{"id":195481,"date":"2021-03-06T04:09:46","date_gmt":"2021-03-06T01:09:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/these-3-studio-monitors-are-great-speakers-for-a-small-desk\/"},"modified":"2021-03-06T04:09:46","modified_gmt":"2021-03-06T01:09:46","slug":"these-3-studio-monitors-are-great-speakers-for-a-small-desk","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/these-3-studio-monitors-are-great-speakers-for-a-small-desk\/","title":{"rendered":"#These 3 studio monitors are great speakers for a small desk"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_85 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a39b81b5a293\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a39b81b5a293\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/these-3-studio-monitors-are-great-speakers-for-a-small-desk\/#Wont_studio_monitors_sound_boring\" >Won\u2019t studio monitors sound boring?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/these-3-studio-monitors-are-great-speakers-for-a-small-desk\/#What_are_frequency_response_and_directivity\" >What are frequency response and directivity?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/these-3-studio-monitors-are-great-speakers-for-a-small-desk\/#A_measurement_primer\" >A measurement primer<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/these-3-studio-monitors-are-great-speakers-for-a-small-desk\/#JBL_104_140_a_pair180_with_Bluetooth\" >JBL 104 ($140 a pair\/$180 with Bluetooth)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/these-3-studio-monitors-are-great-speakers-for-a-small-desk\/#iLoud_Micro_Monitors_300_a_pair\" >iLoud Micro Monitors ($300 a pair)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/these-3-studio-monitors-are-great-speakers-for-a-small-desk\/#Neumann_KH80_1000_a_pair\" >Neumann KH80 ($1,000 a pair)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/these-3-studio-monitors-are-great-speakers-for-a-small-desk\/#Bonus_upgrade_Get_a_subwoofer\" >Bonus upgrade: Get a subwoofer<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/these-3-studio-monitors-are-great-speakers-for-a-small-desk\/#So_are_studio_monitors_better_than_regular_speakers\" >So are studio monitors better than regular speakers?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<p>&#8220;<strong>#These 3 studio monitors are great speakers for a small desk<\/strong>&#8221;<\/p>\n<div>\n                                As someone who\u2019s worked from home since long before the pandemic, having great sound at your desk can make the workday a lot more enjoyable. But if you, like me, have a small desk, you probably don\u2019t want giant speakers taking up all your precious real estate.<\/p>\n<p>Fret not, for I\u2019m here to tell you you can get great sound from small speakers too. But to get the most bang for your buck, I make one important recommendation: consider buying studio monitors instead of mainstream or \u2018hi-fi\u2019 speakers.<\/p>\n<p>No, not the kind of \u2018monitor\u2019 you use to watch <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/social-mediaa\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"1\" title=\"Social Media\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">YouTube<\/a>; monitor is a term for speakers too, particularly in a pro-audio context.<\/p>\n<p>The reason for my recommendation is simple: rather than attracting buyers with flashy looks or gimmicky features, studio monitors tend to focus on no-nonsense good sound. These speakers are <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/general\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"3\" title=\"General\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">general<\/a>ly aimed at people <em>making<\/em> music, not just listening to it, and they often have the data to back that performance up.<\/p>\n<p>So in this article, I\u2019m recommending three very-small speakers that I have personally used for at least a few months on my desk, and I\u2019ll be providing some objective data to confirm important aspects of their performance. I may\u00a0update this list as I test more small speakers, but right now, it includes the<a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/jblpro.com\/en\/products\/104\"> JBL 104<\/a>\u00a0($140), the <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ikmultimedia.com\/products\/iloudmm\/\">iLoud Micro Monitors<\/a>\u00a0($300), and the <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.neumann.com\/homestudio\/en\/kh-80\">Neumann KH80<\/a>($1,000).<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Wont_studio_monitors_sound_boring\"><\/span>Won\u2019t studio monitors sound boring?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Contrary to what you might\u2019ve heard, a good studio monitor doesn\u2019t inherently sound \u2018boring\u2019 or \u2018too neutral\u2019 compared to consumer-oriented speakers. Although functionality might differ between categories, for the most part, a good speaker just sounds <em>good \u2014<\/em> whether for a music professional or someone who just <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/download-scripts-themes-apps\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"9\" title=\"Download Scripts &amp; Themes &amp; Apps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">app<\/a>reciates good sound while working from home.<\/p>\n<p><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=zrpUDuUtxPM\">Decades of<\/a> <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.aes.org\/e-lib\/browse.cfm?elib=12847\">acoustics research<\/a> tell us that there are two basic ingredients that help speakers excel in listening tests: a flat-ish frequency response and smooth directivity. In my experience, studio monitors are more likely to exhibit these qualities.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_are_frequency_response_and_directivity\"><\/span>What are frequency response and directivity?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Frequency response is the most common type of speaker measurement you\u2019ll see. It describes the direct sound leaving the front of a speaker (\u2018on-axis), and this should be measured without the influence of reflections, such as in an anechoic chamber. It doesn\u2019t need to be perfect, but as a general rule, a flat frequency response is a good frequency response.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, smooth \u2018directivity\u2019 (sometimes called dispersion) bit means that the speaker\u2019s frequency response changes evenly away (or \u2018off-axis\u2019) from the speaker\u2019s front.<\/p>\n<p>This is important because when we listen to speakers in a room, we actually hear both the direct sound <em>and<\/em> the earliest sounds to reflect off our walls; the latter are particularly important for the soundstage. The more similar the off-axis sounds are to the on-axis sounds, the more realistic and stable a speaker\u2019s soundstage is. The lack of early reflections is a big part of why headphones don\u2019t have much of a soundstage beyond what\u2019s in the recording.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"post-image post-mediaBleed aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-1341776 lazy\" alt=\"\" width=\"432\" height=\"527\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 432px) 100vw, 432px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/03\/Snag_14dab692.png\" data-lazy=\"true\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/03\/Snag_14dab692.png 677w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/03\/Snag_14dab692-172x210.png 172w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/03\/Snag_14dab692-221x270.png 221w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/03\/Snag_14dab692-111x135.png 111w\"\/><figcaption>Credit: Floyd Toole &#8211; Sound Reproduction: The Acoustics and Psychoacoustics of Loudspeakers and Rooms, page 121<\/figcaption><figcaption><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/thenextweb.com\/plugged\/2021\/03\/06\/these-3-studio-monitors-are-great-speakers-for-a-small-desk\/#\" data-url=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fthenextweb.com%2Fplugged%2F2021%2F03%2F06%2Fthese-3-studio-monitors-are-great-speakers-for-a-small-desk%2F&amp;via=thenextweb&amp;related=thenextweb&amp;text=Check out this picture on: Here you can see some of the angles that might reflect towards a listener immediately after the direct sound in a typical living room setup. These angles will be different in a desktop setup, and the reflections will be quieter, but off-axis performance is still important to optimize.\" data-title=\"Share Here you can see some of the angles that might reflect towards a listener immediately after the direct sound in a typical living room setup. These angles will be different in a desktop setup, and the reflections will be quieter, but off-axis performance is still important to optimize. on Twitter\" data-width=\"685\" data-height=\"500\" class=\"post-image-share popitup\" title=\"Share Here you can see some of the angles that might reflect towards a listener immediately after the direct sound in a typical living room setup. These angles will be different in a desktop setup, and the reflections will be quieter, but off-axis performance is still important to optimize. on Twitter\"><i class=\"icon icon--inline icon--twitter--dark\"\/><\/a>Here you can see some of the angles that might reflect towards a listener immediately after the direct sound in a typical living room setup. These angles will be different in a desktop setup, and the reflections will be quieter, but off-axis performance is still important to optimize.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>These aren\u2019t the <em>only<\/em> qualities that make a good speaker, mind you, but they have been consistently shown to be the most important. The <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/sciencee\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"5\" title=\"Science\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">science<\/a> suggests that not only are speakers that exhibit these qualities generally perceived to be more neutral and transparent, they are <em>enjoyed<\/em> by listeners more too.<\/p>\n<p>The speakers I\u2019m recommending do a good job at these metrics within their price and size constraints. While they are certainly not the only speakers worth considering for a compact space, I\u2019m willing to stand by these recommendations due to my own long-term experience with each of them (and I\u2019ll update this list as I test other small speakers).<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_measurement_primer\"><\/span>A measurement primer<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>In the mini-reviews below, you\u2019ll see a kind of graph called a \u2018spinorama,\u2019 so-named because it involves rotating a speaker to 70 angles to capture its sound in all sorts of directions. It\u2019s a super-useful summary of a speaker\u2019s overall sound, and though it was designed for living room speakers, it\u2019s very useful for nearfield setups too.<\/p>\n<p>If I were to draw up measurements for a fictional A+ speaker, it might have a spinorama that looks roughly like this:<\/p>\n<figure class=\"post-image post-mediaBleed aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1341770 lazy\" alt=\"\" width=\"1200\" height=\"964\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/03\/Ideal-Spin.png\" data-lazy=\"true\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/03\/Ideal-Spin.png 1200w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/03\/Ideal-Spin-261x210.png 261w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/03\/Ideal-Spin-336x270.png 336w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/03\/Ideal-Spin-168x135.png 168w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/03\/Ideal-Spin-796x639.png 796w\"\/><figcaption><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/thenextweb.com\/plugged\/2021\/03\/06\/these-3-studio-monitors-are-great-speakers-for-a-small-desk\/#\" data-url=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fthenextweb.com%2Fplugged%2F2021%2F03%2F06%2Fthese-3-studio-monitors-are-great-speakers-for-a-small-desk%2F&amp;via=thenextweb&amp;related=thenextweb&amp;text=Check out this picture on: This speaker does not exist, but it\u2019s a rough idea of what a good speaker might strive for (even though there are different ways of being \u2018good\u2019)\" data-title=\"Share This speaker does not exist, but it\u2019s a rough idea of what a good speaker might strive for (even though there are different ways of being \u2018good\u2019) on Twitter\" data-width=\"685\" data-height=\"500\" class=\"post-image-share popitup\" title=\"Share This speaker does not exist, but it\u2019s a rough idea of what a good speaker might strive for (even though there are different ways of being \u2018good\u2019) on Twitter\"><i class=\"icon icon--inline icon--twitter--dark\"\/><\/a>This speaker does not exist, but it\u2019s a rough idea of what a good speaker might strive for (even though there are different ways of being \u2018good\u2019)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>You can read more about how to interpret these graphs\u00a0<a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/speakerdata2034.blogspot.com\/2019\/02\/spinorama-cea-2034-2015-ansi-data-format.html\">here<\/a>, but to keep things from getting even wordier, we\u2019ll primarily focus on the listening window (white), and early reflections curves (blue, top). Keep in mind no speaker really measures as neatly as the above \u2014 as you\u2019ll see, the lines are usually much more wiggly, and very few speakers have this much bass \u2014 but it should give you an idea of the <em>trends<\/em> to aim for.<\/p>\n<p>The listening window (LW) represents the direct sound, an average of several angles within a small window in front of the speaker. Technically, it\u2019s the on-axis (green) that shows how the speaker performs when <em>perfectly<\/em> aimed at you, but the listening window is often a more realistic metric as we don\u2019t tend to sit perfectly still or centered in front of a speaker.<\/p>\n<p>In most cases, the goal for the LW and\/or the on-axis curves should be a flat horizontal line. This is usually the most important measurement, especially for speakers meant to be used in the nearfield.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, the early reflections(ER) curve is a weighted average of the angles most likely to represent the wall-bounces arriving just after the direct sound. It\u2019s an important part of predicting a speaker\u2019s in-room performance.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"post-image post-mediaBleed aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1341775 lazy\" alt=\"\" width=\"699\" height=\"412\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 699px) 100vw, 699px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/03\/Snag_14d109f2.png\" data-lazy=\"true\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/03\/Snag_14d109f2.png 699w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/03\/Snag_14d109f2-280x165.png 280w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/03\/Snag_14d109f2-458x270.png 458w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/03\/Snag_14d109f2-229x135.png 229w\"\/><figcaption>Credit: <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Sound-Reproduction-Psychoacoustics-Loudspeakers-Engineering-dp-113892136X\/dp\/113892136X\/?tag=tnw88-20\">Floyd Toole &#8211; Sound Reproduction: The Acoustics and Psychoacoustics of Loudspeakers and Rooms, page 123<\/a><\/figcaption><figcaption><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/thenextweb.com\/plugged\/2021\/03\/06\/these-3-studio-monitors-are-great-speakers-for-a-small-desk\/#\" data-url=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fthenextweb.com%2Fplugged%2F2021%2F03%2F06%2Fthese-3-studio-monitors-are-great-speakers-for-a-small-desk%2F&amp;via=thenextweb&amp;related=thenextweb&amp;text=Check out this picture on: You can see the on-axis (0 degrees vertical and horizontal), Listening Window, and the front-hemisphere components of the early reflections curve.\" data-title=\"Share You can see the on-axis (0 degrees vertical and horizontal), Listening Window, and the front-hemisphere components of the early reflections curve. on Twitter\" data-width=\"685\" data-height=\"500\" class=\"post-image-share popitup\" title=\"Share You can see the on-axis (0 degrees vertical and horizontal), Listening Window, and the front-hemisphere components of the early reflections curve. on Twitter\"><i class=\"icon icon--inline icon--twitter--dark\"\/><\/a>You can see the on-axis (0 degrees vertical and horizontal), Listening Window, and the front-hemisphere components of the early reflections curve.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>(The predicted-in-room response (purple) is an even more accurate estimate, as it requires all\u00a070 angles to calculate. However, in practice, it almost always looks just like the ER curve tilted down a tiny bit more. These two curves are nearly interchangeable, so the PIR is often left out of spinoramas).<\/p>\n<p>The ER should basically have the same shape as the listening window, except tilted downwards at higher frequencies. Remember, the goal is for the off-axis response to resemble the direct sound; the closer the shape of the ER curve is to the LW, the better a speaker\u2019s directivity.<\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s actually what the blue curve at the bottom \u2014 the Early Reflections Directivity Index (ERDI) \u2014 tells you. It simply graphs the difference between the ER curve and the LW curve.<\/p>\n<p>So let\u2019s get to the actual speakers.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"JBL_104_140_a_pair180_with_Bluetooth\"><\/span>JBL 104 ($140 a pair\/$180 with Bluetooth)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"post-image post-mediaBleed aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1341773 lazy\" alt=\"\" width=\"1000\" height=\"412\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/03\/oneseries104sectionbanner_powerandpunch_original.png\" data-lazy=\"true\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/03\/oneseries104sectionbanner_powerandpunch_original.png 1000w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/03\/oneseries104sectionbanner_powerandpunch_original-280x115.png 280w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/03\/oneseries104sectionbanner_powerandpunch_original-540x222.png 540w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/03\/oneseries104sectionbanner_powerandpunch_original-270x111.png 270w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/03\/oneseries104sectionbanner_powerandpunch_original-796x328.png 796w\"\/><figcaption>Credit: JBL<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/jblpro.com\/en\/products\/104\">JBL 104<\/a> is simply an all-around excellent speaker for the price, and the footprint remains small at just 6 x 4.9 inches. Although I tested the model without Bluetooth (which appears to be discontinued, but can still be found for less than MSRP around the web), the <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/jblpro.com\/en\/products\/104-bt\">Bluetooth-enabled model<\/a> should perform similarly.<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s the spinorama:<\/p>\n<figure class=\"post-image post-mediaBleed aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1341767 lazy\" alt=\"\" width=\"1200\" height=\"964\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/03\/104-Spin.png\" data-lazy=\"true\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/03\/104-Spin.png 1200w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/03\/104-Spin-261x210.png 261w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/03\/104-Spin-336x270.png 336w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/03\/104-Spin-168x135.png 168w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/03\/104-Spin-796x639.png 796w\"\/><\/figure>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The JBL 104 has a listening window that tends towards flat, with a bit of a bass boost, as well as a slight treble boost when listened to head-on. The directivity performance is excellent until you reach about 5kHz, where things start to get muddied, but not enough to stop this from being an enjoyable speaker.<\/p>\n<p>There\u2019s a reason for the elevated treble too. Most monitors are intended to sound best when placed on stands and aimed right at your head, but the 104 is designed to sound good sitting right on your desk. As in this position the speaker will be slightly below your ear level, the sound mellows out and you get a speaker that sounds neutral or balanced.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s not the most refined speaker in the world \u2014 there\u2019s some messiness in the upper frequencies that prevents them from being as detailed as the other speakers, and I could take or leave that bass bump.<\/p>\n<p>But the <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Coaxial_loudspeaker\">coaxial<\/a> driver helps it present a solid sound stage that remains stable no matter where you\u2019re listening from, being particularly strong in the vertical plane relative to other speakers. Frequency response and directivity aside, it has a low level of hiss for something this cheap, and the headphone out and balanced inputs are nice bonuses given the price as well.<\/p>\n<p>For just a$140 MSRP ($180 for the Bluetooth version), it\u2019s my go-to recommendation for someone looking for something cheap and good. I\u2019ve heard worse for much more money.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"iLoud_Micro_Monitors_300_a_pair\"><\/span>iLoud Micro Monitors ($300 a pair)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"post-image post-mediaBleed aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1341772 lazy\" alt=\"\" width=\"1200\" height=\"640\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/03\/iloudmm_white_U6A1505_v3_rz_1500@2x.jpg\" data-lazy=\"true\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/03\/iloudmm_white_U6A1505_v3_rz_1500@2x.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/03\/iloudmm_white_U6A1505_v3_rz_1500@2x-280x149.jpg 280w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/03\/iloudmm_white_U6A1505_v3_rz_1500@2x-506x270.jpg 506w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/03\/iloudmm_white_U6A1505_v3_rz_1500@2x-253x135.jpg 253w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/03\/iloudmm_white_U6A1505_v3_rz_1500@2x-796x425.jpg 796w\"\/><figcaption>Credit: IK Multimedia<\/figcaption><figcaption><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/thenextweb.com\/plugged\/2021\/03\/06\/these-3-studio-monitors-are-great-speakers-for-a-small-desk\/#\" data-url=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fthenextweb.com%2Fplugged%2F2021%2F03%2F06%2Fthese-3-studio-monitors-are-great-speakers-for-a-small-desk%2F&amp;via=thenextweb&amp;related=thenextweb&amp;text=Check out this picture on: They\u2019re so tiny!\" data-title=\"Share They\u2019re so tiny! on Twitter\" data-width=\"685\" data-height=\"500\" class=\"post-image-share popitup\" title=\"Share They\u2019re so tiny! on Twitter\"><i class=\"icon icon--inline icon--twitter--dark\"\/><\/a>They\u2019re so tiny!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>These are by far the smallest speakers on this list, with a 5.3 x 3.5 inch footprint. They also offer Bluetooth connectivity and a customizable sound profile through three switches on the rear, and they keep hiss relatively low for the price class. TheMicro Monitors are able to be angled upwards, helping to avoid a potentially detrimental desk bounce, although in my experience they still sound best on ear-height stands (or the equivalent stack of books).<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s the spinorama:<\/p>\n<figure class=\"post-image post-mediaBleed aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1341768 lazy\" alt=\"\" width=\"1200\" height=\"964\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/03\/iLoud-Spin-New.png\" data-lazy=\"true\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/03\/iLoud-Spin-New.png 1200w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/03\/iLoud-Spin-New-261x210.png 261w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/03\/iLoud-Spin-New-336x270.png 336w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/03\/iLoud-Spin-New-168x135.png 168w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/03\/iLoud-Spin-New-796x639.png 796w\"\/><\/figure>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Although you see some sharp dips in the frequency response, these are much less audible than they look (it\u2019s a lot easier to hear broad peaks than narrow dips in a frequency response). The overall trend is what we want: a flat.<\/p>\n<p>Every time I listen to the iLoud Micro Monitors, I am impressed by just how good they sound for something so small. Aside from a few mostly inoffensive dips, the frequency response is about as flat as you need, and directivity performance is truly excellent, ensuring a stable, accurate soundstage for your music. The spatial presentation on these speakers is excellent, allowing you to have a mini concert on your desk.<\/p>\n<p>Their limitation, like most small speakers, is that they can\u2019t get crazy loud before the bass starts to sound a little strained, especially since iLoud is squeezing a lot of bass out of that little woofer with DSP. But because they are so small, you can position them closer to your ears than you might larger speakers, meaning you probably don\u2019t need as much output in the first place.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Neumann_KH80_1000_a_pair\"><\/span>Neumann KH80 ($1,000 a pair)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"post-image post-mediaBleed aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1341774 lazy\" alt=\"\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/03\/x1_KH-420-KH-80-DSP-Jazzanova-Studio-Berlin-03_G.jpg\" data-lazy=\"true\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/03\/x1_KH-420-KH-80-DSP-Jazzanova-Studio-Berlin-03_G.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/03\/x1_KH-420-KH-80-DSP-Jazzanova-Studio-Berlin-03_G-280x187.jpg 280w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/03\/x1_KH-420-KH-80-DSP-Jazzanova-Studio-Berlin-03_G-405x270.jpg 405w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/03\/x1_KH-420-KH-80-DSP-Jazzanova-Studio-Berlin-03_G-203x135.jpg 203w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/03\/x1_KH-420-KH-80-DSP-Jazzanova-Studio-Berlin-03_G-796x531.jpg 796w\"\/><figcaption>Credit: Neumann<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Who is willing to spend $1000 on a pair of little speakers, you ask? Well, what if I told you those little speakers \u2014 a footprint of 6 x 7.6 inches \u2014 are some of the most technically impressive I\u2019ve seen at any size or price?<\/p>\n<p>The spin:<\/p>\n<figure class=\"post-image post-mediaBleed aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1341769 lazy\" alt=\"\" width=\"1200\" height=\"964\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/03\/KH80-Spin-New.png\" data-lazy=\"true\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/03\/KH80-Spin-New.png 1200w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/03\/KH80-Spin-New-261x210.png 261w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/03\/KH80-Spin-New-336x270.png 336w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/03\/KH80-Spin-New-168x135.png 168w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/03\/KH80-Spin-New-796x639.png 796w\"\/><\/figure>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Everything about the Neumann KH80\u2019s performance is textbook. It has the flattest frequency response out of dozens of speakers I\u2019ve measured to date, especially directly on-axis(green). It might even be better than I was able to measure, as it pushes my measurement rig its limits. In any case, the KH80 is at a point where going any more linear is unlikely to make an audible difference.<\/p>\n<p>Its directivity is similarly excellent. Although one flaw of the spinorama is that it does not separate horizontal and vertical measurements, it\u2019s worth pointing out the KH80 has particularly pristine horizontal directivity, and the horizontal performance is the most important for soundstage.<\/p>\n<p>The only significant flaw I can think of is of sub-bass \u2014 but that is something that affects nearly every speaker, big or small.\u00a0Also keep in mind the KH80, being truly aimed at pros, doesn\u2019t come with any cables to connect to your PC (if you don\u2019t know what XLR means, you\u2019ll need <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Hosa-CMP-159-Stereo-Breakout-Cable\/dp\/B005HGM1D6\/?tag=tnw88-20\">one like this<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p>On the other hand, the KH80 <em>can<\/em> get louder than almost anyone will ever need in a desktop setup, they have virtually no hiss, and they\u2019re backed by Neumann\u2019s longstanding reputation in the pro audio industry. Pair them with a subwoofer to fill out the bass and the KH80 will outclass many speakers several times its size \u2014 or price.<\/p>\n<p>That brings me to my next point\u2026<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Bonus_upgrade_Get_a_subwoofer\"><\/span>Bonus upgrade: Get a subwoofer<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Once you have a set of small speakers with a flat frequency response and good directivity, your biggest limitation will almost certainly be bass extension and\/or loudness. Adding a sub will help with both of these, as it will fill out the lowest frequencies and prevent your speaker\u2019s small woofer from having to work so hard to hit those lowest notes. The improvement will likely be audible even if you don\u2019t listen to very bass-heavy music.<\/p>\n<p>Even if you don\u2019t get a subwoofer right away, it\u2019s an effective upgrade to consider down the road. So long as your speaker has decent measurements, getting a sub is likely to make a more obvious improvement than upgrading to a \u2018fancier\u2019 set of speakers.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"So_are_studio_monitors_better_than_regular_speakers\"><\/span>So are studio monitors better than regular speakers?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Not necessarily, but again, they tend to be a safer bet. This is because it\u2019s typically easier to find detailed data about a studio monitor\u2019s performance than for hi-fi speakers \u2014 perhaps because the people buying them care more about neutral presentation. Case in point: for each of the above speakers, I was able to find manufacturer-provided data at least an on-axis measurement that roughly matched my own (although manufacturer data is often \u2018dressed up\u2019 a little). And if you can\u2019t find any from the manufacturer, there\u2019s a good chance you can find detailed data from audio enthusiasts too.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, it\u2019s particularly hard to find data for small mainstream speakers meant for desktop use.<\/p>\n<p>This isn\u2019t to say there aren\u2019t bad studio monitors too \u2014 a lot of music has been mixed and mastered on awful speakers \u2014 but anecdotally, modern studio monitors tend to offer better value.<\/p>\n<p>Likewise, there are some truly excellent compact speakers outside of studio monitors. Some of the ones I\u2019ve tested include the Google Nest Audio, Devialet Phantom Reactor, and KEF LSX. Unfortunately, the former two have too much latency to be useful on a desk, and the LSX I did not get to measure.<\/p>\n<p>My point remains: if sound quality comes before all else, you should at the very least have studio monitors on your radar.<\/p>\n<p><i>Did you know we have a <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/news\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"2\" title=\"News\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">news<\/a>letter all about consumer tech? It\u2019s called Plugged In \u2013<br \/>\n            <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/mailchi.mp\/thenextweb\/plugged-in\">and you can subscribe to it right here<\/a>.<br \/>\n            <\/i><\/p>\n<p class=\"c-post-pubDate\">\n                                    Published March 6, 2021 \u2014 01:09 UTC\n                                <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><script data-src=\"https:\/\/connect.facebook.net\/en_US\/sdk.js#xfbml=1&amp;appId=378011798897423&amp;version=v2.6\" id=\"socialSrcFacebook\" type=\"text\/template\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">If you liked the article, do not forget to share it with your friends. Follow us on\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" href=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/publications\/CAAqBwgKMLG0nwswvr63Aw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Google News<\/a><\/span>\u00a0too, click on the star and choose us from your favorites.<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">For forums sites go to <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/forum.buradabiliyorum.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Forum.BuradaBiliyorum.Com<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>If you want to read more like this article, you can visit our <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/technology\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Technology category.<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"color: black;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/thenextweb.com\/plugged\/2021\/03\/06\/these-3-studio-monitors-are-great-speakers-for-a-small-desk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;#These 3 studio monitors are great speakers for a small desk&#8221; As someone who\u2019s worked from home since long before the pandemic, having great sound at your desk can make the workday a lot more enjoyable. But if you, like me, have a small desk, you probably don\u2019t want giant speakers taking up all your&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":195482,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/img-cdn.tnwcdn.com\/image\/plugged?filter_last=1&fit=1280,640&url=https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/03\/Studio-Monitors-2.jpg&signature=fa78a6e46dafedb166ca105d4a344f78","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-195481","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-technology"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/195481","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=195481"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/195481\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/195482"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=195481"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=195481"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=195481"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}