Article: Desktop Audio For The Apple Pro Display XDR

[RichardSF]

@The Computer Audiophile, you didn't say whether you went for the $1,000 nano-texture glass option, which takes the display alone to $5,600 without stand.

[The Computer Audiophile]

Just now, RichardSF said:

@The Computer Audiophile, you didn't say whether you went for the $1,000 nano-texture glass option, which takes the display alone to $5,600 without stand.

No nano-textured glass. Didn’t need it. 

[AudioDoctor]

2 hours 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?

 

Nope, it simply worked perfectly when I plugged the monitor in to a working mini...  ha. The screen is beautiful as well. At least until I see Chris's Apple Display...

[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.

[bbosler]

9 hours ago, blaven said:

  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. 

 

by "Apple TV" do you mean the Apple TV app or the Apple TV hardware box? Trying to figure out how you do PIP on your  Mac.

 

thanks

 

 

[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

 

 

[The Computer Audiophile]

1 minute ago, blaven said:

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 Apple TV to the  monitor off of 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

 

 

Love it!

[maelob]

Thanks for the review, While i like the simplicity of powered speakers, in my case, my bedroom desk is my man cave and  the only place where i can listen to music,  so i went all out with separates 😉 to enjoy headphones and passive speakers. Since 2012 Ive used Mini Maggies, Audience the One, ATC SCM-7 and my current are Mark Sota Cesti MB. 

 

Agree with you 100% on needed non fatiguing speakers for near field. For me thats a must.  Another popular option on the passive side are the Herbeth P3ESR.

[AudioDoctor]

15 hours ago, blaven said:

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

 

 

 

That is a great idea! I may have to do this.

[morespin]

It’s a well written gushing article. Sorry but the “warm” or “non fatiguing” stuff doesn’t cut it. I just want neutral clear sound. Xeo ain’t it. I have their big brother, Xeo 20. 
 

Xeo 10 are not discontinued. They’re the starter speaker in the lineup. Their older versions are discontinued — Xeo 2 has now become Xeo 10 and Xeo 4 has become Xeo 20. 
 

The volume stuff is annoying as hell. When disabling the remote to use computer’s own volume (which is a basic feature), Xeo just defaults to the speakers’ top volume. This is incredibly stupid. 
 

Mike in North America responds early. But this is not consistent. Meanwhile Dynaudio support from the website will respond in a month if you’re lucky. 
 

And the speakers waking up after seconds is another stupid stupid feature. 
 

ive tried KEF etc and ultimately just settled on Edifier. Practical, cheap, and stellar sound. They’re clear and punchy and not at all fatiguing. They are exactly what you expect with volume and instant start. The bass is just right in R2000 DB. If one wants a bit more bass, the S2000 Pro might work too but I find R2000 DB is a super desktop nearfield monitor grade speaker for 300 bucks. 
 

For me Dynaudio has always been “almost there but not quite”. The recessed top end and lack of transparency is pathetic at that price — literally ten times that of Edifiers. I don’t want the CEO writing to me sometimes, I want better support. And I don’t want annoying antics like the remote controlled volume only. 
 

Sorry but no cigar. It sounds like something that someone spending 6,000 bucks on an Apple display would spend. One can get just as stellar a display from LG for 1/6th that price. 

[The Computer Audiophile]

@morespin You’re suggesting that Dynaudio in Denmark was either lying or had no clue when it said the product was discontinued?

[The Computer Audiophile]

2 hours ago, morespin said:

And the speakers waking up after seconds is another stupid stupid feature. 

This is addressed in the article. Just change the setting and the speakers remain on until one manually turns them off. Zero wake up time. 

[The Computer Audiophile]

3 hours ago, morespin said:

I want better support.

Here’s what Edifer says to people with connection issues, “We suggest contacting Windows support for help. The phone number for their US support line is 1 (800) 642 7676.”

[The Computer Audiophile]

3 hours ago, morespin said:

It sounds like something that someone spending 6,000 bucks on an Apple display would spend.

Is there a hidden jab at me in that sentence?

 

 

3 hours ago, morespin said:

One can get just as stellar a display from LG for 1/6th that price. 

 

Please provide a link to an LG 32 inch display with equal specifications for 1/6th the price. 

[CG]

3 hours ago, The Computer Audiophile said:

Is there a hidden jab at me in that sentence?

 

Please provide a link to an LG 32 inch display with equal specifications for 1/6th the price. 

 

Not hidden at all...

 

I'd be *very* interested in an equivalent display for 1/3 or even 1/2 the price!  Chris - have you been holding out on us??

[morespin]

On 4/1/2021 at 6:58 PM, The Computer Audiophile said:

I saw it at Crutchfield and confirmed with Dynaudio North America. 

Xeo 2 is discontinued. Xeo 10 is well and live. Maybe Crutchfield might have decided to not sell it. 

[The Computer Audiophile]

8 hours ago, morespin said:

Xeo 2 is discontinued. Xeo 10 is well and live. Maybe Crutchfield might have decided to not sell it. 

Dynaudio decided not to make it.