Active Speaker recommendations - Aktimate Maxis have died

[swagmeister]

I've had Aktimate Maxis since about 2010 but they're dead (RIP).

They were very well reviewed here: http://www.whathifi.com/epoz/aktimate-maxi/review

Aktimate have been offering a new version - the Aktimate Blues since around 2013 and I'm considering them: http://www.whathifi.com/epoz/aktimate-blue/review

However... are there any other similar products that have been released in the last few years that will blow these away? Active speakers only guys.

Thanks

 

[lpv]

I've had Aktimate Maxis since about 2010 but they're dead (RIP).

They were very well reviewed here: http://www.whathifi.com/epoz/aktimate-maxi/review

Aktimate have been offering a new version - the Aktimate Blues since around 2013 and I'm considering them: http://www.whathifi.com/epoz/aktimate-blue/review

However... are there any other similar products that have been released in the last few years that will blow these away? Active speakers only guys.

Thanks

Are you sure these are active speakers? what make an active speaker is an active crossover.. epoz website say: 1 active 1 passive.. it tells me these are powered and no active speakers.

do u want speakers with digital inputs and remote control? what's your max budget?

 

[swagmeister]

I'm probably wrong on the terminology but I want the same as whatever my Maxis are (power themselves).

I can get the Aktimate Blues for £450. I am willing to go £600 if there are better options but I'm not sure anything will be better than the Blues at this price...

 

[davedotco]

I'm probably wrong on the terminology but I want the same as whatever my Maxis are (power themselves).

I can get the Aktimate Blues for £450. I am willing to go £600 if there are better options but I'm not sure anything will be better than the Blues at this price...

In a different league.

Both in terms of functionality and sound quality. They do absolutely everything, £599.

 

[hg_mike]

I'm probably wrong on the terminology but I want the same as whatever my Maxis are (power themselves).

I can get the Aktimate Blues for £450. I am willing to go £600 if there are better options but I'm not sure anything will be better than the Blues at this price...

In a different league.

Both in terms of functionality and sound quality. They do absolutely everything, £599.

A good review here http://www.computeraudiophile.com/content/666-yamaha-nx-n500-network-powered-speaker-review/

 

[swagmeister]

Do the n500s have the power and sound quality of the blues?

 

[davedotco]

Do the n500s have the power and sound quality of the blues?

They are way superior in every respect...*good*

Of course you may not, for one reason or another, like them, that is up to you.

 

[drummerman]

I think you've answered your own question.

There is also QAcoustic's BT3, good reviews and ditto, BlueAura's X40.

 

[Jota180]

I have the Yamaha NX-N500 and I love the sound they make with all genres. Yamaha pushed the boat out with these, check out their website to see what they're capable of.

 

[swagmeister]

I've been offered the Blues for £350

I remember reading reviews / user opinions on the Maxis years ago and saw lots of comments that they compete with systems up to 10 times the price. If the Blues are an improvement on the Maxis then £350 is too good to turn down. The Yamahas look interesting but I'm not interested in multiroom functionality etc. And I'm familar with the Aktimate sound already so perhaps less risk in buying something I'm not happy with if I go for the Blues (particularly @ £300 cheaper)

Can I ask - have you listened to the Blues before? Or are you just going off spec when you say superior in every way.

 

[steve_1979]

+1 for the Yamaha speakers.

 

[lpv]

they could easily transform HS7 & HS8 as they did with HS5... hope they will !

 

[steve_1979]

they could easily transform HS7 & HS8 as they did with HS5... hope they will !

I thought the same thing myself.

 

[davedotco]

I've been offered the Blues for £350

I remember reading reviews / user opinions on the Maxis years ago and saw lots of comments that they compete with systems up to 10 times the price. If the Blues are an improvement on the Maxis then £350 is too good to turn down. The Yamahas look interesting but I'm not interested in multiroom functionality etc. And I'm familar with the Aktimate sound already so perhaps less risk in buying something I'm not happy with if I go for the Blues (particularly @ £300 cheaper)

Can I ask - have you listened to the Blues before? Or are you just going off spec when you say superior in every way.

I'm quite familier with the Maxi, but not the later Blue model.

I have broken my self imposed rule about commenting on the subjective sound quality of different components, so I am not going further on this.

The functionality of the NS-N500 is superb, not just the multiroom but the network streaming capabilities, Spotify Connect support, Airplay, Bluetooth etc.

In addition this is a fully active design with separate 45 + 25 watt amplifiers per speaker, the technical advantage in terms of clarity and control are obvious.

But, as I said above, that means little if you do not 'like' them

 

[drummerman]

I've been offered the Blues for £350

I remember reading reviews / user opinions on the Maxis years ago and saw lots of comments that they compete with systems up to 10 times the price. If the Blues are an improvement on the Maxis then £350 is too good to turn down. The Yamahas look interesting but I'm not interested in multiroom functionality etc. And I'm familar with the Aktimate sound already so perhaps less risk in buying something I'm not happy with if I go for the Blues (particularly @ £300 cheaper)

Can I ask - have you listened to the Blues before? Or are you just going off spec when you say superior in every way.

I'm quite familier with the Maxi, but not the later Blue model.

I have broken my self imposed rule about commenting on the subjective sound quality of different components, so I am not going further on this.

The functionality of the NS-N500 is superb, not just the multiroom but the network streaming capabilities, Spotify Connect support, Airplay, Bluetooth etc.

In addition this is a fully active design with separate 45 + 25 watt amplifiers per speaker, the technical advantage in terms of clarity and control are obvious.

But, as I said above, that means little if you do not 'like' them

They look rather neat for an active speaker. I guess the intention was the home market?

The amplifier board looks like it has been lifted straight from an AS-500/501 integrated ... which it probably has to an extent. Good or bad dunno but it comes complete with wire circuit board links 🙂 and not surprisingly, no torroid.

Still, good facilities.

Both Kef's X300 and Quad's 9as look imho better made but of course lack network facilities.

Not sure if that is a big deal when you can buy a CCA or similar for under £50.

 

[davedotco]

It is a completely integrated solution, that is the point. Everything in a pair of speakers.

Clearly there are hundreds of solutions if you want to use separates, you can pick and choose the features and functionality, from a ChromeCast or Fire dongle to a full on streamer/dac/pre-amp solution such as the CXN.

For the OPs budget, I would personally choose something else (Teufel Connector + Equator D5 maybe) but that is because the Connector does what I need and not what I don't, and I like the sound of the D5.

However I got the impression that the OP wanted a simple, all in one solution like the Actimates. The NS-N500 is simply the best and most complete that I know.

 

[swagmeister]

The aktimate blues are a 5 star rated product on this site whereas the two you have linked are both 4 stars. I know a What HiFi review isn't everything but I suspect it carries some weight and I'd be tempted to believe the Blues are the best of the 3.

I'm going to take a bit more time and either go for the Blues or splash out on the Yamaha's.

 

[Jota180]

The aktimate blues are a 5 star rated product on this site whereas the two you have linked are both 4 stars. I know a What HiFi review isn't everything but I suspect it carries some weight and I'd be tempted to believe the Blues are the best of the 3.

I'm going to take a bit more time and either go for the Blues or splash out on the Yamaha's.

I wouldn't put one ounce of stock in any of their review scores. Don't you find it a bit strange how British gear typically wins all the awards in this mag?

The best thing you can do is sit down and listen to a number of speakers, see what they are capable of connectivity wise etc, and then choose the one you like. At the end of the day if you prefer the one that gets 3 stars in a review over the one that gets 5, who can say you're wrong?