Looking for compact stylish speakers

[i3oilermaker]

less so concerned about audio quality, more so concerned about size and cable hell.


Right now I am using this: http://www.amazon.com/Anker-Portable-Wireless-Bluetooth-High-Def/dp/B00GZC35YK - Like the concept of wireless, but it always ends up being a hassle when it gets out of sync or the battery dies etc.


any suggestions?

[paicrai]

what do you define as compact?

[i3oilermaker]

what do you define as compact?

As small as possible ... I need sound for bloops and beeps and youtubes etc.  Not listing to music - so I am happy to sacrfice some quality for size

[Axollott]

I don't like smalls speakers because they are physically limited to generate anything above mid frequencies but if i had to buy something small i would go for something Bose (yeah, i know...)  http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&page=1&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Abose%20multimedia%20speakers

[paicrai]

micropod SE come to mind, see them everywhere but theyre like 200 bucks so i dont know if theyre viable, although theyre small and the cheapest those... pod speaker maker guys have

[i3oilermaker]

I don't like smalls speakers because they are physically limited to generate anything above mid frequencies but if i had to buy something small i would go for something Bose (yeah, i know...)  http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&page=1&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Abose%20multimedia%20speakers

My problem with the Bose speakers is there are two beautiful small compact speakers which would be perfect, if they didn't come with a huge mandatory sub-woofer.

[tp4tissue]

Um.... LOL

ok remember, there is no such thing as BASS produced by anything less than an 8 inch driver.

if you don't need any bass..

Just get some cheap logitechs z150..  they're the defacto cheap pc speaker in the USA.

THey go on sale for as low as $10 per set.


DO NOT get the z110, or ANY usb powered speakers..  they're so dim you'll want to kill yourself.

[JaccoW]

Now I'm guessing you're not willing to shell out $400 for a pair of Definitive Technology Incline's.


Can I ask why they need to be as compact as possible? Space? Portability? Depth? Price?

Because I always liked the look of electrostatic speakers like the In2uit Filo


Or the Collage


Otherwise I would suggest getting a simple portable blutooth speaker and keeping it permanently hooked up. I did that with my laptop recently and that worked just fine.

[tp4tissue]

I really like that "Incline"..

The choice to use Optical Out for PC audio is A MUST for clear sound...  modern PC hardware adds so much noise, because of complicated and dense traces...


Even the Iphones and latest samsungs,  the 3.5mm is unusable...  a persistent tsssssssss..... and it changes with cpu load..

^^ I can't believe they haven't solved this problem,, i think it's still true that most people don't care about sound quality..  but damn for $800 ,, they should have decent sound.

[astrafo]

If you care about audio quality the same as in quality keyboards, get some decent monitors like:

KRK RP5
http://www.krksys.com/krk-studio-monitor-speakers/rokit/rokit-5.html
Not the best sound, but huge difference if you have been listening regular speakers.

A compact Bose system:
http://www.bose.com/controller?url=/shop_online/speakers/portable_amplification_systems/l1_compact/index.jsp
Decent quality and some style.

(sorry about my bad english)

[astrafo]

The choice to use Optical Out for PC audio is A MUST for clear sound...  modern PC hardware adds so much noise, because of complicated and dense traces...

True, but that can be "cheaply" solved by using an external sound card.

[i3oilermaker]

Can I ask why they need to be as compact as possible? Space? Portability? Depth? Price?

Primarily space - small desk and not much space for speakers and the ball of cables under the desk is already entirely too big.

[tp4tissue]

The choice to use Optical Out for PC audio is A MUST for clear sound...  modern PC hardware adds so much noise, because of complicated and dense traces...

True, but that can be "cheaply" solved by using an external sound card.

That only works if the sound card also accepts toslink..

If the sound card takes USB, it can still be influenced by the Computer's DC noise.

[inanis]

I have a TDK A33, and it is wonderful. I've had it for about a year now, it is bluetooth but the battery lasts for quite sometime before needing a recharge, and the sound is fantastic. I use it both at my desk and to bring out in the yard. The only issue I've had is with an older iPhone, the connection would sometimes drop. I've never had issues with a newer iPhone or with my Samsung phone.

http://www.amazon.com/TDK-Life-Record-Wireless-Weatherproof/dp/B008VMT2HQ

[i3oilermaker]

I like the inclines - much cheaper on Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/Definitive-Technology-Incline-Audiophile-Desktop/dp/B00G5CKH6O but I'm afraid at 11.3" H x 5" W x 4.4" D  they are still pretty large for what I am looking at.

[tp4tissue]

I like the inclines - much cheaper on Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/Definitive-Technology-Incline-Audiophile-Desktop/dp/B00G5CKH6O but I'm afraid at 11.3" H x 5" W x 4.4" D  they are still pretty large for what I am looking at.

also. .$400 can get you a solid set of bookshelf + a receiver..

It'd be a huge waste to spend that on Overpriced logitech speakers..

GET the $15 z150 logitech..  THey'll sound more/less the same as those "inclines"

[Axollott]

The choice to use Optical Out for PC audio is A MUST for clear sound...  modern PC hardware adds so much noise, because of complicated and dense traces...

True, but that can be "cheaply" solved by using an external sound card.

That only works if the sound card also accepts toslink..

If the sound card takes USB, it can still be influenced by the Computer's DC noise.

If you get very picky towarda hardware sound, you could add a DAC to your phone, a lot of android phones detect anything USB compliant, I have a Focusrite Scarlett that can be plugged to any iOS device although it's by no means portable but I imagine there is some decent portable solution. For Samsung phones , I'm still using a S3 (with CyanogenMod of course) and some custom kernels for galaxy high end phones (mostly the ones with the Wolfson DACs ) have useful audiohacks. Developer Supercurio used to develop a hack where you would max the digital volume level and keep the hardware amp low to minimize the hiss. You can also find direct DAC output (override the software handling), over sampling, tunning tables ,etc. I like to keep it pristine, so no bass boosting or additive eq tunning BS.

To be honest I almost don't use my phone for music anymore, I have gotten totally spoiled by my Genelec 8030 's, so whenever I'm out I just listen to the environment (I live in Mexico City, sometimes being aware and attentive of the soundscapes is purely for survival).

[Axollott]

I don't like smalls speakers because they are physically limited to generate anything above mid frequencies but if i had to buy something small i would go for something Bose (yeah, i know...)  http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&page=1&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Abose%20multimedia%20speakers

My problem with the Bose speakers is there are two beautiful small compact speakers which would be perfect, if they didn't come with a huge mandatory sub-woofer.

I wasn't aware of the sub woofer requirement. Sounds logical, anything with a small speaker will just sound lame and they wouldn't be able to justify their pricing. Which is already hard to do.

[i3oilermaker]

Finally made a decision on this - Got the Bose Soundlink Mini 2 (http://www.amazon.com/Bose-SoundLink-Bluetooth-Speaker-Carbon/dp/B00WK47VEW/)

Not the cheapest option, but GREAT sound from a small profile, long battery, sweet charging docking station, can connect to 2 Bluetooth sources simultaneously.

Only have it for a day, but really happy so far.

[tp4tissue]

[i3oilermaker]

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[katushkin]

I thought you wanted speakers for your PC?

[tp4tissue]

I thought you wanted speakers for your PC?

[atarione]

no use to the op ...unless you decide the bose thing isn't right and send it back

but I am a big fan of vintage realistic Minimus 7's or 77's + small class D (TPA3116 based amp such as the SMSL SA-60) or T-amp's (my t-amp is a SMSL SA-S3) hooked up to a similarly sized pair of MK SX-7's ... near field it is pretty good some may feel the need for a sub ..but honestly most computer set ups i see don't have the room size / configuration to use the sub properly anyways..

pic:



sadly the minimus 7's are long discontinued but they sold a mountain of them so they turn up at thrifts / yard sales (i have maybe 5~ pairs of this series bought at thrifts or yard sales for $5 to $15 a pair. and the MK SX-7's cost $8 plus $5 for a surround repair kit.   The realistic speakers can be bought about everyday on the auction site for about $50~ish generally.

[tp4tissue]

no use to the op ...unless you decide the bose thing isn't right and send it back

but I am a big fan of vintage realistic Minimus 7's or 77's + small class D (TPA3116 based amp such as the SMSL SA-60) or T-amp's (my t-amp is a SMSL SA-S3) hooked up to a similarly sized pair of MK SX-7's ... near field it is pretty good some may feel the need for a sub ..but honestly most computer set ups i see don't have the room size / configuration to use the sub properly anyways..

pic:

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sadly the minimus 7's are long discontinued but they sold a mountain of them so they turn up at thrifts / yard sales (i have maybe 5~ pairs of this series bought at thrifts or yard sales for $5 to $15 a pair. and the MK SX-7's cost $8 plus $5 for a surround repair kit.   The realistic speakers can be bought about everyday on the auction site for about $50~ish generally.

What type of  ROOM,  is required to properly use subwooferz

[i3oilermaker]

I thought you wanted speakers for your PC?

This is now my PC speaker - connects using bluetooth, takes up almost no space, not wires going everywhere.  Being able to grab it off the dock and use it as a mobile speaker is just a bonus!