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PSB Imagine Minis or Audioengine A5+?

I realize the very comparison might offend purists around here, but I'm prepared to learn. :-)

Here's the situation:

space is an elongated living room (12' W x 22' L x 8' H) divided in two by a long couch making the effective listening area 12' W x 11' L x 8' H where I would like hi-quality 2.0 music played through my Mac laptop into an Airport Express. I already have the following system:

MacBook Pro => AirportExpress => HeadRoom MicroDAC => cheap pair of powered computer speakers

set up as proof of concept. AirPlay is consistent, beautiful, and the DAC really provides a nice signal into the otherwise inexpensive speakers (an RSL 2.1 system from 2005 that went for $60 new).

The major limitations of the room: it will not be maximized for hi-fi listening. It's a living room first, carpeted, furnished, and full of things like dog beds and blankets. Also, during cold weather, a gas stove circulates heat using a somewhat noisy fan. It would be four feet from the right speaker. Not a heating issue for the speaker (I've checked and there is no appreciable increase in temperature after two feet of distance from the stove), but the sound can drown out low-volume mid-range sound. Not too concerned about the noise since I can merely turn the stove off during devoted listening sessions.

So.

For a space this untamed, would I see much difference investing in a pair of PSB Imagine Minis (or Image B4s) and a NAD c316bee to run with the DAC:

MacBook Pro=>AirportExpress=>MicroDAC=>NAD=>PSB Minis

which would run $1130 new, or would I be just as happy with

MacBook Pro=>AirportExpress=>MicroDAC=>AudioEngine A5+

?

Auditioning is not really an option. I like very detailed sound (I've also considered the ADAM Artist 3s, but there's no heatsink and that worries me), what could best be described as "dry" (think the way Glenn Gould engineered his piano sound: crisp, sharp, punctuated, and clear -- that's the sound I like).

Given the space these would go in, would the PSB/NAD set-up really be 3x better than the AudioEngine A5+ (based on cost)?

Thanks for all the expert advice.
dsch87
reubent
6,996 posts
 
I can't speak about the AudioEngine A5+ as I've never heard them. But I did own a pair of Quad L12 Active speakers that I thought were very good for the price I paid (way below retail). They are also beautifully finished in either polished wood or piano black finishes. Really attractive speaker for the price and they sound pretty darn good too.

Here's another possibility if you aren't too worried about aesthetics and especially considering you mention crisp/clear sound. Look into some of the pro-audio monitor speakers like the KRK Rokit 6 or Rokit 8 or other brands of pro-audio monitors.

Good luck.....

TIC
dsch87 OP
7 posts
 
Hi, TIC.

Thanks for the response. I've looked at the KRK Rokit 6 and liked what I've read. Tell me, would my listening distance (3 meters) be too far for what are, after all, studio monitors?
dsch87 OP
7 posts
 
Sorry. Didn't mean to call you "TIC", Reubent. :)
anonymoustao
127 posts
 
I vote "Not likely" to the PSB/NAD set-up being 3x better than the AudioEngine A5+ (based on cost).

If you are really planning to just use the one source through your DAC, I would think the multiple inputs on the integrated amp would be wasted. I have the Audioengine A2 and it sounds excellent and is trouble free. I have not heard the A5+s but imagine they'll provide more of the same listening satisfaction. And they look rad in bamboo and offer a 30 day audition.
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