2. speakers
  3. 146369-119306

Bookshelf speakers for near-field (desktop) use

I am looking for a decent pair of new/used bookshelf speakers for near-field / desktop use. I plan to use this with my PC as the source. The speakers would go into a fairly small room but in the future, I may use these as a bedroom setup so it would be nice to have them be capable for both. 

I can power the speakers with either a PS Audio Sprout100, Anthem MRX510 or something I may buy in the future. I don't want to spend a ton on an amp to drive these speakers though. Budget is around $2,000. Just looking for great sound. I'm not a bass head so that's not a huge priority but the fuller the range in sound, the better. 

A few speakers that I have considered are: 

  • Buchardt S400 - Are they appropriate for desktop use though? 
  • KEF LS50 Passive - Used I can find one for around $800 or just buy new for ~$1,000
  • KEF LS50 Wireless - Good reviews, but about the same price as the Buchardt's

freesole
lovepianos
21 posts
 
I use Revel's M106 monitors.  

The previous model to the M106's are the Revel M22's which also sound very accurate.


motokokusanagi
65 posts
 
How much room will there be on this desk from the corners and rear wall? You’re going to get potentially huge (distorting) bass gain from most speakers designed to be free standing.

A safer choice might be sealed box or at least front-ported speakers, which will be less affected by this positioning. Maybe something like the ATC SCM7 if you have a beefy amp.
bigboltz
48 posts
 
I had a pair of Totem dream catchers that I wish I would have kept for just that. 
seasdiamond
44 posts
 
@lovepianos 

Revel M105 would be much better than the M106. Both use a 2.3KHz crossover point, but the M105 is a 5" woofer whereas the M106 is a 6.5" woofer. To get the same directivity as a 5" woofer with a 2.3KHz crossover the 6.5" would need to be crossed over around 1.5KHz!

Very predictably the M105 has the better measurements:

https://i.imgur.com/EVbiW75.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/V0jSgnb.jpg


scottaudi
2 posts
 
My Harbeth P3ESR in my workstation are about 4' from the ears, and imaging, dynamics, musicality are sensational. If you go active, try Equator D5.
More to discover