[Dpoteat]

Was looking at the X-LSs for my computer desk but they are just too big. Wondering if I could build an open baffle speaker that would take up less room and sound equal or better.

Looking at the same tweeter with the M-165NQ woofers. And would rely on Danny's expertise for crossovers. I know they wouldn't go very low but could add a sub later if needed.

Anyone have experience with this?

[Hobbsmeerkat]

It really depends on how your desk is set up, but honestly, any of the OB offerings are going to the same size or larger than the XLS, and will likely be at least 15"-16" deep, and will need at least 3 feet from the wall behind them, only exception being the NX Studio, but is also taller and deeper than the X-LS.

If you want something smaller, there's always the A/V1, and there should be some new drivers for the LGK kits on the way within the next month or so that you might want to consider.

[Dpoteat]

Wasn't thinking of one of the premade kits but asking about mounting the X-LS tweeter with midbass listed above on a small MDF board.

I've seen it done with parts express crap drivers, wondering how quality GR parts would work in this configuration.

[Hobbsmeerkat]

Ahh, okay thats a different story. But I could definitely see the 165NQ being a viable option for such a setup, tho most times its used as a pair of 16ohm models run in parallel.

But it might possible for a desk/near-field setup, but I'll leave that to someone else to answer, like Danny.

[Tyson]

How about some smaller speakers designed by Danny for a desktop - https://www.gr-research.com/store/p16/LGK_1.0_Kit.html

[Early B.]

Forget about open baffle speakers for a computer desk. It won't work well for lots of reasons.

[LostInPA]

I have not built it, heard it, or have any personal use for it, but this strange design does intrigue me:

http://projectgallery.parts-express.com/speaker-projects/miniature-full-range-open-baffle-for-the-desktop/

[jeffh]

How about some smaller speakers designed by Danny for a desktop - https://www.gr-research.com/store/p16/LGK_1.0_Kit.html

I agree. Wait for Danny to restock on the LGK’s. They are awesome as desktop speakers.  I built a pair and listen to them every day.

[ric]

You might wanna wait and/or check with Clayton at Spatial Audio, as he (I believe) should be coming out with a desk top or compact, supposedly affordable speakers, soon.

[mlundy57]

+1 on the LGK desktop monitors. That's what I use and absolutely love them. They tick off all your boxes except one. They fit well on a desk and don't take up too moch real estate, they sound fantastic, and don't really need a sub though they do sound better with one. I used mine for 3 or 4 years without a sub.

The one box they don't check off is they are not open baffle. In my case, my desk is too close to the wall for an open baffle speaker, even if it would fit on my desk, which it won't. This picture is from the Lone Star Audio Fest but my desk is just as close to the wall. Everybody who heard these were floored by their sound.

[hawkeyejw]

Can’t wait for the LGK drivers to be back in stock. I listen to my desktop system far more these days than I have in years, really looking forward to building a pair and having a listen!

[Danny Richie]

The problem wit a small open baffle driver like that is that the low end roll off starts to fall pretty quickly and looses a ton of output.

Note what is stated about the little 4" full range TB driver mounted that way. "Approximately 22dB of efficiency loss was required to flatten the driver response from 50 Hz to 20 KHz."

It was only a 85db sensitivity driver to begin with.

So now you are 63db sensitivity and it has next to no power handling.

So it wouldn't play any louder than the speakers in my laptop.

I don't see that as a good idea.