Computer Speakers

I use a pair of Harbeth P3ESR on my desk, and they sound glorious. However, they are expensive for a desktop speaker, and I can only justify them, I think, because I actually use them at least as much as my main speakers in the living room. This set up uses a desktop computer as a source, with an ODAC usb DAC and an Emotiva Control Freak volume control into a Quad 405-2 amplifier. I like the Quad 405-2 for its clean and discreet modern looks and compact size. The speakers sit on IsoAcoustics stands. I don't buy their isolation story, but I needed something to bring the tweeter up to ear height (very important) and to reduce bass reinforcement by the desktop surface. The latter remained a bit of an issue until I did an REW measurement and imported the correction file into the Equalizer APO/Peace equalizer software that I had installed in the computer. So be prepared for the need to have desktop stands of one kind or another, and even then perhaps some equalization to tame a woolly bass. I never heard the little Quad actives, but they seem just the ticket.

+1 on the Adam audio . The beauty of those is you can go down to your nearest Guitar Center and get a listen .

I use a pair of Dynaudio Excite 14As and I feel no other at this price range could touch it’s sound quality.

I'm going against the grain here for Computer PC.... I spent years trying different high end PC speakers, such as Klipsch, multiple various Audioengine products, pro audio monitors e.t.c

In the end the best speakers for nearfield listening (i.e 50-60cm away) was the Creative Labs T3 2.1 speaker set. It has a small portless sub with 3 drivers, that absolutely slams and sounds totally integrated (adjustable bass that can be dialed in tight). The whole 2.1 set cost less than $200.

Just understand I have Reference 3A De Capo monitors, amp separates, and a gazillion dollars worth of Rick Schultz cables for my main system. I am an audiophile, not some moron who thinks a cheap mass produced product would be any good.

But once I admitted the T3 was better than the other computer audio speakers, I then fed it via a decent DAC (HRT music streamer) and also used good cabling and a Clones Audio PCIx USb output card.

With all these extras, all of which cost more than the T3 itself, the sound is now pretty spectacular and surprised even an audiophile friend who heard it.