Desktop Speakers

dave_c · « **on:** 16 Jun 2009, 11:16 pm »

Like many others, desktop audio is my primary source of listening these days. And while there are a decent amount of choices for source and amplifiers (although it could be better) there seems to be a very limited number of high quality desktop speakers out there. Most are either small bookshelf speakers or full rangers that don?t exactly cut it. Are there any plans to come out with a CAOW1 or a Song Surround Equivalent for the desktop?

Here are some considerations I would think are important:

Size: Right now I have a pair of Usher S520?s that just seem so huge. They are 11? H x 7.1? W x 9.8? D. I also have a pair of Aperion Audio Intimus 422?s which are 7.5? H x 5?W x 6? D and those are right around the right size. I?d be willing to go slightly bigger if it meant better sound.

Bass: I am willing to give up bass for size. I?m using a sub anyway so I don?t need a huge woofer and port. In fact I would prefer sealed but there seem to be very few sealed options.

Nearfield: Desktops are obviously nearfield so the design of the speaker needs to have this consideration in place. I don?t know technically what that involves but I know some speakers work and others don?t.

Sensitivity: I think a lot of people are running T-Amps which are really low powered. I?ve been doing that but now have a RWA Sig 30 on the way. Obviously they don?t need to get super loud since we sit much closer to desktop speakers, but they need to be able to boogie at a low volume since you probably will be playing at a lower average volume than a typical stand mount.

I would love a small sealed version of the CAOW1?s but am willing to try other options as well. Either way, I think this is a huge market opportunity. Anyone else looking?

DMurphy · « **Reply #1 on:** 16 Jun 2009, 11:47 pm »

I'm a little surprised people would be interested in a passive desktop. There are quite a few actives out there, and a couple I've heard were very good. It would take a really sensitive small woofer to work well in a passive, and those aren't all that common. Maybe Jeff Bagby would have some ideas.

TomW16 · « **Reply #2 on:** 16 Jun 2009, 11:53 pm »

I think that up until recently, computer audio has been relatively low fidelity and, therefore, the speaker options have been produced for lower sound quality. With the advent of the squeezebox and other computer based sound systems, we might see higher end speakers and equipment geared for the computer.

I am about to enter into the computer foray by purchasing a squeezebox duet receiver and having some digital mods done by Pat at Analogue Research Technology. It is exciting but there is so much for me to learn. (i.e. ripping CDs and storing on a NAS with back ups, etc.)

Good luck.
Tom

Zero · « **Reply #3 on:** 17 Jun 2009, 12:49 am »

I got the chance to hear a CAOW-1 in a desktop/near-field environment a couple of years back. I recall enjoying the demo. The smooth tonality of the CAOW-1 really made it easy to endure extended listening sessions, even when playing back low quality mp3's. They also seemed to showcase great early dispersion characteristics, which made them all the more well suited for the job as the sound remained coherent with the imaging still largely in-tact. The only caveat I'd mention is one that is inherent to almost any rear-ported loudspeaker in that they can get a bit bass heavy when placed against a rear wall. However, if you can scoot them out a foot or more from the rear wall, they are a solid choice.

dave_c · « **Reply #4 on:** 17 Jun 2009, 01:52 am »

Thanks for the responses. I do have some space to bring them out a little, but they would just look so imposing on my desk. Something a little smaller would be ideal. Again, bass response is not the most important thing in this case. I think it would be best if the bass would be designed to best integrate with a sub since I think most users would do so.

I think the thing is there are so many inexpensive little amps out there that people may not be willing to pay a premium for powered speakers. I guess the popularity of the Audioengine A5 may disprove that argument, but I still think that there are people out there that want to build a system around their desktop/laptop similar to how they would build a system for a room. Seems to me that having a dedicated listening room is not as common as it once was. Either that or people spend so much more time in front of their computer that they want something nice to listen to. Well, that's what I want anyway...

jsalk · « **Reply #5 on:** 17 Jun 2009, 02:47 am »

Actually, I've been toying with an idea for such a speaker for the last month or so. I actually got a few sample drivers to play with. But I have no idea at this point whether or not it is workable. So I'm not to the point where I can even share any ideas. But I am tinkering around with a few ideas...

- Jim

cdorval1 · « **Reply #6 on:** 17 Jun 2009, 04:29 am »

Also you can plug the port on the CAOW1s, which makes distance from the back wall irrelevant. I've done this with my MBOW1s and have used them at length on my desk. Yes, they're a tad big for computer speakers, but they're look great as well as sound great. I've used a sub on and off, and actually prefer them without.

Something even a bit smaller would be terrific.

Craig

dave_c · « **Reply #7 on:** 17 Jun 2009, 08:13 am »

Quote from: jsalk on 17 Jun 2009, 02:47 am

Actually, I've been toying with an idea for such a speaker for the last month or so. I actually got a few sample drivers to play with. But I have no idea at this point whether or not it is workable. So I'm not to the point where I can even share any ideas. But I am tinkering around with a few ideas...

- Jim

That's what I like to hear!

Jeff B. · « **Reply #8 on:** 18 Jun 2009, 01:40 am »

Quote from: DMurphy on 16 Jun 2009, 11:47 pm

I'm a little surprised people would be interested in a passive desktop. There are quite a few actives out there, and a couple I've heard were very good. It would take a really sensitive small woofer to work well in a passive, and those aren't all that common. Maybe Jeff Bagby would have some ideas.

Well, there's this one......in the best small monitor I have ever listened to. And it's sealed too.

Nuance · « **Reply #9 on:** 18 Jun 2009, 02:44 am »

^ More info please.

DMurphy · « **Reply #10 on:** 18 Jun 2009, 03:21 pm »

Quote from: Nuance on 18 Jun 2009, 02:44 am

^ More info please.

I think we're talking Jeff's take on the old BBC Rogers mini. But my guess is that the sensitivity is somewhat below, uh, 96 dB.

oneinthepipe · « **Reply #11 on:** 18 Jun 2009, 03:51 pm »

I have several LS3/5A-type speakers. IIRC, my KEF 101 Reference Series are 84dB. They like an amp with a lot of power, although their maximum power handling capability is limited. They don't have much bass below 100hz.

Maybe Jeff's speakers are more efficient.

turkey · « **Reply #12 on:** 18 Jun 2009, 04:51 pm »

A while back I heard a desktop system with a pair of tiny cabinets each having a Jordan driver. Then there was a sub under the desk.

It sounded quite good and didn't take up much real estate on the desktop at all.

It's so near field that the Jordan driver didn't seem to be reaching its limits at all. Sort of like a pair of off-ear headphones with a sub.

This system used the smaller Jordan driver, although I suppose the larger one would also be suitable for a desktop system.

droht · « **Reply #13 on:** 18 Jun 2009, 04:58 pm »

My desktop system is my primary two channel set up, and I've been trying to optimize for a while. I'm using the Usher S520s, like the OP, right now. They are as big as I can tolerate. I am having speakers custom built using Fostex FX120 drivers. Speakers will be 18Hx9Wx6D, and front ported. I really need shallow, but it sure seems like most manufacturers are going less wide and more deep. I think the Zu Credenzas are an ideal format for desktop. A bit pricey though. Maybe Mr Salk can do something similar??

I've wanted to try the ERA D4s, but have not. They are petite and well regarded. The JohnBlue3s are maybe the best inch for inch speaker I've had. Ridiculous sound quality out of a tiny box. I prefer the tradeoff in real estate for even better sound from the Ushers though.

As far as amps, there are small but powerful options. I'm loving the Virtue Audio stuff right now. Definitely worth checking out. I think they will drive almost anything you throw at them.

turkey · « **Reply #14 on:** 18 Jun 2009, 05:52 pm »

Quote from: droht on 18 Jun 2009, 04:58 pm

I think the Zu Credenzas are an ideal format for desktop. A bit pricey though. Maybe Mr Salk can do something similar??

Let's hope not.

I've seen measurements of some Zu speakers and they're just pitiful. It made me want to setup a fund so Zu could buy some test equipment. After all, they can't be aware of how awful their speakers are, can they?

DMurphy · « **Reply #15 on:** 18 Jun 2009, 07:55 pm »

Quote from: turkey on 18 Jun 2009, 04:51 pm

A while back I heard a desktop system with a pair of tiny cabinets each having a Jordan driver. Then there was a sub under the desk.

It sounded quite good and didn't take up much real estate on the desktop at all.

It's so near field that the Jordan driver didn't seem to be reaching its limits at all. Sort of like a pair of off-ear headphones with a sub.

This system used the smaller Jordan driver, although I suppose the larger one would also be suitable for a desktop system.

Jim makes a version of the Jordan with baffle step compensation, which it definitely needs. If you're close, and close on axis, the they might be very enjoyable despite the beaming high frequencies.

droht · « **Reply #16 on:** 18 Jun 2009, 08:13 pm »

Quote from: turkey on 18 Jun 2009, 05:52 pm

Quote from: droht on 18 Jun 2009, 04:58 pm
I think the Zu Credenzas are an ideal format for desktop. A bit pricey though. Maybe Mr Salk can do something similar??

Let's hope not.

I've seen measurements of some Zu speakers and they're just pitiful. It made me want to setup a fund so Zu could buy some test equipment. After all, they can't be aware of how awful their speakers are, can they?

I'm talking size and shape, not performance. But maybe function follows form?

turkey · « **Reply #17 on:** 18 Jun 2009, 08:18 pm »

Quote from: DMurphy on 18 Jun 2009, 07:55 pm

Jim makes a version of the Jordan with baffle step compensation, which it definitely needs. If you're close, and close on axis, the they might be very enjoyable despite the beaming high frequencies.

I didn't know about these. I've never heard the 3.6" Jordan drivers, just the 2" ones.

I saw the note about Alpair-USA and it looks like they have even more variations.

Scott F. · « **Reply #18 on:** 18 Jun 2009, 08:36 pm »

I've been using the Monsoon Planar 9 for a number of years now.

I started back at the turn of the century (how weird does that sound?) with the Monsoon MM700 and shortly thereafter upgraded to the Planar 9. These by far are the best sounding desktop speakers I've found to date. The little subwoofer houses a Class D amp and has a bass boost at 50Hz (if I remember correctly) giving you darned solid bass for nearfield listening.

The LR speakers are the same ribbons that VMPS uses in their product line. They are dipole so to get the most out of them they need to be out from the wall a bit so they image well and you can get a sense of depth. The ribbons completely disappear. The crossover at the sub is pretty seamless too. The remote has a volume pot and also a bass boost pot for those thin recordings.

They plug into your computers sound card. If you have a good soundcard, all the better. If you use Foobar, be sure to use ASIO as the speakers open right up.

They also can play quite loud, far louder that I care to listen at 3'. They rate them at like 100db at 3' or something silly like that. Then again, I've cranked the computer sound and listened to it throughout the office when nobody else is here. I listen to these all day, every day at work. They are very non-fatiguing yet fill my need for accuracy, clean midrange, extended highs and decent bass.

I highly recommend them. If my amp goes out, I'm not quite sure what I'll do. Then again, these are about 7-8 years old and still going strong. Good luck finding them though. They haven't been produced in a bunch of years. eBay is likely your best bet.

dave_c · « **Reply #19 on:** 18 Jun 2009, 10:09 pm »

So I'm running the Red Wine Audio Sig 30 which I think might be the ideal desktop amp. Prior to it was using a battery powered modded Trends TA10.1. I thought it wasn?t going to get much better. WRONG! The Sig 30 w/ the S520?s are really really nice together. I wouldn?t consider new speakers if they were 25% smaller.

I?m glad there are a lot of opinions on the subject as I think the ideal speaker for the desktop is more likely to come from a small agile manufacturer rather than a large company. That being said, the speakers which are moving up my charts are all from big names: Dynaudio Focus 110, Excite 12 and Paradigm S1. None of them are especially efficient but with the Sig 30 I don?t need super efficient, I just like the idea from a low volume standpoint. That being said, I don?t really care for a single driver speakers, for some reason I just haven?t like any that I?ve heard.