Speakers for Pro Display XDR?

[Mactagonist]

I finally got my hands on a Pro Display XDR and quickly came to the same conclusion — needed/wanted some low-profile Apple-esque external speakers that performed well enough but weren’t an eyesore.

After doing a TON of research, I settled on the Audioengine A2+ speakers. While they don’t satisfy the power brick component of OP’s original criteria (they do, in fact, require one), they meet all the other requirements I was looking for (and the power brick is easily concealed in my desk’s cord management system).

• They are small but still sound decent (6x5x4 inches), and if you lay them on their side the fit perfectly flush on the left and right sides of the display’s stand laying on their side (and still fit when the display is in its lowest position).
• They are free of any branding, and come in a decent amount of colors (I chose black to match the Apple aesthetic).
• They have a bunch of different connection options (Bluetooth, wired via USB, wired via audio cable) easily bringing through systems sounds and media automatically, and allowing multiple other simultaneous connections (I have them wired to my MacBook Pro via headphone jack, and have my iPhone connected via Bluetooth).

Hope this helps — found this thread early in my research, so figured I’d report back now that I settled on a solution. For less than $300US, it’s the best one I’ve found (so far).

Those are a great choice. IIRC they only use microUSB for the 'wired by USB' though. I have heard of people buying a USB-c to microUSB cable to connect them that way though.

For a similar size/price/performance you could also consider the Kanto Ora.

 

[DaniTheFox]

Those are a great choice. IIRC they only use microUSB for the 'wired by USB' though. I have heard of people buying a USB-c to microUSB cable to connect them that way though.

I have the same type of cable for my STAX SRM-D10. The new version II now has a USB-C. But this is something else. This is for "ear" speakers.

 

[Realityck]

So my Q is:

1. Are there any SMALL, beautiful looking speakers that will function perfectly with the Pro XDR?
2. I HATE branding
3. Can the speakers be connected to the USB port on the back of the display or do I need to use a USB port on the MacBook itself?
4. Budget wise up to ~$1,250 AUD
5. USB C so they draw power and don't need a brick
6. I loved the G4 Cube speakers and found a few on eBay but apparently they only work with the Cube

I now have the $350 USD Kanto ORA and matching $269 USD SUB8 a few days after reading a number of reviews, and found it a to be exceptional audio quality solution for use with any Mac or PC setup. Occasionally this gets discounted a bit, like the SUB8 being on sale this week at some USA dealers. The Kanto ORA running separately is a very neutral dare I say reference sound set of speakers that even have ample bass presence well below their rated specs particularly if your use the smaller $29.99 USD Kanto S2 upward angled stands. The 8" Sub is a sealed unit. These little speakers offer an automatic crossover with the subwoofer connected that sends everything below 100 Hz to the subwoofer and lets the ORA speakers concentrate on every above 100 Hz. If you use to the iLoud micro speakers you find these speakers aren't as harsh with the highs if you listen to them for many hours. Both are great solutions for something small for people setups without taking over your desktop space.

This system offers Bluetooth 5.0 (only SBC codec), USB-C and RCA phone connectivity.

There are a lot of critical reviews about this petite audiophile solution for the Mac community as well as multiple Youtube reviews or looks. These are equalized by the DSP usage, no analog crossover.

in depth review

https://hometheaterreview.com/kanto...op-speakers-review-computer-audio-transformed

Kanto wants the ORA speakers to be an all-in-one solution, and the quality of the built-in digital-to-analog conversion is critical to that mission. The DAC offers resolution up to 16-bit/48 kHz, which is better than CD quality, far better than what you’re getting from Spotify, and more than adequate for most tracks streaming from Apple Music or Tidal.

I have an iFi NEO iDSD DAC and headphone amp on my desk, so I ran the signal from my Mac Mini through the iFi DAC and into the Kanto ORA powered speaker’s analog RCA inputs. The iFi NEO iDSD can handle PCM files up to 32-bit/768kHz, which is far higher resolution currently available from any streaming service.

Note these are the higher SE2 elevated stands but testing shows that you loose some low end bass by placing the speakers higher rather then the cheaper/lower S2 stands that seem to use the desktop to reenforce the low end bass somewhat.

You can certainly use just the Kanto ORA by themselves without the subwoofer for most situations. But the subwoofer does add a nice presence when adjusted to low gain.

Another in depth review

Kanto ORA Powered Desktop Speakers & sub8 Review

Kanto’s new ORA powered desktop speakers push their technology further than ever by introducing an active crossover and other innovations. What does this do to the sound? Read on to find out.

www.audioholics.com

 

[avro707]

m used to Apple and Bang & Olufsen. I wouldn’t want these in my house.

So how are these?

Beosound 2 - Elegant Home Speaker | B&O

Beosound 2, the powerful multiroom Wi-Fi home speaker that sounds as beautiful as it looks.

www.bang-olufsen.com

They have the looks. But the price however.

 

[fibercut]

If you want to be different you could get some speaker like the AudioEngines A2 Bluetooth in Red!

 

[Realityck]

If you want to be different you could get some speaker like the AudioEngines A2 Bluetooth in Red!

Yes that color is very pronounced.

If ever been curious to the hardware design of the A2+ with its measurements this review is very useful with what it looks inside, and how it works. He used a windows APO to perform DSP equalization to improve the sound. You can see the before and after.

AudioEngine A2+ Review

noaudiophile.com

The A2+ was one of the desktop speakers I was considering along with the HD3 that Audioengine makes. Its also showing how a more modern design speaker with a built in DSP can succeed a lot better then a well design crossover implementation.

 

[d___d]

Another option, from Adam Audio: D3V

Not fitting all of OP's criteria, but at least they have USB-C audio in. They come in white, too, if you're into that!