Lots of audiophiles have augmented their big systems with small desktop systems, and some have even switched over entirely to desktop sound — in part because of the ease of playing high-res files from HDtracks and other sources. Monitor Audio’s $399 WS100 caters to desktop audiophiles with a compact yet sweet-sounding design. The tiny speakers use a simple yet ingenious base that allows them to point directly forward or lean back to better direct the sound from the desktop to your ears.
Inside each of the WS100 speakers is a 0.75-inch tweeter and a 3-inch midrange/woofer. They get their signal from a wireless dongle with USB and analog input, which Monitor Audio says has a range of about 100 feet. As many as four pairs of WS100s can be used with a single transmitter, and you can raise or lower the volume of all of them simultaneously.
