Topic: Sub-1k Bookshelf monitors, need help! (Read 10371 times)

thegunner100 · « **on:** April 28, 2014, 08:01:19 PM »

Hello everyone!

I think I'll likely be moving away from a full-sized headphone setup and instead just use my UERMs and get myself a nice pair of bookshelf monitors. I am looking for a 4" monitor, possibly 5", that is powered, neutral, and smooth sounding. My bed room isn't that big and my desk is situated near the corner so I don't think I can accomidate anything bigger than 5". If there are any good passive speakers + amp options under $1k then I will consider that too, as long as they don't take up so much space. I would rather not have to pick up a pre-amp either, as that'll add even more to the space requirement.

As far as my speaker experience goes, it is very minimal. I currently use a pair of audioengine A2s at home, and my only other experiences with "audiophile" speakers are with the original Emotiva Airmotiv 4s and audioengine A5+. Fed by the Gungnir, the ASM4s had a very and spacious presentation. Neutral, smooth, with good enough bass extension (could be better). I guess that kind of sound is what I am looking for. As for the audioengine A5+, I only tried it briefly with the Titanium HD in my friend's room but I didn't like how it sounded. It could have been a lot better fed by the gungnir, but who knows?

Headphone sound sigs that I like - hd600s, hd800s w/ anax 2.0, he-500s, enigmas, UERMs.

So here are my current considerations:

Emotiva Airmotiv 4s or 5s, gen 2 - $400/$500 per pair
http://shop.emotiva.com/collections/speakers/products/airmotiv-4s
http://shop.emotiva.com/collections/speakers/products/airmotiv-5s

2-way with 4" or 5" drivers and AMT driver Well, I liked the original, so the updated ones should be better right? The $100 difference makes me want to lean towards 5" but I am not sure if I have enough desk space for that, and plus the bass might be too much in my smaller room. Emotiva has excellent customer service with a 30day return policy and 5yr warranty.

Equator Audio Research D5 - $400/pair (currently an ebay auction for them that may go low)
http://www.equatoraudio.com/D5-Coaxial-Studio-Monitors-p/d5.htm

2-way with coaxial drivers. A bit bigger than I would like, but they are 5" while being a bit cheaper. Only reason I am considering is because of the ebay auction.

Adam Audio F5 - $550/pair
http://www.adam-audio.com/en/pro-audio/products/f5/description

5" 2-way that also utilize AMT drivers. From what I've read, the F5s are better than the original ASM5s. No idea if the gen 2 ASM5s are on-par or better though. The F5s are a a tiny bit bigger than the ASM5s so size is a concern. One thing that might help with the F5s is that they have a front bass port, which may assist in positioning.

Eve Audio SC204- ~$850/pair (might be able to get for $650 b-stock)
http://www.eve-audio.com/index.php?page=SC204

4" 2-way w/ AMT drivers. The most expensive of the bunch, but the one that I am considering the most. Eve audio was founded by the former CEO of Adam. I don't know much about speaker measurements but the FR measurement provided by Eve Audio l ooks pretty damn sweet. Using DSP, the SC204 has a knob on the front for volume, low shelving, high shelving, led brightness, as well as a "desk filter" boost and cut. Not to mention... the best looking pair of speakers out of everything here. I think the front silver plate is just sexy. There aren't many reviews around for the Sc204 but there hasn't been anything negative from what I've read. These are also a tiny bit smaller than the ASM4s so that will help a bit.

burnspbesq · « **Reply #1 on:** April 28, 2014, 08:53:16 PM »

I've heard the KEF X300A and the Vanatoo Transparent One, and they're both fantastic for the price. Note that both have internal DACs (and in the case of the Vanatoo, some sophisticated DSP).

http://www.vanatoo.com/

http://www.kef.com/html/us/showroom/digital_music_solutions/x_300a/x_300a/index.html#.U169hcfZiAE

I haven't heard the PSB Alpha PS1, but they're based on a very highly regarded passive speaker (the Alpha B1), which I have heard and liked. Sensational value at $299/pair, and you can feed them from your existing DAC. FWIW, Mejias and Lavorgna both really like them.

http://www.psbspeakers.com/products/powered-speakers

anetode · « **Reply #2 on:** April 28, 2014, 08:59:43 PM »

KEF Q100/Q300 - coaxial driver so it's small, front-ported so you can put it in a corner/next to a wall, decent bass extension for the size of the driver and pinpoint nearfield imaging.

thegunner100 · « **Reply #3 on:** April 28, 2014, 09:30:16 PM »

The kef x300a and q100 look pretty nice. The Q300 will be too big for my room though. I'd also need recommendations on amps for any passive speakers. It's much easier for me to just go with a powered speakers so that I don't have to go through the time and money of trying out different amps.

The kef x300a seems to be more tuned towards consumers though, si I'm worried that it might not have the sound that I'm looking for.

The vanatoo is interesting... 30 day audition and 3 year warranty is nice. I won't be using bluetooth but it's a nice feature to have too!

Thanks for the suggestions so far... there are too many damn options to choose from!

DaveBSC · « **Reply #4 on:** April 28, 2014, 10:22:22 PM »

Quote from: thegunner100 on April 28, 2014, 09:30:16 PM

The kef x300a and q100 look pretty nice. The Q300 will be too big for my room though. I'd also need recommendations on amps for any passive speakers.

I would suggest taking a look at Virtue Audio's One.3 desktop amp combined with Omega's Super 3T monitors.

http://store.virtueaudio.com/product-p/vrtu-ia-vaone.3-pbf-1.htm
http://www.omegaloudspeakers.com/super3t.html

thegunner100 · « **Reply #5 on:** April 28, 2014, 10:32:44 PM »

Quote from: DaveBSC on April 28, 2014, 10:22:22 PM

Quote from: thegunner100 on April 28, 2014, 09:30:16 PM
The kef x300a and q100 look pretty nice. The Q300 will be too big for my room though. I'd also need recommendations on amps for any passive speakers.

I would suggest taking a look at Virtue Audio's One.3 desktop amp combined with Omega's Super 3T monitors.

http://store.virtueaudio.com/product-p/vrtu-ia-vaone.3-pbf-1.htm
http://www.omegaloudspeakers.com/super3t.html

The Super 3T is going to be a bit too big for my desk I think, but how is the One.3 with other speakers?

DaveBSC · « **Reply #6 on:** April 28, 2014, 11:01:19 PM »

Omega does make the Super 3 desktop which is about 1.5" narrower and a little shallower, but it costs a bit more than the 3T.

http://www.omegaloudspeakers.com/super3desktop.html

The key thing about the Virtue is that unless you spring for the big power supply, there isn't a huge amount of power on tap. That's no problem at all with Omegas or other FR types, most can get quite loud with as little as 1 or 2 watts. With many of the traditional compact 2-ways though, all of that goes out the window. Most of them are very inefficient. The little Wharfedale Diamond 10.0s for example are 86db/W/m. The Virtue will struggle with that with the standard PS.

You could also look at importing a pair of Q Acoustics speakers from Canada. I don't have any personal experience with them, but the Brit audio mags all rave about them as THE bargain speakers.

OJneg · « **Reply #7 on:** April 29, 2014, 01:19:08 AM »

DIY an option? If it is, I'd recommend the Overnight Sensation MT for $150. I built one myself and listen regularly. It's a killer kit, especially considering the price and size.

Not very sensitive like Dave mentioned, but it doesn't need 100W or anything. Especially if you're listening near-field. Sound is quite smooth throughout the treble (similar to my HD600 in that sense), and the bass will surprise you in terms of quantity and quality. Other than that, it's just as neutral as any studio monitor out there. Responds to high quality upstream, like all good transducers do.

thegunner100 · « **Reply #8 on:** April 29, 2014, 01:59:12 AM »

Quote from: OJneg on April 29, 2014, 01:19:08 AM

DIY an option? If it is, I'd recommend the Overnight Sensation MT for $150. I built one myself and listen regularly. It's a killer kit, especially considering the price and size.

Not very sensitive like Dave mentioned, but it doesn't need 100W or anything. Especially if you're listening near-field. Sound is quite smooth throughout the treble (similar to my HD600 in that sense), and the bass will surprise you in terms of quantity and quality. Other than that, it's just as neutral as any studio monitor out there. Responds to high quality upstream, like all good transducers do.

Unfortunately not, unless someone is willing to build them and then send them over my way

OJneg · « **Reply #9 on:** April 29, 2014, 02:14:44 AM »

Hey, I would if you really wanted. It's an easy kit, no cuts. Just some wood glue and solder.

Author Topic: Sub-1k Bookshelf monitors, need help! (Read 10371 times)

thegunner100

Sub-1k Bookshelf monitors, need help!

burnspbesq

Re: Sub-1k Bookshelf monitors, need help!

anetode

Re: Sub-1k Bookshelf monitors, need help!

thegunner100

Re: Sub-1k Bookshelf monitors, need help!

DaveBSC

Re: Sub-1k Bookshelf monitors, need help!

thegunner100

Re: Sub-1k Bookshelf monitors, need help!

DaveBSC

Re: Sub-1k Bookshelf monitors, need help!

OJneg

Re: Sub-1k Bookshelf monitors, need help!

thegunner100

Re: Sub-1k Bookshelf monitors, need help!

OJneg

Re: Sub-1k Bookshelf monitors, need help!

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Author Topic: Sub-1k Bookshelf monitors, need help! (Read 10371 times)