For a over a decade I limped along listening to music at the computer through a pair of cheap little Harman Kardon self-powered computer speakers - not great, but they worked and the main system was always in the same room with the computer hooked into it if I wanted something better. Then I ended up moving my study/listening room to the second floor, the main system no longer is set up to connect to the computer as they're on opposite sides of the room and then the HK speakers finally died.
After a few months of using headphones (not my favourite thing, to say the least), last February I got the Luxman 5L 15 integrated from JohnVF, hooked up my pair of Yamaha NS-1000mm speakers and had computer audio once more. Still, the little Yamahas had a bit more "bite" up close than I would have preferred and when a pair of Koss M-80 turned up for $12 at a thrift I decided to give them a try. Major improvement, and they're actually remarkably enjoyable speakers - very natural and easy to listen to for extended periods.
Still... my tech has a pair of Infinity Infinitessimal RS 0.2 in his shop that I've heard many times with all manner of really high-end gear behind them. They never failed to impress with what they conveyed in spite of their small form factor. I'd decided that if a good pair ever presented themselves I'd give them a try, so when Woody put some up for grabs I jumped. They're interesting creatures with a heavy cast alloy box, Waktins double-coil woofer and EMIT tweeter.
The last part of the equation to be filled in was some decent stands and I ordered a pair of IsoAcoustics 130 stands as the upturned cottage cheese containers I'd been using (please forgive) clearly weren't optimal. The stands seem to work beautifully.
End result? Not just "good for desktop" audio, but good audio, period. As the speakers have broken back in again they've become not only amazingly resolving, but also sumptuous in presentation and even with the computer screen in between they image beautifully. The bass is beyond anything I'd imagined from such a small speaker and I spent Sunday afternoon listening to the pipe organ broadcast without feeling any great urge to turn to the main system.
Overkill for desktop audio? Probably so, but do I care?
Of course without the Haven none of this would have come together...
One thing left to do - the speakers came minus the wood end caps and side moldings so I'll have to crank out some new ones. No big deal...
After a few months of using headphones (not my favourite thing, to say the least), last February I got the Luxman 5L 15 integrated from JohnVF, hooked up my pair of Yamaha NS-1000mm speakers and had computer audio once more. Still, the little Yamahas had a bit more "bite" up close than I would have preferred and when a pair of Koss M-80 turned up for $12 at a thrift I decided to give them a try. Major improvement, and they're actually remarkably enjoyable speakers - very natural and easy to listen to for extended periods.
Still... my tech has a pair of Infinity Infinitessimal RS 0.2 in his shop that I've heard many times with all manner of really high-end gear behind them. They never failed to impress with what they conveyed in spite of their small form factor. I'd decided that if a good pair ever presented themselves I'd give them a try, so when Woody put some up for grabs I jumped. They're interesting creatures with a heavy cast alloy box, Waktins double-coil woofer and EMIT tweeter.
The last part of the equation to be filled in was some decent stands and I ordered a pair of IsoAcoustics 130 stands as the upturned cottage cheese containers I'd been using (please forgive) clearly weren't optimal. The stands seem to work beautifully.
End result? Not just "good for desktop" audio, but good audio, period. As the speakers have broken back in again they've become not only amazingly resolving, but also sumptuous in presentation and even with the computer screen in between they image beautifully. The bass is beyond anything I'd imagined from such a small speaker and I spent Sunday afternoon listening to the pipe organ broadcast without feeling any great urge to turn to the main system.
Overkill for desktop audio? Probably so, but do I care?
Of course without the Haven none of this would have come together...
One thing left to do - the speakers came minus the wood end caps and side moldings so I'll have to crank out some new ones. No big deal...
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