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now that you're working from home...

like most of us I catch myself listening to music more in my office than main listening room after the pandemic. Keeping the minimalistic approach and finding the weakest link (my powered speakers) - what are some good active/powered speakers out there under $1800. I am not into analytical sound signature - more of a class A tube amplifier guy. Willing to compromise some due to limited space (160 sq ft) and digital music. Some on my radar are; Acoustic Energy AE1, Dynaudio Xeo2, Elac Navis, KEF LS50. 

Current office set up:
Dedicated Roon Core - beefed up HP music dedicated laptop 
TIDAL subscription
Metrum Jade DAC 
KRK Rockit 5 powered speakers.  
128x128ghulamr
6 responses Add your response
elliottbnewcombjr
5,469 posts
 
why self-powered speakers? that seems quite limiting.

I just re-did my office, bookshelf speakers with self-powered sub. very good results.

sub crossover takes the bass, high pass filter back to amp which now only needs to produce upper bass, mids, highs, and bookshelf speakers also do not need/try to do lower bass than they can do well.

I'm sitting dead center in a perfect triangle, it makes a big difference.


elliottbnewcombjr
5,469 posts
 
Oh yeah, when you get it sounding great, you will want to add more sources I suspect, so think long about flexibility, remote features now!
ghulamr's avatar
ghulamr OP
104 posts
 
Not interested in separates due to space restrictions.  I know there are some really good active speakers out there in the under $1800 range with excellent A/B amp built in for a sweet sound. Most Inexpensive monitors are very analytical in sound which would not be my preference. Looking for suggestions...
akg_ca's avatar
akg_ca
2,270 posts
 
TRIANGLE SENSA SNO3a

unless you want to spend the extra $$ to go for active DYNAUDIOs, I would recommend at least a look-see at these, along with their subwoofer to fill in the bottom end .

https://www.trianglehifi.com/en/wireless-speakers-sensa/
https://stereo-magazine.com/review/triangle-sensa-sn-03a-review

https://www.audiophil-online.com/news/triangle-new-sensa-range-of-loudspeakers/

soix
9,558 posts
 
Of the ones you listed I’d go for the Dyns that tend to have a very refined and non-aggressive sound.

That said, given your tastes I’d find a way to shoehorn in a Schiit Aegir Class A amp (only about the size of a brick) and a pair of Silverline Minuet Supreme Plus that will only set you back $1500 new for both.  I think you’d find the pairing sublime with your Jade. Best of luck.
ghulamr's avatar
ghulamr OP
104 posts
 
@soix great suggestion. Schitt Aegir has great reviews and possibly paring with Harbeth P3ESR will be sweet. I would hate to clutter my small outdoor glass office with more AV equipment (currently the KRK is mounted on the wall behind my desk). But you got me thinking. 

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