Cambridge Soundworks Fleetwood set, it will cost you just a 1/8th but I have never heard a better desktop system
Recommendations for small desktop speakers under $1500
Does anyone have recommendations on relatively small, great sounding speakers that would work for a computer desk? Looking for something under $1500. Active or passive is fine. I did some poking around and I’m not finding many, at least not by the typical audiophile manufacturers I’m used to looking at for regular sized loud speakers.
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Yes, the office is a challenging place to put a system. I put speaker stands just adjacent to my desk, at the same level. It isolates them from the desk and a bit away from the wall. It makes the triangle short on the legs to my sitting position… but sounds amazingly good. I tied in the speakers more than usual. |
Some of the active speakers have DSP for desktop placement. The isoaccustic stands really help on a desk for passive speaker. Likely active speakers with DSP too would be helped. IsoAcoustics ISO-200Sub Isolation Stand; ISO-200 Sub - The Music Room (tmraudio.com) After some experimentation with the following speakers on my desk, KEF LS50 KEF LSX Audience 1+1 AudioEngineUSA 2 I realized that the best way to have speakers in an office with a desk is to have the speaker BEHIND me. I have 6 monitors hooked up to a silent PC and the KEF LS50 META speakers behind me. It is a great sounding room. I have OLD photos on my Virtual System. |
Putting speakers on a desk goes against everything known about positioning speakers properly in a room. You only have a couple feet of positioning options to play with instead of the whole room. Plus you are putting them on a surface inherently susceptible to vibration and reflections. It’s like buying a Ferrari for using on gravel roads. Is the listening room so small that you can't position the speakers on good stands in front of the desk and move the desk back and forth until things sounds good? |
+1 for the ATC SCM7, a truly phenomenal piece of kit. For a small speaker for near field listening I have not heard anything close to it. Clear, detailed, neutral sound and if you a add decent small sub like a REL T5i you will shocked at how good it sounds. Made by a company known for the high quality of its products, the professional versions of which are used in many studios. |
@bobelton Elac also makes the smaller debut, but it won’t sound as resolving or full. I need no sub for the UBR62. Yes it is big, but it can sound holographic and I just have them a few inches from the wall directly behind my desk. I do have a larger desk, though, about 65” wide and maybe 22” deep. My primary system is valued at likely over $200K-300K and I am satisfied with the Elac in my office, hopefully that stands for something! |
I tried many speakers, including the LSX, and felt that I wanted more. If your desk is big enough to have it, I recommend looking at the Elac UBR62. They are usable down to 40hz and are front ported, so they will image better than other rear ported competitors. Also, the midrange has a dual concentric style with the tweeter and is closer to ear height compared to many other speakers. i pair these speakers with a Gustard X-16 and a Class D kit amp and the trio sounds incredible for its price range. |
