Sorry, I’m having a hard time wrapping my head around this setup. This is a desktop system, right? But you’ve got a separate clock for the DAC and amps that pump out over 200Wpc. I gotta ask, how big is your desk? And you’re looking for up to $10k for desktop speakers??? Something seems awry here. Seriously, can you give a better idea of the setup here cause it seems like supreme overkill for a “desktop” system unless you’ve just got F.U. $$$ and just don’t care. Or, is this just a complete joke? Shaking my head here.
Passive speakers for desktop
I haven't found any good articles or experiences online about having passive speakers on a desktop. Currently that's my space where I can kind of go crazy when it comes to audio gear without having to get wife approval. However, being on a desk means there's obviously limitations.
So far I've used cheap stuff like logitech, bose, creative, audioengine, etc. Then I got some Paradigm Atoms and Onix Ref 1's back in college. Next upgrade was the Dynaudio Focus 110's which were pretty great when it comes to the sound that came out of that small speaker. I currently own the SB Acoustic ARA which bring everything up a notch. I'm borrowing my friend's BMRs and the presentation is very different. It throws a wide soundstage with a little softer imaging compared to the ARA but it could be due to the width limitation between the speakers.
Does anyone have any recommendations for what I can upgrade to? It seems like having passive speakers on a desk is quite niche. Most people who go deeper into a desk setup tend to go active but I'd like to stay passive.
Current setup - Audiobyte Hydra Z - PS Audio DSD - Bel Canto Pre3 - AVA DVA M225 - SB Acoustic ARA
Some options I came across were the Qln Prestige One and Borresson Z1. I'm hoping to stay under the $10k range for my last pair of speakers in this setup.
Showing 4 responses by soix
Well, if you’re gonna shoot the lights out the QLNs seem like a great choice if you can handle their size on a desk. I like that they’re slightly angled upward on the front that would seem to be beneficial on a desktop, but they’re rear ported so placing them near a wall is a big no no if that’s an issue (unless you plug the ports, but that may or may not cause other issues). With the roughly $3k left over in your budget I’d definitely upgrade you’re preamp that would now be outclassed by the rest of the system. If you’ve got extra $$$ available for a new preamp, which I assume you do if you can spend 10 large on desktop speakers, I’d add the Joseph Audio Pulsar 2s to your list of potential candidates. Anyway, best of luck. |
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the Usher Dancer Mini-X that I’d put right up there sonically with JA and QLN monitors at a big discount, plus they’re flat-out gorgeous and employ their top diamond DMD tweeter that’s the same as the one used in their top $28k flagship speakers yet cost only $3990/pr. That they can do this I believe is because Usher is one of the few speaker manufacturers that make their own drivers in house. Plus they’re front ported so placement isn’t as much of a potential issue as a rear-ported design. These could be the perfect premium desktop speaker and save you thousands of $$$ you could put toward a preamp, and BTW I agree the Bel Canto punches way above its weight as a transparent and neutral pre. Personally, I’d be all over these in your application, but that’s me and just another option for you to ponder. Read reviews of other speakers in their Dancer line and you’ll see superlatives and high value mentioned in every one. Usher undeservedly flies way under the radar in the US IMHO. BTW, if you join the Sound Approach email list you’ll get 10% off, which is significant. |
Another potential option (smartly recommended by another member here whose name I can’t recall so I can’t take the credit) would be to set up the system with the speakers straddling the corner opposite where your desk is located (Jeff Joseph did this to great effect when he was demonstrating his Pulsars in an impossibly small NYC hotel room at a show I attended). This way you still get to enjoy the sound while working without the placement restrictions, and when you wanna do more critical listening you just turn your chair around and there you are! Would seem to be a potential “best of all worlds” type approach. Just yet something else to ponder FWIW. |