since the sound is running through your computer, you could look at putting EQ plugins, like Fab Filter in your audio chain.

Have you tried searching the Audio Science Review index? I think AmirM has tested some very small driver speakers with good results. Spinorama.org is a public repository of tests and Erin's Audio Corner is also a good source.
Thank you. I could not find spinoramas for these on the spinorama website nor on the master review index. I just seen a post here with a 3 points frequency response which seemed to indicate around a +/- 2.5dB accuracy. Do you remember where you seen them?

Do you think that with EQ to extend their bass they could fit the bill as desktop speakers without a sub, or is the sub mandatory with them?

The Desktop Egg is derived from the lower series E301 and its electronics aren't very well regarded, and they're not priced really any better used, so it would not make much sense to go with these instead of the better 3001SE. They also made the Picoforte 3 which are 3001SE with a small desktop amp ala FOSI/SMSL. Which led me to think they might not be bad desktop speakers. But their bass extension seems quite short from the spec sheet, though some reviews seem to say otherwise.

Thank you,
Nicolas
 
Thank you. I could not find spinoramas for these on the spinorama website nor on the master review index.
Measurement of unknown sourcing seems to have been posted in this thread:

Kef-HTS3001SE-Speaker-Sealed-0-30-60.png
 
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