Small actives for a second system...

[acalex]

No one mentioned Elac AM 150 .Should be available under 400 euros and has digital in,which is not common in low price actives.

It is indeed a nice option, thanks

 

[bigboss]

If you're considering small powered speakers, Bose should be on your shortlist.

I haven't heard anything at this price in its class to beat it:

http://www.bose.co.uk/GB/en/home-and-personal-audio/digital-music-solutions/computer-speakers/bose-computer-musicmonitor/

Audioengine 2 also deserves an audition.

 

[acalex]

Forgot to say I wouldn't mind buying second hand also if it's in the European Union!

 

[steve_1979]

All of the Behringer speakers that I've heard have sounded good so these may also worth conidering. They're very good value and are within your price range. Most of them are a bit fugly though.

http://www.dv247.com/search/2940/1527/ProductQuantity/Descending/-/1/

 

[steve_1979]

Question, why I need a volume controller? I am planning to connect the SBT to the nas using an Ethernet connection and share the same library of the main system. The SBT has volume control already, wouldn't that be enough?

Maybe.

Hopefully you can just connect the active speakers straight to the SBT and use the digital volume on the SBT. Some people have managed to do this successfully but other people have found that it doesn't work because the volume won't go loud enough. I guess it depends on how sensitive the active speakers that you're using are.

You're probably best off buying just the active speakers on their own at first and giving that a try. But be aware that there's a good chance that you might also need to buy a separate volume controller in order to make them go loud enough.

Yamaha HS50M are also very nice...found a pair n Italy for 260 euro brand new and in black. I saw pictures of the speaker's back, how do you connect the two speakers and with the SB? Sorry for dumb question but have no idea about actives :wall:

It's not a stupid question at all.

An active speakers system is just as simple to setup as a passive speakers system but they are differerent. What you'll need is a phono to XLR cable.

 

[WinterRacer]

Hopefully you can just connect the active speakers straight to the SBT and use the digital volume on the SBT. Some people have managed to do this successfully but other people have found that it doesn't work because the volume won't go loud enough. I guess it depends on how sensitive the active speakers that you're using are.

You're probably best off buying just the active speakers on their own at first and giving that a try. But be aware that there's a good chance that you might also need to buy a separate volume controller in order to make them go loud enough.

Hi Steve, IME the problem is more likely to be having enough volume control at the quiet end of the range. For example, I had to buy some attenuators when using a Touch with a power amp and passive speakers. Using the Touch with Genelec 6010As (good combo BTW) is fine as the Genelecs have a gain control on them.

 

[acalex]

All of the Behringer speakers that I've heard have sounded good so these may also worth conidering. They're very good value and are within your price range. Most of them are a bit fugly though.

http://www.dv247.com/search/2940/1527/ProductQuantity/Descending/-/1/

Indeed, thanks for that. Actually the Ms40 are not so bad looking also...and are a lot of cheaper of what I was prepared to spend...so I could just resell them or use with pc if they don't fit my bill....

http://www.dv247.com/studio-equipment/behringer-ms40-active-stereo-nearfield-monitors--34409

 

[steve_1979]

Hi Steve, IME the problem is more likely to be having enough volume control at the quiet end of the range. For example, I had to buy some attenuators when using a Touch with a power amp and passive speakers. Using the Touch with Genelec 6010As (good combo BTW) is fine as the Genelecs have a gain control on them.

Like your Genelecs the Yamaha speakers also have a gain control on them so hopefully he won't need to buy a separate volume controller.

I think that it'd be worth acalex taking his SBT (and a USB memory stick with music on) to a pro audio shop and have a listen to a few different active speakers for himself. The sound between different active speakers can vary considerably so it's worth him choosing something that suits his own taste.

 

[acalex]

Hi Steve, IME the problem is more likely to be having enough volume control at the quiet end of the range. For example, I had to buy some attenuators when using a Touch with a power amp and passive speakers. Using the Touch with Genelec 6010As (good combo BTW) is fine as the Genelecs have a gain control on them.

Like your Genelecs the Yamaha speakers also have a gain control on them so hopefully he won't need to buy a separate volume controller.

I think that it'd be worth acalex taking his SBT (and a USB memory stick with music on) to a pro audio shop and have a listen to a few different active speakers for himself. The sound between different active speakers can vary considerably so it's worth him choosing something that suits his own taste.

Hi think that would probably be the best approach...need to find shops stocking pro-audio equipment in brussels...

 

[steve_1979]

Hi think that would probably be the best approach...need to find shops stocking pro-audio equipment in brussels...

I'm sure that a large city like Brussels will have several pro-audio shops there. A bit of googling found this one:

http://orbit-proaudio.com/fr/categories/8/studio-:-moniteurs.html

 

[acalex]

Hi think that would probably be the best approach...need to find shops stocking pro-audio equipment in brussels...

I'm sure that a large city like Brussels will have several pro-audio shops there. A bit of googling found this one:

http://orbit-proaudio.com/fr/categories/8/studio-:-moniteurs.html

Well done, thanks a lot! It's in the city center actually and I might pass by in half an hour on my way to buy Xmas presents...

Thanks a lot

 

[AL13N]

Using the Touch with Genelec 6010As (good combo BTW) is fine as the Genelecs have a gain control on them.

Like your Genelecs the Yamaha speakers also have a gain control on them so hopefully he won't need to buy a separate volume controller.

Absolutely, and setting them up is relatively simple:

1. Turn the gain on both speakers to minimum.

2. Turn the volume on the SB Touch to maximum (100).

3. Start playing music on the SB Touch.

4. Slowly turn the gain up on the speakers until the sound is as loud as you'd ever want it to be. You can do this by ear or using an SPL meter*.

5. Use the SB Touch to turn down the volume.

An added bonus is that should the volume on the SB Touch ever revert to 100 (e.g. software glitch) the speakers gain control acts as a safety net preventing the full output reaching the amps/drivers.

*Using an SPL meter you can set a safe maximum level (e.g. 85dB).

 

[acalex]

Using the Touch with Genelec 6010As (good combo BTW) is fine as the Genelecs have a gain control on them.

Like your Genelecs the Yamaha speakers also have a gain control on them so hopefully he won't need to buy a separate volume controller.

Absolutely, and setting them up is relatively simple: 1. Turn the gain on both speakers to minimum. 2. Turn the volume on the SB Touch to maximum (100). 3. Start playing music on the SB Touch. 4. Slowly turn the gain up on the speakers until the sound is as loud as you'd ever want it to be. You can do this by ear or using an SPL meter*. 5. Use the SB Touch to turn down the volume. An added bonus is that should the volume on the SB Touch ever revert to 100 (e.g. software glitch) the speakers gain control acts as a safety net preventing the full output reaching the amps/drivers. *Using an SPL meter you can set a safe maximum level (e.g. 85dB).

Great, thanks a lot! I don't think I will ever play more than 85dB indeed!

 

[Overdose]

Don't listen to the Event Opals in the shop, you might feel the need to sell everything for them.

 

[steve_1979]

Well done, thanks a lot! It's in the city center actually and I might pass by in half an hour on my way to buy Xmas presents...

How did you get on at the Orbit pro-audio shop?