High end audiophile computer speakers?

[RobinS]

Is there any? I've heard the Kayak speakers are very good but haven't been able to hear any yet. The bass response is unimportant as quality subs can be added later. What I'm looking for is very good reproduction in the 70-120 hz area and up. (Nothing by "computer speaker" manufacturers even remotely approximates good sound.) Some people refer to this as near field listening or nearfield monitors but unfortunately most nearfield speakers are focused on studio work and their priorities are not focused on sound quality - in the least. In the audiophile world there has rarely been any top end active speakers since what would be the change one manufacturer could have success in both speaker and amp design as they are totally different in their engineering challenges? Sort of like Ferrari suddenly going into TV production.

Another option would be positioning the speakers much closer to each ear, sort of like headphones that are placed several inches or perhaps a foot away. The output the speaker has to put out, the easier it is to focus on quality. Though I have no idea how hard it would be to get any sort of midbass (70-150hz) out of a design like that.

I realize you people are more into software so I'm just throwing this out there for fun. I guess it might be hard to get something more off topic....lol.

[Natobasso]

Don't ever put speakers up to your ears.

With an 1/8th to RCA cable from your mac plugged into a stereo/amplifier you can listen to pretty much any speaker you want.

Though for sound mixing and recording I recommend M-Audio:
http://www.m-audio.com/

[RobinS]

Well I experimented with the close positioning option and all bass was lost.

M-Audio is designed far more towards sound monitoring rather than the highest quality of sound reproduction possible. Much like most pro audio equipment. Of course they will sound fine. But I'm looking for much better than fine. And not an active speaker of course.

[fryke]

So you want to connect passive speakers to the headphones socket?! That's just plain misunderstood audio-tech. Get a good amp with matching speakers. Connect the Mac to that amp.

[RobinS]

Originally Posted by fryke

So you want to connect passive speakers to the headphones socket?! That's just plain misunderstood audio-tech. Get a good amp with matching speakers. Connect the Mac to that amp.

I thought that was kind of obvious.......lol. I'll also plug the amp into the wall and listen in the same room as the speakers. Just in case that wasn't clear.....

Is there nobody here that has high standards for audio reproduction for near field listening?

[RobinS]

One option is getting my headphones more comfortable. No speakers that don't cost a fortune can match headphone quality, plus headphone amps are a LOT cheaper than quality power amps for speakers.

[FrankBIG]

I personally use a pair of Monitor Audio Radius R180. They give me great satisfaction. I also have a pair of M-Audio BX8a in the room for use with my synths but I can tell you they don't even come close to the Radius for music reproduction.

[RobinS]

I'm sure the Monitor Audio speakers are great. I've heard the bigger versions and they sound wonderful. A great example of uncolored British design with pinpoint imaging if set up well. Just wish there were more available on the used market in this part of the world.