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Can anyone recommend some good desktop speakers?

DMG35

DMG35

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Original poster
May 27, 2021
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I'm looking for a good pair of desktop speakers to pair with my incoming Mac Studio and Pro XDR Display. They don't need to be the greatest speakers out there, just clean sound and not too large, while also being able to control the volume with the Mac Keyboard. Anyone have a good pair to recommend? Thank you!
 
Maybe some Bose Companion 2 Series III or Yamaha NX 50.

Personally I prefer a stereo receiver and tower speakers.
 
DMG35 said:
The XDR Display doesn't have speakers built in.
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True, I must have misread as I thought you were getting a Studio Display as well. In that case you have a few options, try and find a speaker that uses the headphone jack or take your chances with AirPlay and you can control the volume with the keyboard. However, AirPlay has it's own set of issues such as delayed start/stop and it automatically disconnects after a certain period so if you want your speakers to always be on and available it's not the best.

Take a look at the powered speakers section on Crutchfield. If you want something on the pricey side the KEF LSII get good reviews, if you just want to dip your toes into it then the Kanto YU2's are a good option as well. Personally I have a Sonos Amp with tower speakers connected and if I decide to watch a movie or something I use AirPlay but as I stated AirPlay has it's own quirks so it's not meant to be an "always-on" solution.
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Give these a look - small speakers that have small foot print… the sub woofer can be hidden out of sight maybe?? If the speakers are plugged into the audio jack, then the keyboard control should work with that… but i am not absolutely sure of that.

Logitech Support + Download

www.logitech.com www.logitech.com
 
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Additionally, be on the lookout out for the new KEF LSX II as they have a USB C option for audio which is rare and one of the first to do this.
 
Sheepish-Lord said:
Additionally, be on the lookout out for the new KEF LSX II as they have a USB C option for audio which is rare and one of the first to do this.
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Yeah, they would be a first… i would almost think the USB-C cable alone would make it cost prohibitive…
 
TightLines said:
Yeah, they would be a first… i would almost think the USB-C cable alone would make it cost prohibitive…
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According to Kef they had to remove some of the more premium materials in order to hit their price point so that was most likely the trade off.
 
If you’re open to something larger as a trade-off for better sound quality and volume, try these: Klipsch

OK, perhaps not those exact ones, but Klipsch does make excellent speakers for computer setups. I had a home theater full of Klipsch speakers as well as an iMac with their desktop-connected speakers systems. Great sound for all from a US company. Specifics for their Promedia 2.0 setup. And no, I don’t work for Klipsch.
 
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I think anybody willing to put around $10K into a Mac Studio + XDR Display should get more than “cheap” speakers. Personally, I wouldn’t get anything less than Dynaudio or Genelec monitors. A pair of Genelec 8331 in white would be my choice!!
 
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I've always used Harman Kardon Soundsticks with my Macs. The originals were designed by Jony Ive!

I've had the very first pair and now I have the current 4th gen and they've always done me well, great sound and take up barely any room. They do have a sub with them, but it's not too big either and the speakers themselves are tiny. They also look cool (although some hate the look). Usually go on sale too on Amazon, I got them for about $240CAD ($193 USD, originally $299).

I'm pretty sure you can use your Mac keyboard to control the volume if they're connected with either the 3.5mm or bluetooth, although I run them through a DAC so haven't tried.

https://www.harmankardon.com/home-audio/HK+SOUNDSTICKS+4.html
 
On my Mac Studio setup, I use two Bowers and Wilkins M-1 loudspeakers, which is designed for a home theater setup, but still perfect for a desk setup due to its small footprint and about $250 each. They are connected to a NAD D3020 v2, the smallest amplifier that works good and doubles as a headphones amp. It's connected to my OWC Thunderbolt 3 dock via optical audio.The setup is close to $1000, but has the best sound quality.

My bedroom setup, which my MacBook Pro connects to uses Bose Companion 20. They are alright, but pales in comparison to actual Hi-fi speakers.
 
zachz said:
I've always used Harman Kardon Soundsticks with my Macs. The originals were designed by Jony Ive!

I've had the very first pair and now I have the current 4th gen and they've always done me well, great sound and take up barely any room. They do have a sub with them, but it's not too big either and the speakers themselves are tiny. They also look cool (although some hate the look). Usually go on sale too on Amazon, I got them for about $240CAD ($193 USD, originally $299).

I'm pretty sure you can use your Mac keyboard to control the volume if they're connected with either the 3.5mm or bluetooth, although I run them through a DAC so haven't tried.

https://www.harmankardon.com/home-audio/HK+SOUNDSTICKS+4.html
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Those are nice speakers… and yes, tasteful in design. And I also agree with another that if you’re already pouring big $ into a setup, one should have some decent quality speakers behind the audio… and unless you’re into a music studio quality work, then the style and ascetics of anything you attach and is visible is important. Those are modern looking and easy on the eyes… not box square and traditional wood grain stuff that they are charging $4k for…
 
enricoclaudio said:
I think anybody willing to put around $10K into a Mac Studio + XDR Display should get more than “cheap” speakers. Personally, I wouldn’t get anything less than Dynaudio or Genelec monitors. A pair of Genelec 8331 in white would be my choice!!
Click to expand...

Easy tiger. I didn't say that I was looking for cheap speakers. I said they didn't have to be the GREATEST speakers out there.
 
DMG35 said:
Easy tiger. I didn't say that I was looking for cheap speakers. I said they didn't have to be the GREATEST speakers out there.
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Coming in at $2400 those Genelec 8331 in white certainly aren’t cheap… and they look to be a bit of a chore to setup and tune in… those seem to be geared to the sound enthusiast. A bit much for a computer thats not in a sound studio or special room for audio quality… IMHO…
 
TightLines said:
Those are nice speakers… and yes, tasteful in design. And I also agree with another that if you’re already pouring big $ into a setup, one should have some decent quality speakers behind the audio… and unless you’re into a music studio quality work, then the style and ascetics of anything you attach and is visible is important. Those are modern looking and easy on the eyes… not box square and traditional wood grain stuff that they are charging $4k for…
Click to expand...
Agree 100% -- I use these speakers with my M1 iMac and they complement each other nicely, I would imagine they'd look even cleaner with the Studio/XDR, although they may look super tiny compared to the size of the display haha
 
Bought a used, complete (!) Rolan TMX drum kit last year for USD280, and the guy tossed-in a gratis set of Roland MA-8's he was using with 'em . . .

. . . they are now hooked to my 5,1 MP :)

Sound pretty good to my non-pro ears.

A lot of Used "Pre-Owned" available for approx. USD100

www.ebay.com

Roland Ma-8 for sale | eBay

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Regards
 
DMG35 said:
Easy tiger. I didn't say that I was looking for cheap speakers. I said they didn't have to be the GREATEST speakers out there.
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Easy tiger. I wasn’t referring to you my friend. Read the post right after your initial post ;)
 
zachz said:
I've always used Harman Kardon Soundsticks with my Macs. The originals were designed by Jony Ive!
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I can't believe they're still making these! I think I got my first set when they first came out to go with my G4 Cube. I'm going to have a look for a set as I want a set of compact, wired speakers for my Mac Studio and these look like they're still a nice option.
 
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ascender said:
I can't believe they're still making these! I think I got my first set when they first cam out to go with my G4 Cube. I'm going to have a look for a set as I want a set of compact, wired speakers for my Mac Studio and these look like they're still a nice option.
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You won't be disappointed! Great sound and they get really loud considering their size, although no adjustments for the subwoofer :(

They usually go on sale too on Amazon for about $100 off
 
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