schmick0Really depends on sound signature you're looking for, personal tastes, etc. There are "musical" powered 2.0 desk speakers, and there are true/flat monitors...
JBL 305P MKII would probably be my first recommendation. If you're looking for size/style you can check out the Edifier Luna, seems it would be worth a look with the savings and an amazon return policy. Other options are Audioengine A2, Kanto YU2 or YU4, Fluance Ai40, Jamo S803 ($199 but you'll need a small amp)... Otherwise stretch the budget or hold out for a drop/sale on the Vanatoo T0.
There are likely other options, I got the 306P MKii (305 big brother) for $51 each in November. Sure they're much larger, but they're obviously going to have more mid/low while the 3xx horn style tweeter provides good detail, great stereo imaging. I have them running from a schiit stack (eitr, mimby, vali 2) tube setup and they sound marvelous. I'm surprised how well they perform for gaming with imaging/positioning, even compared to headphones. (obviously I wear my 6xx or 58x if I'm playing "competitive").
It's not easy/possible to quantify SQ in video, especially compressed Youtube video, but I've found watching videos where they "A-B" 2 speakers is pretty good at showing the differences between 2 models, provided you have some somewhat decent/detailed headphones. I like "Joe N Tell" and "Digital Stereophony" on Youtube, and there are others.
(I've mixed speakers and monitors, obviously if you want something for studio work, the JBL is likely the only one I'd recommend that I've listed).
HaerathrigThe JBL ACTPACK is worth while if you need cables, volume knob, isolation pads... You'll need a 3.5mm to dual TRS 1/4" from your motherboard/dac. If you don't get the actpack and want pads with rise, yoga blocks work well.
Otherwise you could get an affordable dac and the same TRS cable. In theory, you could run 3.5mm to TRS dual into the monitors and control all of the volume in windows (or rear of the monitor, neither ideal, but work fine if you're ok with the limitations).
Lastly, if you have or have need for a headphone amp, you could get one to control your monitors and amp your cans. With that route, your monitors will likely connect XLR to RCA (at the dac).
HaerathrigGoing to depend on the space you have... the 306pmkii are about the same exact height as my 27" monitor and they sit on either side very nicely, if you have a desk under 5' in width things will start to get cramped.
here's a photo for some reference (305's, not my desk).
xformulax it is kinda big. Yeah ive made up my mind. Going for the Psb. I know the jbls sound better but I just cant shell out all that space. I need balance the aesthetics of my room with the speaker. Plus I have mild hearingloss from loud volume so i do not want to spend too much on speakers now.
Am Having some doubts, do you think the alphas are good speaker?
HaerathrigI don't blame you at all, When this discussion started the PSB's were not active so we were talking about other options. Now that they're active again at this price they're still an amazing value, especially if you don't worship the low end (or don't mind dropping $$$ on a sub). The PS1 is supposed to be a really good low volume listening set, you should be happy (I'm not sure there is anything around the ~$140 mark that can come close outside of black friday pricing on certain things.)
I had a pair of these at one point but let them go, now I'm tempted to get/use these + a 10" sub I already have to replace a soundbar in another room. For my usage / at my computer however, they could not replace the JBL based on what I'm looking for. If it wasn't for my interest the Vanatoo Transparent Zero I'd join the drop right now, but they have some features/design that may work better for me in my current situation.
I know you'll enjoy either choice, and if you don't have a DAC I'd recommend a halfway decent DAC either way. (Schiit Fulla2/Sys, OriGen G2, Dragonfly Black, Fiio e10k, etc). Consider your total cost when doing this, especially if something with an internal DAC is comparable, like the Audioengine A2+ (they have a few color options and simplified setup with a single usb connection to your computer and a power brick after connecting the left to the right.)