Computer Speakers

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.   

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

+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 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.

Must say I LOVE my Adam F7 actives (front ported) for my desk set up. That AMT tweeter is sublime. Not just Powered, but active - one amp per driver.

https://www.amazon.com/Adam-Audio-Powered-Studio-Monitor/dp/B00DIF3SOY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1508511576&sr=8-2&keywords=adam+f7

Music Direct has the Quad 9AS(Plug the ports with foam) with built in 24/192 DAC,USB/Optical/Coax and analogue inputs for $400.00...IMO you will not be able to better these for the money...

i have a pair of Neumann KH120's on my desk that I really like.  I had smaller Genelecs before and prefer these.
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/KH120d4?mrkgcl=28&mrkgadid=3142657157&rkg_id=h-e5fd9...

Thx everyone

The YU's have a rear facing port just like the Monitor Audio BX*'s I have now.  That disqualifies them as these need to sit in a corner.

Too bad Roy Allison is dead...

KANTOs

Either the YU 4’s or Yu6’s ( 6’s preferred). I have last year’s model, the "YU5" .... highly recommended .

I have the Audioquest Dragonfly micro-DAC from a USB port on the PC and the AQ 3.5 mm-RCA cables connecting itto the KANTOs RCA L-R inputs. 

I then a subwoofer IC RCA cable out from the KANTO internal amp output to a subwoofer sitting on the floor under my desks for the added lower register fill-in.

and voila... desktop nearfield listening nirvana.


https://9to5mac.com/2016/07/05/review-kanto-yu5-powered-bookshelf-speakers-bluetooth/
https://www.soundandvision.com/content/kanto-speakers-can-do-vinyl

I use Genelec 8020 - excellent active computer speakers.

randy-11
if computer audio is your thing, look no further than the Maggie system.
It is very impressive. An excellent second consideration would be the B&W MM1.

I got a pair of Scansonic S5BT, active speakers with Bluetooth for my gf's new apartment, they sound quite good. Got them from Alfred Kranz at HighEnd-Electronics.

B&W MM1

I was in a similar situation recently and bought some Genelec 8010As which sit on my desk. They are tiny, and sound very good for their size. As long as you are not expecting deep bass or a massive soundstage, they are highly recommended.

DIY? :) Mine plus an NAD D 3020 should run about that.

https://speakermakersjourney.blogspot.com/2016/02/the-lm-1-bookshelf-version.html

Randy- If you can find a pair, I'd ask you to consider the NHT M-00s.  I'm loving mine in the same use as you are talking about.