Crowded Desk - Active Speakers

Well the company told us a couple of weeks ago that they would reassess our working-from-home status after the holidays. But the way things are going I don’t expect to be back in the office before next summer. Which means I’m finally going to get a proper monitor so I can quit straining my eyes looking at the laptop screen. Which also means more real estate for work and less for my audio system. Time for some small active speakers. 3 candidates so far.
SVS Prime Wireless - not sure about PlayFi
Klipsch the Fives - may be too large and too much bass for close to wall placement.
Vanatoo Transparent One Encore - not the best looking of the bunch.

Not really considering the active monitors out there that are more targeted at musicians and recording. They tend to be black and lack grills.

Any comments on my short list or other suggestions are welcome.

Those Klipcsh The Fives are lookers. I really like the vintage grille cloth. Hmm.... I could actually use a pair of those.

I know you said you don't want pro monitors but the Yamaha HS5s in all white, including white woofers, look pretty nice on a desk.

Timely as my trusty M-Audio Studio pro 4's are getting a bit long in tooth.

A friend of mine on the left coast has the Vanatoo and absolutely loves them.

+1 on the Vanatoo. Don't use them as much since we are both working from home these days.

JohnVF said:

Those Klipcsh The Fives are lookers. I really like the vintage grille cloth. Hmm.... I could actually use a pair of those.

I know you said you don't want pro monitors but the Yamaha HS5s in all white, including white woofers, look pretty nice on a desk.

Click to expand...

Yes, the Klipsch really are the best looking of the bunch. I like that the Yamaha's have the room controls; makes them worth considering for my situation.

I added the Peachtree Audio M24 to my list also.


Klipsch also has the 6. which appears a bit cheaper. Less options, but may work for the application.

RoadDawgWest said:

+1 on the Vanatoo. Don't use them as much since we are both working from home these days.

Click to expand...

I like that the Vanatoo's and the Klipsch both have a physical remote. I'm not a big fan of onIy having a phone as a remote. I won't be working from home forever (I hope) and some day what I purchase may be used in a different setting with the addition of a subwoofer.

JoeThePop said:

Yes, the Klipsch really are the best looking of the bunch. I like that the Yamaha's have the room controls; makes them worth considering for my situation.

Click to expand...

One thing to note on the Yamahas, assuming the HS5s are anything like the HS7s I Had. They are -very- neutral, as monitors should be, and they are definitely geared towards the nearfield. They don't do well as general in-room speakers. I mean, you'll hear them, but outside of the nearfield they're a bit flat. In the window between them its nice.

Between the two, though...those Klipsch are lovely. The grille cloth choices they've been using on their speakers lately really have my number..the new Heresy especially.

S0und Dragon said:

I added the Peachtree Audio M24 to my list also.

M24 (pair)

Available at Audio Advice "The Peachtree Audio M24…finally an inexpensive, good performing speaker without needless limitations. The M24 is one of those rare, flexible, and good sounding components that every music aficionado should have around the house or the office. Add to cart!" - Chris...

www.peachtreeaudio.com

Klipsch also has the 6. which appears a bit cheaper. Less options, but may work for the application.

Click to expand...

It's funny, Peachtree's site has shown their powered speakers to be out of stock as long as I can remember, but they are available from retailers.

AudioEngines