Ordered some powered digital speakers for my desktop system

[MattyW]

Ok, so I ended up ordering a pair of HiVi Swans D300 speakers of Aliexpress for my desktop computer at home. It appeals as I can just run an optical cable from my desktop into it, and when using my work notebook pair that over Bluetooth to use Roon while I work. It has a switch to change all the time alignment etc for nearfield. While it won't be anything like my main system, it should be nice enough for a pair of desktop speakers.

 

Sure, I could have gone for something a bit better known like Edifier though I'm a sucker for a bit of mystery. Kind of like gambling in a way. I'm quite curious to see how they sound though suspect they'll be hamstrung by the built in DAC. I may try it with my little 8x TDA1387 DAC as well and see how that performs. Still, they're certainly pretty things.

 

I should have them in a bit over a month.

 

 

Edited June 29, 2021 by MattyW

[MattyW]

So far,  yeah these are nice.  Nothing like my main system but insanely good for a desktop computer system for near field listening. These will see regular use in my home office.

 

 

 

Build quality seems nice, sound quality is the best I've had for desktop use..... Very nice all up. Seems a little bass heavy though that's fine for its intended purpose. I imagine it would make them rather good for movies too if someone were to get them in place of a sound bar.... Heck it'd beat any soundbar I've heard senseless for the cost. Fantastic value really even at $850 shipped.

 

Using with some angled Audioengine stands. 

Edited July 27, 2021 by Matthew Willims

[anandpkumar]

Looks pretty cool and nicely finished. Good to hear that your gamble paid off!

[MattyW]

It's actually impressing me the more I use them. A good purchase all up. Excellent low volume performance.

Edited July 27, 2021 by MattyW

[MattyW]

With more listening,  these are pretty fantastic speakers on a computer or instead of a soundbar. Doesn't hold a candle to my two main systems though I'd be incredibly disappointed if it did!

 

With volume turned up there's no escaping that these are not large speakers and I must say @muon* 's Lenehan ML1 are significantly more natural, musical.... Really better in every possible way. These are fantastic value if you don't have space for separate amps, DAC's etc and want an all in one solution to be used with digital sources. 

 

Are these as amazingly good as Mr Zeos raves about on YouTube?  I'd have to say, no.... They're not.  These are in no way an end game speaker of any kind.  Yes, they do sound digital.  I'd guess there's a Sabre chip inside somewhere as the signature is similar,  though with less digital glare than I'm accustomed to. Are there better powered speakers out there in this price range?  I honestly don't know. These are the first pair of powered speakers I've run in maybe 20 years so I've no basis for a reference. Still they do seem pretty fantastic for $850 shipped.  My guess is they're probably on par with similar slightly ($200-300) more expensive offerings from Edifier etc and they certainly blow away any sound bar I've ever heard though to be fair that's not saying much.

 

I'll be hanging onto these. They're a handsome speaker and compact enough for my use. Easily the best computer speakers I've run.

 

I guess they might improve further with burn in though at my listening levels that will take a while.   

 

 

Edited July 27, 2021 by MattyW

[LogicprObe]

 

What size bass driver is that?

5"?

 

I use the Behringer MS20s for the same duties and they go all right for cheapos.

Edited July 27, 2021 by LogicprObe

[MattyW]

They look 5" to me yes, maybe even 6".

Edited July 27, 2021 by MattyW

[LogicprObe]

13 hours ago, MattyW said:

They look 5" to me yes, maybe even 6".

 

I bought some ribbon drivers some time ago with the intention of building very similar speakers as I think the ribbons would be less fatiguing than metal domed tweeters.

(I still haven't got around to it though!)

[MattyW]

11 minutes ago, LogicprObe said:

 

I bought some ribbon drivers some time ago with the intention of building very similar speakers as I think the ribbons would be less fatiguing than metal domed tweeters.

(I still haven't got around to it though!)

I've proper Aurum Cantus G3Si aluminum ribbons in my main system. These things are just planar or air motion transformer drivers. Still a nice speaker all things considered.

 

I'd not use it for anything other than computer use or use with a TV. Pretty spectacular for that though. Fairly typical modern Hi-Fi sound to my ears though done better than anything else I've heard before. It has the sort of clarity that is fantastic for this purpose.

[MattyW]

I've realised that not that long ago, perhaps 8 years ago these would have been end game speakers for me. They've that clean, mainstream Hi-Fi sound to them..... The ESS Sabre sound minus much of the digital glare. Devoid of character. Perfect for gaming and adequate for some low level listening while I work. Many would be very happy with these as their main sound system hooked up to a TV or streamer.

[DMax]

These look awesome, thanks for sharing!

 

When you decide to upgrade, some of the LS50w v1 are awesome as desktop nearfield speakers too. At the current second hand prices, they are highly recommended

[MattyW]

9 hours ago, DMax said:

These look awesome, thanks for sharing!

 

When you decide to upgrade, some of the LS50w v1 are awesome as desktop nearfield speakers too. At the current second hand prices, they are highly recommended

Haha, they're only for listening to music while I work at low volume...... I'd like to say gaming too though I simply lack the free time to play computer games these days. I will say these speakers pack a lot of bang per buck, extend very deep etc. I just thought I'd mention that they're not the end all be all that Zeos makes them out to be in his YouTube videos 

Edited August 2, 2021 by MattyW