Small Desktop Speakers <£100

Tiny Clanger · 8 Apr 2020 at 13:35

I've had my current speakers (Creative T20 Series 1) for donkeys years and recently the volume/on/off switch has become increasingly crackely and distorting no matter how much switch cleaner I put into it - I'm not skilled enough to replace it and I imagine that paying someone else to repair it would cost more than the value of the speakers.

If I was to replace them - I'd be looking for a similar sized speaker as there's not a great deal of space on the desk and I don't really want to spend more that £100. I have seen that the Steljes NS1 can still be purchased even though it's no longer manufactured and is within my budget (and they're small). Are there any other speakers I should be considering? Main use is for PC games when I don't have to use my headphones and for Spotify from time to time...

Marsman · 8 Apr 2020 at 19:48

I think the NS1 is probably the best bet. There really aren't many decent powered speakers that are as small. Speakers with 4" woofers are more common, but then they are larger. Given the lack of choice for a small 3" multimedia powered speaker, I'm surprised Steljes no longer make them. They still make the larger NS3, AFAIK.

Closest in size to the NS1, is probably Audioengine A2+; but they cost twice as much, if not more. Kanto YU2 are slightly larger, but again, twice the cost.

There are a few small studio monitor speakers that have 3" woofers (same size as in the NS1), but studio monitor speakers tend to have larger cabinets in relation to the woofer size. Mackie CR3 for example, has 3" woofers as do the NS1, but the CR3 cabinet is 4-5 cm larger.

Tiny Clanger · 8 Apr 2020 at 20:17

Thanks Marsman.

There didn't seem to be many reviews of the NS1's on t'internet - but I'm assuming they are a reasonable speaker - the larger NS3 seem to get good reviews so fingers crossed. The only problem is the only colour available is 'solar yellow' - so I'll have to look past that ;-)

Tiny Clanger · 15 Apr 2020 at 22:40

NS1's arrived today and I am chuffed to bits with them - so, so, so much better than the T20s. Sound is in a different league, no more crackling volume control and Bluetooth connectivity is a nice add on. Also - whilst I wouldn't have chosen the yellow had the blue or bamboo had been available (it was Hobsons choice) - they do really brighten up the desk. So - all in all very pleased with my ~£85 investment.