More PC or small speaker related - Ruark vs EPOZ

[d_a_n1979]

Has anyone had the chance yet to demo the Ruark MR1's vs the EPOZ Aktimate Minis?

I'm very interested in both (more EPOZ currently as they look cool in their red and I've owned the Maxi's before & really liked them)

Basically I'm after some decent desktop speakers for my new desk (when it lands) so I can listen to music whilst I'm working and to have them as the main system downstairs and also to get away from the Creative Gigaworks T20 MkII's I've got...

Music will be via my Mac Mini & iTunes/TuneIn Radio and plugged in via the mini-out/mini-in cable etc... (OR Bluetooth if necessary) - Just a shame they dont have RCA or optical in's so that I could use optical to optical or a DAC!

Anyways...

Whose heard them and what are your thoughts?

 

[d_a_n1979]

Anyone any opinions or reviews/feedeback on either/both sets of speakers? 🙂

 

[chebby]

I have only heard the Ruarks in a local branch of John Lewis.

Given the limitations of a 'table demo' (they took them off the shelf and used a table in a quiet part of the furniture department where I could sit comfortably and listen), I was very impressed given their size.

(I used Bluetooth from my iPad Mini and streamed BBC radio stations via their in-house wi-fi and some of my own content @320K AAC.)

 

[d_a_n1979]

Thanks for that fella 🙂

I'll be aiming to hardwire mine even though my Mac Mini has bluetooth. Just think Bluetooth sound is a little compressed etc...

The Ruarks do look good though; have to say!

 

[BigH]

I have only heard the Epoz Maxi which were quite good but too much bass for me, at £300 they were a bargain but too big for a desktop, there are quite a few deals on Epoz, the minis are worth considering. Or you could look at some active speakers like Behringer.

 

[davedotco]

A very inexpensive option, Richer are selling off the last remaining Cambridge SLA 25 powered speakers for just £99 and change.

Modest 15 watt power rating but does have a usb dac on board so straight from you Mac via USB. Probably not as refines as the others nentioned but not that far behind either, outstnding for the money.

If, on the other hand, you want to give yourself a real treat, the Adam Artist 3 is a quite phenominal desktop speaker. Pro quality usb dac, fully active configuration and a nice finish. Over budget at around £450 pr, but superbly built by a company that specialises in serious studio monitors, a simple, elegant but very serious speaker.

Should your requirements change, they can be stand mounted in a proper hi-fi system, just add a decent (Adam, BK) sub.