Active speaker test in latest issue

[Andrew Everard]

Well, indeed. As I always say, everyone's going to be unhappy that something is left out, and at least two of the models you quote have been changed since last we reviewed them. So if you knock those out, that's only three out of eight previously tested...

Anyway, this has been a fascinating discussion - so what do you all think of the test, anyway?

 

[drummerman]

Andrew Everard:

Well, indeed. As I always say, everyone's going to be unhappy that something is left out, and at least two of the models you quote have been changed since last we reviewed them. So if you knock those out, that's only three out of eight previously tested...

Anyway, this has been a fascinating discussion - so what do you all think of the test, anyway?

Haven't read it yet but which ones were your personal favorites?

 

[Andrew Everard]

I wasn't involved in the test, but I have read it.

 

[John Duncan]

So have I now...

 

[Andrew Everard]

And so, presumably, have some subscribers, who should be starting to receive their copies...

 

[The_Lhc]

Not yet...

 

[shado]

So once a subscriber receives the latest mag will a blog be issued stating the results hopefully before Bank Holiday Monday?

 

[The_Lhc]

shado:So once a subscriber receives the latest mag will a blog be issued stating the results hopefully before Bank Holiday Monday?

What you mean it'll be made available for free on the website before the mag is available to the public to BUY?

Doesn't seem likely does it...

 

[shado]

To be honest I was not sure when the Mag was released as they seem to be a month ahead.

 

[Anonymous]

Andrew, my point was more that the less exotic B&Os didn't feature in the round-up, and it would have been interesting to see how your reviewers rated them against the new wave of active speakers.

I went into a B&O shop recently while waiting for the volcanic ash to clear ("Let's go for a long weekend in Copenhagen" the OH said) and was mightily impressed by both the Beolab 4000s and the tiny ones, the Beolab 4s. Only the cost of the extra nights in the hotel put me off walking out with the latter.

 

[Andrew Everard]

shado:So once a subscriber receives the latest mag will a blog be issued stating the results hopefully before Bank Holiday Monday?

No.

 

[Anonymous]

eee, how can I know are speakers active or powered passive? Manufacturers are not very clear about it in description, ... or maybe I just do not know correct keywords?

 

[Andrew Everard]

Tarquinh:Andrew, my point was more that the less exotic B&Os didn't feature in the round-up, and it would have been interesting to see how your reviewers rated them against the new wave of active speakers.
I went into a B&O shop recently while waiting for the volcanic ash to clear ("Let's go for a long weekend in Copenhagen" the OH said) and was mightily impressed by both the Beolab 4000s and the tiny ones, the Beolab 4s. Only the cost of the extra nights in the hotel put me off walking out with the latter.

Yes, there were lots more brands and models we could have included. Maybe we'll come back to the subject again in the future, given the proliferation of speakers of this kind...

 

[Andrew Everard]

ediots:eee, how can I know are speakers active or powered passive? Manufacturers are not very clear about it in description, ... or maybe I just do not know correct keywords?

Eee, I think y'can tell by 'ow many amplifier thingies are in t'speaker, and where t'crossover is located in relation to them. If t'crossover is before th'amps, and each driver has its own amplifier, t'speaker is active; if not, it's passive...

 

[Anonymous]

thanks Andrew,
that means if speakers have amp for each driver I can be almost sure it is active design, is it? (they usually do not write where is crossover located)

 

[Andrew Everard]

Basically - very basically - an active speaker has a crossover which splits the incoming signal into frequency bands suited for each driver, which are then amplified by separate amps dedicated to each driver. So each amp is only handling the frequency 'chunk' going to the driver it serves, and can be tailored to its task.

In a passive powered speaker all that's really happening is that the amplification is being moved from a separate box to inside the speaker. The amp works across the full frequency range, and the signal is then filtered to the characteristics of the drive units.

 

[the record spot]

Andrew Everard:And so, presumably, have some subscribers, who should be starting to receive their copies...

I did! Nearly fell over when the 9.1s were in it. Makes sense about the recent purchases Claire alluded to. Shame about the AE22s - I'd like to have seen that.

Minor gripe, I know powered Passives and true Actives have been much discussed, but although it alludes to it, the introductory text doesn't really make it clear with regard to the crossover's place in the scheme of things (I don't think it does anyway). Other than that, was pleased to see this coverage.

 

[drummerman]

the record spot:Andrew Everard:And so, presumably, have some subscribers, who should be starting to receive their copies...
I did! Nearly fell over when the 9.1s were in it. Makes sense about the recent purchases Claire alluded to. Shame about the AE22s - I'd like to have seen that. Minor gripe, I know powered Passives and true Actives have been much discussed, but although it alludes to it, the introductory text doesn't really make it clear with regard to the crossover's place in the scheme of things (I don't think it does anyway). Other than that, was pleased to see this coverage.

C'mon son, spit it all out and don't hold back ...

 

[Anonymous]

Still, despite the 5 stars, I wouldn't be going for the ADM 9.1s. Apart from the fact they're not available here, I'm always suspicious of manufacturers who push the 'try before you buy' line.

 

[the record spot]

drummerman:
the record spot:Andrew Everard:And so, presumably, have some subscribers, who should be starting to receive their copies...
I did! Nearly fell over when the 9.1s were in it. Makes sense about the recent purchases Claire alluded to. Shame about the AE22s - I'd like to have seen that. Minor gripe, I know powered Passives and true Actives have been much discussed, but although it alludes to it, the introductory text doesn't really make it clear with regard to the crossover's place in the scheme of things (I don't think it does anyway). Other than that, was pleased to see this coverage.

C'mon son, spit it all out and don't hold back ...

LOL, well, that was pretty much it really!

 

[Andrew Everard]

drummerman:C'mon son, spit it all out and don't hold back ...

Actually, don't - it's very unfair on those yet to receive/buy their magazines.

Oh, and I'm thinking of dropping my first name, in the cause of clarity - anyone got any thoughts...?

 

[Anonymous]

Yes, Andrew, why do some people refer to you only by your surname?

 

[Andrew Everard]

I have no idea - maybe it harks back to the days when one addressed one's servants and inferiors thus.

Anyway, I fear we're straying off-topic...

 

[RCduck7]

I have been playing with the thaught of active speakers for a bedroom setup as i want the bedroom to look clean without any amp and rack, just a source feeding it. Dynaudio came up first in my mind as i liked the sound of the Excite i heard some time ago.

When i browsed the internet i found very good comments of the active Yamaha studio speakers, not very expensive and they have a subwoofer to for that range.

http://uk.yamaha.com/en/products/proaudio/speakers/?series_id=17110

I don't think thay are included in the test but advise and experience on those are welcome for me as Yamaha came up with a few very good budget speakers, this might be a gem, they are made for studio's and often compared to ATC, PMC and Adam Tensor by a certain proffesional user i have read.

 

[JoelSim]

I won't be buying the AVIs as they have a naff remote...

A remote should be hewn from wood, or weigh as much as a housebrick in my opinion.