Small desk, Small speakers "with a punch" does that exist ?

[zahmzan]

Hello

I had some pebbles (my desk is small and i have a dual monitor setup so i cant really have speakers that are more then 18 cm in height) they broke down. They did their bussiness (sound ) i'm looking for anything fancy or expensive i can to 150€.
The thing is i can't really use the speakers very loud (Small kids in the house) but i would like some "Punch" when hearing some music.

Does anything like this exist ?

 

[rynberg]

If you are that limited on height, best to just find a 2.1 with a separate "subwoofer" module. "Punch" can typically be achieved with a small EQ bump between 50-80 Hz.

 

[Puddingbuks]

Real punch needs 10-12 inch woofers imo.

 

[krabapple]

'Punch' being such a well-defined term that everyone can agree on.

 

[Joe Smith]

For the budget, and thenoise level issue, probably best solution a headphone amp and value-forward headphones or IEMs?

JDS Atom line or the Schiit Magni amp or amp/dac combo and a pair of AKG K361s and you'd be set for awhile... The Moondrop Chu II earbuds also offer great value.

 

[AnalogSteph]

I had some pebbles (my desk is small and i have a dual monitor setup so i cant really have speakers that are more then 18 cm in height) they broke down. They did their bussiness (sound ) i'm looking for anything fancy or expensive i can to 150€.

Was that the regular old Pebble, or the Pebble Pro? Either way, we're talking cute desktop speakers with like 2" drivers, of course their bass output is going to be limited and I'm not surprised that you're looking for something a bit more "grown up".

I might consider a set of KRK GoAux 3. At 172 mm high, they would just about fit, although they slightly break the budget (currently 179€ at Thomann). These should be pretty legit compared to what you're used to. It's the only thing even close I can think of. What you arguably want is some iLoud Micros, but I assume 249€ is going to be too much entirely.

For the budget, and thenoise level issue, probably best solution a headphone amp and value-forward headphones or IEMs?

Good point. A pair of HD560S' even "barefoot" on onboard audio would beat the pants off of any small affordable speaker system. Not everyone wants headphones though.

 

[Blumlein 88]

Maybe a soundbar if you are restricted on height.

 

[Berwhale]

i have a dual monitor setup so i cant really have speakers that are more then 18 cm in height

Can you fit the speakers either side of the monitors? 18cm is quite restrictive, decent monitor speakers would need to be placed on their side and this comes with other issues with what would certainly be 2 way speakers in your price range.

 

[oceansize]

Google Nest Audio? Recent review, here. 175mm tall. The list price is over budget, but I've just ordered a pair for just under £150 inc shipping, so maybe worth checking your local prices to see if there are any bargains to be had.

 

[Berwhale]

What you arguably want is some iLoud Micros, but I assume 249€ is going to be too much entirely.

£145 (175€) on Amazon UK at the moment, maybe worth checking the other European Amazon sites or even buying from the UK...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01C5RZWCQ

 

[oceansize]

£145 (175€) on Amazon UK at the moment, maybe worth checking the other European Amazon sites or even buying from the UK...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01C5RZWCQ

That didn't last long, they're more than £250 now.

 

[Digby]

'Punch' being such a well-defined term that everyone can agree on.

I don't think it has to be that well defined, most can agree on what it isn't.

 

[Berwhale]

That didn't last long, they're more than £250 now.

No, unfortunately not. They were a bit of a bargain; the price drop was posted on HotUKDeals, so it would have been seen by a lot of people.

https://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/iloud-micro-monitors-pair-speakers-4481922

 

[Digby]

No, unfortunately not. They were a bit of a bargain; the price drop was posted on HotUKDeals, so it would have been seen by a lot of people.

https://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/iloud-micro-monitors-pair-speakers-4481922

Completely off topic, but I have seen you in the comments there. Any tips as to how to utilise the site for crazy bargains, beyond just using the notify feature?

 

[Berwhale]

Completely off topic, but I have seen you in the comments there. Any tips as to how to utilise the site for crazy bargains, beyond just using the notify feature?

I don't do anything special. I tend to scan the Deals section once or twice a day. I sometimes setup individual text alerts if i'm after something particular and it's in short supply.

I also set prices alerts on Amazon using CamelCamelCamel and use Hagglezon to compare prices between Amazon's European stores. e.g. B&W PX7's are quite a bit cheaper in Germany!...

 

[krabapple]

I don't think it has to be that well defined, most can agree on what it isn't.

... in terms that I bet are just as undefined.

 

[Digby]

... in terms that I bet are just as undefined.

I disagree - it could be evaluated, objectively, that what a majority of people mean by punch is, probably (a boost?), relating to somewhere between about 60hz and 120hz?

I don't understand the aversion to this terminology. People in recording studios use this kind of terminology all the time, musicians and engineers alike, and they get somewhere with it (understand the meaning of the language, relatively inaccurate as it may be, and get results with it).

Nobody is claiming it is an exact science, but pretending it is without value and there is no roundabout consensus on what it means is just as silly IMO.