Best Speakers for my iMac. Audio engine A5+ v's KEF X300A?

[jasonovic]

Hi Im new to the site and live in the UK. I currently have an iMac to play all my apple Losseles files through iTunes. This is connected to a Music Fidelity V-DAC which runs 2 ROKIT KRK5 active monitors. I want to improve the sound as the monitors are not giving me what I want, I find it a bit sterile. I am used to listening to HI FI separates through some floor standing RUARK Templers that are in my living room. I appreciate I am not going to get the same through my iMac system but I am willing to spend up to £600. As I am already using a good DAC I could just get the Audioengine A5+ active speakers as they dont include a built in DAC, but then I read the KEF X300A reviews that have built in DAC's and as a result I am unsure. I can get a demo of the KEF's but not he Audioengine. Can anyone point me in the right direction or give me the benefit of personal experiance? Anything would help.

[maximum kahuna]

The X300As are a very popular speaker right now. Since you can get a demo why not try them and see how you like them? In-house testing is always best. Then you can decide if you want to keep them and sell your dac or explore the option of getting an a small amp and one of KEF's passive speakers. I believe the Q100s are similar to the X300As. If you're looking for a warmer sound the KEFs may not be your cup of tea, so I'd defintely advise giving them a listen first.

[jasonovic]

Hi Thanks for this. What would you recommend as passive speaker and what make of small amp? If I went down this road would I still need a DAC? Sorry Im not a very experience audiophiler! If I am looking for a warmer sound what you recommend?

[maximum kahuna]

I'd definitely give the KEFs a try. They are getting a ton of love from both reviewers and audiophiles. If you're getting the demos from a dealer that's where I'd go for a recommendation. The ability to listen for yourself in your room cannot be emphasized enough.

[mayhem13]

Hi Thanks for this. What would you recommend as passive speaker and what make of small amp? If I went down this road would I still need a DAC? Sorry Im not a very experience audiophiler! If I am looking for a warmer sound what you recommend?

 

It's hard to tell exactly what you're looking for from a speaker that's lacking with the KRKs. The term 'warmer' can relate to quite a few sound related terms......usually when someone says warmer, I find they're wanting more midrange and midbass, less high frequency and 'usually' associated with a speaker that uses non metallic drivers.

 

Powered monitors offer an excellent, simplistic desktop solution and the amplifier sections of the better ones are often 'matched' or designed around the drive elements, something you won't find with a stand alone amplifier.

 

My first suggestion would be to consider a small subwoofer to round out the response. There's only so much bass a little 5" woofer can produce. It's been my experience when properly selected and integrated, a subwoofer combine with a pair of satellites can perform as well, if not better than larger floor standing speakers as the LF application can now be tailored to your room and tastes, other than predetermined by the designer with a passive crossover.

 

Whatever path you choose, good luck. I can add that recently I spent some time with a pair of Dynaudio DBM 50's which I found to be one of the most enjoyable desktop/monitors I've ever heard. Not sure you need new speakers, but if you were in the market, I'd strongly suggest auditioning a pair before purchasing anything else.

[jasonovic]

Hi Thanks for this. After what I have been told I am not sure it is the speakers I need to replace, I just want a better sound. What I mean by better is obviously a sound to my taste. What I am trying to get is something similar to the separates system I mentioned earlier in the thread. I was lead to understand that monitors give you exactly what was recorded in the studio with no tweaks to the sound at all where as hifi speakers give you a more tweaked sound to cater for a particular taste. Do you think either of the speakers would create more of a sound that I am looking for?

[mayhem13]

Hi Thanks for this. After what I have been told I am not sure it is the speakers I need to replace, I just want a better sound. What I mean by better is obviously a sound to my taste. What I am trying to get is something similar to the separates system I mentioned earlier in the thread. I was lead to understand that monitors give you exactly what was recorded in the studio with no tweaks to the sound at all where as hifi speakers give you a more tweaked sound to cater for a particular taste. Do you think either of the speakers would create more of a sound that I am looking for?

 

What monitors are 'supposed' to do is create a nearfield considerably 'flat' frequency response. In all honesty and practicality, every speaker should behave this way. If a speaker emphasizes or attenuated a particular range, that would be a bias inserted by the designer. I equate that to someone ordering for me at a fine restaurant........I can handle this myself Thanx.

 

IMO, intimacy with a system begins with the speakers which are the actual reproduction mechanism in the chain. Get this right, and everything else in just gravy!

[NWDave]

FWIW, I have AudioEngine A5+s and have been thrilled with them, even after comparing head-to-head with PSB and B&W systems at 2-3x the price. I find them pleasantly clear, not harsh, never boomy, and a fantastic bargain at under $500.

 

When the store I demo'd everything in went with some (iirc) $1500 B&Ws, the sound difference became more apparent. But, um, I didn't want to pay $1500 for speakers plus $800 for an amp when I had both in a nice $500 package.

 

[on edit: I do have the bamboo versions, not the standard body A5s; the latter *were* a bit more tinty and "small" sounding compared to the bamboo when I demo'd]