Tough choice : desktop speakers

[Baguette]

Hello,

I’m looking for active desktop speakers to replace my 2.1 system that cost me €40 ten years ago.
I’m in a room about 3.2x3.2m — 10/11m², with lots of furniture and little space.
Usage: music streaming, youtube videos, podcasts, video games.

My criteria:

• nearfield/ultra-nearfield (100 to 80 cm ear-to-speaker)
• relatively close to the wall (please specify how much in your answer)
• I only listen at low or very low volume.
• preferably compact, as my desk is small
• sounds good without a subwoofer
• good lifespan
• approx. €300 per speaker (or a bit more if you find something exceptional)
• not hideous (a tough task with studio monitors, I know)

The KEF LSX II LT are currently on sale (€790 instead of €999), but I haven’t read only positive reviews about them, and I’m wondering about their longevity (but I love their looks).
Someone recommended the Kali Audio LP-UNF to me, I don't know what to think about it.

Should I buy an amp/dac too, even if they are active speakers? I’m a beginner in audiophilia, please forgive my ignorance.
I live in Europe btw.

Thanks.

 

[staticV3]

Hi @Baguette! Welcome to ASR.

Should I buy an amp/dac too, even if they are active speakers?

Amp and DAC are built into the speakers themselves, so there's no point in external ones.

Other options include the Adam D3V, Kanto ORA/ORA4, iLoud Micro/Micro Pro.

 

[kemmler3D]

Hi there, welcome to ASR!

For your use the Adam D3V is a pretty solid option. They're inside your budget, very compact, designed for desktop and close-up use, and have very good measured sound quality as long as you stay within that use case. https://www.adam-audio.com/en/desktop/d3v/

You will not need an amp but depending on the speaker you end up with, you may need a DAC to send an analog signal to the speaker, not all have digital inputs.

 

[Somafunk]

I’d be very tempted to try the IKM monitors

iLoud MTM MKII

iLoud MTM MKII high-resolution compact studio monitor with more efficient drivers and twice the processing power to turn any space into the ideal mixing and mastering setup

www.ikmultimedia.com

iLoud Micro Monitor Pro

iLoud Micro Monitor Pro portable studio monitors by IK Multimedia with built-in ARC correction, X-Monitor integration, and more make critical mixing possible in the studio, at home or on the go.

www.ikmultimedia.com

Or for a cheap option but very good sounding check out Kanto , good enough that I built a system (including Kanto sub, but not necessary) for a mates kid using Kanto Ora, the other ranges of Kanto monitors get good reviews as well

ORA Reference Desktop Computer Speakers | Kanto Audio

ORA bridges the gap between computer speakers and studio monitors giving you studio-grade sound in a compact package that fits on your desktop

www.kantoaudio.com

 

[Baguette]

Thanks for your replies.
I'm hesitating between the Adam Audio, the Kanto, and the IKM. Maybe the Kanto REN?
The Adam Audio manual says they can be placed very close to the back wall, which is good.
But I'll have to pay attention to

Spoiler: this

https://www.reddit.com/r/ADAMAudio/comments/1kup6do/d3v_psa_for_anybody_wondering_about_that_muffled

Is there any point in getting QOBUZ instead of Spotify with any of these speakers?

 

[Somafunk]

Thanks for your replies.
I'm hesitating between the Adam Audio, the Kanto, and the IKM. Maybe the Kanto REN?

If you plan on listening nearfield most of the time then I think the ren may be too large - although they are very nice with a multitude of connections options - you mentioned you had a small desk? - mock up the size of each speaker in cardboard and see how they fit in with your available space (I admit I have done this ) , perhaps you could also consider the Kanto Ora4 as it has the excellent wave guide tweeter.

The Adam Audio manual says they can be placed very close to the back wall, which is good.
But I'll have to pay attention to

Spoiler: this

https://www.reddit.com/r/ADAMAudio/comments/1kup6do/d3v_psa_for_anybody_wondering_about_that_muffled

Is there any point in getting QOBUZ instead of Spotify with any of these speakers?

As for qobuzz vs Spotify,, unless you are spending your time critical listening then I doubt you could/I could notice, choose the service that suits your listening genres/habits and with the interface you feel is more comfortable and intuitive in use.

Do you have any kanto stockists near to you?, may be worth a short journey to see them in the flesh and get hands on

 

[Steven Holt]

Fine suggestions -- but take a look at the Edifier R1280T if it's available in yr area.

 

[Somafunk]

Fine suggestions -- but take a look at the Edifier R1280T if it's available in yr area.

Rather cheap n’ nasty looking at sub£100 pair, not something I’d be happy with on my desk.

At

 

[kemmler3D]

Thanks for your replies.
I'm hesitating between the Adam Audio, the Kanto, and the IKM. Maybe the Kanto REN?
The Adam Audio manual says they can be placed very close to the back wall, which is good.
But I'll have to pay attention to

Spoiler: this

https://www.reddit.com/r/ADAMAudio/comments/1kup6do/d3v_psa_for_anybody_wondering_about_that_muffled

Is there any point in getting QOBUZ instead of Spotify with any of these speakers?

I couldn't really hear what was going on in the cu video because I'm listening on my phone. But my strong guess is it's due to internal dynamic compression DSP. For small active speakers like this, it's extremely common to put in limits on output to protect the drivers. In certain scenarios when you are playing them loud it can be audible, but for quiet/ close listening will tend not to come into play much or at all.

 

[Baguette]

If you plan on listening nearfield most of the time then I think the ren may be too large - although they are very nice with a multitude of connections options - you mentioned you had a small desk? - mock up the size of each speaker in cardboard and see how they fit in with your available space (I admit I have done this ) , perhaps you could also consider the Kanto Ora4 as it has the excellent wave guide tweeter.




As for qobuzz vs Spotify,, unless you are spending your time critical listening then I doubt you could/I could notice, choose the service that suits your listening genres/habits and with the interface you feel is more comfortable and intuitive in use.

Do you have any kanto stockists near to you?, may be worth a short journey to see them in the flesh and get hands on

I like the idea of the cardboard.
I've decided to buy a bigger desk; size is less of a concern now. The Ora4 are interesting. No Kanto stockist near me unfortunately. Are they OK without a sub?
According to the manual: ORA is designed to perform optimally positioned at least 20cm to 25cm from the rear wallfor best bass response.

 

[Arindal]

nearfield/ultra-nearfield (100 to 80 cm ear-to-speaker)

Would either opt for coaxial models in this case, or recommend a quick check if the speakers in question give a fair impression of ambience, distance and localization stability at such listening distances. Many tend to produce an imaging with too much of proximity, or localization tends to be unstable.

Something like smallest Genelec coaxial or MEG would be ideal, but is out of the budget. Would personally give these ones a try:

Eve Audio SC203

 

[Baguette]

Would either opt for coaxial models in this case, or recommend a quick check if the speakers in question give a fair impression of ambience, distance and localization stability at such listening distances. Many tend to produce an imaging with too much of proximity, or localization tends to be unstable.

Something like smallest Genelec coaxial or MEG would be ideal, but is out of the budget. Would personally give these ones a try:

Eve Audio SC203

What is the benefit of coaxials in my specific case?

 

[Somafunk]

What is the benefit of coaxials in my specific case?

None whatsoever

 

[Vacceo]

Hello,

I’m looking for active desktop speakers to replace my 2.1 system that cost me €40 ten years ago.
I’m in a room about 3.2x3.2m — 10/11m², with lots of furniture and little space.
Usage: music streaming, youtube videos, podcasts, video games.

My criteria:

• nearfield/ultra-nearfield (100 to 80 cm ear-to-speaker)
• relatively close to the wall (please specify how much in your answer)
• I only listen at low or very low volume.
• preferably compact, as my desk is small
• sounds good without a subwoofer
• good lifespan
• approx. €300 per speaker (or a bit more if you find something exceptional)
• not hideous (a tough task with studio monitors, I know)

The KEF LSX II LT are currently on sale (€790 instead of €999), but I haven’t read only positive reviews about them, and I’m wondering about their longevity (but I love their looks).
Someone recommended the Kali Audio LP-UNF to me, I don't know what to think about it.

Should I buy an amp/dac too, even if they are active speakers? I’m a beginner in audiophilia, please forgive my ignorance.
I live in Europe btw.

Thanks.

I have a pair of LSX II´s on their way to home. I´ll let you know how they work.

 

[kemmler3D]

What is the benefit of coaxials in my specific case?

I think the theory is that if you sit very very close to standard 2-ways you can miss out on the drivers integrating, i.e. the individual radiation pattern of each driver is still audible and it impacts frequency response. But if you are sitting ~1m away from most speakers I don't think it's a real concern.

 

[Arindal]

What is the benefit of coaxials in my specific case?

At a listening distance of just 80-100cm, a non-coaxial design bears the risk of the drivers being localizable at different vertical positions, or that you move your head a sufficient number of degrees so it reaches an area of interference/lobing between the drivers which is audible and might result in localization instability.

If you don't move a lot and not listen to acoustic recordings, this might not be that much of an issue, but proper coaxial designs in general give a more uniform imagine/ambience. The Eve Audio may not be ideal from technical point, but I found the imaging to be pretty consistent and uniform.

I have a pair of LSX II´s on their way to home.

Check how they perform with recordings containing a lot of midrange details (such as mixed/male choirs) and in general if they tend to give a midrange-heavy impression. I had ordered them for my bedroom, really loved the wireless connectivity concept, but had to send them back because of the sound.

 

[Mike_Trueman]

You can go cheap with the edifier MR5 active speakers. It is a 3 way speaker.

 

[Vacceo]

At a listening distance of just 80-100cm, a non-coaxial design bears the risk of the drivers being localizable at different vertical positions, or that you move your head a sufficient number of degrees so it reaches an area of interference/lobing between the drivers which is audible and might result in localization instability.

If you don't move a lot and not listen to acoustic recordings, this might not be that much of an issue, but proper coaxial designs in general give a more uniform imagine/ambience. The Eve Audio may not be ideal from technical point, but I found the imaging to be pretty consistent and uniform.



Check how they perform with recordings containing a lot of midrange details (such as mixed/male choirs) and in general if they tend to give a midrange-heavy impression. I had ordered them for my bedroom, really loved the wireless connectivity concept, but had to send them back because of the sound.

I have a couple Orthodox mass records, that could do the trick.

The room is almost fully covered by books from floor to wall, so it should be a fairly nice place to listen to anything.

 

[olds1959special]

• nearfield/ultra-nearfield (100 to 80 cm ear-to-speaker)
• relatively close to the wall (please specify how much in your answer)
• I only listen at low or very low volume.
• preferably compact, as my desk is small
• sounds good without a subwoofer
• good lifespan
• approx. €300 per speaker (or a bit more if you find something exceptional)
• not hideous (a tough task with studio monitors, I know)

This is similar to my setup, but I use mono block amps under the desk, and a subwoofer positioned to the side along the wall.

 

[Baguette]

• nearfield/ultra-nearfield (100 to 80 cm ear-to-speaker)
• relatively close to the wall (please specify how much in your answer)
• I only listen at low or very low volume.
• preferably compact, as my desk is small
• sounds good without a subwoofer
• good lifespan
• approx. €300 per speaker (or a bit more if you find something exceptional)
• not hideous (a tough task with studio monitors, I know)

This is similar to my setup, but I use mono block amps under the desk, and a subwoofer positioned to the side along the wall.View attachment 462325

What are these speakers?