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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
larsman's avatar
larsman
1,982 posts
 

@bassdude - indeed, and a nice thing is that in a different arrangement, I could mount them on stands and I've got a nice pair of active bookshelf speakers. In fact, I think more people use them for that than for near-field computer speakers, but the size and sound quality were right. The amps in those speakers are very heavy! 

russ69's avatar
russ69
3,520 posts
 

I have a pair of LS-50s I power with a little Jolida tube amp. I didn't like them that much so they are on my workbench in the garage. When I'm up close, they are really decent. Stereophile had them as class A. I think they would be great for a desk top system with a low power amp.

dogearedaudio's avatar
dogearedaudio
146 posts
 

@effischer Great comments.

atriya's avatar
atriya OP
19 posts
 

Does anyone have an opinion on the Mon Acoustic SuperMon Mini, especially as compared to LS3/5a speakers, and the DeVore Micr/o (for desktop listening)?

kellerjr01
10 posts
 

I'm using a pair of Neat Acoustics Iotas + REL T/zero MKIII subwoofer in my desktop system. I had Audioengine A2+ before, but they can't compete with the Neats. You can find used ones listed very often. Mine are currently driven by Rega Elicit-R, iFi Audio Pro iDSD Signature and Dynamique Audio speaker/interconnect cables. You do not need all the power from the Rega since your will be doing near field listening and will not even use the first watt of the amplifier. The Neat have a wonderful clean sound and being positioned a couple of inches to the front and sides of my 23in monitor provide very good soundstage. You'll not get depth, but the central soundstage with instruments position match that of my full range Neat Ultimatum XL6s, and my Meze Audio Empyrean headphones (that I also use in my desktop system from the iFI IDSD).

Good luck with your search.

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