Very Small Desktop Speakers

Here's two desktop setups that are intresting.

Alesis Proactive 5.1 is cheap and sounds pretty good too.

Genelec 8030a is about 4 times more expensive but sounds awesome.

I will chime in with the DynAudio Audience 42. Not exactly cheep ($766.00 in Cherry) but execelent for the application I use mine at work with the Denon UD-M31 receiver.

How small would you like? A 10-12" monitor speaker is not really "small" on a desktop. There are many sat/sub systems available, from the computer stuff on up. For my home computer, I recent bought the FPS flat panel monitors and sub speaker system that Von Schweikert Audio is selling for $129 (vonschweikert.com). It's certainly excellent for a computer, and would support a nice integrated amp or receiver and CD. Thorough Bass, Inc. has the new "Majestic Diamond" monitors (approx. 5" cube, $200 ea.) to go with their terrific subwoofers. I'd sure take a look at that, having heard it only briefly at an audio show last year. thoroughbass.com--see "PAM" link at the bottom of the left-hand column. For regular monitors, the Alon Napoleon 8" tall mini-monitors (now Nolaspeakers.com, but Napoleons are no longer made, I think.) were rave-reviewed and TRULY EXCELLENT (new $695)! If you could find a used pair, you'd really be in business. Then there are puppies like the Mirage nanosats and omnisats that might be very good in a desk situation withtheir omni dispersion. Good luck!

2nd the FPS monitorsfrom VSA. I use it to stream Sirius and sounds pretty decent for low volume listening while I am cruisin' the 'Gon.