We'd been looking for the perfect desktop speakers for some time; a pair that could provide clear, full sound while delivering equally on aesthetics (nothing too boxy, nor too ornamental). Then, earlier this summer, the audio technologists at Audyssey announced the LES Media Speakers, the first speakers to offer both 3.5 mm line and digital optical audio inputs. From the photos it was obvious these speakers looked good, being light enough without seeming inadequate, and trading on just the right amount of nostalgia to make you want to cozy up to them. But the real question was, how did they sound?

Wasting no time, we met up with the fine folks from Audyssey while they were launching the LES Speakers at this year's IFA electronics fair in Berlin. Our first listen confirmed our hopes. The LES Speakers served up crisp, well-rounded audio and didn't distort when we cranked up the volume. As for the the bass, it was punchy without being overblown, thanks to the speakers' passive bass radiators. Equally impressive was how well they handled a wide swath of music, from the cavernous, swelling sounds of HTRK's Work (work, work) to the swooning falsetto of Justin Vernon's Bon Iver. 

Not content with first impressions, we had a pair of the LES Speakers shipped to our NYC office. Since then, we've been living with them day-to-day, happily soaking up the sound and noticing the finer details that come with regular use. One feature that's come in handy in the office is an audio throughput which lets you plug your headphones right into the speakers, allowing you to easily switch between public and private listening. 

Other aspects of the design that we've grown to appreciate include: an automatic standby mode, triggered when the audio signal is passive; rubber glides, which prevent excessive surface vibration; and the somewhat retro power/volume knob, which is smooth and solid, like an old hi-fi unit. 

And let's not forget that these are full-fledged media speakers, designed to be compatible with an array of devices with digital optical outputs (see right), not just your desktop computer. For those with an Apple TV®, that means you can hook the LES Speakers to your Apple TV® and use them to broadcast audio content from an iPhone, iPad, or laptop. We dig their versatility.

 

• Depth: 6"
  
• Width: 5"
  
• Height: 9.3"
  
• Total Weight: 7 lbs