Onboard audio vs. USB speakers

[wwenze]

Want to upgrade but most of the speakers that are a noticeable upgrade to the R1280DBs are larger and that is as much room as I have. Has anyone got a recommendation?

Generally speaking the component that needs upgrading in R1280DBs is definitely the crossover because it doesn't have one that can even be called a crossover.

Altho the tweeter isn't exactly stellar either so it can be argued that there is not much to gain from spending the budget on a crossover.

So yea, basically anything with a proper crossover and a proper tweeter (0.75-inch to 1-inch) is a objective upgrade. In terms of overall sound balance however, R1280DBs actually performs pretty good for the price point, so Edifier definitely got their priorities right for this one. For similar size from Edifier you can try R1850DB which covers both issues mentioned above. In fact if you don't need digital inputs you can consider R1700BT which only costs a little over R1280DBs.

As for even better options at the 4-inch size range there really isn't much. Maybe some stuff close to $1k may perform well? Most brands just abandon this size and go straight to >5-inch tho. I mean I just randomly chose two below from Erin's measurements:

That's why my personal take is, either go straight for a 5-inch (which doesn't take up that much more space), or go for as small as possible and get iLoud. Altho maybe iLoud may not be popular here I think.

 

[Phen8210]

Generally speaking the component that needs upgrading in R1280DBs is definitely the crossover because it doesn't have one that can even be called a crossover.

Altho the tweeter isn't exactly stellar either so it can be argued that there is not much to gain from spending the budget on a crossover.

So yea, basically anything with a proper crossover and a proper tweeter (0.75-inch to 1-inch) is a objective upgrade. In terms of overall sound balance however, R1280DBs actually performs pretty good for the price point, so Edifier definitely got their priorities right for this one. For similar size from Edifier you can try R1850DB which covers both issues mentioned above. In fact if you don't need digital inputs you can consider R1700BT which only costs a little over R1280DBs.

As for even better options at the 4-inch size range there really isn't much. Maybe some stuff close to $1k may perform well? Most brands just abandon this size and go straight to >5-inch tho. I mean I just randomly chose two below from Erin's measurements:

That's why my personal take is, either go straight for a 5-inch (which doesn't take up that much more space), or go for as small as possible and get iLoud. Altho maybe iLoud may not be popular here I think.

I can get a taller height speaker. It's just that I dont have much width and depth for it. So the 1850 and 1700 both cannot fit.

Initially, I wanted to settle for S2000MKIII, but that also exceeds the space on my desk.

I have around 21cm width and depth space. That was how I settled with the R1280DBs.

Anyway now thinking of getting the iLoud Micro Monitor. Measurement seems better.

 

[wwenze]

I should mention that iLoud needs as much depth as R1280DBs due to the thick cable behind

21cm width is for both speakers or for each? There are 5-inch speakers that are pretty thin, and 21cm per speaker is pretty wide.

 

[Phen8210]

I should mention that iLoud needs as much depth as R1280DBs due to the thick cable behind

21cm width is for both speakers or for each? There are 5-inch speakers that are pretty thin, and 21cm per speaker is pretty wide.

Per speaker, depth is also 21cm. Anyway, I am considering iLoud MTM too. Which cable do you mean? Maybe can get third party and more flexible ones.

 

[Gymrat76]

Per speaker, depth is also 21cm. Anyway, I am considering iLoud MTM too. Which cable do you mean? Maybe can get third party and more flexible ones.

It’s the stock cable that connects both speakers together. Not regular speaker cable, it’s thick and inflexible

https://www.ikmultimedia.com/products/cbl-iloud-micro-monitor-link-cable/

 

[Phen8210]

It’s the stock cable that connects both speakers together. Not regular speaker cable, it’s thick and inflexible

https://www.ikmultimedia.com/products/cbl-iloud-micro-monitor-link-cable/

need how much space ah, I am planning to put it at the edge of my desk and my desk around 10cm offset from the wall.

 

[Gymrat76]

need how much space ah, I am planning to put it at the edge of my desk and my desk around 10cm offset from the wall.

It sticks out about 20cm or so that I can remember. Maybe a little less but you definitely can’t put it close to the wall. Which was another annoyance with my iLouds as desk space is a premium lol

 

[Gymrat76]

It sticks out about 20cm or so that I can remember. Maybe a little less but you definitely can’t put it close to the wall. Which was another annoyance with my iLouds as desk space is a premium lol

And you need to also have space behind the desk for the cable to go behind (if you don’t want to see unsightly cables), else cut grommet holes in the desk to run it underneath (which is what I did)

 

[Phen8210]

It sticks out about 20cm or so that I can remember. Maybe a little less but you definitely can’t put it close to the wall. Which was another annoyance with my iLouds as desk space is a premium lol

Need 20 cm extra depth for that?? seriously?

 

[Gymrat76]

Need 20 cm extra depth for that?? seriously?

Maybe a little less but close enough. They’re really inflexible so you can’t really bend them to the side without shifting the position of the speakers. Would have been nice to have put an L-plug on the ends as these cables stick directly out the back

 

[wwenze]

 

[Phen8210]

iLoud Micro monitors depth is 13.5cm, so the cable probably around 4.5cm. Total depth around 18 cm on that pic, but for less strain maybe off set 1cm more become 19cm.

Not sure how much better than MTM compared to Micro, MTM price $1000 for 2 speaker.

 

[wwenze]

Not sure how much better than MTM compared to Micro, MTM price $1000 for 2 speaker.

IMO less impressionable considering the price, and because it is much bigger (144% width) it retains just a little size advantage versus other speakers.

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...imedia-iloud-mtm-review-active-monitor.18347/
It is certainly much more serious / professional than the iLoud Micro. The problem is, at this size and price, while it is still outstanding in its field it is not too far from the competition in both size and price. We're talking about the likes of KH80 and Genelecs. If depth is a concern you can consider 8010A.

iLoud Micro's market positioning advantage is that it is the smallest speaker that provides acceptable performance (55Hz + flat FR @ 80dB) so if all you have is enough space to put a Bose Companion 20 or Audioengine A2+ then you don't have much in terms of alternatives. (Those example speakers are not even close.) There is much less reason to buy the MTM unless you really lack the additional few cm or want to make use of the dispersion control.

 

[Phen8210]

IMO less impressionable considering the price, and because it is much bigger (144% width) it retains just a little size advantage versus other speakers.

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...imedia-iloud-mtm-review-active-monitor.18347/
It is certainly much more serious / professional than the iLoud Micro. The problem is, at this size and price, while it is still outstanding in its field it is not too far from the competition in both size and price. We're talking about the likes of KH80 and Genelecs. If depth is a concern you can consider 8010A.

iLoud Micro's market positioning advantage is that it is the smallest speaker that provides acceptable performance (55Hz + flat FR @ 80dB) so if all you have is enough space to put a Bose Companion 20 or Audioengine A2+ then you don't have much in terms of alternatives. (Those example speakers are not even close.) There is much less reason to buy the MTM unless you really lack the additional few cm or want to make use of the dispersion control.

For IK, the width is the height, height is depth, and depth is the width.

So the height (they call width) isn't much of a concern for me. The only thing holding me back is the horizontal measurement and depth.

KH80 is almost 75% more expensive than MTM, 950 vs. 1650 for two units. Then Genelacs 8010A costs around the same as the MTM.

I have like 21cm w x 21cm d, so I thought of going for a larger speaker. So I'm finding something to use the room better but not exceed.

Also, actually i saw some reviews and decide not to go for MTM. So it's time for me to further search. Btw, I'm not really looking to blast the speakers, just normal usage.