Desk Speaker Upgrade?

[Daethz]

So I have a $4000 desktop, a $200 keyboard, a $120 mouse paired with a.... $30 pair of desk speakers!!!! (Logitech Z313)

What are some good options? Not looking for 'top end' audio, but reasonable high quality audio.

 

I have kept these so long because they fit snugly under the monitors and the higher-end ones are huge and tower above the bottom of the monitors.

But I do really detest the extra wired dongle control, less wires = better

[dizmo]

Mackie CR line is pretty solid. If you really need, buy monitor arms so you can raise them a bit. Or a larger desk.

[Daethz]

1 minute ago, dizmo said:

Mackie CR line is pretty solid. If you really need, buy monitor arms so you can raise them a bit. Or a larger desk.

I have plans to do randomfrankp's (youtuber) ikea desk hack, but butcherblock countertops have been out of stock worse than GPU's for months...

Mackie is one of those bookshelf speakers, I'm apprehensive because they don't have subwoofers?

[ChaoticChaosx]

Check out the "Creative Pebble V2" are what I've been using since my build (after mini soundbar died) and I think they sound really good for the price on amazon. Also under my monitor if thats what your wanting. Otherwise then the yes Mackie CR for sure.

[dizmo]

5 minutes ago, Daethz said:

I have plans to do randomfrankp's (youtuber) ikea desk hack, but butcherblock countertops have been out of stock worse than GPU's for months...

Mackie is one of those bookshelf speakers, I'm apprehensive because they don't have subwoofers?

They come in different sizes. They're also quite affordable. If you can only fit the 3" versions in your space, it doesn't cost a whole lot more to add their subwoofer. I have the CR5BTs and honestly, I don't really need a sub. It has pretty good bass.

1 minute ago, ChaoticChaosx said:

Check out the "Creative Pebble V2" are what I've been using since my build (after mini soundbar died) and I think they sound really good for the price on amazon. Also under my monitor.

I had the V1s, and they definitely weren't bad for their size. You'd definitely get better sound out of something like the Mackies though.

[Daethz]

4 minutes ago, dizmo said:

They come in different sizes. They're also quite affordable. If you can only fit the 3" versions in your space, it doesn't cost a whole lot more to add their subwoofer. I have the CR5BTs and honestly, I don't really need a sub. It has pretty good bass.

I had the V1s, and they definitely weren't bad for their size. You'd definitely get better sound out of something like the Mackies though.

Hows Audioengine compared to Mackie?

 

I know some of the youtubers I watch have audioengine A5's and a different model and they seem to love them

 

I just haven't pulled the trigger because i would have to wall mount them. Thats not a deal breaker but it would take effort

[dizmo]

7 minutes ago, Daethz said:

Hows Audioengine compared to Mackie?

 

I know some of the youtubers I watch have audioengine A5's and a different model and they seem to love them

 

I just haven't pulled the trigger because i would have to wall mount them. Thats not a deal breaker but it would take effort

Probably pretty similar, I was looking at AudioEngines as well and went with the Mackie instead. YouTubers generally either get them for free, or copy each others style to fit in. Not really the best way to decide on something IMO. You also can't add a subwoofer as easily, should you want to go that route. The 5s are significantly bigger than the 3s, which should fit under a monitor if you were to raise it a bit.

[Daethz]

3 minutes ago, dizmo said:

YouTubers generally either get them for free, or copy each others style to fit in.

This is true. But when they keep the same one for multiple years you know they aren't just keeping them for marketing.

When you see them swap stuff out every day thats when you know lol.

[geo3]

What's your budget? 

[dizmo]

57 minutes ago, Daethz said:

This is true. But when they keep the same one for multiple years you know they aren't just keeping them for marketing.

When you see them swap stuff out every day thats when you know lol.

Eh debatable, I don't think there are many companies offering them up. When was the last time you saw Logitech try to promote their speaker systems?

[Entropy.]

1 hour ago, Daethz said:

This is true. But when they keep the same one for multiple years you know they aren't just keeping them for marketing.

When you see them swap stuff out every day thats when you know lol.

Audioengine is a very... consumerist "hifi" company imo. They're in a unique position in the market from what I've seen, and afaik they don't feel the need to innovate much because their sales still remain fairly strong even without significantly updated products. Their products also hold some revere among consumers- for example, a year back, I didn't know a ton about audio. I might have seen the name somewhere, but when I thought of speaker companies, basically the first one was audioengine, even though the only times I might've seen their name was on a forum somewhere, or scrolling through youtube, perhaps in a video somewhere, nothing I could recall. Despite that, I knew how at least one of their products looked, I knew their name even though I had little to no experience with them, and I automatically respected them, for whatever reason. This could've just been me, but I feel like that's not exactly the case. Now, what we recommend is going to depend on a few factors. 

1 hour ago, Daethz said:

What are some good options? Not looking for 'top end' audio, but reasonable high quality audio.

 

I have kept these so long because they fit snugly under the monitors and the higher-end ones are huge and tower above the bottom of the monitors.

But I do really detest the extra wired dongle control, less wires = better

Please try to thoroughly read and answer the below. While some of these questions aren't necessary, they'll give a good idea of what your needs are. 

 

1. This will be used for a desktop audio setup, correct? (You will be within ~4 feet of it for the majority of the time you're using it?) Will you be just listening to music, doing professional work, ect? Can your provide a rough budget, even if you're unsure of how much you want to spend? 

 

2. Do you care about convenience? Are there any special features you'd like to have included? You talk about cables, do you mind say, one or two extra cables, or say, an extra metal box or two somewhere on/around your desk (dac/amp)?

3. Do you have any space constraints for anything? For the speakers, other electronics, whatnot; Width, height, ect. A picture may help if you'd like to provide it.

 

4. Is there a type tuning/sound curve you like, any characteristics in particular? If you don't really know what that means, Do you like a lot of bass (e.g, a kick drum), treble (E.G, a symbol), midrange (E.G human voices, if you say a band this is where about 80% of them would live)? Do you want it to just be balanced? A lot of something, a little of something? Is there anything you feel that's missing from your current speakers?

 

5. Room- Is there anything exceptional about your room? Does it have a ton of absorbent material? (leather furniture, heavily carpeted floors, sound panels/dampening, filled bookshelves, heavy curtains, ect.), or reflective material? (especially metals, but hardwood floors, tile or metal flooring, normal glass, wood furniture, ect.), or is it just fairly normal all-around? Is it in a really weird shape? 

 

6. Distance from wall- How far away will the (back) of your speaker be from a wall/corner, and how far from the wall are you willing to place them? A rough number or range would be appreciated, anything to get an idea. This can be pretty important. If there's going to be something behind the speakers, that might be important as well. 

[Daethz]

On 6/13/2021 at 9:32 PM, Brok3n But who cares? said:

Audioengine is a very... consumerist "hifi" company imo. They're in a unique position in the market from what I've seen, and afaik they don't feel the need to innovate much because their sales still remain fairly strong even without significantly updated products. Their products also hold some revere among consumers- for example, a year back, I didn't know a ton about audio. I might have seen the name somewhere, but when I thought of speaker companies, basically the first one was audioengine, even though the only times I might've seen their name was on a forum somewhere, or scrolling through youtube, perhaps in a video somewhere, nothing I could recall. Despite that, I knew how at least one of their products looked, I knew their name even though I had little to no experience with them, and I automatically respected them, for whatever reason. This could've just been me, but I feel like that's not exactly the case. Now, what we recommend is going to depend on a few factors. 

Please try to thoroughly read and answer the below. While some of these questions aren't necessary, they'll give a good idea of what your needs are. 

 

1. This will be used for a desktop audio setup, correct? (You will be within ~4 feet of it for the majority of the time you're using it?) Will you be just listening to music, doing professional work, ect? Can your provide a rough budget, even if you're unsure of how much you want to spend? 

 

2. Do you care about convenience? Are there any special features you'd like to have included? You talk about cables, do you mind say, one or two extra cables, or say, an extra metal box or two somewhere on/around your desk (dac/amp)?

3. Do you have any space constraints for anything? For the speakers, other electronics, whatnot; Width, height, ect. A picture may help if you'd like to provide it.

 

4. Is there a type tuning/sound curve you like, any characteristics in particular? If you don't really know what that means, Do you like a lot of bass (e.g, a kick drum), treble (E.G, a symbol), midrange (E.G human voices, if you say a band this is where about 80% of them would live)? Do you want it to just be balanced? A lot of something, a little of something? Is there anything you feel that's missing from your current speakers?

 

5. Room- Is there anything exceptional about your room? Does it have a ton of absorbent material? (leather furniture, heavily carpeted floors, sound panels/dampening, filled bookshelves, heavy curtains, ect.), or reflective material? (especially metals, but hardwood floors, tile or metal flooring, normal glass, wood furniture, ect.), or is it just fairly normal all-around? Is it in a really weird shape? 

 

6. Distance from wall- How far away will the (back) of your speaker be from a wall/corner, and how far from the wall are you willing to place them? A rough number or range would be appreciated, anything to get an idea. This can be pretty important. If there's going to be something behind the speakers, that might be important as well. 

Boy did I lose track of this thread..

 

Researching today I really like the Audioengine A2+'s even though linus kinda trashes them in a review and The A5+'s are too big.

I have a ultrawide taking up most of the center of the desk, to the right of that is a router between the monitor and edge of the desk, to the left is a second 27" monitor angled towards me, so theres no room on the sides of the monitors, and I don't really want to raise my monitor much more above ~6 inches off the desk, I might be able to stand up to ~7 but no higher.

 

Because I'd like to be able to fit them under my ultrawide, the A2+'s should be as tall as my old ones are, which fit right under the ultrawide now, it's on a arm so i can lift it a little comfortably.

 

1: yes desktop audio, about arms length away

2: uhh, less interaction is better, like if I don't have to turn them on and off, I have to turn off my logitechs when I turn off my pc now, else they have a led that bother me when im trying to sleep (office/bedroom setup) so no led's when off especially.

4: I like balanced, just because I also game with them, and I like to be able to understand what npc's are saying, that said most of the music I listen to is light on vocals.

5: carpeted bedroom, pretty full with furniture

6: well right now my speakers are 3/4 to the back of the desk, 8 inches away from the wall 25 inches from me 

 

Oh right, and I suppose I don't reaaaly want to go over $300 for speakers, unless theres one thats more expensive that's the undisputed god of speakers

[Derkoli]

13 hours ago, Daethz said:

Boy did I lose track of this thread..

 

Researching today I really like the Audioengine A2+'s even though linus kinda trashes them in a review and The A5+'s are too big.

I have a ultrawide taking up most of the center of the desk, to the right of that is a router between the monitor and edge of the desk, to the left is a second 27" monitor angled towards me, so theres no room on the sides of the monitors, and I don't really want to raise my monitor much more above ~6 inches off the desk, I might be able to stand up to ~7 but no higher.

 

Because I'd like to be able to fit them under my ultrawide, the A2+'s should be as tall as my old ones are, which fit right under the ultrawide now, it's on a arm so i can lift it a little comfortably.

 

1: yes desktop audio, about arms length away

2: uhh, less interaction is better, like if I don't have to turn them on and off, I have to turn off my logitechs when I turn off my pc now, else they have a led that bother me when im trying to sleep (office/bedroom setup) so no led's when off especially.

4: I like balanced, just because I also game with them, and I like to be able to understand what npc's are saying, that said most of the music I listen to is light on vocals.

5: carpeted bedroom, pretty full with furniture

6: well right now my speakers are 3/4 to the back of the desk, 8 inches away from the wall 25 inches from me 

 

Oh right, and I suppose I don't reaaaly want to go over $300 for speakers, unless theres one thats more expensive that's the undisputed god of speakers

Small and 300 USD? IK Multimedia iLoud Micros. Can't beat them for the size. Measure well, convenient, are DSP controlled and IMO they sound excellent. I keep a pair on me whenever I'm at work or travelling.

 

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/iloud-micro-monitors-measurements-and-quasi-anechoic-spinorama.10988/

 

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/iLoudMicro--ik-multimedia-iloud-micro-monitors-pair

[ToboRobot]

On 6/13/2021 at 8:47 PM, Daethz said:

So I have a $4000 desktop, a $200 keyboard, a $120 mouse paired with a.... $30 pair of desk speakers!!!! (Logitech Z313)

What are some good options? Not looking for 'top end' audio, but reasonable high quality audio.

 

I have kept these so long because they fit snugly under the monitors and the higher-end ones are huge and tower above the bottom of the monitors.

But I do really detest the extra wired dongle control, less wires = better

If you like nice things and want great sound, get a component stereo amp and a pair of speakers.

I have an old pair of Energy bookshelf speakers and a basic stereo amp and it sounds better than any computer kits you get and it's easy to upgrade and expand as you want.

[geo3]

19 hours ago, Daethz said:

Oh right, and I suppose I don't reaaaly want to go over $300 for speakers, unless theres one thats more expensive that's the undisputed god of speakers

Small and under $300 and sounds pretty good:  Micca RB42 + a decent speaker amp. Like SMSL SA300, Sabaj A10. 

 

Or if you don't mind DIY. The $200 base kit of this  https://www.gr-research.com/store/p103/"The_Mini".html It will far out class anything remotely close to it's price range. You will need an amp again with this. 

 

If you want powered then iLoud micro, but they really lack low-end. 

[Daethz]

yikes so many brands and models I have never seen or heard of before 

hey LTT I have an idea, a video ranking the best desktop speakers of 2021 (for gaming) 

 

I think im still leaning on the A2+'s just because of the frequency of youtubers I have seen with them/ltt even did a video on them, but linus called them flat and boring, 

 

I'd rather not need a AMP on top of buying speakers

[H713]

4 hours ago, Daethz said:

yikes so many brands and models I have never seen or heard of before 

hey LTT I have an idea, a video ranking the best desktop speakers of 2021 (for gaming) 

 

I think im still leaning on the A2+'s just because of the frequency of youtubers I have seen with them/ltt even did a video on them, but linus called them flat and boring, 

 

I'd rather not need a AMP on top of buying speakers

 

Linus, along with most other tech youtubers, don't have the knowledge or equipment or experience to do a good speaker or amplifier review. 

 

There isn't a good audio review system out there, really. Amir has tried with  Audio Science Review, but it's far from being perfect information. The sample sizes are too small, it's only one person (you want multiple people with similar setups measuring multiple samples of the same equipment), and for some types of products he doesn't take enough measurements. Some of the products measured are being used outside of their intended application, which further complicates things. Ideally you'd be able to demo a whole bunch of speakers in your specific room and application. That's not realistic unless you're a big studio looking to spend a lot of money on monitors. 

 

Trying to rank speakers is tricky. For example, if speaker A has an issue with diffraction ripple around the crossover issue, but is capable of playing down to 40 Hz while speaker B is flat, but can't go below 80 Hz, which one is better? Without knowing the intended application, it's impossible to say. 

 

Audioengine makes OK stuff. It's going to be worlds better than anything from Logitech, though don't expect it to be an ATC / Quested - it's not. 

[Daethz]

12 hours ago, H713 said:

Audioengine makes OK stuff. It's going to be worlds better than anything from Logitech, though don't expect it to be an ATC / Quested - it's not. 

I must have really bad ears because I think my super cheap Logitech setup sounds great, but man is it outdated, tech has had to improve since the early 2010's when i got these.

Heck I think the earbuds that came with my galaxy s20 aren't bad

[Entropy.]

 

3 minutes ago, Daethz said:

I must have really bad ears because I think my super cheap Logitech setup sounds great, but man is it outdated, tech has had to improve since the early 2010's when i got these.

Heck I think the earbuds that came with my galaxy s20 aren't bad

Well have you experienced anything better?

[Daethz]

4 minutes ago, Brok3n But who cares? said:

 

Well have you experienced anything better?

Ironically the best audio I have experienced was the Razer man o war headset, before it broke, seemed... clearer for lack of wording.

And mainly I listen to music on my galaxy buds plus

[Entropy.]

Just now, Daethz said:

Ironically the best audio I have experienced was the Razer man o war headset, before it broke, seemed... clearer for lack of wording.

There you go. I'd encourage you to either take a look at a local bestbuy (sometimes, larger stores will have a section, or (a) room(s) with speakers that you're able to demo. You could also try to find audio stores (especially those that specialize in speakers) near you, where you could go to to demo equipment. The point of this being to both try and get an idea of what higher-end, or "good" (grain of salt) audio sounds like, and to have a benchmark to compare other systems to. Essentially I'm encouraging you if possible to go out and try to experience better audio then your a2s- possibly after they arrive if you've already ordered them, just to see how some nicer speakers stack up against them. If you ever decide that you might want something better, audioengine offers free returns for 30 days, and Derkoli, Geo3, H713, Other members, and I would be happy to help with other component selection, and some already have recommended monitors, such as the iloud micro monitors.

 

17 hours ago, Daethz said:

yikes so many brands and models I have never seen or heard of before 

Kind of the thing with this system. A lot of these companies offer great products, but are somewhat obscure.

Quote

hey LTT I have an idea, a video ranking the best desktop speakers of 2021 (for gaming) 

As was stated by geo3, 

1. Most youtubers doing audio reviews is kind of a joke. A lot of them don't know squat, and you cant expect many to be unbiased or completely free of outside influence, *especially* larger channels. On top of that, these channels seem to hardly be able to do any research whatsoever, but especially on products.

2. It's hard to do a ranking, as the objective performance of speakers is only part of the story. The Subjective performance of a product-which by nature will vary by person to person, depending on how they experience audio, their previous experiences, what they're looking for, ect- is much harder to define. 

Quote

I think im still leaning on the A2+'s just because of the frequency of youtubers I have seen with them/ltt even did a video on them, but linus called them flat and boring, 

Audioengine is... relatively well known, that doesn't make them inherently "good". I just noticed, Linus is interesting. Called the a2+'s "flat and boring" but he shills hd6xx/hd650s...? Probably not relevant to you, but that's... interesting, if I interpreted the meaning of his comment correctly.

Quote

I'd rather not need a AMP on top of buying speakers

There are a lot of powered monitors out there, such as the iloud micro monitors. You could also specify if the budget was for an entire (speaker) system, so we would know to include an amp and other components within the budget if we chose unpowered monitors to recommend to you.

[Derkoli]

28 minutes ago, Brok3n But who cares? said:

Called the a2+'s "flat and boring" but he shills hd6xx/hd650s...? Probably not relevant to you, but that's... interesting, if I interpreted the meaning of his comment correctly.

I've found that interesting aswell.

 

Maybe it's because the HD6XX's dig a bit deeper than the A2+'s? Room acoustics perhaps?