Pro AudioSpectrum
The sine wave burnout problem can be managed if you are careful. Many amps
can't handle a pure sine wave for long periods. However, the speakers are a
bigger problem. Tweeters typically can handle only small amounts of power
even on speaker systems rated for several hundred watts. Since the level of
upper harmonics is low compared to the fundamental (which is upper midrange
or lower) then this isn't a problem on music. A synthesizer can construct
whatever it wishes. Squarewave inputs are rich in upper harmonics and are
notorious for burning out tweeters. This is why using a small amp and
clipping it by overdriving it can burn out a speaker when using a larger
amp wouldn't. Note, the above also explains why you need to be careful on a
home stereo when playing test tone CDs.
Sony makes several nice powered speakers that are small and easy to place.
I think AR makes a nice pair also as does Bose. Look for something for
playing a portable cassette or CD player into. The salesmen won't
understand what the sound board is. All of these are pretty safe since the
amp is matched to the speaker and actually part of the speaker. The Bose
product is the Roommate. For a step up, get a small receiver (cheap – 40
watts/channel) and a pair of the Bose Acoustimass clones (Bose = $800,
clones = $120 from Damark). This will give some reasonable bass and (other
than bass module) be easy to place. The next step up is to go pick out a
stereo system like you would to play a CD. It's all in how much you want to
spend and in how bulky you can stand.
Hope this helps — Paul