@o_holter - I've been enjoying a pair of John Blue JB-3 speakers on my desktop for several years. Currently powered by a little NuForce Icon integrated amp/DAC. They are very nice for nearfield listening. And they have excellent build quality. I do not use a sub.
Desktop single-driver speakers?
They are great for nearfield listening at low-moderate volume, e g late night listening in my home office, not waking everyone else in our house, throwing a limited but high quality soundscape.
They benefit from the bass port – and even more, from the single-driver solution. I have experience with the Audioengine A5+, the Aurum Cantus 2 SE, and some small Elacs – all are two-way, and I give a plus to the one-way Sony ZX1 (even if this is otherwise a more limited speaker), for coherence, due to no crossover, but rather trying to solve problems acoustically.
In my system, including an OTL tube headphone amp into the gain chain (reducing problems with the s-state internal amp in the speakers), and some DIY stands raising them from the desktop, they have worked very well indeed.
I have looked in vain for upgrades
from Sony, and have not seen much else in this way, either, from other
companies. Maybe someone else can fill me out?
I am looking for single driver speakers with desktop or small monitor dimensions, preferably easy to drive for a low power tube amp. They can be active speakers, like the ZX1, or passive. The room is 12 x 9 x 7 feet, but I am mainly listening nearfield just 3-5 feet away from the speakers. I am looking for the best nearfield moderate volume sound, not speakers or amps that can «fill» the room with volume.
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Here's something I read about a day ago: Active single driver monitors with DSP. Here's the preview to a possible review. All the best, |
@o_holter Thanks for clarifying. |
I am testing the Arche speakers and amp with a Fostex Submini sub, at my desktop. Works quite well, and the speakers are mellowing, less hard and sharp now. I wonder if this front-firing sub sounds best - most in line with the speakers - , if it stands a bit in front of them, at the desktop. Good stands / feet, and room to breathe, also clearly improve the sound of the sub as well as the speakers.
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- 38 posts total