I just bought the harman kardon soundsticks 3 to replace my jbl creature 2 that I bought way back in 2004. I'll let you know how they sound
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Audiophile desktop speakers?
- Thread starter Imola Ghost
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Big difference in sound quality. I can hear instruments and samples in songs I couldn't hear before. Watching movies feels like I'm in the middle of it. I absolutely love them
This. You can do much better for way less than the powered speaker route. I picked up a cheap-but-impressive Lepai LP-2020A+ with a 3 amp power supply (I recommend at least 2A) and hooked up my left-over Polk RM satellites with 10" Polk powered sub. I then tuned it using SoundFlower / AU Lab for equalization on my source iMac along with a Dayton EMM-6 microphone connected to my rMBP (booted into Win 7) running TrueRTA. The sound is fantastic and blows away setups magnitudes more expensive.
Focal XS 2.1 is the best option for me if you are looking for a real audiophile PC speakers without losing bass, it implements its own burr-brown DAC, it has crystal clear higs, mids clarity and a fine bass, this set is really loud with no distortion.
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Hi all!
I have the latest mac mini with the Audioengine A5. Unfortunately my 5 year old A5:s amp is caving in, creating hisses and pops.
Im considering the Audioengine A5+ since i was very happy with the sound of the A5:s.
My question is, since the mini has an optical out, would i benefit from adding a cheap digital DAC between the mini and the a5:s? Would this improve sound quality?
For example:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Neet®-DAC-Digital-Analogue-Converter/dp/B0038M3ID8
I have the latest mac mini with the Audioengine A5. Unfortunately my 5 year old A5:s amp is caving in, creating hisses and pops.
Im considering the Audioengine A5+ since i was very happy with the sound of the A5:s.
My question is, since the mini has an optical out, would i benefit from adding a cheap digital DAC between the mini and the a5:s? Would this improve sound quality?
For example:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Neet®-DAC-Digital-Analogue-Converter/dp/B0038M3ID8
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
So, right now your Mac Mini is connected directly to your A5s?
If you've got a free USB port, I would suggest going with an asynchronous DAC - the Audioquest Dragonfly is inexpensive, and won many audiophile awards since its introduction. I found it on Amazon.co.uk here for £169.00:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/AUDIOQUEST-...85038822&sr=8-1&keywords=audioquest+dragonfly
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
Yep thats how I run them. Thanks for the tip but thats a bit over my budget.
Im happy with the sound as it is, but if it can get even better with a DAC im not against it, however im not willing to spend too much on it..
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I use something like TrueRTA (its called "Electroacoustics Toolbox") but it runs on a Mac and the same $50 EMM-6 Daytonmeasurement microphone.
I agree about passive speakers being better deals. If you can spend $100 each ($200 for the pair) and then another $100 for an amp you can have a fair quality system for $300 pus the wires and audio interface.
One zero cost improvement are stands under the speakers to being the tweeters up to ear level and get the speakers off the desk top. Next step is something to oil early reflections.
Then buy one of those $50 microphones. A real bargain at $50.
Yeah, the ADAM A7 is quite good with an Apogee. But for home cinema type of speakers, the low-end is lacking in my opinion.
It must vary between individual units, but I just paused my music to see if there was a hiss with my MM-1s. There is a very slight hiss, but I thought it was just my Mini
Also I'm not sure if they are audiophile quality but damn they sound good. I find it difficult to listen to stuff in my car now
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Yeah, I've heard similar opinions from other people.
A friend of mine recently bought a 5.1 A7 setup (we both got a wicked sweet deal on a pair of reasonably recent MC-12HD preamps) and said the exact same thing. He later threw in a Sub7 and I haven't heard anything but praise from him.
I always thought my S2X units were pretty damned good, but it wasn't until I bought a Sub12 that they really started to shine. I think that's just part of ADAM's AMT + single cone speaker configuration, which doesn't change until you get up into the S3X series (AMT + mid and low)- but those units are pretty big for desktop speakers (I couldn't figure out how to fit them on my desk, and my desk takes up two entire room walls).
In any case, IMHO you should have a good subwoofer *anyways*. The Sub7 is reasonably priced (~$700) and definitely well worth the price if you feel the A7s aren't up to the task by themselves (they're still worth getting solely because of the AMT tweeters though).
-SC
Originally Posted by UBS28
Maybe but the OP asked for Audiophile desktop speakers
The term implies listening to music, not movie soundtracks and video games. The requirements are different, for music "accurate" reproduction is usually desired. For sound effects like car crashes and machine-guns the big subwoffers and surround sound is better.
"Desktop also, I think implies a two speaker system. Always with audiophile music reproduction systems the only reason you'd ever consider a sub is to reduce the cost. It is always better to simply buy speakers that can reproduce the bass themselves and that is easy to do, many studio monitors can.
These would work well
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/HR824mk2/
These Yamaha speakers have a very good reputation. I've not tried them but I've never heard anyone say anything but good things about them. BUT, they have rear facing vents, watch where you place them. They need to be well away from the walls and corners.
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/HS8
And really, these are not bad at all and a lot less expensive
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ResolvSE8/
I have an older version of them on my desk right now. Used as near field monitors the imaging is near perfect. I was just using Logic's new drummer and the dum kits sounds like it is dead center on the screen. I panned it over a bit. Imaging on these speakers i perfect. If I close my eyes I can't locate the speakers. I got them use for way-cheap. Samson is a second tier brand but good quality for the price.
Maybe but the OP asked for Audiophile desktop speakers
The term implies listening to music, not movie soundtracks and video games. The requirements are different, for music "accurate" reproduction is usually desired. For sound effects like car crashes and machine-guns the big subwoffers and surround sound is better.
"Desktop also, I think implies a two speaker system. Always with audiophile music reproduction systems the only reason you'd ever consider a sub is to reduce the cost. It is always better to simply buy speakers that can reproduce the bass themselves and that is easy to do, many studio monitors can.
These would work well
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/HR824mk2/
These Yamaha speakers have a very good reputation. I've not tried them but I've never heard anyone say anything but good things about them. BUT, they have rear facing vents, watch where you place them. They need to be well away from the walls and corners.
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/HS8
And really, these are not bad at all and a lot less expensive
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ResolvSE8/
I have an older version of them on my desk right now. Used as near field monitors the imaging is near perfect. I was just using Logic's new drummer and the dum kits sounds like it is dead center on the screen. I panned it over a bit. Imaging on these speakers i perfect. If I close my eyes I can't locate the speakers. I got them use for way-cheap. Samson is a second tier brand but good quality for the price.
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The new LSR305 monitors from JBL have been getting rave reviews! I have a pair myself, and they are great.
Hey... get an Audio Engine A2 speakers. The sound in unbelievable for a small speaker like that. It's truly a monster.
Buy audioengine A5+, they are by far the best bang for your buck. $399 with the sound of a $1000+ speaker.
Were talking a/b split amplifier meaning direct highs to your silk tweeter with mids to the 5" kevlar woofer. Bowers and wilkins has a similar silk tweeter/kevlar woofer design on their $1499 per shelf speaker. These A5+ come very very close to those $1499 B&W and its only $399 for a pair.
Sound quality is 10x better than bose. Don't even waste your time on bose. They are overpriced.
The A5+ come with 3 year warranty with the best customer service.
I personally think the A5+ also sound better than A2 because the sound profile is more open and the mids and bass is better.
Were talking a/b split amplifier meaning direct highs to your silk tweeter with mids to the 5" kevlar woofer. Bowers and wilkins has a similar silk tweeter/kevlar woofer design on their $1499 per shelf speaker. These A5+ come very very close to those $1499 B&W and its only $399 for a pair.
Sound quality is 10x better than bose. Don't even waste your time on bose. They are overpriced.
The A5+ come with 3 year warranty with the best customer service.
I personally think the A5+ also sound better than A2 because the sound profile is more open and the mids and bass is better.
I like the KEF X300/A, but I find them to be a touch bright. If you have some money to spend and you want something that's relatively small just for your Mac, you could go Pro-Ject DAC Box paired with a Pro-Ject Stereo Box S and connect small bookshelf speakers like the Castle Knight 1's. They may not look like they're capable due to their size but they sound great. Again, only if you have money to spend.
Check out the Equator D5 http://www.gearspace.com/board/reviews/681724-equator-d5.html or CEntrance Masterclass https://centrance.com/products/masterclass/
I second this, these speakers via an Audioengine DAC is da BOMB...sound quality is out of the world, even for a guy that is hard of hearing
A while ago I dug around some audiophile forums and found a favorite: The Swan M200MK III. They retail for around $429 and are a great value for the money. The company is experienced in high end speakers, with their flagship speakers over $40K and they have a range of good pc speakers starting at $129.
Here's some reviews of it:
http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/swans2/1.html
http://www.head-fi.org/t/484397/review-swan-m200mkiii-updated-impressions
The M200MK III are commonly being compared to Audioengine A5s and are worth looking into. They're more oriented for audiophile music listening than the A5s. Plus, they look great.
Here's some reviews of it:
http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/swans2/1.html
http://www.head-fi.org/t/484397/review-swan-m200mkiii-updated-impressions
The M200MK III are commonly being compared to Audioengine A5s and are worth looking into. They're more oriented for audiophile music listening than the A5s. Plus, they look great.
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