Recommend a desktop nearfield speaker for me
I'm a bit confused as to whether "bookshelf speakers" are designed to be listened to from a distance, or if they are suitable on a computer desk where the distance to the ear is only ~2 feet. Or, if they are equally good in both situations (which seems to be tough).
I understand that nearfield speakers are optimized for small distances, but they are mostly active speakers, and I need a passive speaker.
Could someone recommend a passive nearfield speaker or bookshelf speaker that works well at small distances, for use on a computer desk?
My tube amp (LTA UL+) puts out 20 Wpc into 8 ohms.
I'm considering:
1. DeVore micr/O
2. BBC LS3/5A speakers such as the Harbeth P3SR
3. Focal Aria 1, maybe Sopra 1 if I stretch my budget. However the recommended amp power is 25W - 150W whereas my amp is 20W, so might not be ideal.
4. Omega Super Alnico High Output
Which (or others) might be best suited for my amp and 2-feet distance use-case? Also, the smaller the better...
Thanks everyone for the recommendations. I’m noticing that many of these manufacturers are recommending amplifier powers a little above the 20W that my LTA UL+ produces. For example Focal recommends 25W minimum, Fyne Audio (F500SP) & Mofi (Sourcepoint 8) recommend 30W minimum. KEF (LS50) recommends 40W minimum. Should these be taken very seriously, or are they less important at small distances requiring lower volumes? If taken seriously this will restrict my options considerably. |
@deep_333 Are "point source" speakers like the KEF LS50 Meta always better than something like a Harbeth or Falcon LS3/5A-style speaker, for nearfield listening? I do value good imaging. |
@effischer Very interesting, thanks for the detailed response. When you say the two approaches have diverged entirely, what do you have in mind about the two directions in which the products have diverged? As in, what characterizes those two directions? Is one of those two directions more aligned with extreme near-field listening (e.g., desktop use) than the other? |
Just an OP update: I've made my choice. I'll be getting the Omega Compact Alnico Monitor, with an Omega sub. Thanks to everyone who posted here. The other option would be the new Voxativ Hagen II, but there's quite a difference between $1500 for the Alnicos and $6000/$8000 (depending on the driver choice) for the Hagen IIs. |
@kahlenz Thanks! I posted above though that I already made my choice and ordered a pair of Omega Compact Alnicos. |
@yyzsantabarbara Yes, on my desk. I ordered some IsoAcoustics Aperta stands, which can be angled/tilted/etc. Also got a sub from Omega. I already have quite a high-end amp to use with the speaker: the LTA UL+. Thankfully the amp doesn't need to be place on the desk, at the cost of somewhat longer speaker cables. |
