CHANGSTAR: Audiophile Headphone Reviews and Early 90s Style BBS
Lobby => Speakers => Topic started by: itsJokko on March 27, 2015, 09:53:33 PM
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I thought I`d start this thread because I think lots of people use their desk as their main audio rig for both headphones and speakers, and like myself know a thing or two about HPs. But when it comes to speakers, its like a whole new world to explore. And since I know pyrates sometimes get bored of headphones, they go speaker exploring...even building some diy stuff. I thought some tips / recommendations could be shared here.
(http://www.4freeimagehost.com/uploads/PUSHe723ba1f096a.jpg)
I have been using Dali Lektors and a 9" Dali sub at my 160cm x 80cm desk in my 4x4m office, but I want to upgrade and at the same time ditch the sub. But all this talk about: active vs passive, nearfield vs normal, for monitoring or home use, needs to be placed away from the wall etc. just drives me crazy. I just want a 2.0 setup with some omph, preferably under 2k$.
Thanks,
Jokko
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I have been using Dali Lektors and a 9" Dali sub at my 160cm x 80cm desk in my 4x4m office, but I want to upgrade and at the same time ditch the sub. But all this talk about: active vs passive, nearfield vs normal, for monitoring or home use, needs to be placed away from the wall etc. just drives me crazy. I just want a 2.0 setup with some omph, preferably under 2k$.
Thanks,
Jokko
Since you were using passive Dalis, I'm going to assume you already have a suitable speaker amp in place, so there really isn't a need for active monitors. Did you just plop your old speakers down on your desk surface, or did you use something like MoPads or little monitor stands, or floor stands? What are your expectations about bass response?
Getting even half way decent sound from speakers on a desk environment can be a little tricky, so you will want to be smart about your choices and placement options. Just throwing money at speakers isn't enough.
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If you do have to place the speakers on your desk. First thing, get a pair of isoacoustics isolation stands.
Second since you are getting rid of your sub, generally for the speaker the bigger the better.
Normally speakers designed for near-field is better, that is for most smallish active monitors, you can check Presonus Sceptre 8.
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That's also a small room for a sub. You'd be better off with a midsize speakers with decent bass response, and use the wall to provide more. Since you already have an amp in place... meh, used KEF LS50 for ~$1.2k and spend the rest on stands, acoustic treatment and recreational beverages of choice.
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Since you were using passive Dalis, I'm going to assume you already have a suitable speaker amp in place, so there really isn't a need for active monitors. Did you just plop your old speakers down on your desk surface, or did you use something like MoPads or little monitor stands, or floor stands? What are your expectations about bass response?
I have a NAD 3020(500$?), its very compact. The speakers I put on silicone feet, with the two front ones being taller so they tilted upwards. Regarding bass, I`m not a bass fanatic, but I need bass. My 4,5" dalis alone certainly didn't deliver on Daft Punk`s - Get Lucky (you know, the drums in the start).
(example, my desk is pretty much exactly like that setup only with different peripherals)
(http://i.imgur.com/BMX0K.jpg)
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I have a NAD 3020(500$?), its very compact. The speakers I put on silicone feet, with the two front ones being taller so they tilted upwards. Regarding bass, I`m not a bass fanatic, but I need bass. My 4,5" dalis alone certainly didn't deliver on Daft Punk`s - Get Lucky (you know, the drums in the start).
Gotcha. Keep in mind that bass extension pretty much stops at 40Hz from any small to medium sized two-way, even those with transmission lines like PMC's DB1. Physics and all that.
Something that I haven't tried in a desktop environment but I'm curious about is how a MTM behaves at that distance. The MTM would seem to have several advantages on a desktop - a large but narrow cabinet allowing for greater interior volume for added bass extension, combined with the air movement of twin drivers without taking up as much desk space as would be required for a single 6.5" or 8" driver. Additionally, the MTM doesn't have the lobing issues of a non time-aligned two-way, so there would be no need to tilt the cabinet back, provided the tweeter is positioned at ear level. Additionally, the MTM creates a vertical null which would seem to be ideal as the main issue with nearfield monitors is desk surface reflection, which you'll hear before the ceiling reflection, front wall reflection, or side wall reflection points.
Has anyone tried this? Are there significant downsides that I'm missing?
(http://d1c51ih66j7l74.cloudfront.net/api/file/aXMJh8zNRBwCJdwSjYJc/convert?cache=true&fit=max&h=630&w=840#MTM+side.jpg)
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Thats actually a really cool idea. I can see the "narrowness" would be appealing on the desk. How does this work in reality, just buy a couple center speakers and put them vertically?
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Thats actually a really cool idea. I can see the "narrowness" would be appealing on the desk. How does this work in reality, just buy a couple center speakers and put them vertically?
No, you would want dedicated MTM monitors. They aren't nearly as common as traditional two-ways, but they are out there. The one I pictured above is the Clearwave Symphonia Mini which pairs two 4.5" Seas Excel drivers with an Accuton ceramic dome tweeter. It's $2k/pr. Clearwave also sells a similar model called the Aperture S52 using different drivers, two 5.25" SB Acoustics woofers with a ScanSpeak Illuminator Air Circ in the middle.
I haven't heard these two, but in terms of driver quality per dollar, they are up there with Fritz as pretty much the best in the industry. Those SS Air Circ tweeters for example are about $200/ea. No low rent soft domes in these puppies.
(http://d1c51ih66j7l74.cloudfront.net/api/file/a2QYfo9FQGen6IXgvd5r/convert?cache=true&fit=max&h=630&w=840#MTM+front.jpg)(http://d1c51ih66j7l74.cloudfront.net/api/file/yJ9YGgrmRU2WBeKMUvHd/convert?cache=true&fit=max&h=630&w=840#graphite+front.jpg)
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Those Clearwaves are really tempting just because yolo...
- KEF LS50 (1250$), Armaegis are these comfortable up against a wall?
- Genelec gFour (2500$), expensive as fuk. Anyone auditioned these?
- Presonus Sceptre 6 (1500$), haven`t read anything bad about them, although you rarely do. looks cool.
- Ascend Aucoustic Sierra 2 (1500$), didn`t Greed get his hands on these?
- B&W 685 S2 (750$), cheap?
Sorry, just rambling out candidates.
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It might be a different kind of FOTM from a different group of people, but I've picked up an interest in Amphion from browsing over at Gearslutz. Both the pro and the consumer ranges are passive, so no need to throw away the amplifier.
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Those Clearwaves are really tempting just because yolo...
- KEF LS50 (1250$), Armaegis are these comfortable up against a wall?
- Genelec gFour (2500$), expensive as fuk. Anyone auditioned these?
- Presonus Sceptre 6 (1500$), haven`t read anything bad about them, although you rarely do. looks cool.
- Ascend Aucoustic Sierra 2 (1500$), didn`t Greed get his hands on these?
- B&W 685 S2 (750$), cheap?
Sorry, just rambling out candidates.
I would definitely add the Odyssey Epiphany IV to your list, I believe the current list is $999/pr.
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Genelec G four are active speakers and a tad harsh tbh. If you want to go active may I suggest Fostex MP2 mk2? a lot of speaker for the money
edit Check the Adam A8X too (also active)
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I found a useful review on youtube on A7X`s, totally kitty approved!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDV31PFwu_8
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I found a useful review on youtube on A7X`s, totally kitty approved!
Do you have a source with a balanced output? Keep in mind that a lot of pro studio monitors are TRS/XLR input only. They also will need some sort of volume control.
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- KEF LS50 (1250$), Armaegis are these comfortable up against a wall?
They're rear ported, so you don't want them hugging the wall or corners. They do come with plugs though, if you must push them into a corner... but then you're probably better off spending the money on a front ported or sealed speaker.
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Do you have a source with a balanced output? Keep in mind that a lot of pro studio monitors are TRS/XLR input only. They also will need some sort of volume control.
Right now I`m only using a Modi Uber running USB off my computer. But I`ll keep that in mind, thanks Dave.
They're rear ported, so you don't want them hugging the wall or corners. They do come with plugs though, if you must push them into a corner... but then you're probably better off spending the money on a front ported or sealed speaker.
Well, if they`re not hugging the wall they`ll be pretty much in my face and taking up all the desk space, so you may be right.