Developer David Heinemeier Hansson, known for creating the Ruby on Rails web development framework, showcased his rather stunning Mac mini computer setup this week on X (formerly Twitter).
The extraordinary 6K graphics of his Studio Display XDR and the articulate sound of his highly recommended KEF speakers complement the ocean views through the glass walls of his California office.
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Mac mini rides back of Pro Display XDR stand flanked by KEF hi-fi speakers
Hansson, co-owner and CTO of software company 37signals, known for project-management client Basecamp and email client HEY, is living proof a high-spec Mac mini is a powerful-enough desktop machine for most people.
You’d think he’d rock a Mac Pro or a Mac Studio, but he told Cult of Mac his M2 Pro Mac mini is plenty for his needs.
In fact, the computer’s slim profile may have been its biggest selling point for Hansson. He “mounts” his M2 Pro Mac mini on the back of his Pro Display XDR’s stand, so it’s barely even visible.
“It’s not even mounted, I just stood it tall on the back of the base for the XDR,” he said. “It’s like it’s a little nook designed for it.”
Not that it matters how out-of-the-way the Mac mini is. Given the distracting view, anyone walking into Hansson’s Malibu, CA, office might even miss the Pro Display XDR sitting on that fantastically stylish Babini Office Goggle Desk.
But as great as the view, the Mac mini and the 6K display may be, Hansson posted for another reason — those fabulous KEF speakers.
KEF LSX-II Wireless HiFi Speaker System
"So I came for the aesthetics, but I was blow away by the sound. I’ve been glued in front of these speakers for hours now, just listening to all the tracks I thought I knew so well. Uncovering new facets and depth in the music… That to me is HiFi." https://t.co/CBqrRkwAJO pic.twitter.com/2QLC6PFDCG
— DHH (@dhh) December 10, 2023
Hansson rocks a blue pair of KEF LSX-II Wireless HiFi Speakers sitting on angled feet from the same company.
“So I came for the aesthetics, but I was blow away by the sound,” he wrote in his post. “I’ve been glued in front of these speakers for hours now, just listening to all the tracks I thought I knew so well. Uncovering new facets and depth in the music … That to me is HiFi.”
He even wrote a separate essay about his speakers, considering them a huge upgrade from his more-pedestrian office-based audio experiences. But he doesn’t consider himself much of an audiophile, especially because he suffers 5% hearing loss in one ear.
“That’s the thing about a great HiFi setup, you don’t have to be a connoisseur or be blessed with reference-grade aural hardware in your head to enjoy it,” he said. “It’s as easy to tell the difference as that between watching a movie on a VHS tape and seeing it from blue-ray on a 4K projector.”
The peak of audio quality in an office setting
And he said the KEF speakers’ quality audio is about as good as it gets in an office, where he records the ReWork podcast (he also posted about needing a huge acoustic panel on the concrete wall for that reason).
“For me, and probably many others, a fully integrated set of KEF LSX-IIs connected with USB-C to a computer streaming Apple Music Lossless is probably the peak of what we can appreciate anyway in an office setting,” he said. “But what a damn peak it is!”
A commenter asked if Hansson’s surprised how good the speakers sound without being connected to a standalone amp.
“I didn’t know this kind of sound was possible in a fully integrated speaker,” he replied. “Absolutely thought it required an amp and all the other stuff you usually associate with HiFi. But progress does happen!”
Through they’re wireless speakers, note that he recommends connecting them via Ethernet to each other and via USB-C to a Mac for specific benefits.
“If you’re getting a pair of these (or anything similar with onboard DAC and USB connection to computer), you can use SongShift to move your playlists from Spotify to Apple Music, if you want to enjoy lossless streaming,” he advised.
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Acoustical upgrade to the home office, so those podcast recordings don’t bounce straight off the concrete. Turned out really well! pic.twitter.com/wOzPFwipVx
— DHH (@dhh) August 26, 2023
Computer:
Display:
Input devices:
- Magic Keyboard (mini)
- Magic Mouse 2
Audio:
Furniture:
If you would like to see your setup featured on Cult of Mac, send some high-res pictures to info+setups@cultofmac.com. Please provide a detailed list of your equipment. Tell us what you like or dislike about your setup, and fill us in on any special touches, challenges and plans for new additions.
LSX II offers the highest quality sound with streaming up to 24bit/384kHz. Supports HDMI ARC and USB-C inputs, making it a great companion for TV, laptop and more. Shown in cobalt blue.
