Any thoughts on a desktop setup? Passive? Active? What would a good quality set up look like or do you have?
I have an iMac 27” and I already have a focusrite clarett+ interface for my neumann 103 mic I use for podcasts and voice overs.
I have another set up but wondering what others have done.
Genelec 8020
I was looking at a set of Raw - they look awesome and way better than the grey ones.
The grey ones sound better… 
Oh I was waiting for something like that on here. 
Happy to oblige… 
The raw finish is a bit marmite - I don’t think I could live with it. The dark grey is pretty good at just ‘disappearing’ into the background. You’re supposed to be listening to them anyway - not admiring the finish…
Yes and my office is whacky so the grey would actually stand out!!!
Do you have a pair? If so what’s your experience?
I have a wiim ultra into AVi9s and a rel sub. Bloody marvellous and in all honesty around 80% of my listening due to work.
A pair of 8020b. Must be 15 years old now. Used extensively for tracking/editing/mixing my son’s band (indie rock) before they started using ‘real’ studios. The dip switches on the back let you adjust for where you put them. Neutral. Worked well listening to prerecorded music too. I never felt the need for more bass, but the Genelec sub should work!
So I ordered a set of 8010a Raw and a set of balanced cables for my Clarett+ Pre. Holy crap - I love it. Need the sub but what a set up and perfect for all my tasks including editing.
Thanks.
Sounds like a win…
Bullseye first time. I had been looking at the Genelecs for ages and your comment helped.
I have spent now nearly a week and OMG for tiny 19cm speakers I think they are simply awesome. I have a set of Neat Iotas (clearly passive) on my Nova and they don’t sound as good. I know this is a nearfield set up i.e. I am only 60cm from the speakers so very different but WOW what a mini studio set up I now have. The accuracy is stunning.
Would you suggest to get a pair of 8010A just to replace standard PC speakers even without adding a proper DAC? The price seems reasonable too and the quality is surely way better. Just wondering, do you feel a lack of bass? I mean it according to their size, of course I would never compare the little Genelecs to big speakers.
I looked at a number of options for an acoustically challenging work space including the Genelec range and PMC Result6. I have a Mac Studio, Focusrite Scarlett solo (4th gen) and went with Neumann KH120 ii Active and use their MA1 alignment mic for the DSP room adjustment. Works wonders on the room correction for near field monitoring and music while I work, though I’d describe the sound as quite dry. I’m happy with the setup for indie film editing and music while I work. I’d like to get some physical room treatments so the DSP would be less involved but it’s still remarkable what it has achieved.
I mean these speakers are awesome and VERY different to anything else I have owned at a desktop scale. My main system is a 500 series Naim set up with BWs so I would class myself as a little fussy… The detail is beautiful and they have a set of adjustments for room and placement that really help. In terms of bass, anything at this scale is going to struggle to really give the depth that hums, but I am nicely surprised. For that reason I did consider the Neumann KH120 ii Actives that @James bought BUT these are 10cm (1/3) smaller which is what I wanted. Am I condsidering a Sub - yes but at the price I still come in lower than the Neumanns even adding in the sub.
Yeah I looked at those - front ported right? but bigger… I was a little worried about the Focusrite also with such quality speakers as the Neumans but it works for you? I think studio speakers are alway going to edge to dry and honest right… I have tried to be a bit decorative in my office space and have used some Moss wall coverings - they help AND look good.
Oh and I didn’t respond on the DAC front. Hmmm it is yours to play with - I certainly feel the significant benefit of the audio interface. I mean the Focusrite is a studio quality DAC that has lower noise and distortion than a PC. It also has balanced outputs and a better dynamic range. What PC do you have?
BTW I saw a clarett+ pre2 for £150 preloved so the Scarlett would be even less I guess and worth it.
That’s exactly why I was curious to hear your experience. Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
Neumanns can be interesting as well, but I do understand why you preferred a smaller setup, I’d probably do the same.
Right now I have a Dell workstation. Previously I was using a humble Cambridge DAC Magic with my headphones. It worked pretty well for the price. However sooner or later I might want to consider a better setup for the spekers which are pretty basic right now (but I wouldn’t want to spend much money because that’s not my Hi-Fi).