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Best desktop speakers for under $1000?

Profoundsoup
By Profoundsoup
in Audio
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I have an O2 AMP/DAC that I can connect RCA cables into so I was wondering what my BEST option for a pair of desktop speakers would be. Could I buy a pair of bookshelf speakers and hook them up via RCA, or should I get a USB powered pair? What is my best option? Thanks! 

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I always wanted a pair of Monster Clarity HD Model Ones, they're supposed to sound terrific and they've had a huge price drop. Used to be $750, now you can get them for well under $300. Plus, they look fantastic.

 

DSC019261.jpg

      

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Adam 7X seems to have good reviews on the net: http://www.amazon.com/Adam-Audio-7-inch-Nearfield-Monitors/dp/B00CUL18RG/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1423524795&sr=8-2&keywords=adam+7x

 

>Monster

 

No, just no

PC Build in LTT Gallery - JBL J88 - Fostex T50RP (Modded) - Pioneer SE-A1000 vs audio-technica ATH-AD500X - Skullcandy Aviator  
audio-technica ATH-T400 - CHC Silverado and Laredo - Clip-On Headphone Roundup - Sony LinkBuds

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Focal CMS 50 Studio Monitors.

 

These are Pro grade, and my studio has them set up in one of the control rooms.

The projects never end in my line of work.

CPU: Dual Xeon E5-2650v2 || GPU: Dual Quadro K5000 || Motherboard: Asus Z9PE-D8 || RAM: 64GB Corsair Vengeance || Monitors: Dual LG 34UM95, NEC MultiSync EA244UHD || Storage: Dual Samsung 850 Pro 256GB in Raid 0, 6x WD Re 4TB in Raid 1 || Sound: Xonar Essense STX (Mainly for Troubleshooting and listening test) || PSU: Corsair Ax1500i

CPU: Core i7 5820k @ 4.7GHz || GPU: Dual Titan X || Motherboard: Asus X99 Deluxe || RAM: 32GB Crucial Ballistix Sport || Monitors: MX299Q, 29UB65, LG 34UM95 || Storage: Dual Samsung 850 EVO 1 TB in Raid 0, Samsung 850 EVO 250GB, 2TB Toshiba scratch disk, 3TB Seagate Barracuda || PSU: EVGA 1000w PS Platinum

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Im looking for high end speakers. My harmon kardon Gla55 started to wear out after 2 years of blasting them, so Im looking for HIGH end speakers to replace them.

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Im looking for high end speakers. My harmon kardon Gla55 started to wear out after 2 years of blasting them, so Im looking for HIGH end speakers to replace them.

 

Studio monitors are what you'll be looking at for a bookshelf pair, which is what some of us have been recommending.

PC Build in LTT Gallery - JBL J88 - Fostex T50RP (Modded) - Pioneer SE-A1000 vs audio-technica ATH-AD500X - Skullcandy Aviator  
audio-technica ATH-T400 - CHC Silverado and Laredo - Clip-On Headphone Roundup - Sony LinkBuds

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Those all seemed pretty cheap.......what are some $1000-$500 studio monitors?

http://www.focal.com/en/cms/165-cms-50-3544050801301.html

 

The Focals I recommended are between 500 and 600 a piece. You'll need 2 of them for a pair.

 

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/CMS50v2

The projects never end in my line of work.

CPU: Dual Xeon E5-2650v2 || GPU: Dual Quadro K5000 || Motherboard: Asus Z9PE-D8 || RAM: 64GB Corsair Vengeance || Monitors: Dual LG 34UM95, NEC MultiSync EA244UHD || Storage: Dual Samsung 850 Pro 256GB in Raid 0, 6x WD Re 4TB in Raid 1 || Sound: Xonar Essense STX (Mainly for Troubleshooting and listening test) || PSU: Corsair Ax1500i

CPU: Core i7 5820k @ 4.7GHz || GPU: Dual Titan X || Motherboard: Asus X99 Deluxe || RAM: 32GB Crucial Ballistix Sport || Monitors: MX299Q, 29UB65, LG 34UM95 || Storage: Dual Samsung 850 EVO 1 TB in Raid 0, Samsung 850 EVO 250GB, 2TB Toshiba scratch disk, 3TB Seagate Barracuda || PSU: EVGA 1000w PS Platinum

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Gotta spend maximum dough for full audiofeels.

 

everyone knows the more you spend the more rainbows shoot into your ears.

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What kind of connections do those use and how would you set them up?

 

XLR and RCA inputs. They do draw a pretty substantial bit of power, but they are absolutely incredible across the entire frequency range.

The projects never end in my line of work.

CPU: Dual Xeon E5-2650v2 || GPU: Dual Quadro K5000 || Motherboard: Asus Z9PE-D8 || RAM: 64GB Corsair Vengeance || Monitors: Dual LG 34UM95, NEC MultiSync EA244UHD || Storage: Dual Samsung 850 Pro 256GB in Raid 0, 6x WD Re 4TB in Raid 1 || Sound: Xonar Essense STX (Mainly for Troubleshooting and listening test) || PSU: Corsair Ax1500i

CPU: Core i7 5820k @ 4.7GHz || GPU: Dual Titan X || Motherboard: Asus X99 Deluxe || RAM: 32GB Crucial Ballistix Sport || Monitors: MX299Q, 29UB65, LG 34UM95 || Storage: Dual Samsung 850 EVO 1 TB in Raid 0, Samsung 850 EVO 250GB, 2TB Toshiba scratch disk, 3TB Seagate Barracuda || PSU: EVGA 1000w PS Platinum

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XLR and RCA inputs. They do draw a pretty substantial bit of power, but they are absolutely incredible across the entire frequency range.

I was looking at something like this http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DCYMVB2/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00DCYMVB2&linkCode=as2&tag=wirerealm-20&linkId=5AEVLNAXMLT2BJ5J

 

If i buy 2 of them then can I just hook them up using XLR to RCA adapters or how would this work?

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I was looking at something like this http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DCYMVB2/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00DCYMVB2&linkCode=as2&tag=wirerealm-20&linkId=5AEVLNAXMLT2BJ5J

 

If i buy 2 of them then can I just hook them up using XLR to RCA adapters or how would this work?

 

I wouldn't use something like these through a normal sound card. A dedicated audio interface (capable of send AND receive from the system) with XLR output is what would be best.

The projects never end in my line of work.

CPU: Dual Xeon E5-2650v2 || GPU: Dual Quadro K5000 || Motherboard: Asus Z9PE-D8 || RAM: 64GB Corsair Vengeance || Monitors: Dual LG 34UM95, NEC MultiSync EA244UHD || Storage: Dual Samsung 850 Pro 256GB in Raid 0, 6x WD Re 4TB in Raid 1 || Sound: Xonar Essense STX (Mainly for Troubleshooting and listening test) || PSU: Corsair Ax1500i

CPU: Core i7 5820k @ 4.7GHz || GPU: Dual Titan X || Motherboard: Asus X99 Deluxe || RAM: 32GB Crucial Ballistix Sport || Monitors: MX299Q, 29UB65, LG 34UM95 || Storage: Dual Samsung 850 EVO 1 TB in Raid 0, Samsung 850 EVO 250GB, 2TB Toshiba scratch disk, 3TB Seagate Barracuda || PSU: EVGA 1000w PS Platinum

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I wouldn't use something like these through a normal sound card. A dedicated audio interface (capable of send AND receive from the system) with XLR output is what would be best.

I have an O2 AMP/DAC....

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I have an O2 AMP/DAC....

 

I mean something like this with balanced XLR outputs.

 

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ProFX12

The projects never end in my line of work.

CPU: Dual Xeon E5-2650v2 || GPU: Dual Quadro K5000 || Motherboard: Asus Z9PE-D8 || RAM: 64GB Corsair Vengeance || Monitors: Dual LG 34UM95, NEC MultiSync EA244UHD || Storage: Dual Samsung 850 Pro 256GB in Raid 0, 6x WD Re 4TB in Raid 1 || Sound: Xonar Essense STX (Mainly for Troubleshooting and listening test) || PSU: Corsair Ax1500i

CPU: Core i7 5820k @ 4.7GHz || GPU: Dual Titan X || Motherboard: Asus X99 Deluxe || RAM: 32GB Crucial Ballistix Sport || Monitors: MX299Q, 29UB65, LG 34UM95 || Storage: Dual Samsung 850 EVO 1 TB in Raid 0, Samsung 850 EVO 250GB, 2TB Toshiba scratch disk, 3TB Seagate Barracuda || PSU: EVGA 1000w PS Platinum

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Posted (edited)

 

Yes, although I know a few people who have been disappointed with those monitors.

 

I am curious why you want such expensive speakers though, Profoundsoup

Edited by Prastupok

The projects never end in my line of work.

CPU: Dual Xeon E5-2650v2 || GPU: Dual Quadro K5000 || Motherboard: Asus Z9PE-D8 || RAM: 64GB Corsair Vengeance || Monitors: Dual LG 34UM95, NEC MultiSync EA244UHD || Storage: Dual Samsung 850 Pro 256GB in Raid 0, 6x WD Re 4TB in Raid 1 || Sound: Xonar Essense STX (Mainly for Troubleshooting and listening test) || PSU: Corsair Ax1500i

CPU: Core i7 5820k @ 4.7GHz || GPU: Dual Titan X || Motherboard: Asus X99 Deluxe || RAM: 32GB Crucial Ballistix Sport || Monitors: MX299Q, 29UB65, LG 34UM95 || Storage: Dual Samsung 850 EVO 1 TB in Raid 0, Samsung 850 EVO 250GB, 2TB Toshiba scratch disk, 3TB Seagate Barracuda || PSU: EVGA 1000w PS Platinum

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Yes, although I know a few people who have been disappointed with those monitors.

 

I am curious why you want such expensive speakers though, Profoundsoup

because my previous speakers retail for $1k and they sounded great but I want to see what else is out there. Also I am a huge addict when it comes to sound quality. Currently rocking the Beyerdynamic T1's as my daily headphones.

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Genelec also has some great alternatives for <$1000. I'm currently using Genelec 8020B's with Cambridge Audio DacMagic Plus and I've been very satisfied with them. Been thinking about upgrading to the 8030's though for a bit more oomph in the bass region.

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because my previous speakers retail for $1k and they sounded great but I want to see what else is out there. Also I am a huge addict when it comes to sound quality. Currently rocking the Beyerdynamic T1's as my daily headphones.

 

Well, I will say there are cheaper options that will probably sound better to your ears.

 

Expensive doesn't necessarily mean quality.

The projects never end in my line of work.

CPU: Dual Xeon E5-2650v2 || GPU: Dual Quadro K5000 || Motherboard: Asus Z9PE-D8 || RAM: 64GB Corsair Vengeance || Monitors: Dual LG 34UM95, NEC MultiSync EA244UHD || Storage: Dual Samsung 850 Pro 256GB in Raid 0, 6x WD Re 4TB in Raid 1 || Sound: Xonar Essense STX (Mainly for Troubleshooting and listening test) || PSU: Corsair Ax1500i

CPU: Core i7 5820k @ 4.7GHz || GPU: Dual Titan X || Motherboard: Asus X99 Deluxe || RAM: 32GB Crucial Ballistix Sport || Monitors: MX299Q, 29UB65, LG 34UM95 || Storage: Dual Samsung 850 EVO 1 TB in Raid 0, Samsung 850 EVO 250GB, 2TB Toshiba scratch disk, 3TB Seagate Barracuda || PSU: EVGA 1000w PS Platinum

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Try passive speakers maybe? I generally like KEF although i dont really know a lot about speakers

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