Small desktop computer speakers that really sound good for their size?

[Sonnie]

Is there such a thing? I need something no more than about 6" in width and depth... height is not a concern. I prefer no subwoofer for this setup.

Audioengine HD4 might work... any other suggestions?

 

[ddude003]

I still like my Martin Logan Motion 4s... I think ML has a few book shelf speakers in this range...

 

[Sonnie]

I looked at the 4i, and they would work if they were powered. I prefer not to have to buy an integrated amp and instead by powered speakers.

 

[Sonnie]

I went with the Audioengine HD4, and from what little I've heard of them, they sound really nice. I'll post a picture later. My computer tanked Thursday evening, and the new one should be here on Monday.

 

[Todd Anderson]

Shoot... I missed this thread. I was going to suggest Audioengine. I also reviewed a pair of Monolith desktop/powered speakers that sounded quite nice (especially given the price).

 

[Sonnie]

The more I listened the less I liked them... not very good sounding at lower volumes. Crank them on up, and they sound pretty good, but at my computer, I don't play music that loud. They sound muffled at lower volumes. I tried Equalizer APO and adjusted the mids and highs and got it sounding some better, but just not quite what I was hoping for.

 

[JStewart]

@Sonnie , did you give any thought to the Neumann KH80? Slightly larger depth than you were looking for and a bit pricey, but they‘re held in high regard as a studio monitor.

Neumann KH80 DSP Monitor Measurements #3

Seems that if you want to create a riot in the streets of ASR, all you have to do is show a non-ruler flat response of Neumann KH80 DSP professional monitor (speaker). Not knowing that, that is precisely what I did in my first review of KH80 DSP: This was one of the earliest speakers I...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Amazon has them with free returns making a test drive easy enough.

 

[Sonnie]

I just ordered a pair of the Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus (what a name) speakers. Amir reviewed the previous to the "Plus" model and thought they were pretty good.

They have received excellent reviews and comments in various places...a few raving reviews. I think the review with the most negative was probably Erin, although he didn't completely wipe them out. Of course, I'll have to listen to them myself and see.

I did get the HD4 sounding some better by tilting them up towards my ears and fully on axis.

I also made some arrangements on my desk to accommodate a little larger footprint.

 

[Sonnie]

Guys... this is not even a fair fight... the comparison is stunning. The Vanatoo T1EP are stellar speakers. I am truly amazed at how good they are right out of the box and on the desktop. Wow! They sound great. The imaging, soundstage, and clarity are all there. The bass is incredible for such a small speaker, and they play LOUD without any distortion. Of course, they are twice as much as the HD4, which is unfair. It's also unfair to compare them sonically because the T1EPs completely and utterly embarrass the HD4s. These are in two different leagues.

 

[Sonnie]

These speakers are absolutely incredible. I'm gonna have to hit up Vanatoo for advertising fees.

 

[JStewart]

Have you seen Erin’s review? They measured well.

 

[Sonnie]

Yeah, I mentioned it previously. For the most part, his review is positive. I have no idea what he is referring to regarding sibilance, nor is sibilance what he was trying to define. Maybe it was his setup, and he was referring to a bit of brightness or harshness as a result of what he measured. It seems he can pinpoint the almost non-existent issues that coincide with his measurements. I know of no one that can do that unless they know to listen for it based on seeing the measurements. I'm not sure, but they have zero sibilance in any position I've had on my desktop at approximately 1 meter from my ear. They are very smooth, without even a hint of brightness or harshness. They have no issues with clarity or loss of detail in the top end that he describes based on his measurements. Maybe I'm lucky in that I have the perfect setup for them.

I wanted a speaker that wouldn't require a sub, and this is it. It is the best small speaker I have EVER heard. It is bone-chilling phenomenal, and I have not touched their settings, other than to set the primary speaker to the right channel, adjust the bass and treble to the middle indention (neutral), and set the volume.

 

[Tim Hector]

Dayton has a new 4 inch 2 way powered with DAC that look quite good. $299 a pair.

 

[JStewart]

I wanted a speaker that wouldn't require a sub, and this is it. It is the best small speaker I have EVER heard.

I’m willing to bet you’ve heard a bunch, too!
Always great to score something that way exceeds expectations. Congrats!

 

[Sonnie]

Yep... and every other one I ever heard needed a sub. It's the first time I can say they don't need a sub. Of course, I'm not watching movies, just listening to music while I do research and write. I've been learning a lot about networking and cameras lately, and it's time-consuming computer time, but I have the time, so it's all good.

 

[Sonnie]

Not the best shot here, but at least you get the idea. I will probably move these into my AV test room before too much longer. I still need to get it more organized. I just ordered a wall rack to get some cables off the work table and more more room.