[raghunath]

I am looking for a setup in my main living room (15"x20" - perfectly rectangular). My source is going to be a computer + DAC and an ipod through dock, and I want to avoid clutter, so I am looking for Active bookshelf speakers. I have scoured far and wide and have gathered my options. They are something like this -
 
PSB Alpha 1 - $169, Audioengine A5 - $325, Sony SS-B100 - $50, KRK RP5 - $149/ea, KRK RP6 - 199/ea, Asend HTM 200SE - $278, Ascend DBM 170 - $348, SBS-02 - $269, M-Audio Bx5a - $235, M-Audio Av40 - $149, M-Audio Cx5 - $229, Behringer Truth 1030 - $124/ea,
Behringer Truth 3030 - 164/ea, Alessis M1 - $185, Numark NPM5" - $85, Pyle Pro 5.25" - $100, Macki MR5 - $135, Tanny reveal - $154, 
Infinity Primus - $162
 
All these are from head-fi forum posts only. I must confess that I have never heard a good speaker setup before, so it will be very difficult for me to even test these. I am completely dependent on your choice. I am not a bass-head at all, and do not require very boomy and high volume, but please do take into account my room dimensions. Listening is not gonna be exactly near-field.  
 
Since the posts go old, and new products keep coming, I must have missed something. Please do suggest me if something you think is worth and not in the list.
 
Also, my dad would prefer to use a dock with a remote for his ipod, so suggestions for such docks that do not compromise much on quality are more than welcome.
 
Thanks in advance.

 

[raghunath]

bump

 

[raghunath]

I would be rally thankful if somebody helps me out here.

 

[Lazerboy2000]

I'm also in the same boat as you and looking for speakers around $300. I did a bunch of research and will be getting KRK RP6s. Part of this is because I need front-ported speakers due to space limitations, but they also got excellent reviews.
 
I was also able to find factory refurbished RP6s for $129 each, that's even less than RP5s. I called and they said they'll be getting more of these on the 17th.
http://www.guitarcenter.com/KRK-Rokit-Powered-6-Generation-2-Studio-Monitor--Each--105130256-i1401613.gc
 
I haven't actually heard the KRKs since I'm still saving up for them, but they seem to be the overall best based on reviews I've found. 

 

[Lenni]

the PSB, Ascend, and Infinity (unless it's a sub) are not active, so those are out of the list. as for the other options it's a choice between the A5, Bx5a, and KRK's. I've only heard the A5 and they sounded to me as good as any other similar priced speakers I've heard. you can't go wrong with any of those, imo. personally I'd try the RP6's based only on them being the most expensive they may have a slightly better SQ. the restock sell at $129.00/ea

 

[00940]

I kinda liked the wharfedale diamond... but only heard the passive ones. They aren't exactly small but in your case that might be good. No idea how good the amps are in those active ones though:
 
The 8.1 : http://www.jirehsupplies.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=W-DPRO81 (no affiliation with the shop, it only was the cheapest, 259$/pair).
The 8.2 (maybe better for your room): http://www.zzounds.com/item--WHADP82A (300$/pair)
 
Some reviews:
http://www.proaudioreview.com/article/2284
http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/oct04/articles/wharfdiamond8.htm
http://www.barryrudolph.com/mix/wharfedale.html
http://mixguides.com/studiomonitors/Reviews/wharfedale-diamond-pro82/

 

[JRG1990]

The prodipe moniters are better than the krks for the same price, you should consider them.

 

[Lazerboy2000]

Quote:

The prodipe moniters are better than the krks for the same price, you should consider them.

This is exactly the same thing you've said twice in two threads. Not trying to discredit you, but do you have any real experience with these? It'd be nice to have more support than just "prodipes are better at the same price". 

 

[raghunath]

Thanks guys.. so you think the KRK RP6 monitors are OK for the size of room that I have? What exactly can be defined as near-field listening? And I would be glad to hear more about those prodipe monitors - Who doesn't like to get more bang for his buck?

 

[JRG1990]

Quote:

Quote:

The prodipe moniters are better than the krks for the same price, you should consider them.

This is exactly the same thing you've said twice in two threads. Not trying to discredit you, but do you have any real experience with these? It'd be nice to have more support than just "prodipes are better at the same price". 

 
I heard them both side by side in a shop, they both sound very simlar almost identical, just the prodipes don't have as much bass the krk have a bit of boosted bass (false bass), the prodipes have slightly clearer mids, also the prodipes highs were smoother not as harsh as the krks, there very much the same they use roughly the same parts and design, the prodipes are a few quid cheaper and sound slightly better.