[jumpka]

Now that Apple has eliminated optical audio-out in its Macbook Pro headphone jacks, since I'm probably buying one anyway 

 I'd like to get computer speakers (1.) with USB audio and (2.) costing no more than around US $250.
 
The only decent USB-audio speakers I've found in that price range are the Audioengine A2+, for $249. Am I missing any I should be considering?

 

[PurpleAngel]

 
Now that Apple has eliminated optical audio-out in its Macbook Pro headphone jacks, since I'm probably buying one anyway 

 I'd like to get computer speakers (1.) with USB audio and (2.) costing no more than around US $250.
The only decent USB-audio speakers I've found in that price range are the Audioengine A2+, for $249. Am I missing any I should be considering?

 
Monoprice 5" studio monitors,$129, normally $170.
http://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=605500
 
Hifimediy USB DACs, $42-$70.
http://hifimediy.com/DACs/ready-made-dacs?sort=p.price&order=ASC
 
This Hosa CMP153 cable will connect the Hifimediy DAC to the Monoprice 5" monitors 
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/CMP153

 

[jumpka]

Looks pretty interesting but I think it might be too big for my desk. The Audioengine A2+ speakers take up around half the space.
 
Any word on the Monoprice hissing at low/no volume? I was looking at the specs for the $125 Presonus Ceres 3.5BT (RCA, 1/4-inch, plus Bluetooth built-in) which is half way in size between the audioengine and the Monoprice, but I'm a bit worried about some complaints on amazon about hiss.

 

[PurpleAngel]

  Looks pretty interesting but I think it might be too big for my desk. The Audioengine A2+ speakers take up around half the space.
 
Any word on the Monoprice hissing at low/no volume? I was looking at the specs for the $125 Presonus Ceres 3.5BT (RCA, 1/4-inch, plus Bluetooth built-in) which is half way in size between the audioengine and the Monoprice, but I'm a bit worried about some complaints on amazon about hiss.

 
Because of the same size of the A2+ woofer, bass will not be the best quality.
For the money you save buying the Monoprice, get a piece of wood wider then your desk and put it on your desk, for the studio monitors to sit on.

 

[Roseval]

Maybe NOC
No USB DAC needed as you can use Airplay or Bluetooth
http://nocs.se/collections/all/products/ns2-air-monitors-v2