Help me build a nearfiield "desktop" audio system


I say desktop audio system, but I may end up mounting the speakers on stands. I'll only be sitting around 3ft away from the speakers, with the speakers maybe about a foot from the rear wall.

In my main system I use B&W 805S speakers which I absolutely love. I really like the B&W sound. I was considering getting the B&W pc speakers, but are those really the best I can find? Cost isn't really too big of an object as long as I'm not spending over say 3k total.

Is it best to go with powered speakers, or a separates system for this purpose? Any reccomendations for either?
nemesis1218

Showing 1 response by sonicbeauty

In my office, I use a Fatman iTube ValveDock ( http://www.fat-man.co.uk/docs/product_07/iTube_ValveDock.shtml ) with a pair of inexpensive and amazing PSB Alpha B1 bookshelf speakers.

This mini-system is incrediby cool-looking and actually sounds pretty good beyond my expectations. Here's a bit of info on those semi-legendary bargain-priced boxes. Champagne nearfield listening on a beer budget!

Absolute Sound's 2009 Editors Choice Awards Alpha B1

Yet another “how does he do it?” loudspeaker from the prolific mind of Paul Barton. The new, more curvaceous Alpha combines mind-bending dynamics and rich mids in a speaker barely a foot tall. Even the midbass has a power and pitch definition rarely experienced in this modest price range. Only the nebulous soundstaging is less than excellent.