Desktop (computer) speakers

[BobM]

My daughter asked for some new desktop speakers for her dorm room at college. They need to play off the mini-jack on her Android phone, or her laptop, and be fairly small. I know there are tons of these out there, so I am looking for recommendations on what might be appropriate and sound good, without a separate subwoofer. And priced right.

Thanks,
Bob

[mdconnelly]

I use a pair of Audioengine A2s and love them for exactly this purpose.   I believe the newer A2+ version also has USB input with an internal DAC.

Another way to go is just a bluetooth speaker (or 2) like the Jawbone or Ultimate Ears which can't be beat for portability although I doubt sound quality is as good as the A2s.

[StereoNut]

Heard these at the Brooklyn Audio Show.  They were really good, but I don't know if they're over her/your budget?

http://www.vanatoo.com/

Have fun shopping!

SN

[rollo]

  The Vanatoo speakers are IMO KABOOM for the buck. Bass was very impressive with presence and slam. Just  hook up an Iphone and be very happy. The Audio engine IMO is VG but these are spectacular especially for the money.

charles

[tmazz]

 The Vanatoo speakers are IMO KABOOM for the buck. Bass was very impressive with presence and slam. Just  hook up an Iphone and be very happy. The Audio engine IMO is VG but these are spectacular especially for the money.

charles

+1

At $500 these impressed me more than most of the $100K+ systems at athe show.

[sleepyguy24]

Would the Emotiva Airmotiv power speakers work for the dorm room situation?

https://emotiva.com/products/powered-monitors/airmotiv-4s

Not too pricey and Emotiva does have a good return policy. That and in their forum people turnover gear like crazy. You could either get these used at a great deal or sell them rather quickly.

I haven't heard them myself but it got good reviews from various people.

I have a strong bias towards KEF speakers and I would really want to try these for a desktop situation.

http://www.kefdirect.com/kef-x300a-powered-digital-hifi-system.html

I don't know if these are based off the KEF Q300 speakers but if they are you don't have to use a subwoofer with them for most music. I've had the KEF Q300s in the past and depending on amplification you could really get a good all around sound and pretty good bass from them. They were great for nearfield listening.

[tmazz]

They are small as far as speakers go, but still may not be small enough to fit in the dorm room space she wll need t use then in. (I woulddn't consider them small as far as computer speakers go, but then again, they don't sound like computer speakers either.)

[BobM]

Thanks guys, these are some good recommendations, but still above the price point for a college student/dorm. I'm thinking $100 max.

Plus they need to accept either a USB input or a mini-jack. So typical desktop computer speakers. I've heard good things about the small desktop Maggies, but I'm also sure they need a sub.

[tmazz]

Thanks guys, these are some good recommendations, but still above the price point for a college student/dorm. I'm thinking $100 max.

Plus they need to accept either a USB input or a mini-jack. So typical desktop computer speakers. I've heard good things about the small desktop Maggies, but I'm also sure they need a sub.

The desktop Maggies actually come with their own sub, but at $1490 I think they are just a wee bit outside youe budget.

http://www.audiolab.com/Magnepan_Mini_Maggie_System_p/magminimaggie.htm?gclid=Cj0KEQjwq52iBRDEvrC12Jnz6coBEiQA2otXAkvMthaC5NrUtc4MobvjkoEY0ZeRVxNieAaJhubfj1gaAtPf8P8HAQ

[djdube525]

You can typically find the M-Audio Studiophile AV40 around $120... a smidge over the ole budget. Pretty good at around $100.

Looks like Guitar Center has used ones for $100.

[rollo]

  Bob really. $500 with USB and I-phone connections and should last the four years and then some..


charles

[BobM]

Charles - read the first post. This is for my daughter in college. She gets too much of my money now. 

Not looking for audiophile - just looking for better than average computer store stuff within budget.

[mdconnelly]

Bob, my daughter has an Ultimate Ears mini boom bluetooth speaker ($79 @ Amazon) that works with both her phone and computer and she seems quite happy with it.   She loves taking the UE to the park or elsewhere (she's big into hulahooping!).  I believe you can configure two so that you do have stereo...  Not my cup of tea but it sounds pretty damn good for the size and it's indestructible.

Another pair of inexpensive desktop speakers that I've read good things about but haven't heard are the Creative Gigaworks T20. 

[BobM]

Now we're talking. And it comes in orange, her favorite color (don't ask). USB, wireless, rechargeable, portable, plays from phone or computer, <$100.

I think this may be a winner.

[BobM]

I've looked at more speakers in the last week than I care to admit. I think this one is probably perfect for my daughter. It is Bluetooth or wired. It has a rechargeable battery, so it is portable. It is not stereo, but she is OK with that, and it is small.

Ultimate Ears MINI BOOM Wireless Bluetooth Speaker/Speakerphone

http://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Wireless-Bluetooth-Speaker-Speakerphone/dp/B00E9YIFQ4/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1414354274&sr=8-5&keywords=bluetooth+wireless+speaker+boombox

However, now I'm getting the bug to update my own desktop speakers, and so far I think these are leading the pack:

Emotiva Airmotiv 4s | Powered Studio Monitor

http://www.amazon.com/Emotiva-Airmotiv-4s-Powered-Monitor/dp/B00JMQ5X2I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1414354430&sr=8-1&keywords=emotiva+speakers

These Focal XS Book speakers also look very nice at about the same price point.

http://www.musicdirect.com/p-60655-focal-xs-book-speakers.aspx

Does anyone have any compare between the 2? (I never should have dug deeper into this thing to begin with)