[lubczyk]

So I have been researching near-field 2.0 speakers for desk usage. What is better than the Audio Engine A5+ at the moment? I'm not against an 2.1 setup either.

 

[StratocasterMan]

Sure, depending on your budget...
 
http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/gallo14/1.html
 
http://emotivapro.com/products/powered_monitors/airmotiv5.php
 
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/8040A
 
http://www.adam-audio.com/en/pro-audio/products/a7x/description

 

[cssarrow]

If you already have the A5+, you can always MOD it.
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/644525/audioengine-a5-speaker-upgrades
 
If not, The Emotiva Airmotiv5 is one of my personal favorites.
 
Tim

 

[Masterjay88]

I would check out some nice bookshelf speakers... I just picked up some Definitive Technology Studiomonitor 350's for $180 on Newegg.  Full sized speakers will certainly be bigger then A5's but they also sound much better imo

 

[sarathchandars]

I may be a bit late but check out the new KEF X300A. Audiostream review suggests that it's a good thing !!

 

[cel4145]

I would check out some nice bookshelf speakers... I just picked up some Definitive Technology Studiomonitor 350's for $180 on Newegg.  Full sized speakers will certainly be bigger then A5's but they also sound much better imo

Yep. I'm running the Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 SE. The 6.5" drivers in these do an excellent job with mid-bass, and the speakers have a nice crisp detailed sound. But you will need an amp to go with them.

 

[obobskivich]

I'd agree on getting into quality passive bookshelves (and of course something to make them "go") - depending on your budget, there's *lots* of options out there. You might also take a field-trip to a pro audio shop that has a studio/monitoring demo room, and see if anything strikes you; usually Mackie and Genelec speakers are nice, but again, you need to know what your budget is before you go shopping. Speakers, amplifiers, etc can get very expensive, very quickly.

 

[davidc2]

Don't know if they are better - but I'm using Genelec 8030As with the 7050B sub-woofer and they keep me happy. 

 

[Koss02]

I'd agree on getting into quality passive bookshelves (and of course something to make them "go") - depending on your budget, there's *lots* of options out there. You might also take a field-trip to a pro audio shop that has a studio/monitoring demo room, and see if anything strikes you; usually Mackie and Genelec speakers are nice, but again, you need to know what your budget is before you go shopping. Speakers, amplifiers, etc can get very expensive, very quickly.

What type of amp do you use to power your passive speakers?

 

[ProtegeManiac]

  So I have been researching near-field 2.0 speakers for desk usage. What is better than the Audio Engine A5+ at the moment? I'm not against an 2.1 setup either.

 
Aktimate Mini
http://www.enjoythemusic.com/hificritic/vol3_no2/aktimate_mini.htm
http://www.head-fi.org/t/617300/review-audioengine-a5-vs-aktimate-mini
 
Swans M200MkIII
http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/swans2/1.html
http://www.head-fi.org/t/683801/audioengine-5-vs-swan-m200mkiii
 
----
 
Also, you might want to read this thread:
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/573266/old-audioengine-a5-massive-pops-crackle

 

[astrallite]

I'd be surprised if they are still looking a year and 7 months later.

 

[ProtegeManiac]

  I'd be surprised if they are still looking a year and 7 months later.

 
Yeah I didn't realize my (our) issues with Chrome is back with a vengeance.
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/738780/indexes-dont-refresh-some-threads-keep-refreshing
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/738780/indexes-dont-refresh-some-threads-keep-refreshing