I have been reading a bunch of posts over the past couple days about a solid pair of studio monitors to hook up to my computer. I haven't seen any comparisons of the audioengine a2 vs krk rokkit 5s. Is this because one is far superior than the other? My budget is around $300-400 and they will be placed in a small office. Thank you so much for your time. Feel free to suggest a pair outside of these two. I will be connecting this via an external creative x-fi hd sound card and hooking up a 10 inch sub from cambridge soundworks.

The KRK Rokit 5 are not small at all... the question would be how small your office is. Have a look at some pictures on google first

If you are going to run a 10 inch sub, you may want to step up to the Rokit 6's.

therh said:

If you are going to run a 10 inch sub, you may want to step up to the Rokit 6's.

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Why? He doesn't have to run the sub full blast.

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therh said:

If you are going to run a 10 inch sub, you may want to step up to the Rokit 6's.

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Are you perhaps thinking that the 10" sub is going to overpower the 6" woofer?

Sorry double post.

A 10 inch sub is a bit much for 5's, although you do not have to run the sub full last, like Cel said. Generally as my rule of thumb I like to keep a sub close to the size of the woofers.
 
The question some may say, is why? My theory is by keeping the drivers close you will not have a obvious difference in the lower frequencies. My aim is to not "hear" the sub, meaning to help speakers blend not out do one another.
 
RH  

therh said:

The question some may say, is why? My theory is by keeping the drivers close you will not have a obvious difference in the lower frequencies. My aim is to not "hear" the sub, meaning to help speakers blend not out do one another.

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You need a new theory based on audio science.

Driver quality and build quality varies between subs just as it does with speakers. There are bad speakers with 6" drivers, and bad 12" subwoofers. But a larger sub of equal SQ to a smaller sub can blend just the same with a 5" driver speaker.

The more important theory is that subwoofer output need is related to room size and listening volume. The bigger the room and the louder one listens to their speakers, typically the bigger the sub they need, for it's easier (and cheaper) to design a 12" sub that can get loud than an 8".

I, too, am interested in the Rokit 5s. I currently don't have any desktop speakers and keep coming across these as I research. I will only be using a laptop with an HRT Music Streamer II as my DAC. Will this work fine? I keep hearing about a buzzing/humming sound when not set up, correctly. I have a small desk with only one wall outlet by it; only used by my laptop power cable. Any feedback is highly appreciated. Thanks...

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change is good said:

I, too, am interested in the Rokit 5s. I currently don't have any desktop speakers and keep coming across these as I research. I will only be using a laptop with an HRT Music Streamer II as my DAC. Will this work fine? I keep hearing about a buzzing/humming sound when not set up, correctly. I have a small desk with only one wall outlet by it; only used by my laptop power cable. Any feedback is highly appreciated. Thanks...

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From what I've read (and I've read so much since I started this thread) is that the AudioEngines are great and so are the Rokit 5s.  The main difference between the two is the fact that the Rokits are more for studio monitoring and that the sound can be almost too accurate (pretty common from what I've read studio monitors in general).  The Rokits also have a power cable for each speaker, which if you have a full surge protector could be a hindrance.  Placement is also very important with the rokits too (as with other studio monitors), more so than the Audioengines.  The Audioengines also have more features on them than the Rokit and I think I might actually use them.  As far as SQ is concerned from what I've read they're really close.  I personally have moved on from getting the Rokits and am currently deciding between the Audiongine A5+ and the Swan M200MkIII.  The only problem I'm having is finding a site that has Swans in stock as TheAudioInsider.com hasn't replied to my email about when they're getting more in and the other online stores that are listed as being Swan resellers, are out of stock too so i might just go with the Audioengine's (I've got a few months to decide though).

Taken from The Audio Insider's email response:
 
"Thank you for your interest.  In 2012 Swan had a variety of issues with distribution, North American pricing, and in some models, product reliability.  Out of stock Swan models are still pending Swan's resolution of these and other issues."
 
The above is vague on what models are having the product reliability problems.  This makes me very nervous and I think I'm going to go with a pair of Audioengine A5+s in the next few months.

byrnie said:

Taken from The Audio Insider's email response:

"Thank you for your interest.  In 2012 Swan had a variety of issues with distribution, North American pricing, and in some models, product reliability.  Out of stock Swan models are still pending Swan's resolution of these and other issues."


The above is vague on what models are having the product reliability problems.  This makes me very nervous and I think I'm going to go with a pair of Audioengine A5+s in the next few months.

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I had a chance this past weekend at a regional head-fi meet to hear the Emotiva Airmotiv 4s. Very nice mids and highs, and decent mid bass for a 4" driver. I don't doubt that they have a fairly flat frequency response, but the overall voice was not as neutral sounding as I expected. Emotiva has them on special at the moment. If you can find someway to hear a pair, really would be worth the trouble. Maybe someone over in the Airmotiv review discussion thread is in your area: http://www.head-fi.org/t/589057/emotiva-pro-airmotiv4-loudspeakers-review. Steve Guttenberg of CNET wrote that review at the beginning of the thread, so good info. Then innerfidelity has a review of the Airmotiv 5s: http://www.innerfidelity.com/content/emotiva-airmotiv-5-active-monitor-speakers

Thanks Cel4145, I actually already considered them and sound great from everything I've read.  Right now, I'm still leaning toward the Audioengine A5+ for the extra the bass of the 5in drivers and the extra connections.  I think I'm going to pick up a Modi too from those Schiit-heads :^D.