The Omegas will deliver beyond your expectationt at close quarters and at normal listening distance. Their efficiency will also allow for lower volume clarity without thinning out, and the imaging of single driver speakers is legendary.
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...
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- 48 posts total
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. |
This thread has spurred me to think about finding some little bookshelf speakers to use in my gym/shop. My needs aren’t much different from the OP’s, so I hope I’m not hijacking the thread. The speakers must be: less than 12-in high, because they’ll sit on a workbench under a shelf; front-ported or sealed-cab, because they’ll be up against a wall; and easy to drive with low-watt tubes, as I’ll be using a 10w push-pull EL84 integrated. So far, only the Proac Tablette 10 seems to fit all criteria. Other ideas? What have I overlooked? EDIT: I just realized the Devore Micr/O would also fit the bill, albeit at a higher price-point. |
@wrm57 based on your criteria NHT SuperZero 2.1 These all under 12", over 87db sensitivity. I did not check the port, I am adding it to now to my database. It's sorted by height. I can send you all the data, 24 columns. |
@grislybutter, wow, that's great! Thanks! |
- 48 posts total