Mini desk top system for work

[ematthews]

Can anyone suggest a good small system for work? Right now all I have is an old JBL Creature speakers with a sub. No DAC etc. It's starting to fail. I listen to Spotify/youtube loop all day at work.
I was thinking a small system with small powered or non powered speakers. An suggestions?
Parasound has a nice set up but I would like to keep cost down.
Budget... Maybe 500

 

[fuzz092888]

Can anyone suggest a good small system for work? Right now all I have is an old JBL Creature speakers with a sub. No DAC etc. It's starting to fail. I listen to Spotify/youtube loop all day at work.
I was thinking a small system with small powered or non powered speakers. An suggestions?
Parasound has a nice set up but I would like to keep cost down.
Budget... Maybe 500

What are the connection requirements? Connecting to speakers, phone, bluetooth? Any reason a small system instead of headphones?

 

[ematthews]

It's for work. Background music direct from my pc. I can not use headphones since I do answer phones here as well at time. Connection would have to be either USB or audio out jack from PC.
Source is from my PC.

 

[fuzz092888]

There are a ton of configurations for a small system, but if you're not doing any super critical listening, I have one of these and it actually sounds really good for the size and money. It has a battery so it can be charged and is portable. The volume is controllable from the speaker or a phone if connected via BT. I've also connected my computer to it as well. It also has a built in mic so that if you get a call you can answer it. It also has an aux in as well.

 

[ematthews]

I have a Riva Turbo X at home at it sounds fantastic. But it's for my bedroom bathroom and pool side. I
may just end up going with some Audio engine powered speakers. Just wondering if it's worth adding a dac.. I do have my Emotiva XDA-1 Dac at home I could use. Then all I need is non powered speakers and a small sub.

 

[fuzz092888]

Alternatively

http://www.amazon.com/SMSL-Q5-blackQ5-Amplifier-Optical/dp/B00PD49I10/ref=sr_1_6?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1454003403&sr=1-6&keywords=smsl

If you don't mind a little assembly, these are tiny speakers that deliver excellent performance.

http://www.diysoundgroup.com/speaker-kits/quarks-speaker.html

Audio engine's are nice speakers. I'm not sure why you would need a DAC. I've run directly from the computer into an amplifier and it sounded no better or worse than running through a receiver first.

 

[fuzz092888]

I have a Riva Turbo X at home at it sounds fantastic. But it's for my bedroom bathroom and pool side. I
may just end up going with some Audio engine powered speakers. Just wondering if it's worth adding a dac.. I do have my Emotiva XDA-1 Dac at home I could use. Then all I need is non powered speakers and a small sub.

If you have an Emotiva XDA-1, you still need powered speakers. Plus, the XDA-1 does not offer the ability to be a crossover IIRC so you would need some other way to integrate a sub.

 

[ematthews]

Thanks for all the replies so far. Need to get rid of the XDA-1. It's not near as good as my Parasound ZDAC 2.

 

[Seth=L]

Alternatively

http://www.amazon.com/SMSL-Q5-blackQ5-Amplifier-Optical/dp/B00PD49I10/ref=sr_1_6?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1454003403&sr=1-6&keywords=smsl

If you don't mind a little assembly, these are tiny speakers that deliver excellent performance.

http://www.diysoundgroup.com/speaker-kits/quarks-speaker.html

Audio engine's are nice speakers. I'm not sure why you would need a DAC. I've run directly from the computer into an amplifier and it sounded no better or worse than running through a receiver first.

Alex, I found this.

http://www.parts-express.com/smsl-q5-pro-stereo-amplifier-usb-optical-coaxial-dac-with-subwoofer-output-2x40w--230-210

It's a newer version and adds a subwoofer output.

 

[slipperybidness]

Can anyone suggest a good small system for work? Right now all I have is an old JBL Creature speakers with a sub. No DAC etc. It's starting to fail. I listen to Spotify/youtube loop all day at work.
I was thinking a small system with small powered or non powered speakers. An suggestions?
Parasound has a nice set up but I would like to keep cost down.
Budget... Maybe 500

I've been pretty happy with my Mackie CR3 in the garage
http://www.amazon.com/Mackie-Creative-Reference-Multimedia-Monitors/dp/B00ND78BQ2/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1454006646&sr=8-3&keywords=mackie+creative+reference

 

[ematthews]

I am thinking of using the XDA1 and some powered speakers. Since I already own it, I might as well use it.

 

[Seth=L]

I am thinking of using the XDA1 and some powered speakers. Since I already own it, I might as well use it.

Is it true what they say?

 

[Goodband]

I had the M-Audio AV40 until recently and they were really good. They are not small for desktop but they perform well. You should give them a look.

They are also a lot cheaper than Audioengine power speaker

Envoyé de mon SGH-I337M en utilisant Tapatalk

 

[ematthews]

Is it true what they say?

Nope!

 

[Seth=L]

Nope!

Good, I was beginning to worry... you know, for myself.

 

[KEW]

There is some good info in this review.

http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-computer-speakers/

There are also some really beautiful powered mini speakers with wood-grain and sloped fonts (IIRC). I want to say they were called Alexxa or something like that.

Edit: I think it was the Swan M200. Don't know how they sound, just made a note to consider them next time I was looking at desktop powered speakers.

 

[Dan Manners]

Highly recommend Audioengine’s A2+ powered speakers - full review - http://soundgenetics.com/best-computer-speakers/