Thread: Sitting at my desk in home office - switch to active monitors?

I have a "traditional" setup in my home office which includes an iMac, a Peachtree Audio Decco and a pair of Silverline Audio minuets. My home office is about 13ft. x 10ft. When I sit on my couch in the back of my office, my hi-res music sounds pretty darn good, however, I spend most of my time sitting at my desk and needless to say, 3 feet from my speakers is not the "sweet spot". I have done my homework on active monitors and know which ones to trial, but my first question is, are many of the folks on CA using an active monitor setup vs. a traditional hi-fi setup at the spot where their main computer resides?

I have always thought that monitors were more for recording professionals, but clearly for near-field applications (like sitting at a computer desk), this is a really nice option!

Not looking to swap out my entire setup, but hey, we are all gadget freaks and trading up for bigger toys is always fun, right?

Your thoughts/advice would be greatly appreciated!

Erik

Hi Erik - Active monitors can sound incredibly good. I don't think you should consider moving to actives simply because you listen to your system at such close distances. One reason may be to save space on your desk if the actives have a digital input, or if they sound better than your current setup.

I recommend looking at the Peachtree Design 5 (D5) loudspeakers if you stick with passive technology. If you move to actives you may want to consider Adam loudspeakers. I just got off the phone with someone at Sony Music who is looking at a pair of Adam speakers with the ribbon tweeter.


Just some thoughts to consider.

I just set up a home office and opted for passive monitors and an amp; the sound is great while sitting on my desk. Active monitors certainly lead to less clutter which is why, I suspect, they are so popular for this use. Doesn't the answer to your question have more to do with speaker placement than the choice between active and passive speakers?

Chris -

I did not think about passive monitors as an option. Are the D5's passive monitors or just regular speakers? I am not familiar with too many solid near-field passive options... any suggestions?

Thanks,

Erik

I made the switch from a traditional HiFi setup to computer-based audio for my main 2-ch rig a couple of years ago. I decided to go with active monitors because they are made for near-field listening and simplify the audio chain greatly. It's simply them, a DAC with volume control, and my iMac.

I haven't looked back yet.

The one caveat is that many active monitors are larger than your current speakers so keep that in mind if desk space is at a premium.

Bill

Thanks for your note! I noticed in your signature that you went with the Audioengine P4 speakers in your home office. Are these considered passive monitors? What is the difference between passive monitors, bookshelf speakers, and "regular" hi-fi speakers?

Erik: The audioengine P4 speakers are passive and they are wonderful speakers. There are a number of reviews for them online. There are plenty of people on this site who could do a better than than me of answering your question. Passive speakers need an amplifier. I use the N-22 amplifier along with the HRT music streamer II but you, of course, could use the peachtree decco both as the amplifier and the dac. I don't know any difference, off hand, between passive, bookshelf, and "hi-fi" speakers; I think of all of them as passive monitors. Powered monitors, unlike passive ones, do not need a separate amp since the amp is built into the monitors. The biggest advantage I see in using powered monitors for a desktop set-up is that they take up less space on a desk. Bill's comments on the advantages of powered monitors are, I think, spot on. I went with the N-22, P-4 combo, however, since I was not aware of any powered monitors in my price range that would work as well as this. Plus the N-22 is very slender (fits great on a desk), has a headphone amp, has rca and minijack inputs, has a usb slot that can power an ipod, and a line-out that can be used for a sub. In any case, I don't think that powered monitors are any better than passive monitors at making where you sit at your desk the "sweet spot." I know the P-4s work well on my desk and they are relatively small which helps. I have them sitting on a pair of stands that both isolate the speakers and tilt them up a bit which also helps. I do not have long experience in setting up music systems but all I can say is that my desk-top set up works beautifully well and it was relatively inexpensive. Miguel

I agree with bikemig, sounds like your issue is more related to speaker placement, rather that passive vs. active. Why do you need speakers on your desktop?

If you positioned full-field speakers (active or passive), so they will fill up the room, but not too close to your desk, would this address your issue? This is what my setup is like, with the desk across the room from the speakers.

I also have some good-quality (active) computer speakers, but I rarely turn them on - no use for them anymore.

HTH,
Rascal

I've got ATC SCM-16As positioned abt 5' from me in my office and the sound is outstanding. I have a traditional set-up in our great room and, because of space limitations in my office, have a combination headphone set-up and the ATCs for speaker listening. My source is a LIO-8. I'm a big fan of active monitors these days. I think it's SO much easier to get good sound out of an active set-up than the traditional amp/speaker set-up, especially in a near-field situation.

You could get a W4S Dac 1 or Dac 2 and run direct into some actives for a simple but great sounding rig. I was also worried that the actives might sound too clinical but don't find that to be the case at all. As a former SET/Horn guy, my preferred sonic flavor is a front row presentation with good dynamics. The ATCs deliver the goods, as well as having a great mid-range.

I use active monitors in my home office as well as in my main stereo rig.

The home office: J Kenny modded HiFace USB/SPDIF converter - Hegel HD-10 DAC - TC Electronic Level Pilot volume control - MK Sound 1611P active monitors.

Real loudspeakers instead of "multimedialifestyle" toys makes a world of difference and built-in amplification means a far less cluttered office space.

Al,

Just a quick question.. on your home office setup, why don't you go USB straight from your computer to the HD-10?

Erik

USB in on the HD-10 is max. 96k. I use HiFace to get 192k.

Also, all sample rates sound better via the modded HiFace.

Erik. All my best gear is in my office as well. It is set up almost exactly as you describe. And I agree the problem of near listening is a major one. For a couple of years, I tried passive bookself speakers siting on top of either side of my desk, but I was never happy. The main reason was lack of bass. I got so frustrated, that I moved them as surround speakers. And replaced them with floorstanders either side of the desk, pointed in a bit. Not ideal, I know, because I am pretty close to them, but I find this better than bookselfs. So if you are changing from floorstanders to active monitors, back sure you don't ignore the "bass"!

As a matter of interest, another option would be to use the "rears" in my office surround setup as a second set of stereo speakers on stands, and listen to the music in stereo coming from behind you (as you sit at the desk), then as surround rears for watching a movie on your couch... I'm working on this setup at the moment

Wap...

Thanks for all the great feedback and comments. Part of my challenge is that I have a large desk and there is no way for me to put speakers "behind" my desk and there is no space to the right or left of my desk.

I went and listened to the Adam A3x and A7x active monitors today. They sounded pretty good, but it was not an optimal room to audition them.

Right now, my likely replacement setup will be:

iMac->M2Tech hiFace-> Emotiva XDA-1 DAC --> Focal CMS 40 or Adam A5x

Still doing research and trying to find the optimal solution.....

Erik

Erik,

Try to get a side-by-side comparison between the Adams and the Dynaudio BM5A/BM6A if you can. They offer a nice alternative to the sound of the Adams that you might prefer for your taste in music.

Bill

Also, try getting a demo of the little PMC speakers (DB1 and maybe TB1) with your existing Peachtree setup. May surprise you (or may not - never tried the combo). PMC didn't choose their company name by accident. Also worth lookin at Spendor's S3/5R - based on the legendary BBC monitoring speakers.

Eloise

Paradigm will start selling direct active monitors that look really interesting: http://www.paradigm.com/shift/#.

There is a lot of buzz about them on the web, here is one "pre" review:
http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/bookshelf/active-atom.

At $500 a pair, these could be very good. The paradigm speakers I've listened to have been excellent.

Long time lurker, first time poster here.

I currently use a pair of Paradigm Titans (V3 with magnetic shielding, the earlier versions had no magnetic shielding) and they are satisfying in this context.

However, in my opinion, the best speakers for nearfield computer listening at a reasonable price are the John Blue JB3s ($370). They are tiny single driver speakers with a nice high gloss black finish. I bought them to replace the Paradigms, but my wife loved the look and sound of them so much that they ended up replacing the Omega Grande 6 speakers I was using for our living room (also hooked up to an iDecco, whose black gloss finish the JB3 speakers match well with). I use a Paradigm 5i sub with the JB3s in the living room but think that sub probably unnecessary in a nearfield computer system.

The Six Moons guys have been raving about the Gallo Reference Stradas as nearfield computer monitors but at $1500 - $2000 (not counting stands or a sub) those will set you back more.

I've been using the Musical Fidelity V-Link with the iDecco, JB3s and a Mac Mini that I use as a music server in the living room and the sound is amazingly satisfying (Pure Music with Flac and Apple Lossless files, Wireworld cables). Still not the equal of my VPI Scout/Lyra Argos/Eastern Electric Phono amp combo but getting a hell of a lot closer.

Love this site and forum by the way. Have learned a lot here (i.e. the V-Link, Pure Music, Wireworld cables, etc.).

Hi UL,

I am not exactly saying that the JB3s sound better than the Omegas. I think the JB3s sound slightly better when using the iDecco, probably due to the difference in sensitivity (the Jb3s are 88.5 db and the Omegas 92 db if memory serves). I found something similar when comparing the performance of the Omegas using an Onix SP-3 push pull amp versus the Omegas with an Eastern Electric pre-amp and a lower power Trends Audio 10.1 amp or a KingRex amp. The Onix SP3 seemed to have more power than the Omegas needed (especially at low volumes) and I prefered the two digital T amps as the power source. In short, the Omegas tend to favor lower watt amps, ideal for SET tube amps or the T amps.

Both speakers do share certain characteristics typical of single drivers (vocals and acoustic music sound amazing, Sam Cooke on "Night Beat" sounds like he's in the room with you for example) but I would not classify the Omegas as ideal speakers for hard rock or hip-hop. Curiously I think the JB3s with a sub (I have to admit that I have never run the Omegas with a sub, I bought the Paradigm sub specifically to use with the JB3s once they were moved into my living room) are satisfying with such music (I was listening to Kyuss "Welcome to Sky Valley" the other day and there was a nice combination of detail and slam to the stoner hard rock). I also felt that the an iPod playing lower quality MP3s using the iDecco sounded better through the JB3s as opposed to the Omegas, which seemed to reveal the limits of the compression a little more.

Both do sound better than the Paradigms in my opinion, but I am a big fan of Paradigm speakers as well. I've owned two pairs of Titans over the years and they have a nice, even, solid presentation (perfect for solid state amps). I recommend Paradigm speakers to my non-audiofreak friends - find a pair you like in your price range and chances are you'll be happy.

I do find the sub integrates well with the JB3s, though it does take some tweaking and listening. The nice thing about the Paradigm sub is that it has a front volume control for tweaking on the fly.

I think the speakers do have a nice weight at low volumes even without a sub but I have enjoyed the addition of a sub. For a nearfield computer system, the Paradigm 5i is probably overkill, but a small sub like the Glow sub might be the perfect complement. They are not fatiguing to listen to at all. I also find them very engaging with radio and tv broadcasts, given the detail such speakers give to vocals.

I have to admit that I do not listen to classical music. Again, by their very nature, single driver speakers aren't supposed to be the best choice for such, especially with very busy pieces. That being said, I was listening to the Quantic Soul Orchestra (big band latin jazz with a modern edge) on the JB3s and enjoying that the other day so I think they would still be quite listenable at lower volumes.

And aesthetically my wife loves them for both their finish and size (much like the iDecco actually), whereas she was not thrilled with the larger footprint of the Omegas or their light beech color.

Best regards,

VagabondJ

Hi UL,

I have very limited experience with subwoofers (other than the Paradigm, I use one with my home theater system and that's it) so all my feedback here is probably of little value, but nonetheless:

1. 80hz

2. I am running full range, using the preamp output of the iDecco to connect to the sub. I've heard you get a better sub response using a speaker wire connection but have never tried.

3. I have used the JB3s with the iDecco and the KingRex T20. It sounds great with both (prefer the iDecco myself). I also own the Onix SP3 tube amp, Musical Fidelity 3.5 SS amp, NAD C320BEE amp, Trends Audio 10.1 amp, and an Onkyo Home Theater amp (I tend to collect gear) but have not used the JB3s with those yet (I have only owned the JB3s for 4 months now). For best value combination in a computer set-up, the KingRex is probably the better choice, especially if you get the "U" version that adds a USB input.

Hope that helps,

VagabondJ