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Recommend a desktop nearfield speaker for me

I'm a bit confused as to whether "bookshelf speakers" are designed to be listened to from a distance, or if they are suitable on a computer desk where the distance to the ear is only ~2 feet. Or, if they are equally good in both situations (which seems to be tough).

I understand that nearfield speakers are optimized for small distances, but they are mostly active speakers, and I need a passive speaker.

Could someone recommend a passive nearfield speaker or bookshelf speaker that works well at small distances, for use on a computer desk?

My tube amp (LTA UL+) puts out 20 Wpc into 8 ohms.

I'm considering:

1. DeVore micr/O
2. BBC LS3/5A speakers such as the Harbeth P3SR
3. Focal Aria 1, maybe Sopra 1 if I stretch my budget. However the recommended amp power is 25W - 150W whereas my amp is 20W, so might not be ideal.
4. Omega Super Alnico High Output

Which (or others) might be best suited for my amp and 2-feet distance use-case? Also, the smaller the better...

128x128atriya
grislybutter
3,120 posts
 

Should these be taken very seriously

not for nearfield

and you definitely need SMALL speakers not the MoFi. 

spenav
430 posts
 

@atriya 

Have you ever heard of the Audience 1+1? The Absolute Sound called them the best desktop speakers ever made. They are pricey but I believe the characterization is right. I have used them as bookshelf speakers for years and had been very happy with them. Give them a listen if you can. If not, at least read the reviews. 

ghdprentice
7,051 posts
 

I highly recommend taking a look at Totem Loon speakers. I have a set of one of their predecessors… the Totem Mites. I use them on my computer desk. They are stunningly beautiful and are wonderfully musical, punchy and refined. I have had them for well over ten years. Highly recommended. Being near field you are not going to be playing them at high volumes, so you need them to be punchy.

deep_333
1,448 posts
 

Thanks everyone for the recommendations.

I’m noticing that many of these manufacturers are recommending amplifier powers a little above the 20W that my LTA UL+ produces.

For example Focal recommends 25W minimum, Fyne Audio (F500SP) & Mofi (Sourcepoint 8) recommend 30W minimum. KEF (LS50) recommends 40W minimum.

Should these be taken very seriously, or are they less important at small distances requiring lower volumes? If taken seriously this will restrict my options considerably.

@atriya  At your listening distance of 2 to 3 feet, you will barely hit 1 Watt for all your listening. 30 watts will cause deafness with any of those speakers at your listening distance.

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