Active speakers

[drummerman]

It may seem like everything is directed at moustached gent from AVI, ashley, but I just like the oportunity to ask a few questions to a knowledgeable, unbiased individual

...

I like the idea of active speakers or/and systems where the xover is moved to the electronic domain but there is the issue of vibrations I dont totally understand.

Now I am really not obsessed about the whole thing vibrations, a half decent rack which has to look good, speaker stands which alternate between open and un/part filled solid ones is as far as I go. I dont loosen RCA connectors or suspend cables but even I would'nt place a pre-amp/amp/dac on top of my speakers. How does AVI tackle this bearing in mind that the the little nines weigh relatively little and probably send a not inconsiderable amount of vibrations through the electronics?

 

[Anonymous]

[quote user="drummerman"]
It may seem like everything is directed at moustached gent from AVI, ashley, but I just like the oportunity to ask a few questions to a knowledgeable, unbiased individual

...

I like the idea of active speakers or/and systems where the xover is moved to the electronic domain but there is the issue of vibrations I dont totally understand.

Now I am really not obsessed about the whole thing vibrations, a half decent rack which has to look good, speaker stands which alternate between open and un/part filled solid ones is as far as I go. I dont loosen RCA connectors or suspend cables but even I would'nt place a pre-amp/amp/dac on top of my speakers. How does AVI tackle this bearing in mind that the the little nines weigh relatively little and probably send a not inconsiderable amount of vibrations through the electronics?
[/quote]

wow, you know this is exactly what i have been pondering with this recent discussion of active speakers! i certainly wouldnt like my intergrated amp sitting on top of my speakers with all the vibrations they produce - also it cant be very good for more sensitive components like the DAC?

 

[gpi]

Sorry Andrew, the .exe file was a sound sample of Good Vibrations by The Beach Boys. I'll know not to next time.

 

[drummerman]

No insult intended to Ashley James/AVI. Genuinely interested in how AVI or any of the other manufacturers of active speakers get around this or perhaps it is'nt such a problem in the first place and many just make it one ...

 

[Anonymous]

Active speakers use an active crossover before the power amps, the benefits of which vastly out-weigh any microphony (turning vibration into electrical signals - in this case unwanted distortion). Also the power amps can be designed specifically for the drivers used. Don't forget that an expensive rack doesn't get rid of vibrations, it merely changes the frequencies affecting the equipment. This is a necessary evil, something all racks have due to their inherent resonant frequencies and their respective harmonics. A stiff rack with glass will have a high resonant frequency where as a wooden one will have a low one. Townshend's seismic sinks and racks take this resonance down to a few hertz due to their spring like suspension.

 

[drummerman]

[quote user="The specialist"]
Active speakers use an active crossover before the power amps, the benefits of which vastly out-weigh any microphony (turning vibration into electrical signals - in this case unwanted distortion). Also the power amps can be designed specifically for the drivers used. Don't forget that an expensive rack doesn't get rid of vibrations, it merely changes the frequencies affecting the equipment. This is a necessary evil, something all racks have due to their inherent resonant frequencies and their respective harmonics. A stiff rack with glass will have a high resonant frequency where as a wooden one will have a low one. Townshend's seismic sinks and racks take this resonance down to a few hertz due to their spring like suspension.
[/quote]

Agree, the benefits of a well designed active speaker is well documentated and I've heard meridian active systems and the truly awsome B&O's. Still, I was curious how/if AVI take any measures to reduce vibrations/microphony to the sensitive pre-amp stages and dacs. Like I said, I'm not anal about the whole issue so its just a question of curiosity rather than trying to make a point and criticise a product I have'nt properly heard yet.

I also like Townshends ingenuity and pioneering (literally in case of his multi format players) aptitude. Though spending that much on something that looks like it should be part of a Dentists surgery is not something I plan to do in the very near future as good as it may be.