Speaker + Amplifier recommendation for nearfield listening

[bloppai]

Hello ASR
This is my first post so forgive me if I'm doing something wrong but I was hoping to get some advice from you guys.

I'm planning on buying new speakers for my computer, so they're gonna be for nearfield listening. They're gonna be used mainly for music and maybe some gaming.
My budget is $250 and I really don't want to exceed it unless I'm getting significantly better quality. Here's a list I've put together:
Note: The "new" prices are medium discounts im watching for and "used" prices are from sellers near me
Passive speakers I considered are:

• Polk xt20 ($200 new, first choice)
• Airmotiv XB1 ($230 new, goes over my budget, but is it worth the extra money?)
• Cambridge Audio SX-50 ($200, new)
• NEUMI BS5 ($120, new)
• Sony SS-CS5M2 (~$200, new)

And these active speakers:

• KALI AUDIO LP-UNF ($300 new, also over my budget, but is it worth the extra money?)
• Kanto ORA ($180, used)
• JBL 305PMKII ($150, used)

The only amplifier I've looked at is Fosi FB30 Pro, let me know if theres a better budget option. I'd like it to be 2.1, but don't really care about any other features.
Are any from this list not worth considering or are they all good and just get the cheapest one? Any that I should be on especially aggressive lookout for?

Thank you for your help!

 

[staticV3]

Hi @bloppai! Welcome to ASR.

Personally, I'd choose between the LP-UNF and D3V.

Take a look at Erin's reviews:
https://youtu.be/hOkMVbW7Yts
https://youtu.be/bYipzw4qTGk

 

[bloppai]

Hello @staticV3, thank you for your recommendation!
It looks like ~$290 is a good discount on the D3V (from camelcamelcamel), but what would you say is a good price to watch the LP-UNF for? Since it isn't available on amazon, I don't know how I would check the price history for that. Reviews say it was $300 in the past but unfortunately got a price hike to $350. I see a current sale of $285 at gear4music, would you say this is a good price or should I wait for steeper discounts?
Thank you again for your help!

 

[kyuu]

If you're really on a tight budget, the JBL 305 is a perennially great choice.

 

[CD2]

If you have room on your desk for larger boxes, you might at least look at what local used and thrift stores have available, because good vintage speakers sometimes go very cheaply. This would of course be passive, and you'd want something with drivers close enough together to work in nearfield.

 

[JIW]

I second @staticV3 on the LP-UNF and D3V. $285 is a great price for the LP-UNF. MSRP is $349.

Also look at the written reviews particularly the one for the 305p: https://www.erinsaudiocorner.com/loudspeakers/jbl_305pmk2/. Read particularly the final section 'Parting / Random Thoughts'. There are issues with resonances in the lower frequencies. Also, you need a volume control since the ones on the speakers is not linked. Unless you need higher levels, you should disregard them.

For the LP-UNF, the tweeter should be at ear height. You can achieve that by putting them on books or even cinder blocks as long as the height is the same and the table can support the weight.

Written review for LP-UNF: https://www.erinsaudiocorner.com/loudspeakers/kali_lp_unf/
Written review for D3V: https://www.erinsaudiocorner.com/loudspeakers/adam_d3v/

Edit: There is also a video review of the 305p but it is a live stream and quite long at 77 minutes.

 

[bloppai]

Hello ASR, thank you all for your suggestions
About the Kali for $285, it seems gear4music might ship out european style plugs which might require an adapter in the US and I generally don't hear great things about them online so I'm gonna wait for a sale from a more legit seller.
Another question I had about Kali and the JBLs are how easy it would be to add a sub down the line if I wanted to? I know they don't have a sub out port which makes me worry about the lack of upgradability in the future.
Also, I have someone on marketplace selling like-new kanto ora's for $180, how do these compare to the JBLs and Kali?
Thank you again for your help!

 

[staticV3]

Another question I had about Kali and the JBLs are how easy it would be to add a sub down the line if I wanted to? I know they don't have a sub out port which makes me worry about the lack of upgradability in the future.

Many studio subwoofers (e.g. Kali WS6.2, JBL 310), as well as some home theater subs (e.g. SVS SB/PB1000) have Line outputs that you can connect to the main speakers.

These will filter out deep bass from your mains, to aid with subwoofer integration.

Then there are desktop monitors with built-in Sub output (e.g. Kanto, Vanatoo, EVE Audio).

And if you want to use a Sub w/o Line output, with desktop monitors w/o Sub output, then you'd typically do PC->miniDSP 2X4HD->All speakers and configure the crossover on there.

The poor man's version of this is to connect all speakers to the same Line output using simple splitter cables which means the mains will run full-range, and then you'll just have to do your best with the crossover knobs on the rear of the sub to achieve good integration.

Also, I have someone on marketplace selling like-new kanto ora's for $180, how do these compare to the JBLs and Kali?

We don't have full Spin data of the ORA which makes judging them difficult.

All we have is this review by Audioholics, which shows good frequency response and directivity, but no data on distortion or headroom.

 

[JIW]

Hello ASR, thank you all for your suggestions
About the Kali for $285, it seems gear4music might ship out european style plugs which might require an adapter in the US and I generally don't hear great things about them online so I'm gonna wait for a sale from a more legit seller.
Another question I had about Kali and the JBLs are how easy it would be to add a sub down the line if I wanted to? I know they don't have a sub out port which makes me worry about the lack of upgradability in the future.
Also, I have someone on marketplace selling like-new kanto ora's for $180, how do these compare to the JBLs and Kali?
Thank you again for your help!

The power cable uses a C14 plug. So any cable with that can be used assuming the correct connection to ground. The rating for gear4music on Trustpilot is good. How much credence you lend to that is up to you. Whether you want to deal with an UK seller when you are apparently in the US is another question.

You cannot use a sub with the internal volume. You need an external volume control for that and for the LP-UNF and D3V also a DAC. The latter is already required for the LSR305 and the former is pretty much as well. Also, consider some used Kali LP6. They are only 9 mm deeper than the LSR305.

 

[JIW]

Many studio subwoofers (e.g. Kali WS6.2, JBL 310), as well as some home theater subs (e.g. SVS SB/PB1000) have Line outputs that you can connect to the main speakers.

These will filter out deep bass from your mains, to aid with subwoofer integration.

Then there are desktop monitors with built-in Sub output (e.g. Kanto, Vanatoo, EVE Audio).

And if you want to use a Sub w/o Line output, with desktop monitors w/o Sub output, then you'd typically do PC->miniDSP 2X4HD->All speakers and configure the crossover on there.

The poor man's version of this is to connect all speakers to the same Line output using simple splitter cables which means the mains will run full-range, and then you'll just have to do your best with the crossover knobs on the rear of the sub to achieve good integration.


We don't have full Spin data of the ORA which makes judging them difficult.

All we have is this review by Audioholics, which shows good frequency response and directivity, but no data on distortion or headroom.

The Kanto have a 3" woofer in a really small cabinet. They will have nowhere near the headroom of the LP-UNF.

 

[l_lama]

Check if price you've sourced are for pair or for one speaker. HIFI-pretending and studio speakers are usually priced for one piece (at least when new).

I read somewhere that 'bookshelves speakers' are not exactly for nearfield, i.e. not designed for close listening. Could be urban legend.

There was DJ/studio equipment retailer where I was living previously, so I tested few pairs before going with ADAM T5V, JBL 305 were in my short list.
Despite aim to be 'reference' device, monitor are also different in character of sound and what is good for studio is not always good for you.

I would shop pre-owned 5" monitors like that JBLs (305 are not bad though) and check TOPPING DX1 - it is headphone AMP and DAC with USB connection.

Speaking of ADAM, there are T8S and T10S subwoofers, but I didn't have a chance to have any fun with them, maybe there are somethin for JBL too.

If there will be some bucks in your pockets after that, get ISOaccoustic stand to lift twitters on the level of your ears, or do it yourself.
This drastically chnges perception, especially for 'traditional' twitters which sounds good in quite narrow area.

 

[CptKaos]

Hello ASR
This is my first post so forgive me if I'm doing something wrong but I was hoping to get some advice from you guys.

I'm planning on buying new speakers for my computer, so they're gonna be for nearfield listening. They're gonna be used mainly for music and maybe some gaming.
My budget is $250 and I really don't want to exceed it unless I'm getting significantly better quality. Here's a list I've put together:
Note: The "new" prices are medium discounts im watching for and "used" prices are from sellers near me
Passive speakers I considered are:

• Polk xt20 ($200 new, first choice)
• Airmotiv XB1 ($230 new, goes over my budget, but is it worth the extra money?)
• Cambridge Audio SX-50 ($200, new)
• NEUMI BS5 ($120, new)
• Sony SS-CS5M2 (~$200, new)

And these active speakers:

• KALI AUDIO LP-UNF ($300 new, also over my budget, but is it worth the extra money?)
• Kanto ORA ($180, used)
• JBL 305PMKII ($150, used)

The only amplifier I've looked at is Fosi FB30 Pro, let me know if theres a better budget option. I'd like it to be 2.1, but don't really care about any other features.
Are any from this list not worth considering or are they all good and just get the cheapest one? Any that I should be on especially aggressive lookout for?

Thank you for your help!

Awesome Stereo for Only $500! WiiM Amp EQ! Erin's Audio Corner