Desktop 2.0 & 2.1 speaker discussion thread VI [consolidated]

[udonc1841]

Seen a lot of talks about Klipsch the Five here and seems good for my new desktop setup except.....the size. Size is acceptable but would prefer it lil smaller so any alternative to suggest?

- budget below $1k
- only want 2 satellite speakers on the desk, so no separate controller / DAC etc needed
- need connection to my desktop and turntable, phono preamp not required
- main usage for games and music (mainly rock)

 

[dreamaurora]

Seen a lot of talks about Klipsch the Five here and seems good for my new desktop setup except.....the size. Size is acceptable but would prefer it lil smaller so any alternative to suggest?

- budget below $1k
- only want 2 satellite speakers on the desk, so no separate controller / DAC etc needed
- need connection to my desktop and turntable, phono preamp not required
- main usage for games and music (mainly rock)

Well, I tested Elac Debut Connex and they are pretty good.

The other options are Eve Audio SC203, Ruark MR1, and AudioEngine A5+. The SC203 seems intriguing, I hope to able to hear it soon.

 

[boxerfan]

Regarding XLR cables, wanted some opinion to help me choose.

From what I gathered researching the web, the star quad cables are better used to fight noise in very noisy environment. These star quads generally have higher capacitance resulting in a little more HF rolloff for longer lengths.

On the other hand, for home use where electrical noise isn't really a big problem, going with usual twisted pair is good enough. Larger AWG cores the better.

I was considering Canare L-4E6S, now thinking to go with Mogami 2549 two core.

Thoughts? Advice?

( I'm also thinking to drop from gold plated pins to silver plated pins... coz not gonna connect/disconnect cables that often... )

 

[dreamaurora]

Regarding XLR cables, wanted some opinion to help me choose.

From what I gathered researching the web, the star quad cables are better used to fight noise in very noisy environment. These star quads generally have higher capacitance resulting in a little more HF rolloff for longer lengths.

On the other hand, for home use where electrical noise isn't really a big problem, going with usual twisted pair is good enough. Larger AWG cores the better.

I was considering Canare L-4E6S, now thinking to go with Mogami 2549 two core.

Thoughts? Advice?

( I'm also thinking to drop from gold plated pins to silver plated pins... coz not gonna connect/disconnect cables that often... )

Think Singapore’s electricity is quite clean. Even more if you have a power conditioner with filter.

Sim Lim Tower can make Belden, Mogami, and Canare XLRs cheap. Think you can just try each see which works best with your system.

 

[wwenze]

It's like saying CAT7 cable is better than CAT6 but CAT6 is carrying your internet speeds just fine for home use.

Good to have, better to get if both are same price, but I won't go out of my way.

I usually go for Canare over Mogami since Canare is usually cheaper for the same specs and I can't hear "omg magic this sounds so nice"

In the same vein, gold vs silver, if price is not different, go for gold. Not because "omg it sounds nicer" but because it resists oxidation better even if you do not insert it often, and I can certainly hear when there is no sound coming out. Heck, the quality of the connector is more important. Factory terminated are best, but there are also preferred models among the DIY people if you are doing custom cables.

 

[dreamaurora]

It's like saying CAT7 cable is better than CAT6 but CAT6 is carrying your internet speeds just fine for home use.

Good to have, better to get if both are same price, but I won't go out of my way.

I usually go for Canare over Mogami since Canare is usually cheaper for the same specs and I can't hear "omg magic this sounds so nice"

In the same vein, gold vs silver, if price is not different, go for gold. Not because "omg it sounds nicer" but because it resists oxidation better even if you do not insert it often, and I can certainly hear when there is no sound coming out. Heck, the quality of the connector is more important. Factory terminated are best, but there are also preferred models among the DIY people if you are doing custom cables.

Yes, quality of connectors are important.

Factory terminated not necessarily better and cheaper. For e.g. 2m of Belden's factory terminated 19364 power cord cost nearly $200 SGD. You can just buy the cable separately then buy nicer Furutech or Acrolink connectors to terminate it, will cost quite a bit more cheaper.

 

[boxerfan]

Regarding XLR cables, wanted some opinion to help me choose.

From what I gathered researching the web, the star quad cables are better used to fight noise in very noisy environment. These star quads generally have higher capacitance resulting in a little more HF rolloff for longer lengths.

On the other hand, for home use where electrical noise isn't really a big problem, going with usual twisted pair is good enough. Larger AWG cores the better.

I was considering Canare L-4E6S, now thinking to go with Mogami 2549 two core.

Thoughts? Advice?

( I'm also thinking to drop from gold plated pins to silver plated pins... coz not gonna connect/disconnect cables that often... )

Closing the loop... after more research, I ruled out starquad cables because in the home environment EMI/RFI issues are limited therefore no need for super high noise rejection, and also starquad cables have higher capacitance that can result in some HF rolloff.

On deciding for Mogami 2549 two core, I asked local retailers for quote, and all don't sell Mogami. So, I went ahead to order from Amazon Intl. Their 4-unit bundle is priced quite reasonably.

 

[dreamaurora]

Closing the loop... after more research, I ruled out starquad cables because in the home environment EMI/RFI issues are limited therefore no need for super high noise rejection, and also starquad cables have higher capacitance that can result in some HF rolloff.

On deciding for Mogami 2549 two core, I asked local retailers for quote, and all don't sell Mogami. So, I went ahead to order from Amazon Intl. Their 4-unit bundle is priced quite reasonably.

Mogami 2549 got sell locally lar. Luther got sell.

https://www.luthermusic.com/brand/mogami/mogami-nx2.html

 

[boxerfan]

Mogami 2549 got sell locally lar. Luther got sell.

https://www.luthermusic.com/brand/mogami/mogami-nx2.html

Aah…ok…thanks for the info….

 

[dreamaurora]

Aah…ok…thanks for the info….

Yeah, but seems like they have no ready stocks. Amazon seems to be safer bet.

Read good things about Xangsane silver cable XLR, next time I might want to try.

 

[snowydust]

Hi all experts here, I am no audiophile and looking to replace my current Creative T100 as it seems to have occasional static noise and then sound got cut off and I would need to restart the speakers for them to work (I think someone shared similar issue last year).

Due to limited space, i can only consider speakers with small footprint. Based on what I read in this thread, it seems like the following 2.0 are more recommended, are they still relevant (given some price increase) or got better choices now? Not looking for bookshelf since they are big in size. Mainly using it for music and some videos/movies. Thanks in advance

• iLoud Micro Monitor (price has upped to $479)
• Ruark MR1 Mk2 (above budget and footprint is slightly bigger than my preference)
• Mackie CR2-X cube (I think this is relatively new and not mentioned so far in the thread)
• Creative T20/40
• Creative Pebble Pro
• Edifier G2000

 

[dreamaurora]

Hi all experts here, I am no audiophile and looking to replace my current Creative T100 as it seems to have occasional static noise and then sound got cut off and I would need to restart the speakers for them to work (I think someone shared similar issue last year).

Due to limited space, i can only consider speakers with small footprint. Based on what I read in this thread, it seems like the following 2.0 are more recommended, are they still relevant (given some price increase) or got better choices now? Not looking for bookshelf since they are big in size. Mainly using it for music and some videos/movies. Thanks in advance

• iLoud Micro Monitor (price has upped to $479)
• Ruark MR1 Mk2 (above budget and footprint is slightly bigger than my preference)
• Mackie CR2-X cube (I think this is relatively new and not mentioned so far in the thread)
• Creative T20/40
• Creative Pebble Pro
• Edifier G2000

I would get Creative T40 because it’s more balanced in sound and only $129 on Lazada.

Then maybe can buy an external DAC like a Sennhenser Epos for another $100 to improve sound quality if you wish.

 

[wwenze]

iLoud if got money, T20/40 if no money

 

[dreamaurora]

Built a secondary setup on top of my digital piano so I can watch shows on my Ipad while practicing. Previously using a Fender Indio that was also very good and I consider to be the best retro amp style Bluetooth speaker you can buy now.

I actually purchased the NHT C1s on a whim during the pandemic because Amazon selling each for 90$ only. Tried to use it with a cheap FX-Audio class D amp I got from Lazada and didn't really like the sound, but since the Fatman Wi Tube is available cheaply for $350 from Alpha (they still have stocks) and I think it looks cool, so why not give it a try?

Amp comes with speaker cables. I used my spare Belden 19364 to power it since it's known to boost bass and improve power delivery. The amp is actually pretty good. Lots of energy and nice rounded sound. For $350 really good for its price; I quite enjoy this nice simple setup and the NHTs sound much better with it . Those of you who are looking to upgrade your amp can consider this if you don't mind no warranty.

 

[petetherock]

The SVS Wireless Speakers are pretty impressive:
https://peteswrite.blogspot.com/2023/05/svs-prime-wireless-pro-powered-speaker.html

 

[MrBoxySquare]

Am currently using the Edifier R1280dbs and looking to improve the sound of hearing music from my pc. I like music similar to the songs of the chinese singer G.E.M.

I think the sound coming out of the R1280dbs is decent but it's somehow lacking some 'oomph' which i presume is bass. Can't give me the concert feeling.
Should I buy a T5 subwoofer to enhance the sound, add a sound card? or any recommendations? Willing to sell the R1280dbs to add to the budget.

Have a budget of around $350. TIA!

 

[wwenze]

Am currently using the Edifier R1280dbs and looking to improve the sound of hearing music from my pc. I like music similar to the songs of the chinese singer G.E.M.

I think the sound coming out of the R1280dbs is decent but it's somehow lacking some 'oomph' which i presume is bass. Can't give me the concert feeling.
Should I buy a T5 subwoofer to enhance the sound, add a sound card? or any recommendations? Willing to sell the R1280dbs to add to the budget.

Have a budget of around $350. TIA!

Can show a photo of your setup?

 

[MrBoxySquare]

Can show a photo of your setup?

Sure! Pardon the messy cables. I'm in one corner of the room, the size of a MBR.

 

[wwenze]

Positioning looks generally okay... Probably you're feeling not enough bass quantity

If you just need more bass quantity then T5 is a cheap sub. Not the best by a long shot but it's $150-$200 and that gives you heaps of quantity.

 

[MrBoxySquare]

Positioning looks generally okay... Probably you're feeling not enough bass quantity

If you just need more bass quantity then T5 is a cheap sub. Not the best by a long shot but it's $150-$200 and that gives you heaps of quantity.

Any suggestions on how to improve the positioning? Maybe a pair of speaker stands to elevate the speakers?