Here's a good, inexpensive route: active monitors (JBL 305 Mk2, $300/pair), no power amp or speaker cables needed. Just add a server and a service provider.
£244 a pair at Thomann in Europe, with free shipping. Pound shop toys in my opinion.
Unfortunately, they demonstrate an annoying +3dB resonant peak between 1.6 and 1.8khz.
Nasty cabinet resonance at 200hz hobbles any bass clarity.
Nothing below 60hz either.
Still, nothing you can’t fix with some narrow-band DSP EQ, and a couple of subs, and more cables.
Suddenly, that inexpensive route tops £1000 to get low-average audiophile results, and it would be better to spend that on a better speaker than this. Something that can achieve a true 40hz, and has a more linear response.
Here’s a cheerful, helpful link to some interesting monitor types currently in production.
Many feature digital ins and DSP room-correction.
https://www.musicradar.com/news/best-high-end-studio-monitors-professional-studio-speakers-for-musicians-and-producers.
Only buy from a firm that has a no quibble 14-day returns policy, if you can’t try them before purchase.
Many people especially like these…But Genelecs are the old industry darlings - the 8020 being very popular, although the 8030 is worth the extra outlay.
Ok. Breath out.
Nothing to stop you getting an old pair of Ditton 66, or some big Wharfedales. Even Spendor BC1’s or Rogers LS3/5’s - and pair them up with an old Armstrong 521 or 626, a Leak Stereo 20, or even a re-capped Quad 33/303. The Audiolab 8000 is a nice integrated amp. A nice, smooth, laid-back system for under a grand is do-able.
Depends what you’ve had before, and what you now want.
If you feel you’d like to go ultra-modern, then perhaps avoid the current home-studio market, and get as much advice as you can take on true audiophile alternatives. But amp/streamer and speakers will start at a realistic £3000.
