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Recommend a desktop nearfield speaker for me

I'm a bit confused as to whether "bookshelf speakers" are designed to be listened to from a distance, or if they are suitable on a computer desk where the distance to the ear is only ~2 feet. Or, if they are equally good in both situations (which seems to be tough).

I understand that nearfield speakers are optimized for small distances, but they are mostly active speakers, and I need a passive speaker.

Could someone recommend a passive nearfield speaker or bookshelf speaker that works well at small distances, for use on a computer desk?

My tube amp (LTA UL+) puts out 20 Wpc into 8 ohms.

I'm considering:

1. DeVore micr/O
2. BBC LS3/5A speakers such as the Harbeth P3SR
3. Focal Aria 1, maybe Sopra 1 if I stretch my budget. However the recommended amp power is 25W - 150W whereas my amp is 20W, so might not be ideal.
4. Omega Super Alnico High Output

Which (or others) might be best suited for my amp and 2-feet distance use-case? Also, the smaller the better...

128x128atriya
deep_333
1,446 posts
 

You will need some speaker with a single 2 way concentric driver, i.e., the tweeter sits right in the crack middle...kef ls50, mofi, fyne, etc (where the drivers summing is no longer an issue at small distances).

Get a pair of mofi sourcepoint 8 and set them on stands either side of your PC desk. 

(Speakers that are too small sound like trash no matter how close you sat or not.)

grislybutter
3,117 posts
 

Monitor Audio Bronze and Silver

atriya's avatar
atriya OP
19 posts
 

Thanks everyone for the recommendations.

I’m noticing that many of these manufacturers are recommending amplifier powers a little above the 20W that my LTA UL+ produces.

For example Focal recommends 25W minimum, Fyne Audio (F500SP) & Mofi (Sourcepoint 8) recommend 30W minimum. KEF (LS50) recommends 40W minimum.

Should these be taken very seriously, or are they less important at small distances requiring lower volumes? If taken seriously this will restrict my options considerably.

grislybutter
3,117 posts
 

Should these be taken very seriously

not for nearfield

and you definitely need SMALL speakers not the MoFi. 

spenav
430 posts
 

@atriya 

Have you ever heard of the Audience 1+1? The Absolute Sound called them the best desktop speakers ever made. They are pricey but I believe the characterization is right. I have used them as bookshelf speakers for years and had been very happy with them. Give them a listen if you can. If not, at least read the reviews. 

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