Bengineer Posted November 11, 2020 Posted November 11, 2020 What are they? For a normal sized desk, sitting like 60-100cm away, what are the absolute top options? I have the IK Multimedia MTM speakers. They are very good. But at $1300 or so, they're obviously not the most expensive things. Most high end nearfields are actually quite large. Too large for a normal PC desk. Focal Shape 50 ? PSI A14-M ? Dynauio Lyd-5 Genelec (insert one of many models) ? Neumann ?
Snoopy8 Posted November 11, 2020 Posted November 11, 2020 If size is the main issue, then consider a pair of Devialet Reactor 600s. Whatever speakers are being used, they should be on Isoacoustic stands or supports.
Bengineer Posted November 11, 2020 Author Posted November 11, 2020 14 minutes ago, Batty said: ML1 Small yes. But passive, and not designed for nearfield per se? Desktop ideally be active speakers of some sort. And suited to nearfield applications, close listening position and confined surrounds. Walls and cupboards close. Rear ported speakers ~20cm from a wall ? How would they fair in those sorts of conditions I guess? 10 minutes ago, Snoopy8 said: If size is the main issue, then consider a pair of Devialet Reactor 600s. Whatever speakers are being used, they should be on Isoacoustic stands or supports. Such an odd little speaker aren't they. I saw the bigger brother in the flesh, haven't seen the small one. Reckon they stack up in such a setting? Nearfield desktop listening?
Snoopy8 Posted November 11, 2020 Posted November 11, 2020 40 minutes ago, Bengineer said: Such an odd little speaker aren't they. I saw the bigger brother in the flesh, haven't seen the small one. If you can get past the "lifestyle" tag than most people associate the Devialet Phantoms with, you will be rewarded with some excellent sounding speakers. You will need to find a retailer where you can audition them as a stereo pair. I have done a side by side comparison between Phantom Golds and Reactor 900s. While the Golds are a little better (& a lot more expensive!), I could easily live with Reactors. The Reactor 600 are lower powered and will do well on a desktop.
bruc3 Posted November 11, 2020 Posted November 11, 2020 sorry @Bengineer to hijack the thread, but I am going to get myself some active monitors, likely the JBL LSR305 (just want something cheap and descent) as I will continue to use my headphones for 90% of my listening (I live in an apartment and family members/neigbours dont like me using speakers too much). I actually recently bought the Kef LS50 and Peachtree Nova 125 but found it was overkill and bit too large for my desktop setup so I sold it a week later, hence I decided to go active monitors instead and use my CMA twelve as preamp. I am just curious, how do people go about turning their monitors on and off? As each monitor has their own power switch, and I can imagine it becomes real tedious flicking the switches on each monitor every time I want to power on/off.
Bengineer Posted November 11, 2020 Author Posted November 11, 2020 It really isn't much of a issue. Really. Takes 6 seconds. Same time as hanging up your headphones. Wouldn't let it sway a decision It's good practice with active monitors to do the power sequence properly anyway, last on, first off. Tldr; Thought it would bother me, doesn't.
bruc3 Posted November 11, 2020 Posted November 11, 2020 15 minutes ago, Bengineer said: It's good practice with active monitors to do the power sequence properly anyway, last on, first off. ah ok, I will keep that sequence in mind, last on, first off. You are probably right, I guess I literally would only turn it on and off maximum once a day anyhow.
Bengineer Posted November 11, 2020 Author Posted November 11, 2020 The professional nearfields are quite sensitive, if you have them powered on then turn DAC on it can pop loudly. Same in reverse
bruc3 Posted November 11, 2020 Posted November 11, 2020 26 minutes ago, Bengineer said: The professional nearfields are quite sensitive, if you have them powered on then turn DAC on it can pop loudly. Same in reverse Ah I see, noted. Thanks.
rand129678 Posted November 12, 2020 Posted November 12, 2020 (edited) 17 hours ago, Bengineer said: Genelec (insert one of many models) ? Genelec 8331A is great for nearfield. The new KEF LS50W II should be great too. If bass is not enough on any of these small monitors (including your MTM's), just put & properly integrate a sub under the desk (no desk space taken) and that problem is solved. That gives you a full-range system. As mentioned above, the coaxial Devialet Phantom Reactor 900 also and they may not even need a sub for a desktop, they go so so deep. Not all coaxial's are the same but these 3 above are superbly designed to give very even performance whether your head moves left/right and up/down (great horizontal and vertical directivity performance). All these small monitors can be integrated into a large room later, if you use something like Dirac to properly integrate a pair of subs. Edited November 12, 2020 by rand129678 1
Bengineer Posted November 12, 2020 Author Posted November 12, 2020 (edited) LS50W II go ok in super nearfield? Don't need a bit more room? I'm 80cm or about that ear to drivers. 8331A have a little brother worth looking at? --> No seems to be the answer. Smallest in the "The Ones" range. PSI A14-M look nice too. Edited November 12, 2020 by Bengineer
rand129678 Posted November 12, 2020 Posted November 12, 2020 5 minutes ago, Bengineer said: LS50W II go ok in super nearfield? Don't need a bit more room? I used the original passive LS50's nearfield no problem at all, around 1m from the coaxial drivers. Used with an SVS SB-2000 sub under the desk too... 7 minutes ago, Bengineer said: 8331A have a little brother worth looking at? I was only discussing coaxial designs due to their great horizontal and vertical directivity / off-axis performance The 8331A's are the smallest in the Genelec coaxial lineup.
eLicky Posted November 12, 2020 Posted November 12, 2020 Do you get any bass reflection with rear ported MTM near the wall?
Bengineer Posted November 12, 2020 Author Posted November 12, 2020 14 minutes ago, Ewok209 said: Do you get any bass reflection with rear ported MTM near the wall? They come with a calibration mic to DSP Wizardry them. Haven't noticed anything bad. Sit about 25cm off I think. 1
:) Go Away (: Posted November 12, 2020 Posted November 12, 2020 Nearfield? desktop speakers? Well! I recently tried couple of Apple Homepods in stereo setup for nearfield desktop speakers and I must say, I am impressed with them. They look nice, tiny compare to others, have decent audio quality, placement is not an issue, and no cables bar the power cable and connivance is really great. 1
Janjuggler Posted November 12, 2020 Posted November 12, 2020 Hi, I've been using Focal XS Book Wireless for a number of years, info below in PDF. Well made and excellent sound, but may not be making them now, https://www.focal.com/sites/www.focal.fr/files/shared/catalog/document/xs_book_wireless-specification_sheet.pdf JJ 3
rand129678 Posted November 12, 2020 Posted November 12, 2020 8 hours ago, Bengineer said: LS50W II go ok in super nearfield? Smaller KEF LSX also. Add a sub under the desk, out of sight.
Ittaku Posted November 12, 2020 Posted November 12, 2020 If you're considering passive ones, don't miss these. https://sydneyhifimonavale.com.au/collections/goldenear-technology/products/goldenear-brx-bookshelf-speakers
sfdoddsy Posted November 12, 2020 Posted November 12, 2020 I think it would be hard to beat the Neumann KH80. https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/neumann-kh-80-dsp-monitor-review.11018/ 1
Mightygrey Posted November 13, 2020 Posted November 13, 2020 Concentric tweeters/woofers are ideal in near-field, meaning that KEFs are ideal. I've always thought the LSX would make for great desktop monitors, but I'm currently very happy with LS50 passives up on stands being powered by a Burson Bang. 1
rand129678 Posted November 13, 2020 Posted November 13, 2020 5 minutes ago, Mightygrey said: Concentric tweeters/woofers are ideal in near-field, meaning that KEFs are ideal. Includes the Genelec and Devialet also mentioned.
Bengineer Posted November 13, 2020 Author Posted November 13, 2020 Genelec is around $8k a pair. LS50W II $4k. LSX quite cheap at $1500 or so. I have a good DAC/Preamp to feed them, not sure how that works with some of these lifestyle speakers with inbuild DACs, they don't have XLR input like a studio monitor.
rand129678 Posted November 13, 2020 Posted November 13, 2020 (edited) 7 minutes ago, Bengineer said: Genelec is around $8k a pair. LS50W II $4k. LSX quite cheap at $1500 or so. You didn't mention budget in your opening post What is your budget? 7 minutes ago, Bengineer said: I have a good DAC/Preamp to feed them, not sure how that works with some of these lifestyle speakers with inbuild DACs, they don't have XLR input like a studio monitor. It's better to feed these DSP speakers (like the Genelec, Neumann, KEF, Devialet models all mentioned so far) a digital signal, to avoid D/A to A/D to D/A again. They feature really good D to A built-in (separate DAC for each driver). If you really want to use your DAC/Pre and budget is lower, the cheaper Genelecs are still superb for nearfield but not concentric/coaxial obviously. But if you can test out a sub under your desk right now, you might be quite happy keeping the MTM's. Send only >80Hz to the MTMs and <80Hz to the sub under your desk. Edited November 13, 2020 by rand129678
Bengineer Posted November 13, 2020 Author Posted November 13, 2020 (edited) The MTM does pretty good as a stand alone. It plays 50-60hz, despite its size. Ideally for me its no sub. I don't listen loud on the speakers either. And no budget at the moment, trying to find the right balance of performance to cost. And yeah, I can feed them a digital signal fine, but if they don't have built in DAC, I have a good DAC/Preamp setup to handle that. Edited November 13, 2020 by Bengineer
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