Onkyo, Ruark and Philips are all vying for desktop speaker heights – so which pair should you choose?
Desktop speakers aren’t what they used to be. Don’t worry, that’s not a bad thing – this unselfish corner of the audio world has come a long way in the last few years, as many manufacturers bring powerful performance and the latest features to your low-end desktop.
As a result, there are currently a healthy number of powerful desktop speakers that can fit your needs, especially if you’re not willing to spend a fortune on a pair.
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| Row 0 – Cell 0 |
Price |
Bluetooth |
Physical contact |
Size |
|
Philips Fidelio FA3 |
£349 / $399 / AU$499 |
Bluetooth 5.4 with SBC, AAC, LDAC codec support |
Inputs: RCA line level, optical, USB-C, HDMI ARC |
30 x 17 x 21cm |
|
Onkyo GX-30ARC |
£339 / $349 / AU$649 |
Bluetooth 5.3 supported by SBC codec |
Inputs: 3.5mm aux, RCA stereo, optical, USB-C, HDMI ARC input Output: Subwoofer is out |
22 x 14.6 x 17cm |
|
Ruark MR1 Mk3 |
£399 / $579 / AU$899 |
Bluetooth 5.1 with SBC, AAC and aptX HD codec support |
Inputs: MM Phono, USB-C, Optical/3.5mm aux Output: Subwoofer is out |
18.5 x 13.5 x 16.5cm |
Picking a winner
While these may be three ‘desktop’ speakers, their capabilities extend beyond your laptop’s placement to give your daily YouTube scrolling a little more. All are powered by Bluetooth streaming capabilities, and all – to varying degrees – offer a raft of physical connectivity to extend their capabilities beyond that of just desktop audio.
That can make your choice more difficult, as the process is no longer as simple as finding the best-sounding pair in your office and plugging it into your desktop PC (remember those?).
Here, then, we examined each of the three contenders as thoroughly as possible, judging them on their versatility, design and sonic talents across a wide range of possible use cases.
Whether you’re looking for your next pair to just sit on the desk, or you’re looking for a do-it-all pair that can even get a good turntable feel, we’ve covered all the basics to put you in the best position to make your choice.
What’s impressive about this team test is how different our three opponents are. While they may all be functional or powerful desktop speakers in name, the different approaches taken by each product at the budget end of the market clearly show that there is more than one way to dig this cat.
Each pair is a different size, has a different design, has a given list of features and offers its own unique sound signature. Some level of our recommendation, therefore, will naturally be based on the users’ needs and preferences, or, finally, we know where to put our money. We’ll get to that in a second.
Philips’ Fidelio FA3 gets bigger and bolder
If size without a lot of subtlety is what you desire, the Philips Fidelio FA3 makes that case with a loud, hearty shout. These are the biggest speakers of the three of us and sound the most assertive, with big boxes that outshine their Onkyo and Ruark rivals by huge margins.
They may be the biggest, but they’re not the best equipped in front-end features. While the inclusion of Bluetooth and RCA, optical, USB-C and HDMI ARC options are no slouch, the lack of a dedicated 3.5mm input, subwoofer out or any phono stage means the Philips lags behind its rivals.
The Fidelio FA3 is louder and louder than standard desktop speakers, with a muscular, bass-heavy signature that will appeal to anyone who just wants to crank up the volume and blast their tunes hard.
In subtlety and nuance, however, they are the same here, with that uncharacteristic bass and one-way leaving us disappointed in their sonic abilities against their rivals.
Onyko’s GX-30ARC is incredibly versatile
In contrast, creativity and uniqueness are not lacking in the Onkyo GX-30ARC. While the Philips go big in the end, the Onkyo prioritizes clarity, detail and design. Perhaps, they are a touch light on the bass, but that is a small niggle that can spoil the excellent sonic picture.
They are the most versatile of our three, too, offering Bluetooth streaming alongside a cache of physical connections, including optical, 3.5mm aux and RCA inputs, as well as USB-C, a magnetic phono stage and HDMI ARC.
That phono stage is great, and if you’re planning on grabbing a pair, we recommend using some sort of cable connection to get the most out of them. Bluetooth audio is powerful, but if your source is connected via the likes of USB-C or RCA, the GX-30ARC shines with clearer, nimbler and more balanced production.
Ruark continues its sonic boom
The Onkyos obviously have many talents, but in terms of sonic performance, the Ruark MR1 Mk3 is still the best.
They may be the youngest of the three of us, but they are also the most involved in music. They provide a powerful, punchy and dynamic sound that captures the subtleties of emotion with a keen ear. For us, this is still the best-sounding pair of powerful desktop speakers we’ve heard at this price.
They’re also some of the best looking, and because of their compact, stylish footprint, they’re a great option for anyone short on space. They will fit nicely into a desktop setup, placed on a bookshelf or, if you prefer, facing your precious turntable.
That last option is one we recommend. The MR1 Mk3s phono stage is the party piece here, sounding well-defined, clear and confident over the small size of the speakers. Add to that Bluetooth streaming, USB-C input, integrated optical and 3.5mm auxiliary input and a small output, and you have a very good package all around.
They may not be as full as the Onkyo GX-30ARC, or as loud as the Fidelio FA3, but with their deep sound and elegant design, the Ruark MR1 Mk3 stand alone in riding that tricky balance of style and substance.
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