Which desktop speakers to buy $800

Also, desktop means nearfield listening, and the Audience The One has a single true full range 2-1/2" driver. No sound coming from the multiple angles of woofers and tweeters. The over-the-counter price of a pair of those raw drivers alone is $390.

So as others have mentioned, how many hours do you have on these? I have serious doubts it has anything to do with magnetically shielded shells. Really sounds like it could be a break-in issue, so give them at least a few hundred hours of play time.

And Johnnyb53, have you actually heard those Audience speakers? I had the 1+1s in my system and also in a friend's system as a double check, and our assessment was they were severely compromised in the upper mid and treble range, right where the OP is already experiencing problems. They sounded muddy and significantly dynamically constrained. At that price range, if it were me, I'd look at the Silverline Minuets. They're rear ported, so that might be an issue, but they're really great speakers at that price level. Or a used pair of KEF LS50s if they become available. Best of luck.

Wait for the new Andrew Jones ELAC speakers. I heard them at The Newport show and for $250 they are incredible for that price. The Audience The One is another one recommended to me but I never heard it.

I was using the KEF LS50's on my desktop for over a year and they were excellent in a less than optimal desktop setup. I have now moved the KEF's to stands and have placed more space between them; they now sound staggeringly good. Better in the top end than my old Revel Salon 1's. Maybe a shocking statement to some. So if you can find a used KEF LS50 around $800 I would go for that.

I would put the KEF back on my desk if circumstances dictated that. They are just exceptional for near-field listening.

Used Thiel PCS?

Try horn/waveguide speakers like the jbl 305. Don't write them off base on the cheap prices ;)