Article: Desktop Audio For The Apple Pro Display XDR

[blaven]

Super cool article. I just started a desktop set up about a year and a half ago with a Mac mini purchase. Had many of the same desires you did and, having already been very pleased by the KEF LS50 wireless  was definitely looking at the LSX, Magnepan, and others as well. I ultimately settled on a different KEF product: KEF Egg. 

 

So, just trying to be helpful as the KEF Egg  is  another alternative for those who might be looking. It’s supports 24/96, has USB plug-in that can go directly out from the Mac mini for all computing sound, looks great, and uses that same coaxial driver technology as their other speakers for their “house sound”.

 

I later spent a little bit extra on a used REL T0 sub and it’s amazing. Very different than my other set ups. Nearfield listening is truly unique but rather enjoyable especially as we spend so much time in front of our computers in general. 

 

I’m more just throwing us out there for anybody who might be in a similar position who is looking for a style friendly product that accepts USB straight from a computer.  it’s brainless turnkey solution and sounds great with or without a subwoofer.

 

Thanks for another great review!

[blaven]

On 4/2/2021 at 9:37 AM, The Computer Audiophile said:

Have the EGGs been discontinued?

I’m not entirely sure. I suspect so, but I have been thinking about getting a pair in blue and periodically I check on Amazon and they will suddenly have 30 available. I have no idea what warehouse is secretly discovering a lost stash or what is going on, but you definitely can still get them knew through a number of outlets. Even Crutchfield up until recently but I think they’re still on Amazon.

 

I really love the Nearfield listening experience. It’s just nice to have a different set up compared to 5.1 and two channel where you were further back. I’m really surprised by how much I enjoy listening to music there and how great it sounds from a relatively simple set up.   It’s almost a headphone like experience. I can only imagine what those Dynaudio’s sound like

 

thanks for all your work on the site Chris. I’ve been on it since the beginning and it’s such a wonderful resource. big fan of the site and the location (dad grew up in St Louis Park)

Congratulations on all your life and site successes

 

 

my computer rig. such a fun hobby. Thanks for contributing so much to it

[blaven]

21 minutes ago, SalR406 said:

 

I've got a iMac 27 Mid 2011 High Sierra I'll need to replace pretty soon and the new M1 Mac Mini with the LG UltraFine is at the top of my list.  Have you experienced any "gotchas" from the Mini dealing with a non-Apple display?  Do they integrate well?

I’m using a BenQ PD3220U

Works without a single hiccup. 

 

[blaven]

Also, regarding non-Apple monitors integrating with the Mac Mini, one thing that can be mildly frustrating is inability to adjust brightness. There’s a pretty cool application called lunar that can run in the background and facilitate this pretty seamlessly. Otherwise, there are no hiccups whatsoever and it is brainless and easy set up.

 

the BenQ comes with this little 3 inch diameter hockey puck thing with a control dial that allows you to adjust brightness, volume, and that kind of stuff.

but that lunar program works very well and allows you to control brightness from the Apple Bluetooth keyboard. That’s what I find myself most frequently using. 

 

dont want to derail the thread but this might be helpful for others. Sorry. 

 

[blaven]

Again, not to derail the initial awesome topic of nearfield speakers, BUT, since the hobby ultimately is for fun or pleasure, I have a humble recommendation for anyone using this type of 2.0 or 2.1 Nearfield computer desktop setup.  One of the most inexpensive shamelessly decadent purchases I would recommend to anyone with this type of setup is a desktop Apple TV.

 

I use it for Picture-in Picture sports while working on the Mac and separately even watch movies and various shows with the kids in my basement lair- lots of 4k HDR content and its shocking how good a 2.1 setup can sound.  There is a phantom center channel with perfect dialogue right behind my monitor, I'd swear it.

 

Anyway, when considering the price of the Mac Mini, Monitor, Keyboard and Mouse/pad - its a relatively cheap, fun, no-brainer addition.  So hopefully someone else has some fun from this idea.  

 

Have a wonderful Easter for those that celebrate it and an enjoyable Sunday for those that don't.

[blaven]

Yes. To clarify, i’m referring to the Apple TV 4K hardware.  $179 for an unobtrusive black hockey puck sized gizmo. 

 

Hopefully some of the images below clarify.  The BenQ monitor has 2 HDMI and 3 Thunderbolt 3 USBC Ports. 
 

I run the Mac Mini to BenQ with a Thunderbolt 3 cable 

 

I run the Apple TV to the  monitor with an Audioquest Carbon 48 HDMI cable. 

 

What you can see in the images below:

—a screenshot from Interstellar running off the Apple TV

—Settings off the BenQ monitor where you can see a picture in picture main and sub window options

—ESPN Sunday Night Baseball off of Apple TV ESPN app with background of Mac mini in the lower 3/4 of the monitor screen with rune and the present thread seen

 

(NOTE: One could argue that you can just stream much of this in an Internet browser so what’s the point. Well, lots of fun 4K content for one. And high quality streaming is not so as easy for out of market NHL and NBA games in a browser. Plus, outside of picture in picture sports, it’s honestly fun just to watch TV or the occasional movie off of such a high-quality monitor like many have or are discussing.)

 

hopefully it helps

 

bottom line is it’s a pretty fun thing that is reasonable to get for anybody considering nice speakers for their computer- hence why I added it to the thread