Best budget speakers for near-field/small space

I highly recommend a small class D digital integrated like Trends TA-10.1/10.2, Virtue Audio One, or Nuforce Icon in your case. Head and shoulders above NAD C320BEE/340/350, Arcam D290, I've owned. Depth, liquidity, richness, balance are much better. Can't speak for the Nuforce, but I've had 2 Trends, a Virtue Two, and a Sonic Impact Super T. Maybe not for big, dynamic, hard rock, but definitely for jazz, classical, acoustic, vocal-centric type music these little class D amps are incredible bang for the buck. The Virtue came very close, and in some ways was more enjoyable than, the MSRP $1500 Classe CAP-101 that replaced it. If not for the speed, slightly more inner detail, multiple inputs, and remote, it might've been the Classe that went.

I also recommend getting a good amp before settling on a speaker. This might go against "conventional wisdom" as speakers are the most significant contributor to shaping the sound of your system, but from my experience a great speaker can sound absolutely horrid with a bad amp whereas I feel a great amp doesn't really sound bad with a bad speaker, but just doesn't open up to its potential.

As far as budget speakers go, I have a pair of Energy RC-10s which are excellent and very smooth with great imaging and texture. I had B&W DM601 S2 and S3s in my second system prior to these, and the Energys were a revelation. These are one of those speakers whose performance depends greatly on what they're fed. They actually belonged to my dad, and when I gave him my Sonus Faber Concertinos, I took the RC-10s to sell them because I didn't think they sounded that great when he was running them with an Adcom GTP-500II, but when I plugged them into my Trends TA-10.1 I was floored by how the sound was transformed. Selling the B&Ws was then a no-brainer.

Once you get some good amplification, I recommend you give the Wharfedales another go around. I had the Diamond 9.6 floorstanders and found their imaging, midrange detail, and easy sound pretty enjoyable, though a bit too polite and unengaging for me.

You may also want to check out the the Usher S-520. I haven't heard them myself, but they are a very popular and highly praised budget choice. The sound is apparently more jaggressive and "hot" up top than the 2 aforementioned speakers, but it would be good to see if that type of sound better aligns with your tastes. I have the Usher BE-718s and they are absolutely stellar.

Don't forget the DAC. I think the source is often overlooked by people relatively new to this game. If you have a quality source you can't have a quality product. One DAC I can't praise highly enough is the MHDT Paradisea or Paradisea+ tube DAC. The + has USB -- not sure if your Mac has a digital audio output, but if it does it would be better to use that instead of the USB. These usually run about low $300s to mid $400s used, depending on + or original. If you can stretch your budget it's totally worth it. Very musical, emotive, and coherent.

I've had a Scott Nixon USB Chibi, which was a fine and balanced piece, but nowhere near the level of the Paradisea, albeit significantly less money (~$150). I also had an MSB Link III, which has good detail and soundstage accuracy, but a little too forward and edgy for me.

Also look into cables. They certainly and noticeably affect and shape the sound of your system, but they are more like fine-tuning and finishing touches. With a $1k budget I wouldn't put more than $100 into these. Speaker cables > interconnects > power cords. That's my opinion. General consensus is copper = smooth/dull while silver = revealing/harsh. I've found this to be the case.

I would leave the sub as the last addition.

Oh, and I agree with matthewm about the Swans M200. I've owned them, and if you have $1k to spend on a system, you are much better off doing that. You can't have it all in $300 active monitor -- far from it. They are better than the computer audio junk (Logitech, Klipsch, Altec Lansing, Cambridge Soundworks, etc), though.

Again, all my opinion. Good luck putting together your system. It'll be fun to experience the changes in sound as you add/swap stuff!

What kinda cans have you been listening to BTW? I remember the first time I listened to a pair of Grado SR-80s when the next best thing I'd heard were $50 Sony earbuds. Boy was that ear-opening!

I use a converter on my A5's to be able to plug in a standard power cable. (I think Audio Advisor has the converter). Even a $30 high grade basic power cable improves the flow and authority a lot. Also I use a thick (12 or 10 gauge, I forget) speaker cable between($3/foot) and medium quality Monster interconnect. Upgrade in wire makes a huge, huge difference with the A5. The standard wires just starve that thing!

Computer speakers can be great for a small room, at least the nicer ones. The Audioengine paired with a baby sub is a great combo, my roommate has that. I'm using gaming speakers from Razer, the Mako a 2.1 system with a couple of inputs, just needs source devices. A suggestion from a weird direction, but at 300 or less, a good option. They don't go much below 40 hertz, but you still get good bass detail and the satellites are designed to bounce the sound off the table in all directions, providing a big sweet spot. They have a excellent dispersion and don't beam the high range.

I don't know which plays louder, but the Mako is self contained, my roommate is having to use his computer sound card to do the crossover between the sub and A5's.

You would be hard pressed to beat a pair of NHT M-00 active monitors. You will need to find them used, I think (might still be some leftover stock somewhere) but they are outstanding, designed for near-field use (but also have a switch for mid-field). You should be able to find a pair w the matching sub for about $500-600.00, which will give you a $ to buy a MusicStreamer 2+ USB DAC. Its a pretty high-end system for mid-fi $$. I'm using them and even w two flatscreen monitors between them, I'm, getting a nice stereo image. Recommend putting them on auralex or other isolation base.

I LOVE my little Quad 9Ls on my computer, and maybe the
slightly bigger Quad dynamic speakers would do the trick.
They sound driverless and smooth with no boomy bass or tizzy highs.

As far as DIY and budget for excellent sounding speakers, I built a pair of Linkwitz's Plutos a couple years ago while recuperating from a shoulder replacement. I have a buddy who owns the Orion's and I loved them. Plans, parts and pre-fabbed circuit boards cost me around $1000 at the time, if I remember correctly. If you are a soldering neophyte as I am - I'd go for the circuit boards pre-soldered (takes trial and error out of the equation). The rest was pretty simple. Although these speakers as planned (intentionally to make them more monetarily accessible to common shlubs like me)are not aestecially pleasing, you can get as creative with some aspects and dress them up nicely - go to the Linkwitz web page and see what Wood Artistry has done with the design. Anyway, these are awesome speakers that you can add to for more bass whenever it fits your budget. As-is, they are the most realistic "concert" staging and instument separating speakers I have ever heard. I love them and wouldn't pass up an opportunity to have a listen. There's a forum on the Linkwitz Labs website where owners are pleased to have people who are interested in sampling the excellent sound of their Plutos or Orions arrange for a visit and a listen. It will be time well spent. You will be amazed (in my humble opinion). Best of luck.

I know there a bit big, but nearfield you could put them closer to the wall....Magnepan MMG. I use them in my office right now. They sound superb at any price for there purpose.

Maggies are FANTASTIC at nearfield. A receiver can run MMG's, a amp is better, but the MMG's are just good period for under 1k

My personal fav--- B&W 685 and Wharfedale's previous Diamond 9.1

If your small room is "cubish"/squarish, you might be pissed off with the boomy, resonating bass caused by standing waves. I learned this the hard way many years ago, and relocated my system to the living room.

Marantz CD5300+ Wharfedale 9.1 + Musical Fidelity A1 (class A integrated). Fabulous sounding combo.

Yesterday, when I was adutioning NAD 375 integrated amp, I also had it paired with B&W 685 bookshelf speakers, and it was a wonderful sound. Very wide, spacious soundstage, impressive depth, respectable bass and very smooth, naturally flowing highs. The combo was using Supra interconnects and speaker cables.

My choice, without any question, would be the WaveTouch Audio Grand Tetons (small, standmount monitor) - for a small room / area - if you can find them used to fit your budget.

Simply incredible, unbelievable "live, life-like" sound!

Second choice would be the Linkwitz kit / DIY products.

I've checked all the speakers listed, they are good, at the cost of higher price, nothing beats the hidden boss bookshelf speakers, that's Wharfedale Denton 80th Anniversary, why? They sound good almost on all music genre (dun waste your time look for preamp, it sound already tuned), and the craftsmanship at this price is not found from anywhere, and it's good for near field too. Get a pair of Denton, it will never leave your room, guarantee return. But, it's better you can audition at home first, and return it if you dun like it

Look at the Adam A7X near-field powered monitors ($1500/pr) or, as Bassdude suggests above, the Wavetouch GT's (which I own)...just because a speaker is small does not necessarily guarantee that they will do well in the near field, but I can tell you that the GT's most certainly do. The also have the Mihorns included that subjectively increase the speed of everything upstream...and without sonic drawback. Considering that a decent sense of speed will be rather hard to come by in any amp under a grand, that will go a long way to getting the maximum overall bang for your buck, IMHO.