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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...

atriya

Showing 1 response by snookhaus

snookhaus
17 posts
 

Hi atriya, I will give you some input as I am/have been on a somewhat similar journey as you. I have had a couple of the speakers on your list and use some LTA gear.

The clincher for me out of all the speakers I tried so far were the Neat Petite’s.

Here is my list of nearfield speakers I listened to or were on my list: Neat Petite Classic, Dali Menuet SE, Philharmonic True Mini, Ascend Acoustics Luna V2, Harbeth P3-ESR XD. Elac Carina, Source Speaker 1.5WCA, ATC SCM7, ProAc Tablette 10, Audience 1+1, JMR Folia Jubilee, Physics Audio, Sonus Faber Lumina 1

Of everything that I have tried, this is what sounded best to me for a nearfield setup: Chord Qutest DAC, LTA MZ3 preamp/headphone amp, Orchid Audio GAN monoblock amp, and Neat Petite speakers.

My current setup is: Qutest, LTA Z10, and Neat Petite speakers. This setup sounds good at low volume but runs out of drive/headroom at higher volume. But, oh my, the Z10 with upgraded tubes is glorious as a headphone amp.

Speakers I tried: CSS P215, Omega Baby Alnico Monitors, Focal Aria 906.

If I just listened to Jazz the Omega’s were wonderful. The Focal’s were just too big and I didn’t gel with them.

I have the KEF LSX II’s for my wife in our office. I will say they are super versatile, convenient, and I am amazed at what they can do.

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