Are separates on borrowed time?

[steve_1979]

Although I haven't had a chance to hear them yet I do think that these are a great idea. They're just the sort of thing that the hifi industry needs IMO. Hopefully they'll kick start demand for this type of product and we'll see a few other companies jumping on the band wagon.

I'm surprised that it's Dynaudio that have done it first. It just needed one of them to test the water - I reckon by this time next year, we'll be seeing other manufacturers adding their models to the market - if they're not well on their way to producing their own already.

I'm glad that Dynaudio did it first because IMO they make some of the best cheap active speakers around. Hopefully they'll sell in large numbers and open peoples eyes to the benefits of active speakers.

Acoustic Energy have said that they'd also be interested in making active speakers aimed at the home hifi market provided that there's enough willing customers.

 

[Overdose]

There are plenty of customers, but not many products.

How many people have said (on this forum alone) that studio monitors would look out of place? The only thing standing between a studio monitor and it's place in the lounge, is a nice new set of acceptable clothes and some grills for driver protection.

My speakers are in black ash and if they sported grills would seem quite 'hi-fi' (albeit 90's hi-fi).

It wouldn't take much to have applied some fancy veneer or finish in a gloss white/black for that minimalist look.

 

[Frank Harvey]

It will be interesting to see if they start to shape the market, or if they change people's views towards hi-fi. I mean, this isn't just an active pair of speakers - with these, the electronics can go anywhere in the room you like. Hell, even I'm tempted to buy a pair of these if I could only come up with somewhere it use them!

It'd be nice if they could do a 5.1 system based on these....

 

[steve_1979]

this isn't just an active pair of speakers - with these, the electronics can go anywhere in the room you like.

The whole package is very smart and useful. I'd really like a pair myself if only I had some spare cash and somewhere to put them.

It'd be nice if they could do a 5.1 system based on these....

An active and wireless 5.1 system. What a great idea! I bet there'd be a market for those.

Interesting times.

Interesting times indeed. I think that we might see some exciting new products in hifi over the next couple of years if the Xeos are anything to go by.

 

[Overdose]

I think it's do-able as they are, but it would be expensive, with 5 speakers and three transmitters being fed analogue signals from a receiver.

Fronts into one transmitter, backs into another and the centre signal to the third transmitter with the single speaker in mono.

Transmitters would sit out of site near the receiver, et voila. 5.1 (not forgetting a suitable sub addition)



The only problem I can see (other than cost) is transmitter signal mix up, if that is possible of course.

 

[Anonymous]

Is borrowed time another name for 'Buy Now Pay Later'?

 

[The_Lhc]

ADM owners have no product to sell

Actually that's not strictly true. I'm not suggesting people on that forum are receiving commission on new sales but they are getting a reward, namely that every time someone new buys an AVI product the existing owners get an increased sense of group approval, the feeling that their own choice has been validated, that sense of group belonging and approval is a massive (albeit subconscious) motivator for most people, so they'll promote (aggressively sometimes) their own choice and put down anything else that doesn't fit in to the group.

It happens everywhere, in fact it's the driver behind pretty much every argument on this forum (and everywhere else), see the iPhone/Android threads (guilty) or the MA Apex thread on here is great example of group self-assurance.

I personally couldn't give a cuss and I certainly don't need anyone else making a purchase to validate mine.

Of course not, wouldn't have dreamed of suggesting it, I mean we're all individuals here aren't we?

Would you like chips with that psychology[?] thing you've got going on there?

Of course, you're quite right, there's absolutely no suggestion in modern science that humans are in any way an animal that likes to arrange itself into social groups based around common likes and dislikes. I mean if that was the case then you'd think someone would have created a website or something based around the idea...

 

[Frank Harvey]

I think it's do-able as they are, but it would be expensive, with 5 speakers and three transmitters being fed analogue signals from a receiver.

Fronts into one transmitter, backs into another and the centre signal to the third transmitter with the single speaker in mono.

Transmitters would sit out of site near the receiver, et voila. 5.1 (not forgetting a suitable sub addition)



The only problem I can see (other than cost) is transmitter signal mix up, if that is possible of course.

Because the transmitter can be switched to three different frequencies, three transmitters can be used, which would provide rear, front and a centre (a single Xeo 3 perhaps), you'd then just need to wire the sub. With a sub, the system may end up costing you under £5k, maybe just under £6k if you include a dedicated processor like the Audiolab 8200AP, which would also allow more inputs, if needed. Some people may not even want the centre if the front left and right are either side of a TV, which would save the £1400.

 

[oldric_naubhoff]

I think it's do-able as they are, but it would be expensive, with 5 speakers and three transmitters being fed analogue signals from a receiver.

Fronts into one transmitter, backs into another and the centre signal to the third transmitter with the single speaker in mono.

Transmitters would sit out of site near the receiver, et voila. 5.1 (not forgetting a suitable sub addition)



The only problem I can see (other than cost) is transmitter signal mix up, if that is possible of course.

that's a step-back thinking. what you need a receiver for since the transmitter can do it all. all right, the XEOs are stereo set up ATM, but that doesn't mean that they can't be arranget into 5.1 system with a single transmitter. it just needs some tinkering with software; to decode the multichannel signal and send it to respective speakers (including sub).

EDIT: if XEO are becoming succesful maybe a multichannel version will come out as well (if there's demand).

 

[Overdose]

My proposal was not the ideal solution, but a way to provide 5.1 with what is currently on offer with the XEOs,as they are currently marketed. It was in response to a comment from FrankHarveyHiFi, which was, "It'd be nice if they could do a 5.1 system based on these...."

Something lost in translation I believe.

 

[Paul.]

Hide the equipment AV equipment behind the sofa, leave the rears wired. Have the front three as XEOs, chase the TVs cables in to the wall. That would give you a super minimalist setup where it matters, all the mess is still hidden.

 

[Overdose]

erm... the XEOs are wireless, no need for the rears to be wired if we are hypothesising about an all XEO 5.1 wireless system.

This is not a solution that anyone in particular is looking for, merely fantasy.

 

[relocated]

L-H-C said,

"Of course, you're quite right, there's absolutely no suggestion in modern science that humans are in any way an animal that likes to arrange itself into social groups based around common likes and dislikes. I mean if that was the case then you'd think someone would have created a website or something based around the idea..."

I am so pleased that you seem to agree with me. First time for everything and all that. You may just be trying to be ironic. :hand:

You will have noticed that I have only used 'I' because I don't know other peoples motivations.

I find other humans remarkably unreliable, multi-faced and almost wholly nauseating so this arms length, every so often and when I think I might just have something to contribute about something I know*, interaction is more than enough for me.

* [That is of course if we 'know' anything really if post modern[?] psychobable is to be believed] But there is perhaps fresh hope, now that genuine science is looking back at us and can produce facts as opposed to theories that a lot of people get behind that is then 'fact'. :wall:

 

[John Duncan]

I find other humans remarkably unreliable, multi-faced and almost wholly nauseating

What, really?

 

[Paul.]

My proposal was not the ideal solution, but a way to provide 5.1 with what is currently on offer with the XEOs,as they are currently marketed.

Because the transmitter can be switched to three different frequencies, three transmitters can be used,

Based on your stipulation of what's currently marketed, I.e three channels driven wirelessly, hypothetically my setup would be coolest

 

[Paul.]

You may just be trying to be ironic. :hand:

Replace 'may just be' with 'are always' and I think you are on to a winner

 

[relocated]

I find other humans remarkably unreliable, multi-faced and almost wholly nauseating

What, really?

Yeah, really-truth!

:O

 

[John Duncan]

I find other humans remarkably unreliable, multi-faced and almost wholly nauseating

What, really?

Yeah, really-truth!

:O

I find a lot of them quite pleasant really.

 

[Frank Harvey]

Based on your stipulation of what's currently marketed, I.e three channels driven wirelessly, hypothetically my setup would be coolest

Each transmitter can drive a pair, so what I meant was that three transmitters can cover a 5.0 system wirelessly

 

[Paul.]

Boo! I loose!

 

[Frank Harvey]

It was probably my description that caused any confusion

 

[Anonymous]

I'll echo John's comments Thomas, welcome to the forum - hope you'll hang around a while. Nice site by the way and some very nice speakers!

(If you ever need a willing tester, etc., etc...!)

EDIT: And a cracking review for your MicroMain27s in Sound On Sound magazine. Not far off £6k a pair right enough, but yowza, they sound a bit good by all accounts!

Thanks r.s.

The bloke who works at my local pro-audio shop told me that over the past couple of years he's started selling quite a few active monitors to people who want to upgrade their expensive separates hifi systems to something that sounds better. I think that people are gradually waking up to the idea that active speakers are usually better than passives and offer good value for money.

I’m not so sure that active speakers "usually" sound better than passives. There are many active speakers that cut way too many corners IMO. So active doesn't necessarily lead to better. However, I do think active speakers offer the potential of much better performance. There are things that one can achieve with an active design that simply can't be done passively. Most of the key design aspects of my speakers are only possible because they are active. But that's still not enough to design a world class speaker. Active doesn't preclude the need for great engineering, great materials, quality construction, etc. - just like any great passive system.

I think you're right about actives offering better value in theory. In practice, a great speaker doesn't come cheap or easy regardless of the approach.

 

[John Duncan]

I’m not so sure that active speakers "usually" sound better than passives. There are many active speakers that cut way too many corners IMO. So active doesn't necessarily lead to better. However, I do think active speakers offer the potential of much better performance. There are things that one can achieve with an active design that simply can't be done passively. Most of the key design aspects of my speakers are only possible because they are active. But that's still not enough to design a world class speaker. Active doesn't preclude the need for great engineering, great materials, quality construction, etc. - just like any great passive system.

I think you're right about actives offering better value in theory. In practice, a great speaker doesn't come cheap or easy regardless of the approach.

We like you. You can come again.

 

[relocated]

I’m not so sure that active speakers "usually" sound better than passives. There are many active speakers that cut way too many corners IMO. So active doesn't necessarily lead to better. However, I do think active speakers offer the potential of much better performance. There are things that one can achieve with an active design that simply can't be done passively. Most of the key design aspects of my speakers are only possible because they are active. But that's still not enough to design a world class speaker. Active doesn't preclude the need for great engineering, great materials, quality construction, etc. - just like any great passive system.

I think you're right about actives offering better value in theory. In practice, a great speaker doesn't come cheap or easy regardless of the approach.

We like you. You can come again.

Yes indeed you can but be careful with any 'bigging up' of your company otherwise you just might get accused of creating a cult and brainwashing poor innocents. I hope you don't have your own forum where you ban nay-sayers and do brainwashing?? :cheers:

 

[Overdose]

Good lord! Is there no end to this 'them vs us' paranoia?