General Speaker Advice and Recommendations

I have done the passive bookshelves and the Aiyima T9, although no sub. It is a nice setup for a small room (bedroom). I actually went to an A07 though now because I found it fuller sounding. The T9 has a bit too much air, although it has a lot of features, including a remote and BT. The A07 I have to use the TV volume. Either way, I think this kind of setup is way better than a soundbar if you have the space.

 

My TV setup uses a pair of passive bookshelves and the Fosi V3. I control it with a DAC that has eARC and even though it's an "aesthetic setup" with the speakers hidden in a console, it's been good enough for me to enjoy music on it, making it far more than adequate for TV audio purposes.

 

Well, rejiggered my desktop setup and making me very happy - would gladly use this in any small room setup.

• Volumio (running on a Wyse 3040, which is kind of hilarious but it works)
• Schiit Gungnir
• Creek 5350se (has been lying about forever unloved, just had it fixed up, knobs destaticked, new output caps)
• Harbeth P3esr xd
• Rel T zero Mk III

The xd is a little more “accurate” than the OG p3esr, and when I had driven it with a Emotiva A100 it was a bit too etched - didn’t have all the lovely syrup midrange that I loved from the harbeths. I had previously heard the Creek 5350se driving the OG harbeths, and it was too mushy. But the marriage of the creek and the xd’s is just wonderful. Love pairing.

 

I'm looking to slap a nearfield speaker setup on my desk that's fairly large. Main thing I want is to reduce my boxes, so I'd like these speakers to have a DAC/AMP inside with a USB connection. Not sure of what modesl to be looking at. If anyone is familiar with speakers like this and could reccomend me a few that would be great. Budget would be about $700 USD.

 

No experience with the all in one you describe but have had at least a dozen passive spkrs with dac and amps. I think you are the right track, but have no actual experience with speakers including a dac. Most that tickle my fancy are a lot more $$$.

I do have experience with powered speakers and dac combos. Currently using a low cost setup that does a great job. iFi Zen Dac with JBL-305 MKII, total street under $600 new and it delivers better than any of my more expensive passive spkrs and separate dacs and amps.

Wish I could help with more experience on what you desire. If in your shoes, I would look at pro stuff for best bang for the buck and reliability. Good luck with the journey!

 

Ok so may as well post here just to see if there's anything I'm missing.

Current speaker setup I am in love with. However, looking to move my current speakers to my work rig.

Current home amp pushes just a few watts. I normally use 7C5 or 6F6 metal tubes. Maybe 4-6 watts total but that's a guess.

Current home speakers are modified Klipsch Quartets. I found out that my current work speaker amp pushes 12 watts so I'm good to move my speakers there.

Problem is buying new speakers for home.

Currently thinking of the Perfect Set 15 for home, low watt, high res.

Anyone have any better ideas?

 

Generally well reviewed, I feel like the Vanatoo fits your description almost perfectly: https://vanatoo.com/shop/speakers/transparent-one-encore-plus/

 

Why not another big Klipsch to stay in the family? Just looking at USAM in your state alone there's a Forte IV, two Cornwall III's, and a Klipshorn

 

I agree with @Armaegis. If you want high efficiency for around $2k, look for a used pair of Cornwalls or even Chorus II's (like a bigger Forte) if they ever come up for sale. Personally I like modified Cornwalls better than any Klipschorn I've ever heard.

 

Appreciate it fellas. Love my modified Quartets so might just wait around for the right deal to pop up and for my wallet to recover from Christmas. I bet some Cornwalls would be amazing once I update them.

 

If you want to be thorough and have the opportunity, maybe check out some Altecs since you seem to have enough space. Model 19's sound very nice, can be had for around 2k and are rated at 99db, the Valencia's can sound very nice as well and are pretty similar to the A7's but can usually be had much cheaper and I think higher efficiency than the 19's.

 

@Erroneous , my path to find low watt, hi res speakers has lead my through the Perfect Set 15 , Kilpsch LaScala , Cornwall IV, Devore 0/96 and Altec 19. Of these the Cornwalls and Altecs have performed the best in a large room, and the Altecs are probably the best value for the money. I'll be exploring more of their models.

 

If you've got the space, even some big 'ol JBLs or pro cabinets may be worth looking at too.

 

Previous inexpensive powered subwoofer, ELAC S8, died today. Need a new recommendation for a sub under my desk - the S8 is not easily serviceable or even economical to fix in terms of time needed relative to cost I paid for it.

Will be fed by a pair of Vanatoo T0 using the subwoofer out on the T0 (T0 has it's own built in DSP / DAC already). Ran the old sub on LFE mode, T0 doesn't have L/R sub out, but could just get a Y cable if needed.

Looking for a new inexpensive sub. Here's what I'd like:

- 12-16" - no replacement for displacement... except it's small under my desk.
- $250 max
- Doesn't run hot + sturdy + can sit on carpet without catching itself on fire - so I can set my feet on this as desired, even in summer. Yes, I know this is dumb, and that's 60% of why it's $250 max.
- Will be used at for my desk setup under my desk in a somewhat tight space.
- Want an integrated amp - no space for separate amp.
- Integrated cross overs and frequency response up to at least ~130Hz.
- Bottom firing if possible, not that important

100% realize that this isn't going to be a super hi-fi setup. Sub doesn't need to get super loud.
Didn't see any used speedwoofers or SVS near me for sale. Will probably just get a Dayton for <$150-200 if nothing compelling comes up.

 

Dude, how big is your desk if you're thinking you'll fit a 16" plate amp subwoofer under there??

 

that's what I have under my desk at home (but mines either an 8", or maybe a 10")... paired with some old, pos audioengine powered speakers. Not audioquality by any means, but gets the job done for my use...
----edit----
I was wrong... I didn't get the dayton, I got this: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004SH4UZ2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

 

@penguins, I run a sub with my Vanatoo T0. The first I tried was the Dayton ported SUB-1200. I didn't like it at all with my Vanatoo T0. I returned it to Parts Express and picked up a b-stock Rythmik L12. I've been very pleased with that and kept it for years. Way better match with the T0 all around, and easier to integrate given its adjustable phase (not just a 0/180 switch).

After my unpleasant experience with the Dayton, I'd rather just go subless and save my money for a better sub. If the Rythmik was too much money, I'd consider a Speedwoofer 10. If that's too much money and/or the $250 budget is fixed and/or you don't want to wait and save, I'd probably go with a Monoprice sub.

Reminder you don't need a crossover on your sub. The Vanatoo implements a low pass filter to the subwoofer-out.

 

Check out the Nemo Propaganda channel on YouTube. He somewhat specializes in home subwoofers and has recos at all price levels. He also has a free Discord in case you have questions.

 

I bought two of the 8" Monoprice THX subwoofers when they were on sale and paired them with my Vanatoo T1E+. They work great, have 1-180 phase adjustment and one would be more than fine under a desk. Erin's Audio Corner did a comprehensive review on them and they have more than enough output to pair with Vanatoo's unless you listen at very high volumes and sit in a big room. I run mine sealed and when dialed-in I don't hear any rattle or other obvious defects in their build. Five year warranty so the cheap plate-amp isn't a concern.

 

Desk is 24x48. 16" fits but cuts into my foot space slightly if I'm facing the empty space on my desk instead of my monitor. Hence the "must be able to kick feet on sub" requirement. Which leads to my $250 budget as well.

@zonto I figured it was the Vanatoo doing all the DSP, but I've also found playing around with the last sub that if I left the filter at 200Hz instead of 185Hz or so, the upper end of the bass would sound weird. 90% sure it was a "cheap sub issue", but figured I'd list it just in case it was a Vanatoo issue.

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I looked for used or b-stock Rythmic and REL in addition to speedwoofer and SVS as well. Didn't find anything and my understanding is most of this stuff doesn't pop up used too often. How often do these go on sale or have b-stock?

FWIW, I technically could spend over $250, but I don't want to because I don't do much hi-fi listening at my desk with the speakers - this is more for background music, casual media consumption, or non-competitive games. Often times I feel like the media I consume (especially if streamed), the weird sound settings in a lot of games, etc. - my sound system could be better absolutely, but it's not holding me back that much.