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Best budget speakers for near-field/small space

Hi Ladies & Gents,

First time on Audiogon.

Coming from headphones, due to dorm constraints, I'm finally going to be able to get a speaker setup once I move into an apartment at the end of the year.

Sharing an apartment with a few mates, so I'll be setting up the speakers in my bedroom. The room is probably going to be pretty small (about 12 by 8 feet), and with my bed, wardrobe and all, optimal speaker positioning might be a problem.

Hence I'm thinking of going with a near-field setup, on my desk with my computer since that's where I do most of my listening. I could swap my chair and desk with a nice recliner as well, but its going to be near-field either way.

My budget for speakers and amps is pretty tight. Under 1000USD (please don't tease =) and the lower the better. I'm looking for the greatest bang for my buck what with being a student and all.

I listen almost exclusively to Jazz. Mostly 50's 60's bop, hard bop etc. Some acoustic singer-songwriter stuff, and indie rock as well, but only occasionally.

At the lowest end of the spectrum the Audioengine A5 looks interesting. Possibly paired with S8 subwoofer. Being active, I'd save on electronics and could add a DAC down the road, to pair with my Macbook Pro.

At the upper end of my budget, the Magnepan MMG looks very attractive especially with the great reviews on the web. Potential worries: read that they need a really beefy amp that might cost a bit, and more importantly, positioning. I don't believe these speakers were made with near-field listening in mind so that's a bit of a worry.

I've also heard many great things about the Linkwitz Pluto. And since its available as a DIY I could save some bucks (though I have no experience whatsoever, so its a bit daunting).

Other active/passive studio monitors seem to be decent choices as well. The KRK Rokit series, Dynaudio BM5a etc seem like viable alternatives, but I'm worried that they won't be as 'musical' as hi-fi speakers and might end up being cold and too revealing (might be a problem with badly mastered records, especially all those bright RVG remasters).

I have incredibly limited experience with speakers. More well-versed with headphones only. So I really need your help!

Many thanks in advance!
milesandcoltrane
shiitaki
7 posts
 
Computer speakers can be great for a small room, at least the nicer ones. The Audioengine paired with a baby sub is a great combo, my roommate has that. I'm using gaming speakers from Razer, the Mako a 2.1 system with a couple of inputs, just needs source devices. A suggestion from a weird direction, but at 300 or less, a good option. They don't go much below 40 hertz, but you still get good bass detail and the satellites are designed to bounce the sound off the table in all directions, providing a big sweet spot. They have a excellent dispersion and don't beam the high range.

I don't know which plays louder, but the Mako is self contained, my roommate is having to use his computer sound card to do the crossover between the sub and A5's.
swampwalker's avatar
swampwalker
5,138 posts
 
You would be hard pressed to beat a pair of NHT M-00 active monitors. You will need to find them used, I think (might still be some leftover stock somewhere) but they are outstanding, designed for near-field use (but also have a switch for mid-field). You should be able to find a pair w the matching sub for about $500-600.00, which will give you a $ to buy a MusicStreamer 2+ USB DAC. Its a pretty high-end system for mid-fi $$. I'm using them and even w two flatscreen monitors between them, I'm, getting a nice stereo image. Recommend putting them on auralex or other isolation base.
rgs92
974 posts
 
I LOVE my little Quad 9Ls on my computer, and maybe the
slightly bigger Quad dynamic speakers would do the trick.
They sound driverless and smooth with no boomy bass or tizzy highs.
rrivs
1 posts
 
As far as DIY and budget for excellent sounding speakers, I built a pair of Linkwitz's Plutos a couple years ago while recuperating from a shoulder replacement. I have a buddy who owns the Orion's and I loved them. Plans, parts and pre-fabbed circuit boards cost me around $1000 at the time, if I remember correctly. If you are a soldering neophyte as I am - I'd go for the circuit boards pre-soldered (takes trial and error out of the equation). The rest was pretty simple. Although these speakers as planned (intentionally to make them more monetarily accessible to common shlubs like me)are not aestecially pleasing, you can get as creative with some aspects and dress them up nicely - go to the Linkwitz web page and see what Wood Artistry has done with the design. Anyway, these are awesome speakers that you can add to for more bass whenever it fits your budget. As-is, they are the most realistic "concert" staging and instument separating speakers I have ever heard. I love them and wouldn't pass up an opportunity to have a listen. There's a forum on the Linkwitz Labs website where owners are pleased to have people who are interested in sampling the excellent sound of their Plutos or Orions arrange for a visit and a listen. It will be time well spent. You will be amazed (in my humble opinion). Best of luck.
sthomas12321
408 posts
 
I know there a bit big, but nearfield you could put them closer to the wall....Magnepan MMG. I use them in my office right now. They sound superb at any price for there purpose.
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