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TICKET ARCHIVE -> High end audiophile computer speakers?

RobinS - Nov 13, 2007 - 11:07 am

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.

earthsaver - Nov 13, 2007 - 3:18 pm

I could be wrong, but to my knowledge, Bang & Olufsen are known as the best audio gurus in the industry. B&O has one computer speaker product on the market. Second, there's Bose, with a few options here.

I wonder whether you won't be satisfied with the sound coming out of your Mini's headphone port compared to having optical/digital audio ports, which might make a significant difference.

I'm going to reopen your question for other techs to address as I continue to enjoy the quality of my Boomtube

- Ben

P.S. Don't forget about Harman Kardon.

RobinS - Nov 13, 2007 - 7:32 pm

B & O actually has never made a single quality audio product in their entire history. They thrive on style. Zero substance. Bose is the same, though devoid of style. Sorry to be so blunt but them's the facts. Publications like The Absolute Sound and Stereophile as well as a few in England have great discernment when it comes to quality audio. They can really open one's eyes. Of course most of this stuff is hideously expensive - well beyond the financial reach of most of us.
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> I wonder whether you won't be satisfied with the sound coming out of your Mini's headphone port compared to having optical/digital audio ports, which might make a significant difference.

That's an intersting point. I do use a USB sound device by Griffin but I should compare it with the headphone output in case one is significantly better than the other. Which is supposed to sound better or goes through less processing I wonder?
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Boomtube and devices like it are great audio starting off products. But I've been spoilt with high end audio sound.... So its really going to cost me now..lol
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HK - Well a couple of their power amps were OK but never great for the money.
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Here are some interesting products:
A turntable
http://www.savantaudio.com/referett.html
http://blog.stereophile.com/ces2007/011307goldmund/

Here's a long list typical of the insanity of high end audio now:
http://www.savantaudio.com/savant4.html#Ttables

http://www.bornrich.org/entry/top-10...e-cant-afford/

http://www.gearlive.com/index.php/ne...able-06071408/

http://www.musicalsurroundings.com/c...statement.html

And some bizarre photos from the CES
http://www.highendpalace.com/2006%20...egas%20III.htm
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While most of these components are beyond our reach, the principles behind their excellence can guide us well in our future purchases. So there is a purpose to our drooling.... And yes they so sound out of this world, if you're a discerning music lover.

earthsaver - Nov 13, 2007 - 8:21 pm

I guess Creative doesn't cut it either.

RobinS - Nov 14, 2007 - 1:50 pm

Nope.

Here's a review of that wonderful little Kayak speaker. You'll see this writer is quite the perfectionist. And very discerning.
http://www.tnt-audio.com/casse/rolekayak_e.html
http://www.roleaudio.com/kayak/kayakreview1.html
These look very good. $695 for the cheapest version too. If one had a schematic for the crossover, and the manufacturer wasn't using modified drivers....I bet that $695 price would plummet to about $200 or less! But that's being naughty.

TechSupport - Nov 17, 2007 - 2:00 pm

We apologize for not being able to resolve the issue you asked of us. It is the absolute worst case scenario for us to do this. In our review of why this happens, it generally is related to either the particular issue being addressed or frequently, incomplete or incorrect information provided. We hope by moving your request to the public forums that you will be able to get a solution without leaving you empty handed.

Your ticket has been closed with our support team. Your request has just been posted to Mac OS X System & Mac Software and is available for your viewing at:

http://macosx.com/forums/showthread.php?t=296512

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