smallest speakers relative to sound quality

Orafus · 20 Oct 2019 at 10:48

Hi

Any recommendations for the smallest desktop speakers which produce a relatively high-quality sound?
Basically I'm looking to minimise the compromise but I'd like to go as small as possible.

What would be even better would be if there is such a thing as a monitor which has good (and I know I'm not talking audiophile here) built-in sound but I wasn't sure whether to post that here or in the monitor section (since it's really about the speakers).

thanks

Chris.

Orafus · 23 Oct 2019 at 15:36

Thanks for the comments - it gives me something to work from.
I'm not needing audiophile quality (I have that elsewhere) - just the best compromise.
I'll read-up on the ones you suggested.
thanks
Chris.

Orafus · 24 Oct 2019 at 08:46

Thanks renegade - having looked into them the A2s seem to get a lot of love online. The main detractors state that they are overpriced for what they are but that's not really a concern since I'll be keeping them for at least 5-10 years. It would also seem that they now have Bluetooth which would be even better (less cables).
cheers
Chris.

Orafus · 24 Oct 2019 at 12:52

hadn't heard of these - and as you say £100 isn't to be sneezed at!
And no need for usb if we have Bluetooth.
Thanks Marsman

Orafus · 25 Oct 2019 at 15:18

Thanks for this too - keep 'em coming :-D

!

Orafus · 25 Oct 2019 at 22:07

Oooh, those Ruarks look nice :cool:

(expensive though! :eek:

)
Can anyone who owns them vouch for them?

Orafus · 26 Oct 2019 at 13:53

That's sound (if you'll pardon the unintended pun) advice gEd

gEd said:
Keep in mind that a speaker that doesn't take USB means it has no DAC so a) means it can be cheaper and b) means you rely on the quality of the analogue output of your computer, which can often be "so-so". The A2+ cost more as they have a decent built in DAC.

So yet another speaker tosses it's hat into the pile! This is getting more complicated than I first envisaged.

Here are the contenders as put forward by posters on this thread:

Audioengine A2+
Creative T20
BOSE Companion 20
Steljes NS1
Audio Pro T8L
Kef Egg
Ruark MR1
harman kardon soundsticks

Now all I need is for WhatHifi to get this little lot together and review them in one go :-)

(that's just me being lazy though).

time to start whittling!

Orafus · 26 Oct 2019 at 15:26

Thanks PapaLazaru.
This is indeed the tricky bit - but it's a nice decision to have to make.

Orafus · 27 Oct 2019 at 13:04

OK. Whittling has commenced. Down to:

Audioengine A2+
Steljes NS1
Audio Pro T8L
Ruark MR1

Discounted:
Creative T20 (looks like my current creative speakers and I need a change)
BOSE Companion 20 (as above)
Kef Egg (bit too quirky for me)
harman kardon soundsticks (looks a bit Anne Summers! :eek:

)

I'll whittle from those 4 down to 2 next. Still happy to take advice on the remaining participants

Orafus · 27 Oct 2019 at 15:10

Actually that was my next move (so it's spooky you should suggest it :eek:

)