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PSB Imagine Minis or Audioengine A5+?

I realize the very comparison might offend purists around here, but I'm prepared to learn. :-)

Here's the situation:

space is an elongated living room (12' W x 22' L x 8' H) divided in two by a long couch making the effective listening area 12' W x 11' L x 8' H where I would like hi-quality 2.0 music played through my Mac laptop into an Airport Express. I already have the following system:

MacBook Pro => AirportExpress => HeadRoom MicroDAC => cheap pair of powered computer speakers

set up as proof of concept. AirPlay is consistent, beautiful, and the DAC really provides a nice signal into the otherwise inexpensive speakers (an RSL 2.1 system from 2005 that went for $60 new).

The major limitations of the room: it will not be maximized for hi-fi listening. It's a living room first, carpeted, furnished, and full of things like dog beds and blankets. Also, during cold weather, a gas stove circulates heat using a somewhat noisy fan. It would be four feet from the right speaker. Not a heating issue for the speaker (I've checked and there is no appreciable increase in temperature after two feet of distance from the stove), but the sound can drown out low-volume mid-range sound. Not too concerned about the noise since I can merely turn the stove off during devoted listening sessions.

So.

For a space this untamed, would I see much difference investing in a pair of PSB Imagine Minis (or Image B4s) and a NAD c316bee to run with the DAC:

MacBook Pro=>AirportExpress=>MicroDAC=>NAD=>PSB Minis

which would run $1130 new, or would I be just as happy with

MacBook Pro=>AirportExpress=>MicroDAC=>AudioEngine A5+

?

Auditioning is not really an option. I like very detailed sound (I've also considered the ADAM Artist 3s, but there's no heatsink and that worries me), what could best be described as "dry" (think the way Glenn Gould engineered his piano sound: crisp, sharp, punctuated, and clear -- that's the sound I like).

Given the space these would go in, would the PSB/NAD set-up really be 3x better than the AudioEngine A5+ (based on cost)?

Thanks for all the expert advice.
dsch87

Showing 7 responses by dsch87

dsch87 OP
7 posts
 
Hi, TIC.

Thanks for the response. I've looked at the KRK Rokit 6 and liked what I've read. Tell me, would my listening distance (3 meters) be too far for what are, after all, studio monitors?
dsch87 OP
7 posts
 
Sorry. Didn't mean to call you "TIC", Reubent. :)
dsch87 OP
7 posts
 
Anonymoustao:

Good point. The only reason I'd need the amp is to drive the PSBs. I don't do home theater or video games and barely watch TV.
dsch87 OP
7 posts
 
Sidssp:

Thanks for the response.

So the Focals are still listenable at a distance of 3 meters (9-10 feet)?
dsch87 OP
7 posts
 
Ejilif:

Hello and thanks for the input.

When googling "Quad L12" I come up with (I think) both passive and active versions. Are you referring to the active version?
dsch87 OP
7 posts
 
Thanks TIC and Maineiac.

Agreed on listening distance. I can always move the couch a bit closer if I'm sneaky and my wife doesn't notice:

"Did you move the couch?"

"No, the room's shrinking again. I'll call someone tomorrow."

But I digress. :-)

Maineiac, that's actually good to hear about the AE5+ vs the Swans. I do not want a "boomy" speaker. I'm sitting 10 feet from one-inch computer speakers with the volume roughly on 10 o'clock and it's as loud as I want it.
dsch87 OP
7 posts
 
Update:

Ended up getting the Audioengine A5+s. They're wonderful. Highly recommended.

Thanks for all the input.
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