Best Powered Desktop Speakers At Low dB

[Woodsmith]

Hey guys, just wanting to figure out what would be the best options for my specific situation as I don't know much about speakers (It's always been headphones for me).  I'm needing some desktop/bookshelf speakers for my computer with a Xonar STX.  The room is about 18x12 vaulted untreated.  I would like to purchase a pair that performs well, under lower than average volume levels and are especially neutral (I work in my DAW a lot).  Ideally I'm not looking to spend anything more than $300 but if there are exceptional speakers for my requirements I might splurge for a little more.  Suggestions?

 

[Woodsmith]

I guess now the question is, are there better forums to ask this question on?

 

[Qonmus]

You're going to get a lot of recommendations for Audioengine a2s or a5s. I haven't heard the a2s, but the a5s are awesome, but they are $350 new. They sometimes sell b-stocks for about $250 though, and if I were you I would probably keep an eye open for that. Another option that gets recommended a lot is a pair of m-audio bx5as, but I think that might be a bit out of your range as well. You could get a t-amp and some tekton single driver speakers, or some used rc-10s, and if you look hard enough you might be able to find that under $300. Also try the search function.

 

[Woodsmith]

Thanks for the response.  The A2s were what I was first looking at but I heard they don't perform well at low dB and that the A5's would need to be even louder to get them to sound right.  Now are these assumptions simply because the people hearing them at lower volumes aren't taking into consideration that things in general sound better louder?

 

[MoldBuster]

It is going to be hard to find neutral and big enough to give you any sort of fill in a treated room that size. The AudioEngine is neutral but woefully compromised dynamically. Remember, there is tonal accuracy and dynamic accuracy...it is tough to get a good mix between the two at a low price. Believe it or not (and yes, this might be hard for some to hear), you might look at a set of Behringer Truth 3031A's which are actually not half bad for the money. They lean more towards subtractive than additive and they are half way decent dynamically...just make sure you hear a set that are broken in if you can. Mackies are excellent but hard to find in that range, even used. KRK's always sounded too hot until you spent big bucks. Good monitors aren't cheap which is why when you look at what all the pro studios use, most people will have to pick their jaw off the floor when they find out what many of them run. I used to sell PMC monitors and people would faint when they heard AML-1's were $9000 a pair for a smallish bookshelf monitor...then they would faint again when I fired them up and they heard them.

 

[EphemeralHope]

The problem here is that speakers really ONLY shine at higher volumes (at least average) - at lower volumes it becomes hard to tell the difference between a cheap 100-150 speaker vs something 1000+(granted they are the same size - yep, size makes a big difference... the bigger the better haha) ....is there some reason why you don't like headphones?
 
Quote:

Thanks for the response.  The A2s were what I was first looking at but I heard they don't perform well at low dB and that the A5's would need to be even louder to get them to sound right.  Now are these assumptions simply because the people hearing them at lower volumes aren't taking into consideration that things in general sound better louder?

 

[tjohnusa]

Quote:

The problem here is that speakers really ONLY shine at higher volumes (at least average) - at lower volumes it becomes hard to tell the difference between a cheap 100-150 speaker vs something 1000+(granted they are the same size - yep, size makes a big difference... the bigger the better haha) ....is there some reason why you don't like headphones?
 

 

Sorry bu tI have to disagree....way to many variables to make a blanket statement like that. If you are looking for nearfield monitors then the audioengines will fit the bill but if you want something to fill that vast space you need something with some guts. I have a set of Klipsh 2,1 that sound pretty good at all volumes. If you are looking for something you can crank at a party you and space isn't an issue then look at a modertly powered amp and speakers. The Klipsch can be had for under a hundred dollars from ebay and I wouln't say they are audiophile quality but the volume you get is impressive.

 

[Woodsmith]

@MoldBuster You're right; I don't believe that Behringer would sound good =P  But you'd recommend the Mackie MR5s?
 
@EphemeralHope I love headphones and personally prefer them.  However there are many situations that require me to share the sound I'm listening to or working on not to mention you always have to check your sounds on monitors.  But what you're suggesting is that it wouldn't matter if I have some crappy monitors at low dB?
 
@tjohnusa Yes I am pretty much just looking for near-field monitors as I would imagine anything else would be too loud for my preference.

 

[TeLight]

 
 
Quote:

I don't believe that Behringer would sound good =P

Behringer makes some good stuff now and then, its just they have a quality control problem.  I for instance had to exchange my B3031a for another pair, because one day one speaker started to make a buzzing sound for no apparent reason.
 
As for the sound quality I agree with Mold's above comment, and would even take it a step further to say that they are on par with the A7.  I for one was blown away at the neutrality and imaging.

 

[MoldBuster]

Agreed. Behringer does occasionally hit a home run. They did it with the EP series amps which are wildly popular as sub amps on the AVS Forum...and I think they've done it with the 3031A's. The reliability has improved a lot and the folks at Behringer are actually really good to work with.  No, they are not going to compete with a pair of TRUE reference grade NFM's, nor should they...but at $350 a pair, they do so many things right it is an eye opener. Remember, I'm an audio snob, having had $9000 NFM's on my desktop...and I didn't find myself wanting to run screaming from the room soon as the 3031's were fired up. Do a search and you may find a bunch of surprised folks. Again...give them a chance.
Mackie...those guys make some good stuff but I question the dynamic capabilities of such a small speaker in a large space.  My issues with most small desktop monitors stem as much from dynamic capabilities as neutrality. I run fully active triamped main monitors in my big rig and I'm used to systems which are dynamically uncompressed. Doesn't matter to me how accurate a small speaker is, if it falls on its' face the second a transient hits, I'm outta there. The best gear does both. Mackie 824's are pretty decent in that respect, they dont fall apart dynamically until reasonably high levels and they are fairly neutral. No, they won't keep up with the big iron, but they don't cost as much as a car. The cheap gear is always a compromise and it is hard to find a balance. Reason I was so surprised by the little Behringers is that they actually strike a pretty decent balance.

 

[MoldBuster]

Klipsch aren't going to be good as a neutral NFM. Don't get me wrong, I like Klipsch a lot...sold and installed a LOT of THX Ultra 2 and Ref 7 and Ref 83 systems when I ran my audio company. Dynamically they definitely get it right, but neutrality in that price range...sorry, you won't get it. As a set of far field mains, they work okay in a properly treated space but the horns are an issue for an NFM setup.
 
And WoodSmith, I'm suggesting you get the best balanced NFM for the money and don't assume you will always monitor at low DB. Remember, there is something to be said for trying your mixes at a higher level, which is why they make mid and far field (main) monitors. You'll get a difference sense of the scale of your project if you play it back on a dynamically capable system. Most people do not necessarily sit there with their faces 1' away from a set of small monitors so if you mix only for small scale, your sound will be small scale. Get something that has capabilities and you'll find more flexibility. I know when I make music on my desktop system with FL, I take the mix into the big rig and play it back, I always find things that need improvement that way. 

 

[Woodsmith]

Thanks for the advice, I'll see if I can try to track down some used 3031A's.

 

[Sil3nce]

Swans m200
or paradigm titans if you can find them might need an amp for that.

 

[Jaythesail]

I have a set of Aktimate mini's, though a bit more expensive than your budget I am very impressed by then. About 400-500 if you shop around online, but for the money I couldn't suggest anything better.

 

[Somnambulist]

http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/503088/2-0-speakers-compilation-best-for-500
 
Good thread to get some ideas. I'm in the same boat myself. Leaning towards either the Adam A3X or A5X if budget permits, but I'm still looking around trying.