Desktop Speakers - New Tannoy Golds versus Adam, Vanatoo etc

I use the Vanatoo Zero speakers on my desk. They do have a built in DAC that performs up to 96/24.  Stream Roon most often but they can do blue tooth well when someone wishes to share something from their phone.  Also has a subwoofer out with automatic crossover. 

Heard Vanatoo at AXPONA. Very impressive. you're right to ignore Audio Engine - dull and bland.

Those Tannoys look nice!  They start at $500 though.

I just bought my first Audioengine product.  I got a B2.  Hooked up with my Dragonfly Dac (Red) and jitterbug, streaming Tidal and it sounds really nice.  I bought the B2 for $150 refurbed.  Audioengine has been around for awhile and has gotten many great reviews for what they are.
I’m not recommending that you get a B2, I’m just putting it out there that audio engine isn’t dull and bland

I think that actives are a great way to go.

At last year's Axpona, I heard the Vanatoos and a pair of Audioengines (HD6, I think). Both the T-zeros and the T-one Encores impressed me with sound considerably better than I'd expect for the price.

As to Audioengine, the mfgr was demonstrating them with a Bluetooth connection; they sounded far worse than I know they can sound -- I have a pair of A5+, which served me well in a desktop system for years. If I were starting over, I'd probably go for the Vanatoos myself, the Transparent One Encores.

I also have heard good things about Adam. Have not heard them or the Tannoys. Your best bet might be to buy one you are considering with right of return.

Don’t know the Tannoy or Vanatoo, but my Adam F7 are terrific desktop speakers. In no way do I feel I compromised audio quality by having to buy speakers which would work well at my desk for < $1k. When I auditioned at Guitar Center they beat the pants off all competition there (JBL, umm ... sorry, too long ago to recall the other losers). Their AMT tweeter is superb. And port is in front.