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[Michael S.]

Looking to replace basic speakers for my laptop wth a nicer setup for music listening.  Budget is $300-$500 and would like the best options in this price range.  Will consider going a bit higher if there is a noticeable difference in quality.  Any suggestions?  I have looked at some systems from Audio Engine and Edifier on Amazon.

Aside from budget, the only constraint is space on my desk and would like smaller speakers, all things being equal.  If it is necessary to get somewhat larger speakers for the best quality, will consider a solution like mounting on wall.  Can go with a subwoofer below desk.

Are there any standouts in this price range or suggestions of brands to look at?

[mwillems]

So these are not small, but both of these speakers are within your price range and both are really very nice: 

https://jblpro.com/en-US/products/306p-mkii (~$340-$400 a pair)
https://jblpro.com/en-US/products/308p-mkii (~$420-$500 a pair)

I'm currently using the larger of the two (the 308p) as computer speakers and am very happy with them for that use, and a good friend has the 306's that he likes quite a bit.  The 306's play down to 47Hz, and the 308's play down to 45Hz, so you could get by without a sub for either speaker unless that bottom octave bass is of particular importance to you for computer speakers.

[markf2748]

Take a look at psb Alpha Series speakers for a computer desktop:
https://www.psbspeakers.com/us/speakers/bookshelf

I've been using the psb Alpha PS1 with a psb SubSeries 100 subwoofer for several years and I'm extremely satisfied.  They are no longer manufactured, but the larger woofers in the current models should do well.  psb makes a full range of high end well-respected audiophile speakers, and they are expected to carry the quality down into at least some of their smaller offerings. 

The psb Alpha AM5 have 5-1/4" woofers and should do a good job on the bass, but are just above your price range.
https://darko.audio/2021/02/psbs-alpha-am5-powered-loudspeakers-are-a-600-solution/

However, be wary and check out multiple reviews.  For example the psb Alpha P5 has been criticized:
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/psb-alpha-p5-speaker-review.15161/

Do you have a quality sound card or decent on-board DAC in your laptop?  If not, speakers with a built-in USB DAC or even a low-cost stand-alone USB DAC (~$200-$300) will likely make a large audible difference. I have an "audiophile" DAC (RME ADI-2 DAC FS) between computer and speakers, which of course helps enormously.

[dtc]

I like the Audioengines, for example A2+ or A5+They have several options in the $250 to $500 range. Available on Amazon and place likes Crutchfield.

Also, some more ideas here...

https://www.tomshardware.com/best-picks/best-pc-speakers

https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-computer-speakers

[Awesome Donkey]

I've been kinda in the same boat, I've been thinking about getting new speakers (studio monitors) and possibly a new USB DAC.

For speakers I want something flat like reference studio monitors, without overwhelming bass - I'm not a bass fan. The current Edifier R2000DB bookshelf speakers I use are okay, but their only flaw is at the lowest bass control knob setting there's still too much bass which forces me to use either a hardware equalizer or an equalizer in MC's DSP Studio to reduce bass further. Not having to do that would be a requirement for a replacement.

Another requirement is a volume control knob - the bookshelf speakers I have right now I primarily control volume via remote as the volume knob is on the back of the right speaker and is out-of-reach and I see the JBL studio monitors linked are also like this. Ideally I'd like the volume control to be on the front of one of the speakers however I assume in cases with monitors that have volume control on the back I could 1) max the volume for both speakers on the back then 2) use a potentiometer like a Schiit SYS to control the volume of both? At least that would be ideal and within arm's reach.

I've been looking at the selection of studio monitors on Amazon. The one that caught my attention a little bit has been the KRK Classic 5" studio monitors but I believe they've been discontinued now. If I got any of their newer studio monitors I'd probably have to get a potentiometer that supports balanced (and ideally also unbalanced) output.

As for the USB DAC, that's a bit different. The USB DAC I currently use, the Topping D50s is actually still pretty good overall. However it has one major flaw that bothers me a great deal and is kinda a dealbreaker... its ASIO driver for PCM isn't exclusive but is exclusive only for DSD output. I like to use ASIO over WASAPI Exclusive because I can listen to music and load up things like YouTube videos without it displaying an error about the audio device being in use that happens when exclusive mode is enabled for WASAPI. With ASIO Exclusive I can be actively listening to music then in another app like a web browser I can start a video without error (no audio of course) then I can stop audio playback and audio in the video automatically kicks in. That doesn't work at all with WASAPI Exclusive.

The best ASIO driver I've ever used was Schiit's. Unfortunately since I have DSD tracks and DSD support in the DAC has become a requirement even though I'd love to just get another Schiit DAC and be happy. Oh well.

I'm more flexible with the studio monitors as there's multiple options, just need to know which have a nice flat output without overpowered bass but has good either on front volume control or works fine with a potentiometer like the Schiit SYS. Ideally unbalanced (RCA jacks) would be nice but balanced is fine too as long as a decent potentiometer is available in the same price range of the SYS (again, ideally does both balanced and unbalanced).

With the USB DAC I'd want one that supports up to 32-bit/768 kHz and DSD up to 512, ideally via both native (with ASIO or Linux kernel support) or DoP. The other requirement would be the ASIO output would need to be exclusive for both PCM and DSD.

[dtc]

For a DAC, Audioengine has one and iFi has several. You might also consider a Wiim Pro or Pro+, which also gives you lots of streaming capabilities. The Pro + has a very good DAC chip. MC connection to Wiim is through DLNA.

[Awesome Donkey]

The iFi ZEN DAC 3 does catch my interest. However it's not stated if 1) it has an ASIO driver and 2) if the ASIO driver is exclusive for PCM (and DSD). Seems a little bit of a waste since I actually don't use headphones so its volume control would be wasted (unless it could function as a potentiometer for powered studio monitors but that's not mentioned either.

[dtc]

Pretty sure for the iFi ZDN DAC 3 the volume control also works on the RCA outs.

"RCA output power: 1V-3.3V max. (variable); 2.1V fixed"

"Variable/Fixed Output: ZEN DAC 3 offers switchable variable or fixed line outputs. If you wish to use the unit's analog rotary volume control on the front panel, you should set the Variable-Fixed switch to the "Variable" position. This is recommended for connecting ZEN DAC 3 to a power amplifier or active speakers."

[AGAWA]

consider Klipsch, extensive choice

[Awesome Donkey]

Pretty sure for the iFi ZDN DAC 3 the volume control also works on the RCA outs.

"RCA output power: 1V-3.3V max. (variable); 2.1V fixed"

"Variable/Fixed Output: ZEN DAC 3 offers switchable variable or fixed line outputs. If you wish to use the unit's analog rotary volume control on the front panel, you should set the Variable-Fixed switch to the "Variable" position. This is recommended for connecting ZEN DAC 3 to a power amplifier or active speakers."

Oooooh, excellent! When I get a bit more time to do research I'll see if I can find any information on if it supports ASIO via a driver and if it does the ASIO is exclusive for PCM.

[dtc]

In a professional studio environment, which ASIO was meant for, it is typically shared, since mixing different sources is pretty common. In that environment, however, the sound engineer typically has total control of all the possible inputs. Many consumer companies just use shared mode, rather than changing the driver to be exclusive. I don't think Topping is unique in having a shared ASIO. But, I do understand the desire to have an exclusive mode driver.