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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
jax2
3,031 posts
 
Marco and Prpixel: The Era is one of the audition suggestions from the dealer nearest to me, so I will be able to hear these this week.

I suspect you will be mightely impressed with them. I couldn't believe the tight, low bass coming from those tiny boxes (Design 5's). I understand the 4's have similar midrange qualities, but don't quite go as low, and are a bit less pricey. If you decide on Design 4's there is a pair on the Terry Cain Memorial Fund page that are a lightly used review pair that are $460, $300 of which will go to the Terry Cain fund (helps pay for the balance of his medical expenses as well as the funeral arrangements). That page comes down on January 10 though, so you'd have to act fast. I did not hear a pair of Design 4's so cannot speak directly for them, other than saying the midrange qualities of the 5's were excellent.

Marco
zaikesman OP
3,017 posts
 
Thanks for the link Marco, I was unaware of the Affordable Audio e-zine. John Atkinson's review of the 4 in the last issue of Stereophile was certainly positive as well.

In addition it turns out that Steven Stone -- who I assume is the same guy I remember as J. Gordon Holt's recording partner from Stereophile days past -- has written an ongoing series of articles on this subject at Enjoythemusic.com, with reviews of some of the models mentioned above (including the Era 4). The series is titled The Nearfield and the different installments can be accessed from the top of this index page.
audiotomb's avatar
audiotomb
1,112 posts
 
B&W makes a small 2 way that would work in a desk environ, I used them at the office (310 is the older model I have)
kacz
177 posts
 
Any of the 'Epos' lines of speakers sound perfect for you. They seem to specialize in really big sound from little speakers.

I heard some downtown the other day. Very fairly priced and sound amazing for their size.
jax2
3,031 posts
 
Just as a quick response to the Epos recommendation - I purchased a pair of Epos 3's for my mother in-law, which she still has and enjoys. Good for the money, but will not hold a candle to the Era 5's. Even for the money I'd probably look for a used pair of Soliloquy Sat 5's before getting a pair of Epos 3's. Have not heard the larger Epos, but would assume they'd be bigger than you'd like for the application of desktop duty.

Marco
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