My 2nd shot at scratching the itch with new powered desktop monitors for the office looks like a keeper.
Not only do the Jamo S 801 PM sound better than the Mackie CR3-X I had to return, but they look better too and are ergonomically a more practical fit with a USB input and IR remote. I didn't realize they actually come with fairly attractive speaker grilles that attach magnetically, pretty rare with desktop type speakers. For some reason they make you dig pretty hard to find any product picture with the grilles on, I bought these from Crutchfield, who have no such photo on their product description page at all:
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I can do away with an external desktop DAC because the speakers already have one built-in, and these do not have the high noise floor hiss level that the Mackie CR3-X did, they are dead quiet at idle. The IR remote is handy in that it controls not only volume/mute, but when connected via USB the IR remote commands for stop/play and advance track are communicated back to my laptop and the Qobuz desktop app for Windows recognizes and obeys them.
No special Windows driver is needed as the USB input is UAC1 which tops out at 24/96, however 24/192 tracks still play, they're just down sampled (every other sample is discarded). There is also a Toslink input but I don't have any such source available in the office.
While I had my external desktop DAC with me and fully expected to use it with the speaker's analog RCA input, I was surprised to see they don't even include that cable in the package, but they do include a Type A to Type B USB cable, kind of a hint that's how they expect the S 801 PM to be used. So while I may at some point try the analog input just for kicks, I think the USB input and it's aforementioned communication with the Qobuz desktop app via the IR remote over USB are more practical for office use.
I can stomach the +$50 price tag as compared to the Mackie CR3-X, as the silent noise floor, IR remote, USB and Toslink digital inputs, and overall better looks seem to be a better fit for my office setup. Even the faux walnut trim on these speakers matches the painted faux walnut color of my desk. Keepers.