Need recommendation for desktop speakers.

Jonascalhoun

I posted over in the Troubleshooting thread that I recieved a Topping TP30 amp for Christmas (one of the low power tripath-amps, this one includes it's own DAC). I had an old pair of S4 bookshelves in storage, and hooking them up, one of them crackles at low volume. I'm not sure if it's worth repairing, so I need advice on new speakers.

I'm going to use it strictly for listening to music from my laptop, playing lossless audio in my home office. They will be on my desk, about 6' apart, and under a hutch, although about 4" from the back corners. I'm not necessarily looking for a lot of volume, they are going to be background music 90% of the time (and the Topping only puts out around 15 watts anyway). The S4s were loud enough at 50%, but usually I have it set to around 25%. I listen to mostly 70's-80's punk and synthpop, but also a bit of smooth jazz and classical, depending on what I'm working on. I don't have a sub, and don't necessarily want one, but with this small of a setup, would it be necessary? I do play some games, but mostly strategy stuff--anything action oriented I usually put on headphones anyway.

I've got it narrowed down to the Polk Monitor 30s, or the 35Bs (what's the difference?), or Inifinity P163BK, although I've also read good things about Boston Acoustics. I don't have a store nearby that I'd be able to audition any of these speakers, and really, they wouldn't have this type of setup anyway. The S4s sound great (well, except for the one), although they don't quite put out enough bass at low volume. I'd like to have them shielded as well--they are far enough from my computer and drives that it probably doesn't matter, but if I rearrange things in the future, I'd like the ability to put them anywhere.

Any advice is appreciated, even if it's to repair the S4s, and then buy a small subwoofer. I've got a budget of a few hundred dollars...I'm not going to add another amp though--I got the Topping to use as a headphone amp, but after listening to it with speakers, I'm pretty happy not having anything in my ears. One more question: I figured with that low power amp, I should have the speakers on my desk--but should I look at putting them on the wall instead? I imagine I'd have to have some real sensitive speakers, the room is about 15'x25'...

Thanks,
Dan

Jonascalhoun

2 things kept me from the TL series--lack of reviews at low volume (they seemed to be made more for HT than music), and price--a pair of them are going to be in the $300 range--newegg right now has Monitor 30s for $99. Although if they are that much better of a speaker, I'd like to read some reviews--do you have any links?

Jonascalhoun

I'll add them to my list to look at then, thanks!...I'll have to see if I can find them 2nd hand though to still hit budget and afford a sub.

Mikey081057

Audioengine

http://audioengineusa.com/Store/Passive-Speaker-Systems

EndersShadow

The Infinity 163's will be better than the Monitor 30's. I ran some of them against some Monitor 40's and prefered the Infinities. I ran both as desktop and surrounds and overall prefered the Infinities.

That said Polks TL speakers are pretty good too and are smaller and look better.

With all that said IMHO I would just look at a pair of POWERED studio monitors as they are MADE for nearfield listening. So for instance the Audio Engine A2 or A5's are not super expensive and will IMHO sound better.

But of the options you originally listed the Infinities will be the best bet.

cnh

If you want to go cheap and have the room, you can't go wrong with the Andrew Jones Pioneer SB-SP22LRs.

Often on sale for less than a hundred and sound better than most speakers worth three times that.

Your Topping should be able to drive them fine. I've run some off a Lepai 2020A+ with no problems.

cnh

aboroth00

To my knowledge, the Polks or the Infinity's aren't designed for very nearfield listening and I'm not sure how far you're actually sitting. Something to consider when making your purchase.

audiocr381ve

I can't speak highly enough about Emotiva Airmotiv 4's. The folded ribbon transducer tweeter is freaking awesome. So non fatiguing but has all the sparkly detail. The mid bass is outstanding. They don't go low so if you're looking for that, you'll need the next size up. They have Airmotiv 5's and Airmotiv 6's. These absolutely crush the Audioengine desktop speakers in every way, and that is the opinion of just about everyone who has heard the two.

They're an incredible value at just $299 right now. http://shop.emotiva.com/collections/speakers/products/airmotiv4

Mikey081057

How about a pair of these :

Holy S better hurry stock may be limited!!

http://www.amazon.com/Fred-500XL-Desktop-Speakers/dp/B00170YRTW

cfrizz

Here is the review I did of the TL3s.

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?130894-My-review-of-the-Blackstone-TL3-amp-Ultrafit-2000-headphones&highlight=polk+TL3

markmarc

I have the Topping amp (30 or 31) and the TL's should match up just fine for your application.

Jonascalhoun

Thanks for the suggestions, those Pioneers seem like nice speakers. Newegg has a sale on the previous model, the sp-bs21lr for $59/pair...is there much difference between the sp-bs22lr and the sp-bs21lr? The reviews almost seem too good to be true on the Pioneers...but the TL3s that I've read reviews on seem to say they are an amazing speaker for what I'm looking for, especially when paired with a sub.

Oh, and I'm 3-4 feet from the speakers. I've got them on a pretty large desk. Does that change the recommendation?

chumlie

Wharfedale - diamond 10.1

dkg999

I have the Polk TL3's as my desktop speakers, powered by a FiiO A1 integrated amp. They seem to work fine for the desktop and are fantastic speakers.

FastGame

nbrowser wrote: »

I personally have a Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 set attached to my main desktop PC...small, yes, surprising, yes. Quite a good set up imho.

I had that setup and it was excellent IMHO.

WLDock

IMO, there are several passive nearfield studio monitors to choose from. However, if you plan to use a home speaker, the KEF UniQ drivers work well for the task. The current Q100 would be nice but are twice your budget. Maybe check your local Craigslist, eBay, etc for deals on the previous gen. like the Q10, Q15, C35, iQ1, etc.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_sacat=0&_nkw=Kef%20Q&_dcat=14990&rt=nc&_pppn=r1&LH_FS=0&_udhi=250

You could also return the Topping and combine that cash towards something like the Kef active speaker system w/dual class A/B amps for the tweeters and woofer as well as a 24-bit/96kHz USB DAC.
http://www.kef.com/html/gb/showroom/digital_music_solutions/x_300a/x_300a/index.html#.UsMMX9JDv_M

Review: http://www.audioholics.com/bookshelf-speaker-reviews/kef-x300a-hifi-powered-monitor-speakers

Best Price: http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/KEFX300ABL/KEF-X300A-Digital-Hi-Fi-Speaker-System-Black-Pair/1.html?gclid=CI2xxdCK27sCFahDMgodj2oAQQ

MillerLiteScott

The Pioneer's are very good but I have not used them for near field. I got them for $77 American Dollars.

Ginn

How about this for desktop.

Polk LSI9's
Peachtree Preamp
Peachtree 220
iMac

B Run

^Very nice!

Loud & Clear

I also have the Klipsch promedia 2.1. I love these things at this (2 1/2') distance.

Jonascalhoun

Well, my choices just became moot...my wife just gave me a set of B&W M-1's for my birthday. She had it narrowed down to these or Martin Logan Motion 4's. She picked the B&Ws because the ML's specifically say they aren't shielded. I can't find anything in the literature if the M-1s are or not, I'll have to grab a compass and find out.

I guess her budget was greater than mine.

Dan