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Speakers small enough for desktop use

Want to begin at the beginning in assembling a stereo system to use around a computer source in a desktop environment in a smaller room. Looking for ideas on what people have found from experience to work well in this situation with the following criteria:

Up to $1K budget (for the speakers that is)
Coherent in the nearfield
Magnetically shielded
Reasonably easy to drive
Decent sonics at lower volumes but able to go somewhat loud
Not overly critical regarding listening angle
OK near wall behind
Don't require a "subwoofer" to sound pleasing (obviously deep bass will be absent and that's fine as long as the speakers are balanced correctly for use alone)
Portable for use in different situations (no in- or on-wall solutions)

I'm not against considering self-powered speakers (at a higher budget if needed), but for now am assuming I'll get some sort of small amp (however probably not flea-powered tubes, more likely a SS switching amp). Pro monitors marketed for recording studio desktop use OK as long as they're intended to be fuller-range and flatter than not. I'm also not decided whether these will be placed directly on the desktop or above it on some sort of stand or wall mounting. Thanks and remember to keep 'em small!
zaikesman
musicmann's avatar
musicmann
21 posts
 
Look in to Swans M 200 2.0
Google for info. and reviews I have a as new pair for $200 OBM includes shipping to CONUSA only
Ships via FedEx reg. ground!
jax2
3,031 posts
 
Era Design 5 would likely serve you well at the top of your price range. I did not listen nearfield, but heard them up against a wall. Magnificent qualities for such a small speaker. I was really impressed by them. On a more limited budget I'd agree with the Swan M200 recommendation for a powered speaker, but they won't have the refinements of the Era pushed by good amplification. The amp in one of mine failed, and I have no means of replacement (anyone know of any)? I have not heard them, but M-Audio makes a series of pro monitors that are self-powered that have pretty good real-world reviews online. Those might be worth checking out. The Era would be at the top of my list.

Marco
ejliu
109 posts
 
Zaikesman,
You have a very specific need. All driver's high and low freq output must be integrated by the time it hits your ear. This is not often not found in normal high-end speakers.

For small < $1k near field monitor, I would suggest pro-audio active speakers like Dynaudio BM5A. Very neutral and non-fatiguing sound. Lots of speaker will sound just fine 10ft away but sound extremely fatiquing under 5 ft.

Eric
prpixel
876 posts
 
How about the ERA design 4's?
drubin
3,277 posts
 
Alex, I do not own the NHTs but heard them when our local audiophile group visited the NHT factory. They demo'd this model with and without the subwoofer. I felt that I would be happy with them sans woofer, but I can't say that you would feel the same. These are part of their pro line and are designed as near-field monitors, so you can be sure of getting proper driver integration close up. They sounded remarkably "right" to me. The NHT folks are excellent engineers with good discipline, a well-equipped lab, and a lot of integrity, but they are not tweaky audiophiles. Make of that what you will. The company overall has a rock n' roll orientation (righteous amps and guitars in several people's offices).

Macrojack has three pairs of M-00's, perhaps he will chime in.
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