Desktop Speakers - New Tannoy Golds versus Adam, Vanatoo etc

I use the Vanatoo Zero speakers on my desk. They do have a built in DAC that performs up to 96/24.  Stream Roon most often but they can do blue tooth well when someone wishes to share something from their phone.  Also has a subwoofer out with automatic crossover. 

Heard Vanatoo at AXPONA. Very impressive. you're right to ignore Audio Engine - dull and bland.

Those Tannoys look nice!  They start at $500 though.

I just bought my first Audioengine product.  I got a B2.  Hooked up with my Dragonfly Dac (Red) and jitterbug, streaming Tidal and it sounds really nice.  I bought the B2 for $150 refurbed.  Audioengine has been around for awhile and has gotten many great reviews for what they are.
I’m not recommending that you get a B2, I’m just putting it out there that audio engine isn’t dull and bland

I think that actives are a great way to go.

At last year's Axpona, I heard the Vanatoos and a pair of Audioengines (HD6, I think). Both the T-zeros and the T-one Encores impressed me with sound considerably better than I'd expect for the price.

As to Audioengine, the mfgr was demonstrating them with a Bluetooth connection; they sounded far worse than I know they can sound -- I have a pair of A5+, which served me well in a desktop system for years. If I were starting over, I'd probably go for the Vanatoos myself, the Transparent One Encores.

I also have heard good things about Adam. Have not heard them or the Tannoys. Your best bet might be to buy one you are considering with right of return.

Don’t know the Tannoy or Vanatoo, but my Adam F7 are terrific desktop speakers. In no way do I feel I compromised audio quality by having to buy speakers which would work well at my desk for < $1k. When I auditioned at Guitar Center they beat the pants off all competition there (JBL, umm ... sorry, too long ago to recall the other losers). Their AMT tweeter is superb. And port is in front.

another path could be to pick up a pre used Receiver/INT and a pr of bookshelfs. might gain more range and some versatility for more sources.

that's the avenue i'm pursuing. using what's on hand to bolster the PC Desktop audio.

my issue is getting the link to connect PC to Receiver. via network or WY FY rather than run a long USBcable to my DAC.

good luck.

Thanks for the replies, yes definitely active is the  way to go for my small desk.   I might take a trip to guitar center and listen to the Adam T5V.  Please pitch in if anyone has compared the above, cheers

Thanks for replies, quarantine is stopping auditioning unfortunately!  Will probably pull the trigger on a pair of Vanatoo's.  The other brand that appealed to me is Eve Audio, but they are expensive here $649.  Dumb question, but if purchased from the UK would you need a voltage converter to use in USA?   Wondering if you get away with a power pack

https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/eve-audio-sc203
https://www.pro-tools-expert.com/production-expert-1/2019/7/11/eve-audio-sc-203-two-way-powered-desk...
https://eve-audio.de/downloads/manuals/EveAudio_WebManual_203_EN.pdf

Cheers, stay safe and enjoy the hi-fi.  Crazy times.

Hmmm - Not much support for Tannoy so far - so I'll just say...

I have been a fan of Tannoy for a very long while - I've auditioned a few of their models and always found them to be very nice.

I've recommended models with the dual concentric drivers to a couple of people that still have them and are very satisfied.

Personally - I purchased a complete set (front, centre and rear) of their Fusion model for my A/V surround system and still have them after 16 years and they still sound every bit as good as they day I purchased them

I find the smaller Tannoy very musical and smooth, without the brightness sometimes experience from other brands

Alas - I have not heard the Gold, but Tannoy seldom releases a product without a lot of testing.

Tannoy have been making speakers for a very long while, so I trust their products - the Dual concentric design produces vert clear music with exceptional imaging

Hope that helps

check out AirPulse (part of Edifier) .. ribbon tweeters and absolutely invisible midrange. A200 or A300.. a bit pricier though... or if you wanna go cheap I was shocked at how good the Edifier line is.. look at their better offerings with the features you need

I have the A200 model 1..

I bought a psb subseries 100 to augment a desktop system.  It's  tiny and fits behind one of my monitors on my desk.  It's not really a sub in that it only goes down to about 40hz but it adds a lot to that little system.  If I were you I'd buy whatever speakers sound best without regard to bass extension and plan on buying one of these or something similar down the line.  I don't think you'll ever be satisfied listening to electronic bass on little desktop two ways.

If you do follow through with a purchase of the Vanatoo speakers read up on the multitude of available adjustments including how to deactivate the compressors.  These are activated at the factory to protect the speakers from being overdriven by enthusiastic individuals.  Easy to turn off and if you don’t plan on turning them up to “eleven” they will perform at their best.

Any more tips greatly received,, anyone tried the Airpulse A100s?  http://digitalstereophony.blogspot.com/2019/05/airpulse-a100-vs-adam-audio-t5v-is.html#:~:text=AirPulse%20A100%20is%20my%20favourite,the%20price%20of%20this%20product.

@spoutmouzert

I have AirPulse A200. They ae very good with invisible midrange and all the top end air a lad could want. I do use them with an outboard DAC and subwoofy. They sound good via BluTeeth but I prefer the wired connection.

Blimey: https://audio-head.com/sony-unveils-the-sa-z1-near-field-speaker-system/