Top Notch Desktop System

I use Harbeth P3ESR in my desktop system. (I have them on the inexpensive DS2 rubber stands from Audioengine.) After having the Harbeths for a while, I added a B&W 10" subwoofer (ASW610) I found used on Audiogon. This makes a great desktop system!

I did try the KEF LS50s for this application and found they did not integrate well in such nearfield listening. In the nearfield (and even in the midfield), I find the LS50 too brash for my taste. It’s possible KEF refined the response in the wireless version.

P.S. You mentioned "all-in-one." Before the Harbeths, I used Audioengine A5+ powered speakers. They are incredibly good for the price! So maybe consider them, and also the new Vanatoo Transparent One Encore, which sounded terrific to me at AXPONA. I believe either one is available with a trial period.

The KEF speakers are tonally on the cool side, which some love and others don’t. 

Bob, thank you for mentioning the VLRs.  I will read about them.  

Mike, the Harbeths were on my list, but I forgot to include them in my post.  Thanks for the information about them.  

The KEF's do seem to be a little polarizing, especially in the near field. 

I got terrific desk top sound from two small REL t-zero subs with passive speakers placed on top of them. Favourites at the moment are Quested H108 or ATC 11. I’m sure the small Harbeths would do very good too. Look forward to try them. Important to use speakers that integrate well and easily with subs. KEF’s don’t in my experience. They have an uncontrolled bass.

Whatever speakers you choose for the desk top you will need a correction system. I found the small Paradigm PW AMP with ARC room correction to function perfect in that matter. It has enough juice to drive all possible speakers for near field listening. It has sub out. It also has d-play streaming capacity - still unfortunately a very bad app. I got four of this magical amplifier (several systems on the same desk). Without correction you will have a very strange frequency responce in your chair.

Like you I listen maybe 6 hours a day to my desk top systems and maybe half an hour a day to the main systems. So it makes a lot of sence to put the money there. And for near-field you dont have to spend that crazy amount of money to really get fabulous sound. Naturally you don’t get the SPL capacity and the big physical experience of the large system.

I've been extreamly happy with my Audioengine HD6 speakers and a S8 powered subwoofer.