Simple Roon endpoint for my home office

Audio Gear Talk
1

Hi there.

Looking for a straightforward Roon endpoint for my home office.

Main system is a Naim 333; headphones run via a RoPieee Pi + Beyerdynamic A20. In the office I have a Windows PC (could add USB DAC or sound card) and a pair of passive bookshelf speakers.

Options I’m considering:

• Active speakers on the PC
• Passive speakers with small amp + DAC
• Roon Ready active speakers
• A second‑hand Mu‑so or Mu‑so Qb2

Priorities: ease of use, stability, and minimal fuss. Not chasing perfection—just something that works well day to day. A head phone line would be nice but is no necessity.

What setups have worked best for you in a similar office environment?

Thanks for the input!

2

I have a pair of KEF LSX on the sideboard about 6 feet away from my desk; they are v. good but if I were to go back in time I’d get the LS50 wireless II instead (more heft in the room). I know some people put the LSX on the desk itself in a nearfield configuration but I don’t want the speakers that close to me.

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3

How about one of the models from the JBL Authentics series?

4

I was just going to recommend that. I love the Authentics 200 in particular.

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5

Interesting. I hadn’t given placement any thought yet. In stereo left and right of my screen while working, or placed somewhere in the room. I guess in stereo they could also work as computer speakers for different use other than Roon alone.

6

They look cute. A good option for my wife her home office room. For me, I don’t know. Enough oompf? Can they run stereo? Well priced also!

7

Yes they can.

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8

I’m sorry, but is that a Roon screenshot or something native to the speakers?

9

No need to apologize… It’s the app for the JBL that allows them to be configured as a stereo pair.

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10

I’ve had a pair of Harman Kardon smart speakers in the past. Alone they could be accessed through AirPlay. But paired together through the Google Home app they appeared as a Chromecast pair to Roon. So they could play stereo music. I guess the JBL’s work in a similar fashion.

11

I am thinking a Jbl for my wife’s study and another solution for my own study:

  • Two reasonably proper pc speakers (to be found)
  • and a cabinet with a small factor streamer amp separates solution paired with two q acoustic speakers I have in storage. Thinking of a room ready streamer (could be pi) with naim nait 50 or a cambridge audio mxn10/mxw70 2nd hand option.
12

I have connected a pair of PreSonus Eris E4.5 BT active speakers to my daily NUC. They sound great and are perfect for listening to music. Perhaps something similar for you may a great idea as well? :slight_smile:

13

I’ve tried everything. What I’m doing now works, for me, better than anything else I’ve done in the past. So first, here’s what I learned and then what I’ve got.

After trying speakers on bookshelves and stands, it’s clear to me that I want my music speakers on my desk. Nothing else has worked well. I want the soundstage you get from facing your left/right channels. I don’t want it behind me or off to the side.

I want the ability to plug in headphones (preferably balanced outs) and I want the jack facing me. I don’t want it on the back of whatever I’m using to drive the headphones.

I want a physical volume control for music and I want to easily adjust the volume independent of the computer’s volume.

I want the computer to be able to do audio out, but I don’t need the audio from the computer to be fantastic.

After trying many different strategies, I’ve learned that I prefer to separate the computer audio out from music (mostly Roon in my case). I don’t want two sets of speaker looking things and I tend to buy monitors that have no built-in speakers.

So, with that, I have this:

  • FiiO K17 (not connected to the computer at all)
  • Genelec 8030C active speakers (connected with balanced cables to the K17, which drives them in Pre mode)
  • a Creative Sound Blaster G55 plugged into the computer over USB-C. My Mac Mini sees it as an audio device and controls the volume. It also has a physical volume knob

I’ve got a pair of excellent condition (green) LSX II boxed up and available for the right sale, if you’re interested. The Genelec are, in my opinion, far superior though they require something to drive them.

The FiiO K17 is great at what it does. I’m very happy with it though I wish it did UPnP but I’m fine with using it for Roon only.

The Creative Sound Blaster is a pretty decent device for what it is. It’s not large and the audio quality is good for PC/Mac stuff. I was never truly happy trying to figure out how to have my desktop music come from a Mac or PC - the options of having Roon run in exclusive mode or use the system mixer just didn’t work for me. This approach does.

Looks like this. Hope this gives you some ideas.

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14

:star_struck:

Wow. Thank you very much for sharing.

As I have a wonderful Quadraspire rack in storage I was imagining a Naim Nait 50 (with headphone out), a pi tucked away in the back on a lower shelf, a plant or other ornament. On the side of my desk.

Having sound from the side would annoy me, so thank you for pointing this out. The Quadraspire will have to wait for another useful project.

A Creative (having last bought a Soundblaster in the 80s, I had no idea the brand still exists) for the pc. And two passive speakers on each side of my monitors (2), connected to Nait 50 with Roon via pi is what I will do. Finally a good reason to buy the Nait.

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15

Well there you go! That’ll be a great setup!

There are other similar soundbars on the market like the V2 X from Razer. I’m happy with the Creative I have but there are options if you want to shop around.

Send pics when you set it up!

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16

I have an Elac Z3 in my office and others around the house in the kitchen and bedrooms.

Small footprint Roon Ready stereo speaker system about the size of a medium shoe box.

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17

I still have my Raspi Pi3 with DAC Hat mounted in a steel case and with XLR OUT. I used them with my Focal Active Speakers, I had left from my DJ Setup. Installed Ropieee XL and it worked fine. Due to a fire I lost most of my gear and was forced to buy something new for my working room.
I went with an Eversolo Play CD and a pair of Speakers. I bought a long Toslink Cable for the PC, so I can switch between PC Sound and Roon Endpoint. And finally I also attached my old Lenco L75 (1973) with which I can also listen to vinyl if needed.
Eversolo has its own app, so I can control also the Inputs from the App.
The Raspi is now a PiHole.

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18

I use a Sonos speaker in my home office, works great for this purpose.

19

I send my PC output to an iFi Zen DAC. That gives me a volume control and both single ended and balanced headphone jacks on the front panel. The output can go to active speakers. Mine are ancient (probably only available on eBay) Cambridge Soundworks units which have a small subwoofer. Not amazing speakr sound quality, but it works for what i want and when i want good sound i put on headphones.

20

I’ve tried many things over the years. I have my own office but don’t work from home so Roon is unavailable and I’m not keen to buy a separate licence just for the office.

When I upgrade my main system, the discarded components find their way to my office, so now:
Win11PC->Qobuz/Spotify->Chord Qutest DAC->(DIY NCore monoamps->Kef LS50 Meta) or (Trilogy 931+Beyer T1)

If your desk is backed up to a wall, bass boom can easily ruin any system, no matter how competent. Beware.