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Sideface

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#161715 17-Jan-2015 11:01
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This topic was discussed last year in "Recommendations for soundbar or similar for <$1k?" - but the soundbar was for use with a TV.

I'm looking for a quality soundbar or soundbase for use with a PC - for near-field listening to music at moderate volume + occasional movies.
I have a NAS full of 24-bit music.
Good sound quality is essential - I want good music, not cinema dialog, bangs, crashes and wollops.

REQUIREMENTS

For use on a desktop under a 32" monitor (see image below)
On a Lian-Li DK-01X Computer Desk (black with tinted glass top, 90 cm wide)
Stereo - not 2.1 or 5.1  
NO sub (I don't want or need one)
Compact - no more than 90 cm wide
Inconspicuous, preferably black
Good build quality
Wireless/Bluetooth optional
NOT Bose
Preferably <$1,000

I would value Geekzoners' advice smile

PS  The Sonos Playbar is an obvious candidate, but is probably "overkill"







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nakedmolerat
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  #1216481 17-Jan-2015 12:13
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Any Bose is good.



lxsw20
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  #1216495 17-Jan-2015 13:07
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nakedmolerat: Any Bose is good.


That's a bold statement, Cotton. 

sidefx
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  #1216576 17-Jan-2015 15:25
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I'm just curious, why a soundbar over a pair of good bookshelf speakers?




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  #1216583 17-Jan-2015 15:48
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nakedmolerat: Any Bose is good.


Not what he thinks lol.

Sideface: NOT Bose

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  #1216638 17-Jan-2015 18:31
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From the look of that pic, a sound bar might be in the desk, in front of the PC. A sound bar will enable the clean clear profile to be kept.

But apart from that comment I have no knowledge of soundbars. LOL

richms
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  #1216639 17-Jan-2015 18:33
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Look for a pair of powered studio monitors to put either side of the screen. Some really good little ones at av world when I was last there.

Anything soundbar like is usually made to project a 5.1 stream out into the room and will totally screw up any stereo imaging.




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  #1216672 17-Jan-2015 19:14
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sidefx: I'm just curious, why a soundbar over a pair of good bookshelf speakers?

Good question.
I'm currently using a pair of AudioEngine A2+s - they sound good, but are hard to position.
Because my 32" (2560x1440) screen is so large - much larger than in the illustration - I have a choice of either putting the speakers behind the monitor and compromising the sound, or putting them in front of the monitor, obscuring part of the screen.
Thus my interest in an inconspicuous soundbar that would fit below the screen - and keeping the clean, uncluttered look of the Computer Desk.
The entire desk is a large water-cooled computer, and you can see the insides "working" through the tinted glass top.

PS  I am a very untidy person, and I have never had a "clear desk" before. smile




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afe66
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  #1216682 17-Jan-2015 19:46
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? Lay speakers on their side.

How much space/height are we looking at?

A.


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  #1216701 17-Jan-2015 20:41
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at a guess - good speakers behind the monitor will probably sound better than the best sound bar money can buy

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  #1216703 17-Jan-2015 20:42
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afe66: ? Lay speakers on their side.

How much space/height are we looking at?

A.



I have tried the A2+s on their side. Sounds OK but ... ugly and the rear controls (on-off, volume) are harder to reach.

Available space:

width: 80 - 90 cm max
depth: 25 - 30 cm max
height: 10 - 11cm max




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chiefie
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  #1216706 17-Jan-2015 20:49
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Mount on wall behind the desk (you didn't mention where the desk is placed)... or have the speakers on speaker stands on the side of the table at a reasonable listening height.




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chiefie
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  #1216714 17-Jan-2015 21:20
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By the way, where did you get your DK-01X? That thing is like $1600 from Computer Lounge, with DK-02X priced at $1900.




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  #1216738 17-Jan-2015 22:38
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chiefie: By the way, where did you get your DK-01X?


Computer Lounge.
Expensive, but beautifully built and rock solid.




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  #1216740 17-Jan-2015 22:41
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My entire home theatre is worth less ;p

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  #1216794 18-Jan-2015 08:23
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joker97: My entire home theatre is worth less ;p

I think of it as a piece of good quality office furniture - which happens to contain a computer. wink




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