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Bookshelf speakers (Polk or B&W) for nearfield computer listening?

post #1 of 8
11/17/09 at 4:57am
Thread Starter 
I'm interested in buying some high-end bookshelf speakers (e.g. B&W or Polk) for nearfield listening at my computer desk. I have an old but fully functional Sony AV receiver that's collecting dust, and I was wondering if hooking up speakers from my computer would work well. Do I have to worry about magnetic interference and all that?
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post #2 of 8
11/17/09 at 5:13am
No, unless you have a CRT monitor. Oh bookshelf speakers to match a av amplifier quality aren't high end ;-) probably looking at B&W 686 range about £200 pretty cheap.
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post #3 of 8
11/17/09 at 5:14am
The B&W CM1 is lovely (both visually and aurally), but quite bulky for use with a computer. B&W just announced the MM1, a pair of near-field monitors specifically for computer use:
Multimedia Speakers | Best PC & Laptop Speaker - Bowers & Wilkins | B&W Speakers
If you use a LCD, magnetic shielding is a non-issue.
Have a look at the AudioEngine A2, they are quite good for the size.
If you want really high-end (pricewise), look at the B&O Beolab 4 with integrated ICEpower amplification:
BeoLab 4 - Bang & Olufsen
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post #4 of 8
11/17/09 at 6:17am
How about Polk Monitor 70, combined with PSW10 subs made by Polk as well. Perhaps get a monitor 40 as your rear channels, and CS2 for center

m70 cost 199$ a piece
sub cost 99$
cs2 cost 150
m40 cost 199$ a pair

so, 850, and you get a full 5.1 surround sound all made by Polk, so you have a consistency in look, and sound signature
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post #5 of 8
11/17/09 at 3:04pm
$850 for 5.1 system isn't high end. oh you don't need to buy matching polk subwoofer, you can mix and match that item without a problem. tbh rather than spending $200 per pair I'd skip rears and center for now put all that into stereo speakers, then buy the rest later. That way you have quality fronts not something a bit crappy.
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post #6 of 8
11/17/09 at 3:18pm
Check out the Mackie Hr824's. A bit more money at $1300 a pair, but they will put any bookshelf speakers to shame. They are considered cheap (in price only) by pro studio monitor standards though.
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post #7 of 8
11/17/09 at 3:27pm
Thread Starter 
I'm really interested in a 2.0 or 2.1 system using some bookshelf speakers. I guess what I'm asking is if bookshelf speakers intended for home theatre or general-purpose use (like the B&W 685) sound good when they're less than 3 feet way from me? Would I be better off getting "studio monitor" speakers or computer multimedia speakers?

Also, I would prefer passive speakers since I want to make use of my old Sony receiver.
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post #8 of 8
11/19/09 at 1:36am
Hmmm....Polks or B&Ws, hmmm.......ummmmm....


Self-powered Dynaudios from the Pro Shoppe. Yeah thats it.
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