[Delacroix]

OK, am not new to the hobby but I am new to putting some thought into speakers for my new iMac at work. Assuming a budget of no more than $500, what do folks recommend for listening to rips and streams at moderate to low volume (headphones not an option though an ability to occasionally listen through a pair would be nice).

I'm looking at the Audioengine 2As which get lots of decent press and come with a DAC and amp built in, so that's easy and probably good enough (and well within budget) but should I be considering something else?  Am willing to try an external amp/dac as part of the package but the complete set up needs to be small, pleasant looking and easy to place, with decent sonics. Yes, I'd love to use a pair of Harbeth P3s but reality requires something a bit smaller and definitely less costly.

 

[FireGuy]

Axiom's AudioBytes have rec'd some good press.

http://www.axiomaudio.com/computer-speakers#

[jackman]

For the money, these are hard to beat.  DSP active xovers, Class D powered and cool looking.  XBL woofers that go down to 49 hz!  They also have an output for a sub if you want to go lower. 

http://www.vanatoo.com/

Here is another option, these were just drastically reduced in price from $700 to $199.  Centrance Masterclass Coax desktop speakers.  Team them up with a good Class D amp or chip amp and an ODAC or Dragonfly DAC and you are set.  For the money, pretty cool desktop setup.

http://hifiheaven.net/store/CEntrance-MasterClass-2504-Speaker-System-(Display-Model)?language=en&currency=USD


Pretty cool speakers for $199

MasterClass 2504 Speakers

Impedance: 4 Ohms
Frequency Response: 50Hz-20kHz +/-1dB
Power Handling: 25W per channel
Audio Driver: 4″, full range, dual-driver, coplanar coaxial type
Magnet Type: Neodymium, high-performance magnet
Crossover: Passive, featuring audiophile capacitors
Enclosure Material: Solid wood construction
Finish Process: Mirror-polished piano lacquer finish
Binding Posts: Gold-plated posts for banana jacks or spade lugs
Speaker Dimensions: L: 207cm; W: 145mm; H: 230mm, each speaker
Speaker Weight: 2.48kg, each speaker

[Doublej]

Consider Focal XS-1 system or XS bookshelf, PSB Alpha 1 powered and Paradigm Shifts. The options depend upon how large a speaker you can live with.

On the A2, Audioengine claims a -2 dB point of 65Hz but I am not buying that out of 2 3/4" woofer even if they equalize the snot out of it.

[JLM]

Keep in mind that 65 Hz (or 80 Hz, or whatever F3) goes farther from the desktop than in-room.

My choice for killer desktop within your budget would be Equator D5 ($400/pair coaxial, active design, F3 = 53 Hz, but can be brutally honest - not the best for acoustic music) with a Schiit Modi DAC.

If you can stretch I'd suggest Adam 3AX ($650/pair, active design, ribbon tweeter, tight/tuneful bass, highs are breathed, very detailed/convincing) with whatever the latest/greatest DAC is.

[Delacroix]

Thanks all-- I am getting a genuine education here, I've never been aware of some of these options. For my location, physical size will end up being a more important consideration than I would like it to be. I suspect some of these options are just too large. That Focal XS system looks sweet (and seem available under list price from some vendors) - and I think the small PSB's just about might work too. Appreciate the input as I learn that computer and desktop audio is just a whole other world

[jackman]

The Focals look pretty cool. I have not seen those.  The Vanatoo speakers are larger but only 6 1/2" W x 10" H x 8 1/8" D

I'm trying not to buy a pair because they look pretty neat.  My desk is relatively large and they would fit perfectly.  Vanatoo is also one of the only companies that has an actual frequency response graph on the website.  The performance of these speakers would not be possible with passive xovers. 

Good luck.

[Doublej]

What is Vanatoo doing? Are they using a single amplifier per speaker and feeding the signal an electronic crossover that drives the woofer and tweeter?

[jackman]

What is Vanatoo doing? Are they using a single amplifier per speaker and feeding the signal an electronic crossover that drives the woofer and tweeter?

Good question.  I believe they use different amps for woofers and tweeters.  In my experience, this is the only way active xovers can work but I'm not an expert.  Hopefully someone can chime in. 

[srb]

What is Vanatoo doing? Are they using a single amplifier per speaker and feeding the signal an electronic crossover that drives the woofer and tweeter?

The Vanatoo Transparent One speakers use a 60W/ch stereo Class D amplifier in the main control speaker which  drives the companion passive speaker with a speaker wire connection between the speaker enclosures.

The crossover is passive between each woofer and tweeter.  DSP equalization is used to enhance the output.

Steve

[jackman]

Steve,

Thanks!  Interesting design.  I guess the DSP is used primarily to control the woofers?  Very cool little speakers, I hope to hear them someday. 

There is also a Kef computer speaker system (powered with built in DAC) but I don't think it has a sub output and is above the OP's price range. 

[Doublej]

Aktimate also has a few models that might be of interest.

http://www.aktimate.com.au/range.html

[Charles Calkins]

I've had a Logitech Z-2300 computer speaker system for years. Two satellites one sub woofer with a  volume control for both the satellites and the sub. Works great. Didn't cost much when I bought them. Maybe $200.00 or so. Worth looking into Logitech's products.

                                                                                                   Cheers
                                                                                                    Charlie

[fearlessraccoon]

IME, I was disappointed in the AudioEngine A2s.  I had to crank them louder than I wanted for them to sound good.  The bass just wasn't good enough at lower listening levels.  I also tried a pair of AudioEngine AP4Ns in bamboo (passive design), and liked them MUCH better than the A2s.  In the end, I wound up with much bigger speakers - probably much larger than you want - the Pioneer SP-BS22-LR.  A steal at $125, some say that paired with a decent sub, might be the best sound you can get for under $1K.

If you are interested, I am selling both my AP4Ns and an NMST-modded Lepai 2020+ T-amp that has gotten rave reviews, also clad in bamboo.  $$325 shipped for them both.  They sound and look just lovely, well within your budget.