just my opinion but listening nearfield, on a computer desktop especially, you don;t need perfect resolution or even deep bass response. You get a nice image just because you are close and the same for frequency response. Therefore ... you don;t need expensive speakers in that situation, and DIY'ing something there is just too much work. Go buy a pair of $50 AR's or something similar and power them with any of the dozens of $50 class D amplifiers that are available.
Hi Bob,
you are right about computer desktop sound system.
My Sony 2 way bass reflex bookself speaker are 24'' from my ears.
The subwoofer is at the same distance and only goes down to about 70 Hz,
it a 2.1 sub Cambridge amplifier (Class D)15 watts with a 4'' woofer bass reflex.
My system sound perfermance surprise me many times a day.
Total cost Sony + Cambridge is : 100 USD new.
Plus other items listed below.
Purchase 15 years ago and still run strong.
My source is a Grace Digital table top Internet radio feeding the Cambridge
via rca output from Grace to Cambridge.
I also have a Schiit Fulla 2 (99USD) from laptop (Via usb cable - 20 USD)
then from Fulla 2 to the Cambridge amplifier subwoofer
via a mini usb to rca (Signal cable (45 USD) via a Schiit SYS volume 2 rca input.
Just want to share and say I agree with you.
Guy 13