Active speaker test in latest issue

[Andy Clough]

OK, just to get you all really excited, here's the full line-up in the test:

Audioengine A5

Epoz Aktimate Mini

Epoz Aktimate Maxi

Yamaha MSP7

AVI ADM 9.1

Dynaudio Focus 110A

PMC DB1S-AII

Adam Audio Classic Compact 3

 

[Simon Lucas]

This is what passes for not giving anything away with you, is it? Where did I rest my big stick?

 

[Andrew Everard]

Nick21:How long a running in did you do?

No idea, as not involved in the test, but two months does sound excessive. Isn't that a bit audiophoolish? Aren't you just acclimatising to the speakers?

Surely if they're properly designed, then - oh, I really can't be bothered...

Nick21:Andrew did you buy the Avi's with or without the sub? if without have you tried them with a sub?

Without. And yes I have, but the review doesn't. Mind you, neither did the reviewers use a sub with any of the other speakers in the test.

 

[Andrew Everard]

Simon Lucas:This is what passes for not giving anything away with you, is it? Where did I rest my big stick?

(whispers) Knowledge is power, knowledge is power...

 

[AlmaataKZ]

Fantastic line-up, isn't it?!

 

[ear]

yamaha's take second place

 

[Andrew Everard]

AlmaataKZ:Fantastic line-up, isn't it?!

Yes: hook them all up and you could have a serious party...

 

[Anonymous]

drummerman:
Well, nobody can't accuse this publication of not trying, that is if anyone did. Personally I think it's wrong you had to buy them regardless of what I think of the product.
Why is it wrong? It's what magazines like Which choose to do for everything they test to guarantee independence and impartiality. If you're reliant on the manufacturer it does limit your choices, as could be the case here. For example, B&O make only active speakers but they don't seem to have been part of the test.

 

[The_Lhc]

Tarquinh:drummerman:Well, nobody can't accuse this publication of not trying, that is if anyone did. Personally I think it's wrong you had to buy them regardless of what I think of the product.Why is it wrong? It's what magazines like Which choose to do for everything they test to guarantee independence and impartiality.

Which will probably have a much MUCH bigger budget for that though. And really don't see how being supplied with kit to test makes any difference to impartiality. Presumbably that's why some manufacturers DON'T supply kit, because they don't think they'll get a good enough review.

If you're reliant on the manufacturer it does limit your choices, as could be the case here. For example, B&O make only active speakers but they don't seem to have been part of the test.

From what I've seen I don't think B&O make anything that would fall within the price range of the rest of the gear on test here.

 

[Andrew Everard]

We have reviewed several Bang & Olufsen active speaker designs in the past; in this test we were more interested in brands and models we hadn't tested.

 

[Escapism]

Yes, fantastic line up including passive designs, which seems a bit odd for an 'active' group test.

EDIT - could be labelled as a 'powered speaker' test I guess, I have not seen the publication so perhaps jumping the gun.

 

[Andrew Everard]

The test contains both true active speakers and powered passive designs, as we make very clear in the review copy.

EDIT: Ah right, you edited...

 

[John Duncan]

Must see if I can find a copy and see how my favourites did...

 

[Escapism]

Andrew Everard:

The test contains both true active speakers and powered passive designs, as we make very clear in the review copy.

EDIT: Ah right, you edited...

Thanks for the clarification.

 

[Andrew Everard]

Escapism:Thanks for the clarification.

You're welcome - just thought I should make the point lest anyone pre-judge the test without actually having read it...

 

[NigelF]

I hope WHF have not taken conservative approach and just reviewing the speakers individually instead of putting them against each other.

 

[The_Lhc]

but they'd sound awful if you put them against each other...?

AIUI, ALL of WHFs tests are comparative, with the possible exception of the first 3D TV test as there wasn't anything else to compare it to.

 

[Andrew Everard]

I'm not sure what that post means, but the test is in the usual 'Round-Up' format...

 

[NigelF]

Hi Andrew,

To clarify I was hoping for a Super Test kind of a review of under 1.5K where you put all speakers against each other and have one winner, but I guess from your reply it seems round-up review means these has been individually reviewed and has not been put to test against each other. I guess WHF doesn't want to get into the den of hooligans

 

[Andrew Everard]

Even in a 'Round-Up', the performance of all the contenders informs our opinion of individual products in the group.

 

[AEJim]

On the subject of manufacturers supplying product free-of-charge for review - seems that doesn't really help as we supplied AE22 Active's for this very test yet still didn't make it in according to Andy Clough's list!

Ah well...

 

[AlmaataKZ]

Is AE22 outside the budget bracket? And if yes will be reviewed separately?

 

[AEJim]

AlmaataKZ:Is AE22 outside the budget bracket? And if yes will be reviewed separately?

Shouldn't be, £900 and already reviewed here - http://whathifi.com/Review/Acoustic-Energy-AE22-Active/

I do remember rushing around trying to find a pair as they were out of stock at the time, I think we had to use a b-stock pair so maybe they weren't pretty enough! (or were damaged in some way, though I'm pretty sure they would have been checked over before sending...)

 

[Andrew Everard]

As I already said, we favoured speakers we hadn't previously tested...

I gather the size and scope of the test changed during the reviewing process, so apologies for any inconvenience caused, AEJ.

 

[chebby]

Andrew Everard:As I already said, we favoured speakers we hadn't previously tested...

Well, not many (from Andy's list)....

Audioengine A5

Epoz AktiMate Mini

Epoz Aktimate Maxi

Dynaudio Focus 110A

AVI ADM9 (Yes, I know it was the previous version)