dap33 said:
how does the avi speakers handle drum n bass, hip hop etc. In 2 minds whether to go amp & speakers or ADM9 active path...
Very well. I listen to a lot of electronica myself (mostly dubstep and hard trance) and the bass from the little DM5's that I use is exellent even wirthout a subwoofer.
The DM5's are small speakers and roll off very abruptly below 55Hz so don't expect them to give you much of the physical 'chest punch' bass that you feel rather than hear but the sound of the bass that you hear is very well controlled and sounds really good with drum n bass and hip hop. They also go louder and have more bass than you would expect from such small speakers.
The ADM9's (particuarly the newer RS versions and onwards) are larger and much more powerful so will give more of the 'chest punch' bass than the DM5's. They also go about 15Hz deeper and have a bit more mid-bass too.
All of the AVI active speakers work well with subwoofers so if like me you like to go a bit mental with the bass from time to time an AVI 2.1 system works really well. Actually while I'm writing this I've got the new Prodigy album blaring out with the subwoofer turned up an extra 2dB because I've got the house to myself.