OT: High End Computer Speakers

[bcroslin]

I know there's a few audiophiles lurking around Paceline so I thought I'd ask if anyone has suggestions on high quality computer speakers. I'm looking for something I can use to listen to music while I work since that's about the only time I listen to music besides in my car.

[Avincent52]

Depending on your budget, you might look at the KEF LS 50s or Mini Maggies at the high end, or the Audioengine A2 at the lower end.

http://www.cnet.com/pictures/the-aud...st-pictures/8/

I'd take a long look at the Adam F5 for $500. They've got a great rep in studio and live sound applications (meaning the stuff flat-out works, including the built-in-amps.) The ribbon tweeter is truly amazing. I've heard their floor standing models using that driver and they're really really really good, and I'm comparing them to things like $50,000 WATT Puppies.

http://www.cnet.com/news/meet-the-ne...adam-audio-f5/

Guttenberg is a real audiophile and knows his stuff and I trust his opinion.

That said, I'd consider a pair of quality headphones, like Grados or even Audeze, and a decent headphone amp (Schitt at the lower end, Woo Audio at the higher end)
Desktop speakers are limited by the space, but a $1,000 headphone system can approach the state-of-the-art (Grado PS 500s/Schiit Vali amp/Schiit BiFrost DAC) and a $3,000 headphone-based system (Audeze LCD-3s, A Woo WA-6 tube amp and the Schiit Bi-Frost Uber DAC) will spoil you for speakers forever.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/allenstjohn/2013/08/28/g/

[AngryScientist]

good topic. i'm going to be re-doing my home office over the winter, and will probably put in a small system to play tunes.

i really like listening to classical music when i'm zoned out trying to get something done and i have a feeling some better audio equipment is going to up my game.

[benb]

I'll make the argument if you're going to drop $$$ you should consider just getting a USB DAC + Headphone amp + Quality headphones...

Most PCs have pretty crappy output so they're going to be the weak link if you start putting an expensive set of speakers on them. You might say, "Oh but I have a Macbook" or something... IMO the apple audio outputs are pretty bad too.

[fuzzalow]

Any powered, nearfield studio monitor will do. Do not go near (!) anything that says computer speaker in the product description, it is like Bose anything or Beats headphones, all sound quality junk. I have Genelecs, in this model: Genelec 8030

That's the powered stuff. The really nicer nearfield studio monitors are the ones you have to power with an amp: British speakers like Harbeth P3ESR or Spendor SA1. Fabulous sounding stuff with lineage dating back to the BBC mobile studios of the 1960's. I also have both the Spendor SA1 and Harbeths in a larger version. I really dig British sounding speakers.

Quality nearfield speakers are great fun. They throw a sonic image that is spatial to a point of illusionary eeriness.

[bcroslin]

Originally Posted by benb

I'll make the argument if you're going to drop $$$ you should consider just getting a USB DAC + Headphone amp + Quality headphones...

Most PCs have pretty crappy output so they're going to be the weak link if you start putting an expensive set of speakers on them. You might say, "Oh but I have a Macbook" or something... IMO the apple audio outputs are pretty bad too.

I've thought about going that route and I've looked at the open style of headphones in the $250-$300 range but I think I'd rather have speakers that I can crank up and walk away and still be able to hear from another room.

I also should have noted that the top of my budget is $250-$300.

[bcroslin]

Originally Posted by Avincent52

Depending on your budget, you might look at the KEF LS 50s or Mini Maggies at the high end, or the Audioengine A2 at the lower end.

http://www.cnet.com/pictures/the-aud...st-pictures/8/

I'd take a long look at the Adam F5 for $500. They've got a great rep in studio and live sound applications (meaning the stuff flat-out works, including the built-in-amps.) The ribbon tweeter is truly amazing. I've heard their floor standing models using that driver and they're really really really good, and I'm comparing them to things like $50,000 WATT Puppies.

http://www.cnet.com/news/meet-the-ne...adam-audio-f5/

Guttenberg is a real audiophile and knows his stuff and I trust his opinion.

That said, I'd consider a pair of quality headphones, like Grados or even Audeze, and a decent headphone amp (Schitt at the lower end, Woo Audio at the higher end)
Desktop speakers are limited by the space, but a $1,000 headphone system can approach the state-of-the-art (Grado PS 500s/Schiit Vali amp/Schiit BiFrost DAC) and a $3,000 headphone-based system (Audeze LCD-3s, A Woo WA-6 tube amp and the Schiit Bi-Frost Uber DAC) will spoil you for speakers forever.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/allenstjohn/2013/08/28/g/

This Adam's look sweet but if I look at those shouldn't also be looking at some type of amp as well? Seems like stepping down from XLR to mini stereo would be problematic or is that not an issue?

[Spin71]

Audioengine.

[AngryScientist]

Originally Posted by benb

I'll make the argument if you're going to drop $$$ you should consider just getting a USB DAC + Headphone amp + Quality headphones...

i'll just put it out there: they are necessary at times, but i hate wearing headphones. when i'm at home there is no way i'm going to be wired into what i want to listen to, just as an alternative POV.

[tumbler]

Originally Posted by Avincent52

Depending on your budget, you might look at the KEF LS 50s or Mini Maggies at the high end, or the Audioengine A2 at the lower end.

http://www.cnet.com/pictures/the-aud...st-pictures/8/

Originally Posted by Spin71

Audioengine.

+1 on the Audioengines. I got the A2s about 2 years ago. They're really nice and provide huge sound for their size. I imagine the A5 would also be awesome if you have room for them and really want to blast some music. That said, my A2s are entirely capable of annoying the neighbors.

[campy man]

Just bought these via Flea Bay for $115. SoundSticks 3 are the same as ver 2 so I saved some dinero. Based on my needs these are plenty speaker for the $$$.

http://www.cnet.com/products/harman-...oundsticks-ii/

[cmbicycles]

Are you listening to Cd quality music, or MP3 quality music? If MP3, since a lot of the sound is cut in the reducing algorithm, you likely won't notice a huge difference between speaker systems other than volume.

I have a pair of PreSonus Eris 4.5 that I use to play music for elementary music classes. They aren't top of the line, but for $200 +/- they have a small footprint (key for me since I travel around room to room) and enough volume and decent sound quality.

[Avincent52]

Originally Posted by bcroslin

This Adam's look sweet but if I look at those shouldn't also be looking at some type of amp as well? Seems like stepping down from XLR to mini stereo would be problematic or is that not an issue?

The Adams are powered speakers.
I'm assuming that if Guttenberg (and MacWorld and others) are touting the Adams as desktop/computer speakers there's some kind of easy adapter that'll allow them to plug easily into your computer.

If you've got a hard cutoff in the budget, the Audioengines are really good.
That said, the speakers you buy will outlast your computer. And the one after that. And the one after that. So spending a few hundred extra for something that sounds great makes some sense.

You can find the Adams in the pro audio dept of your neighborhood Guitar Center IIRC.

Most PCs have pretty crappy output so they're going to be the weak link if you start putting an expensive set of speakers on them. You might say, "Oh but I have a Macbook" or something... IMO the apple audio outputs are pretty bad too.

You're right, a computer's audio output, Apple included, is a weak link. But if you're going to spend less than $500, buy good speakers (or headphones) and upgrade the DAC (to something like a $100 Schiit Modi or a USB size Audioquest Dragonfly) somewhere down the road.

[Avincent52]

Are you listening to Cd quality music, or MP3 quality music? If MP3, since a lot of the sound is cut in the reducing algorithm, you likely won't notice a huge difference between speaker systems other than volume.

With all due respect, I disagree with that statement. Sure, the digital format means a lot. And I'm a guy who listens to vinyl (on a high-end turntable) because it sounds better. And pays extra for hi-res digital.

And while those differences between high-and low-res digital sources are real, they're also subtle.
To make a bike analogy, I'd argue that they're akin to the difference between tires.

To stretch the analogy further, would you say to a newbie rider, "If you're not prepared to spend $100 a pop on Veloflex tubulars, it doesn't matter which bike you ride?"

The speakers make the biggest difference IMHO and getting the right pair is like finding a light, well-built frame that fits well and is appropriate to the kind of riding you're doing.

[bcroslin]

Originally Posted by Spin71

Audioengine.

These look like they might do the trick and the price is right