Downgrading from Logitech Z-5500 to 2.0 or 2.1 Apple iMac speakers

I have owned more than few Logitech Z-5500 speakers in my day and have gotten them all for around $180 a piece (I have patience). I enjoyed this set for the longest time but I bought a house and put together a HT that made me realize I was missing something with the Z-5500's. They are still wonderful and very loud but these days I am looking for frequency response quality and a smaller package. I enjoyed the optical audio out on my Apple iMac as it produced no static or feedback typically associated with using a standard 3.5mm analog out.
Now I am looking for something that has a better overall quality of sound, in a 2.0 or 2.1 setup, that doesn't need to ever be as loud as the Z-5500's. The office I am in proves the Z-5500's overkill, to many speakers and I never crank it above a few bars. I was thinking powered bookshelf speakers (briefly), B&W MM-1's (although massively expensive), Focal XS Bookshelf's (although they look too tiny and I haven't read enough reviews), Harmon & Kardon Soudstick III's, and a few others before I realized asking the wisdom of crowds is my best solution. I have been reading these forums for years now and have gotten great information from it's audiophiles. So today I joined, first post, and ask for your experiences -- plus if there are like minding people like me out there they like solving problems.



What I Have:

• 27" Apple iMac
• Optical/Toslink Output
• USB Output
• 3.5mm Output
• Logitech Z-5500

What I Would Like:

• Smaller form factor (2.0 or 2.1)
• Better frequency response
• Less power than Z-5500 (which has a car amp strapped the the back IIRC)
• Powered speakers. I am not looking to take up more space with an amplifier
• >= $500

Inevitably I will be doing more research myself, but thank you in advanced for your time and patience.

P.S. If this is the wrong forum let me know, I will remove and move appropriately.
Edited by frankstallon3 - 2/3/13 at 6:27am

That's a good question, I'll update my post but the B&W MM-1's seem like the height of my pay wall. So figure >= $500.

Will look up @smasher50's suggestions later:

• Definitive Tech StudioMonitor 350
• Dayton Audio DTA-100A

@repete66211 Thank you for your input! I too am suspicious of the MM-1's 3" woofer that claims to such a close low frequency response as my 12" BIC PL-200 (~22Hz). The Audioengine A5+'s look great, especially in Bamboo, and I'll be checking out reviews as well. Would you be considering these with a DAC?

Not yet Pete! Still doing research but there are so many other things going on in life. =) It will end up being a DAC + bookshelf speakers though I bet. I am re-arranging my desk and wishing I had a standing desk right about now!