Speakers for hobbyist piano playing

[SteveMonov]

I've been using Philips SPA5300/10 speakers ($75) for the last 10 years of hobbyist piano playing. But lately I realized they have 2 important drawbacks:

1. Low chords sound muddy and generally horrible (especially bad for minor triads and major triads. A simple fifth chord sounds okay-ish).

2. In fact, I actually hear some "detunedness" in what I play. No idea how the speakers can cause that but they do.

I verified that it's the speakers that cause the trouble, because I tried using my simple $15 "ACME" headphones and they give me a perfect sound.

So, my questions:
- Should I be looking for "monitor speakers"?
- Do I need a subwoofer (my current Phillips setup includes one) or is it better to go without that?
- What speakers would you recommend?

I don't need the speakers to be super loud. I think I'd be very happy with some inexpensive model, because I'm not a professional and I don't play at concerts or anything. I don't even need stereo sound.

I hope to find something below $100, hopefully much less than that.

TIA!

[lfm]

About your points
#1. You don't use triads in left hand for the reason you mention.
- more like octaves and another note if three
- tonika, third and fifth will sound bad
- unless playing both hands high up, that is

So what you describe is normal.

#2. Speakers mix frequencies from left and right in a way that phones don't.
- I've experimented a lot with stretch tunings that fix some of this
- even phones on some digital pianos are poor at this IMO
- my Kawai MP7SE has really nice options for both octave and stretch tunings

I had 3 Yamaha digital pianos, and they had very poor options for stretch tunings over all.
- I talked to Yamaha about it but they say this is inherent for digital pianos
- until I started using altered tunings I believed this
- stretch tunings is about how harmonics mix and used in acoustic pianos too
I think Roland is much better too.

Just for piano I would look at having active speakers on floor pointing up.
- but tilted like some has will work too, one each side on floor
- Dynaudio has some tilted speakers
- that will give you the feeling of being surrounded by the piano almost
- that like an acoustic piano of some sort
- Some digital pianos do this that have speakers, pointing up, but even better at side of stool

IMO you do need at least 30W or something, nothing less.
- If tapping keys becomes too large part of sound it spoils quite a bit.

None of my ideas belong in the price target you set. At least 3 times that.
- Save up for something that really improves the sound for you.
- or look at second hand stuff active monitors

Try placement of what you have. Don't use hifi style stereo placement but up towards you as a test. Each side of stool or something. Testing cost nothing.

[SteveMonov]

Thanks, @lfm.

[FranklyFlawless]

Should I be looking for "monitor speakers"?

No, they are used for venues when you need to hear yourself and/or your band on stage.

Do I need a subwoofer (my current Phillips setup includes one) or is it better to go without that?

No, but it is nice to have if you can afford the price and space.

What speakers would you recommend?

Assuming you are interested in upgrading your sound using PA systems, I recommend the Bose S1 Pro+.

[Mathematics]

Honestly, go on FB Marketplace or OfferUp and look for "studio monitors." At this point, it's not what you can get for under $100, it's more like what is out there for under $100. You may find a pair of KRKs or Yamahas...or better.