Let’s face it, most desks have limited space, and for the majority of us, accommodating an integrated amplifier, CD player and speakers is just not a reality. However, that is not to say that the traditional separates system is the only way to get a “hi-fi” sound at your desk. In fact, with laptops, tablets and smartphones being the medium of choice now for many, mainstream hi-fi systems have also moved away from the bulky multi-box systems to more lifestyle friendly solutions which offer a great sound without the associated clutter.
Just because you want a clean, minimalist desktop or want to listen to music while working, you shouldn’t have to put up with tinny laptop speakers or poor quality sound. With many consumers favouring portable devices and laptops as their devices of choice, the world of hi-fi has responded in kind, producing a huge variety of products letting you greatly improve the sound quality of music you enjoy at your desktop.
Speaker Systems
Active speakers are the ideal choice for the desktop. These are sometimes called “amplified speakers”, as rather than having a separate box to power them, the amplifier is housed internally in one of the speakers. The benefit of this is obviously the space-saving element – all that is needed is the space to house two speakers, massively reducing the desktop footprint of your hi-fi system. Many of these systems also feature wireless functionality, whether that is Apple AirPlay, DLNA or Bluetooth, enabling you to eliminate another cable and connect a wide range of devices and sources to your speakers without the need for wires. AptX Bluetooth technology is CD quality and lossless, meaning you can enjoy high quality audio and a high fidelity connection without trailing wires!
apt-X Bluetooth
The Ruark Audio MR1 Bluetooth Active Speakers deserve a mention here, as a recent What Hi-Fi Magazine Group Test Winner, and lauded as the best sounding desktop speakers. The added Bluetooth functionality is ideal for space-saving, as it means your laptop, phone or tablet can be connected to the speakers without wires (if you wish), further eliminating clutter and trailing wires which can hamper any desktop.
The Ruark Audio MR1 connected wirelessly on a desktop!
Another stellar option, which were very narrowly defeated by the Ruark Audio MR1, are the Q Acoustics BT3 Wireless Active Speakers, which offer an excellent, very musical sound, much more akin to traditional hi-fi than you might expect from looking at them (our display pair is bright red!). What Hi-Fi Magazine decided there is very little between the two to choose from between the two, and we would have to agree – a matter of taste and preference.
The Q Acoustics BT3 in Red, and also available in Black and White.
There are a range of other active speakers available, including some higher end models, which offer much more of a traditional hi-fi design, size and sound. Models such as the KEF X series are based on their successful passive bookshelf speaker ranges and products such as the KEF X300A Speakers (available in wireless and non-wireless versions). These speakers use KEF’s formidable Uni-Q driver array, which has been used across their whole range of speakers, including the multi award-winning KEF LS50, the flagship Blade model and even their new reference series.
KEF’s more “hi-fi” take on the desktop speaker.
DACs/Desktop Streamers
When using a portable music device, laptop or smartphone as your audio source, a significant improvement can be achieved by adding a USB DAC or streaming device such as the HRT Music Streamer III. Such products take the digital information from the computer’s USB port and convert it into analogue, and can help to add extra detail, greater soundstage and improved dynamics to your music. This product will need to be connected to a hi-fi or active speakers, but there are some products which also offer a headphone amplifier, allowing you to enjoy your music out of one unit rather than needing further connections. The HRT Micro Streamer is one such product, offering an excellent USB DAC and headphone amplifier in one unit. The Micro Streamer is an award-winning product, and we found it to offer impressive detail and soundstage, and greatly improving on the sound experienced through a laptop.
These are just a few of the DACs we offer, but have a wide range in different styles and to suit different budgets.
Desktop Headphone Amplifiers
It is not just speakers that can provide a high quality, high fidelity sound on your desktop – headphones for many are the ideal companion to a laptop, tablet or smartphone. The headphone amplifier included in portable devices is typically an afterthought, and designed more to offer the function of listening through headphones rather than being a seriously thought out addition. No fear! There are many dedicated headphone amplifiers designed to get the most out of your devices and provide a much more “hi-fi” sound from headphones – that is greater separation, detail and dynamics from all your music.
The Budget Champion FiiO E6 Headphone Amplifier!
As a starter, the FiiO E6 Fujiyama Portable Headphone Amplifier is both supreme value, and an ideal entry into the world of headphone amplifiers. At £23.99, it punches well above its weight, and gives you an insight into the added detail a good quality headphone amplifier can start to add. FiiO also offer a range of other stunning headphone amplifiers, DACs and products to improve your multimedia experience.
Some products such as the Audiolab M-DAC are desktop kings, combining a range of functions. The M-DAC is a high quality, multi-award winning DAC, which also features an incredible headphone amplifier. This one box allows you to connect a laptop (or any other digital device) and then enjoy high quality playback through headphones. It also features a digital pre amplifier, so can be combined with a power amplifier and some speakers to offer a complete, multi-functional hi-fi system on your desktop. The M-DAC’s compact dimensions mean it won’t take up anywhere near as much space as a traditional hi-fi, and the matching M-PWR amplifier means you can pair it with an amplifier designed to match in size and sound. Alternatively, if you want to enjoy the M-DAC through speakers, it can be connected to an existing hi-fi system or some active speakers like those mentioned above using the RCA Phono outputs.
An M-DAC and M-PWR from Audiolab, ready to be connected to some speakers to provide a complete “hi-fi” desktop audio solution!
The models mentioned in this blog are just to give you an idea of some of the solutions to getting great high fidelity audio on your desktop, but as always with hi-fi, there are a range of products and solutions to suit every requirement, taste and budget, and we are always happy to offer any recommendations or demonstrations. Just get in touch or pop in to have a listen!