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Ha ha Thanks, that would have been itchy to say the least. Best of luck on your fun hunt and may you be rewarded beyond measure for your patience replytoken.
 

Thanks for the well wishes.  I am still waiting on that reward for being patient. 

  I think that my choices are still between the TASCAM's and the Audioengine's, and I am beginning to believe that the sound quality quickly falls off  of the cliff when you look at smaller speakers.  Yes, there are some other choices that are about the same size as the above two, but none strike me as being significantly better than either of them.  So, one year later and I am back to where I started.
 
Thanks,
 
--Ken
 

 

[audiogamma]

FWIW, I own the A2s as well as a pair of FOXL using a channel-splitter. While the A2s are better, the FOXL pair are portable. I find myself listening to the FOXLs more and more. A fairly expensive solution ($400), however.

 

[alexsj]

I'll throw out two possibilities.  One is a box like the zvox mini for $200: http://www.amazon.com/ZVOX-Mini-Ultra-Compact-Single-Cabinet-Surround/dp/B001LM9AUM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1316299278&sr=8-1 I use one in the kitchen (where I don't have much space) and it does yeoman work with a sangean radio plugged into one of the inputs and a logitech squeezebox plugged into the other.  The sound is surprisingly good if you are realistic about one box can do.  A 2.1 solution (there is a control for the "bass") in a box is not a bad way to go if you are starved for space.   Another is the Swan M-10s which will leave you with 3 boxes (!) but they are tiny and it might work, http://www.theaudioinsider.com/product_info.php?products_id=89.  They look good and the price is very reasonable at $117. 

 

[Hellbishop]

Here are some Pyle Home PCB3BK 3-Inch 100-Watt Mini Cube Bookshelf Speakers  i came across on Amazon which might interest you if you havent come across them already-
 
http://www.amazon.com/Pyle-PCB3BK-100-Watt-Bookshelf-Speakers/dp/B000MCGF1O/ref=sr_1_11?s=aht&ie=UTF8&qid=1316350750&sr=1-11 

 

[notsoberenough]

Piggybacking off what alexsj said, the Swan M-10s are a great desktop system for the price. However, I have read many reviews saying that the subwoofer sounds unspectacular unless it's on the desk with you. If you have the desktop space, I recommend that route. If not, the Swan H2s seem to fit in your size range and I have only heard good things about them for the size and the price.
http://www.theaudioinsider.com/product_info.php?p=swan-h2&products_id=134

 

[bixby]

Since you are still in the market, these caught my eye although I have not heard them.  Little larger woofer than the Tascam yet still a small package.  At least Fostex has it's roots in studio gear and still make some headphones that folks seem to like.  http://www.amazon.com/Fostex-PM0-4-Powered-Studio-Monitors/dp/B001GD2QS4
 
Fostex PM0.4

 

[anadin]

How about these, powered from USB hardly any wires or clutter.
 
http://www.whathifi.com/review/soundscience-qsb

 

[brim71]

Not sure if you are any good at woodworking, but you could go the DIY route.  I did that for both my garage and computer speaker setup and I'm really pleasantly surprised at how good they sound.  There are a number of small builds out there, but "The Minions" over at Parts Express seem to get really good reviews.  They measure 3.5" cubes and the drivers are only $5.  You could easily power them with a cheap T-Class amp.  There are a number of other smaller build plans over at that forum as well, so if you want to go that route I'd recommend looking around.
 
Good luck and good stuff is always worth the wait!

 

[amanp]

I hate to say it but: Bose Companion 5's (I dont hate to say it, credit where its due) - bar the slightly high price, I think the Bose Companion 5's do give a really nice sound. Surprisingly wide and well dispersed. 
 
http://www.bose.co.uk/GB/en/home-and-personal-audio/digital-music-solutions/computer-speakers/
 
I've heard some of the older Altec Lansing MX 5021's - they were great sounding, I preferred them to the more common Audicas by miles probably because of the sub and I thought the Audica's lacked "life", maybe the newer Altec Lansing FX3022, BUT a built in downward facing subwoofer would probably vibrate more than you'd like - and I read mixed reviews about highs missing completely. 
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/563998/review-ufi-ucubes-compact-portable-usb-powered-speakers-that-actually-sound-good <- makes an interesting read. 

 

[JRG1990]

Them companion 5's are hugely over priced, they don't sound bad but they don't sound £300 either , edifier make the better sounding 2.1 sets, the s530 , m3300 , c2 ,c3 .