Advice new hifi system

[svenselino]

Hi everyone,

I am planning on buying my first Hifi system for our living room (30m2) .
I was looking at a music streamer, DAC and (active) speaker for about 2000 euros.
Hopefully I can get some advice on the items om my shortlist
I only stream Spotify at this moment. I usually stream music as background music, but I also want to hook it up to my tv.

One setup I found is the Cambridge Audio CXN100 (€1050) with the KEF LSX II LT (€800).
I imagine the CXN100 is performing better than the CNX10 with the DacMagic 200m / Mojo 2, although it would be more difficult to upgrade.
KEF LSX II LT seems like a good choice, but Q Acoustics 5020 or Active Energy AE I are also options
Floorstanding speakers could also be an option for me, with the Q acoustics M40 (€800) being my speaker of choice.

Based on the information I have provided, would this be a good setup? Or should I go for a passive speaker with a nice amp?
Any recommedations or advice? Thanks already

 

[Deliriumbassist]

There's no real need to have the CA unit with the LSX II LT - everything is already built in - streamer and DAC. That would then open up your budget to LS50WII, which I think would be even more suitable for your room size.

 

[svenselino]

Thanks for the reply! That makes a lot of sense.

 

[skinnypuppy71]

I've said it once, I've said it a few times now, but for the money....a pair of Acoustic energy ae1 active speakers with the Wiim ultra streamer are a excellent pair performers,....please do not buy into these speakers with built in dacs /streamer's,....you can't ever upgrade to a better dac /streamer with them and if the manufacturer stops supporting them.....they'll be obsolete in no time.....the Acoustic Energy ae1 active are proper active speakers with independent power supplies for each unit...no umbilical chord here please....and if you ever do feel the need to upgrade the streamer, the ae1's will lift the performance another notch or two.....oh and did I say I have this very system as a 2nd in my summer house....it's glorious.

 

[Al ears]

Thanks for the reply! That makes a lot of sense.

I was about to say the same thing.
When buying active speakers it makes sense, as always, to get a pair that work well in your listening room then note what other functions they may already have internally and work backwards from their. No point in buying something that has a dac onboard if the speakers already include a dac for example....

 

[daveh75]

I've said it once, I've said it a few times now, but for the money....a pair of Acoustic energy ae1 active speakers with the Wiim ultra streamer are a excellent pair performers,....please do not buy into these speakers with built in dacs /streamer's,....you can't ever upgrade to a better dac /streamer with them and if the manufacturer stops supporting them.....they'll be obsolete in no time

They have various analogue and digital inputs, so there is nothing stopping people from connecting a DAC or streamer should they wish to.

the Acoustic Energy ae1 active are proper active speakers with independent power supplies for each unit

As are, and do the Kefs.

 

[skinnypuppy71]

They have various analogue and digital inputs, so there is nothing stopping people from connecting a DAC or streamer should they wish to.



As are, and do the Kefs.

OK Dave.....but the kefs still use a slave speaker with the "inter"speaker cable being the method in how it receives the information from the master unit. Which makes them not really a true active pair.

 

[Al ears]

They have various analogue and digital inputs, so there is nothing stopping people from connecting a DAC or streamer should they wish to.



As are, and do the Kefs.

Only financial does it not make sense to connect a DAC to something that already has one internally.
Why buy a turntable with an inbuilt phono stage if you already have an amp with an internal Phono stage was my point.

 

[daveh75]

OK Dave.....but the kefs still use a slave speaker with the "inter"speaker cable being the method in how it receives the information from the master unit. Which makes them not really a true active pair.

They are a true active pair. To say they aren't is nonsense.

They have active xovers and both the Primary and secondary speakers contain dedicated amplification for both HF and LF like any other active setup.

 

[daytona600]

Klipsch Nines active speakers with HDMI-ARC for your TV + add a Wiim Mini for Streaming

 

[daveh75]

Only financial does it not make sense to connect a DAC to something that already has one internally.
Why buy a turntable with an inbuilt phono stage if you already have an amp with an internal Phono stage was my point.

I was purely making the point that they don't just suddenly become doorstops should music services or Kef stop supporting them as skinnypuppy implied.

Would you suddenly go out and buy a new TV when streaming services become unsupported or would you simply by a cheap streaming dongle and plug it into a HDMI port?

 

[Deliriumbassist]

OK Dave.....but the kefs still use a slave speaker with the "inter"speaker cable being the method in how it receives the information from the master unit. Which makes them not really a true active pair.

That is NOT what active means.

'Active' refers to the fact that the audio signal goes through a crossover before being amplified.

To break down the three major ways of system design:

Passive system:

Source->Amplifier ->Speaker (crossover->drivers)

Powered speaker system:

Source->Speaker(amplifier->crossover->drivers)

So a powered system is essentially the same as passive, just the amplifier is inside the boxes rather than separate

Active speaker system:

Source->crossover->amplifiers->drivers

An active system can have the amplification and crossovers inside (as in the aforementioned KEF) or outside the speakers (some Linn Exakt systems with passive speakers).

 

[Fandango Andy]

I don't know enough about active speakers to say if you should or shouldn't go that route. However, I would say you will probably get more "bang for your buck" with active speakers, but more option for future upgrades with an amp and passive speakers.

Not sure what prices are like where you are, but you could get a decent system for that money in the UK.

 

[Deliriumbassist]

I don't know enough about active speakers to say if you should or shouldn't go that route. However, I would say you will probably get more "bang for your buck" with active speakers, but more option for future upgrades with an amp and passive speakers.

Not sure what prices are like where you are, but you could get a decent system for that money in the UK.

I think the 'future proof' argument is a little bit overblown, considering:

1) DAC technology isn't improving at that fast a rate
2) New file formats are not particularly fast arriving either
3) Most active systems have some form of cabled input, so you would just purchase a newer component to plug in - meaning you'd be spending the same amount of money as you would in a separates system to do the same upgrade.

 

[Fandango Andy]

I think the 'future proof' argument is a little bit overblown, considering:

1) DAC technology isn't improving at that fast a rate
2) New file formats are not particularly fast arriving either
3) Most active systems have some form of cabled input, so you would just purchase a newer component to plug in - meaning you'd be spending the same amount of money as you would in a separates system to do the same upgrade.

True, but an ungrade isn't always about new technology. Someone may move house and want larger or smaller speakers to match a new room. An increase in budget may allow for a better amp. Or maybe swap and change between elements in another system. It just offers more flexibility.

 

[gasolin]

Simple and cheap would be the wiim amp pro and speakers that match the amp

Wharfedale diamond 12.1 or 12.2 is not to expensive

Neumann KH 80 DSP + a streamer
Fantastic frequency responce for such a small speaker

Neumann KH 80 Studio Monitor Review

Neumann KH 80 Studio Monitor Review

www.erinsaudiocorner.com

 

[svenselino]

Thanks for the replies. It can be pretty overwhelming how much choice you have at this price rang
The KEFs look great, I've heard great things about the PSB Alpha IQ as well (who are coincedentally a bit more affordable).
I do lack some space, so I preferably would get an all-in-one system.
I am also interested in the new Cambridge Audio EVO One, all in one system. I like the looks of it, but probably doesn't have the sonic capabilities of the KEF or the PSBs

 

[Deliriumbassist]

True, but an ungrade isn't always about new technology. Someone may move house and want larger or smaller speakers to match a new room. An increase in budget may allow for a better amp. Or maybe swap and change between elements in another system. It just offers more flexibility.

Hence the 'little bit overblown.'

 

[jonboywalton75]

I bought some LS50 2 wireless speakers to replace my Marantz nr1200 and Focal floorstanders and Yamaha sub
I paid 1440.00 from Richer Sounds (open box)
I love the sound, no need for a sub, the bass pleases me no end.
I'm not bass fanatic but certainly love my classic rock, I'd certainly recommend them and they look great.
I have Nad CD player and Rega turntable hooked up, but as a standalone system I'd give them a go.

 

[DougK1]

I would imagine with their proximity to the wall you have the ports bunged?

 

[jonboywalton75]

I would imagine with their proximity to the wall you have the ports bunged?

I haven't actually.
Maybe I should give it a try.
Sounds good already.
Where would I obtain the bungs needed?

 

[DougK1]

I haven't actually.
Maybe I should give it a try.
Sounds good already.
Where would I obtain the bungs needed?

I would have thought the bungs would have been in the box. However, if they sound good then I'd leave well alone as I've always found bungs suck the life out of speakers, that's why I went the sealed box route.

 

[daveh75]

I would have thought the bungs would have been in the box. However, if they sound good then I'd leave well alone as I've always found bungs suck the life out of speakers, that's why I went the sealed box route.

There are EQ settings to deal with speaker placement and room in the connect app

 

[nopiano]

There are EQ settings to deal with speaker placement and room in the connect app

You beat me to it!

 

[Fandango Andy]

I haven't actually.
Maybe I should give it a try.
Sounds good already.
Where would I obtain the bungs needed?

Bungs in ports is the best compromise if you have to put your speakers against the wall. I use them in the side and rear speakers in my AV setup as they are on wall brackets.

I an ideal word, you would just pull them out from the wall. From memory Kefs only need about 50cm from rear of speaker to the wall.