An increasing number of us are spending most of our day behind a desk, not just at work, but at home too, thanks to remote work. As I walk around the office, music lovers are either listening over headphones or have Spotify playing over their phone speaker.
It makes me happy that there are a large amount of music fans, but I’d rather have no tunes to listen over my Android phone than listen to tunes on a low quality setup. Everybody has a little snob in them.
Until about 10 years ago I had no music at my desk and suffered through listening to coworkers chomp their apple or ruffle through a chip bag. My sisters told me I have misophonia, so now I have an excuse.
After some research, I discovered it’s not that difficult or expensive to add a quality two-channel hi-fi on your desk and I took the plunge. I’m here to admit I use my desktop system about eight hours a day compared to two listening to my high-end rig in my listening room.
The snob in me wasn’t buying into the idea of an audiophile level system on my desk with speakers two feet from my ears. I spent just enough to satisfy my misconceptions by purchasing JBL studio speakers and a cheap DAC to take the digital conversion away from my laptop.
Use an External DAC Instead of the Computer’s DAC
Once I finally got my laptop to play nice with my DAC, I had good quality music at my desk. Without a DAC, your laptop converts the digital signal to analog so your speakers can produce sound. Digital is a signal we can’t hear without converting to an analog signal. Your alarm clock even has an internal DAC. The main purpose of the laptop or any computer is not to play audio, so the internal DAC is an afterthought, and while it works, it’s noisy and junk.
There are tons of buying options for external desk-top DACs and many sound good. I upgraded from my flea-market DAC to the Pro-ject Pre Box S2 DAC for $400. It’s from a well-known company I trust, and the reviews were glowing. A big reason for choosing the S2 was the big volume knob. When someone walks into my office, I can quickly find the knob to lower the volume.
The S2 was a successful buy and is still running my desktop system eight years later. I have no complaints about the sound, and it works 100% of the time and I strongly recommend their current version, still priced at $400.
Self-Powered Speakers
It’s a desk and there isn’t enough space for an amplifier I would use. Speakers with an internal amplifier isn’t a new phenomenon, but what is are the number of high-end powered speakers that satisfy my listening requirements.
The studio speakers from JBL I purchased had a nice and smooth sound that I used for the first six years. They were the JBL Studio 3 Series MKII which can be found at your local music store or online, mine was The Guitar Center. They are still available and priced at $150 each, you need two.
The staff at AVWhiz were excited to put together a list of recommended desktop audio systems for our readers. Please note, if a product is not on our list, it means we either didn’t like them enough or never experienced them. In some instances, we enjoyed the sound, but the DAC didn’t get along with the computer and frustrated us.
Adding a desktop system is a great opportunity to try a new brand or experiment with the unknown cheap DACs on Amazon. These are not expensive so If something doesn’t satisfy you, it’s easy to move on to another. At least you know you did or didn’t like a brand.
Recent powered speakers have built in DACs allowing you to connect directly to the computer. That is great news because less is more. Some come with a remote, but I’d much rather have a volume knob at my fingertips. Choose what you prefer as long as you can access the volume quickly,
Recommended Desktop Systems
System 1 Separate DAC: $419
DAC: Audioengine D1 DAC/headphone amplifier: $169
Audioengine is one of those tried-and-true companies we trust, and the desktop is their zone. Compact only in stature with a chunky volume knob. Remote control included.
Speakers: Onkyo Creater Series GC-10DB: $250
The Onkyo speakers are a recent product launch for Onkyo and we like the aesthetics and input options. They have a three-inch woofer and ¾” tweeter and have an overall smooth sound a little on the bright side of neutral. Connections: (input) phono/line-in RCAs, USB-C, and optical (output) subwoofer. 17 watts.
System 2 Speakers Only: $549
DAC: Separate DAC not needed in this system, built in speaker
Speakers: Cambridge Audio L / R S: $549
Attractive powered speakers recently launched, modern internal DAC eliminating the need for separate DAC – connect directly to computer via USB-C. 50 watts per channel, three-inch woofer and horn-loaded .83 aluminum tweeter. Inputs: RCA, optical, USB-C. Outputs: subwoofer. Six color options: black, white, walnut, blue, green, or orange.
System 3 Separate DAC: $778
DAC: Pro-ject Pre Box S2 Digital: $399
The Pro-ject S2 is a legendary product and has been around for 10+ years. Sound quality machine. Big volume knob and digital filters, Black or silver metal case, remote included.
Speakers: Klipsch ProMedia Lumina: $379
Recent launch from Klipsch. One-inch horn tweeter and three-inch woofer, includes 6 ½” subwoofer (14” tall by 6” wide by 15” deep) and a little clumsy, RGB multi-color backlit, high output (98dB), Klipsch app, 100-watt internal amplifier
System 4 Speakers Only: $1,499 ($1,199 when on sale)
Speakers: PSB Alpha iQ Streaming Powered Speaker: $1,499 ($1,199 when on sale)
Built in music streaming, there is no need to connect to the computer. Inputs: phono, HDMI eARC, optical, and auxiliary. Subwoofer output. Attractive and well-built speaker. Your desk or office will sound better than probably everyone else’s. Smooth and well-balanced sonics. Aluminum dome tweeter makes sure all the detail is there. Legendary speaker manufacturer. If I was in the market for an audiophile desktop stereo, these would be my choice.
System 5 Speakers Only: $1,499
Speakers: KEF LSX II: $1,499
Modeled from KEF’s big-brother’s legendary LS50, 4.5” woofer and .75” aluminum dome tweeter mounted within the woofer referred to as Uni-Q. Single source speakers offered balanced dispersion with advantages over traditional 2-ways for near-field listening, like a desk. Aesthetically unmatched – maybe distract you from your work and attract unwanted visitors, very high build quality, four color options: soundwave edition (gray), carbon black, amber haze, cotton white and each model features a fabric wrap.
System 6 Speakers Only: $2,999
Speakers: KEF LS50 II Wireless Powered Speakers: $1,499
The powered version of the LS50 Meta speakers. Qni-Q driver array with a 5 ¼” aluminum woofer wrapped around a 1” aluminum dome tweeter. Inputs: HDMI, optical, digital coaxial, auxiliary. Dual subwoofer outputs (one per speaker). Each driver has its own amplifier totaling 170 watts per speaker. Very well-built cabinet with sculpted curved front baffle (same as the LSX II). Overall size may be too big for some desks. As with other KEFS, there are four color options: carbon black, mineral white, moss green, and sand shell. Detailed across the entire audio spectrum, the aluminum tweeter will keep you honest about your music tastes, revealing high frequencies. The LS50 II will make you want to sit at your desk more.
Conclusion
A desktop system can be expensive but it doesn’t have to. I’m telling you, adding system 1 or 2 from this list will give you years of joy. These are all compact systems easily transported around. My desktop system is where I will try a new brand or evaluate different USB cables, yes I buy audiophile USB cables.
The desktop is also a great way to enter into the audiophile community without draining your wallet. Each system on this list can be used as a great stereo system in a small to medium-sized room. Many powered speakers have internal DACs eliminating the need for an external DAC. I will always strongly suggest avoiding using the DAC built into your computer. Grab a $5 dongle DAC instead.
Powered Speakers make great gifts. Dad would love to have speakers in the garage or your kid’s dorm room or first apartment. There are inexpensive great options so look around before you jump on Amazon, who will flash handsome $35 powered speakers that are too good to be true. Get a pair you’d want to own for many years, and with a smart choice, they will.
If you’re on the fence about investing in a stereo system or have limited funds, try a desktop system. They’re modern marvels.
Our recommendations reflect our personal experience with the equipment reviewed and should be considered alongside your own listening preferences and room acoustics. We encourage readers to audition audio equipment whenever possible. Great sound is personal, and the best component is the one that brings you closer to your music.
