The active speakers club

[oldric_naubhoff]

http://www.elac.com/en/products/AIR_X/AIR_X_403/

Active Elacs with Kleer wireless option. First public demo will be at the Bristol show.

IMO there's no point in investing in Kleer powered systems now that Wisa has emerged. the main benefit of Wisa standard over Kleer is that it can handle up to 8 channels in 24/96. I'm hoping 2014 will see arrival of a few Wisa pwered systems to the market. wireless HT set-up anyone? so far we've only got B&O Beo 17,18,19.

Not heard of it before, but having read about it now, think it is very interesting!

I think this standard may revolutionize what hi-fi and HT is at the moment. this might be the end of stacks of separates systems and passive speakers, provided people would prefer having their hi-fi reduced to a wireless transmiter (possibly with a DLNA renderer already on board or other digital inputs) and a few wireless active speakers.

for instance Sharp is soon to release its universal player/ streamer with WISA transmitter already on board. http://wisaassociation.tumblr.com/ all you need to add then is a set of WISA enabled speakers to have a true hi quality home theater. no HT processors, no metres of speaker cable lying around. B&O goes even a step further by implementing the transmiter and disc player into their TVs.

in all fairness Kleer could have been just that to 2 channel stereo if it was released some 15 years ago when few people even thought about hi-rez music.

 

[Ajani]

The new EPOS K Series seems really interesting (and affordable - at least in passive format, as pricing on the active module is TBD).

K Series Tower 1250 USD per pair

K Series Monitor 795 USD per pair

The speakers use a modular design that lets you convert them to fully active products with USB and Bluetooth compatibility.

The crossover/input rear panel of the $1,250/pair tower speaker can be removed so that an amplifier/digital audio module can be installed. You just pluck the speaker wires out of the passive crossover, reconnect them to the active module, then screw the active module into the back of the speaker.

The module includes USB, coaxial digital, optical digital and analog audio inputs as well as Bluetooth capability. THus, the speaker can connect directly to your phone, tablet or computer without the need for an amp or preamp or digital-to-analog converter. You assign each speaker to the left or right channel.

Included in each module are three amps and an analog line-level crossover, so each of the speaker's three drivers gets its own amp and its own custom-tailored signal.

http://www.soundandvision.com/content/epos-creates-phone-friendly-k-series-tower-speaker

 

[John Duncan]

:clap:

 

[AlmaataKZ]

These Epos ones ave very interesting. This is when an upgrade is really an upgrade.

 

[steve_1979]

Oooh I like those. 8)

 

[Ajani]

One more K Series pic. This time the K-1 Monitor

And a price correction. Though the other article lists the price of the K2 tower as 1250 USD, Stereophile has it listed as 1750 USD (which I believe is the correct price). Based on the pricing, I'm assuming these passive/actives will replace the Epic series.

 

[lewisprinceAA]

As a big active speakers fan, I recently wrote a blog post about the benefits of active over passive in ATC speakers. Check it out, you guys might find it interesting.

http://adairacoustic.tumblr.com/post/72883027214/what-makes-atc-loudspeakers-so-special

 

[John Duncan]

Can you make your trade status clear in your signature please, as per the House Rules?

regards

JD

 

[lewisprinceAA]

Ah sorry, my bad. I have done so now

 

[John Duncan]

No worries, and thanks.

 

[daveh75]

Missed these when they were announced last summer and dont think they've been mentioned yet,

Active 3 ways from M-Audio in two sizes

M3-6 - 3 class A/B amps totalling 160W, 6" bass, 5" mid and 1" tweeter (concentric) drivers (couldn't find price/availability)

M3-8 - 3 class A/B amps totalling 220W, 8" bass, 5" mid and 1" tweeter (concentric) drivers around £500 a pair

 

[Ajani]

These have been mentioned elsewhere and are, well, a bit German.

These are the new Nubert A-100, bottom of a range of three models starting at just €285 each.

Fully active, even the smallest model has 60+60 watts, they all have onboard DSP taking care of the crossover and EQ, multiple digital (usb, SPDIF RCA and Toslink) and analogue inputs.

Also remote control and rather nice gloss black or white finish. if they sound as good as they look............

Available direct, http://www.nubert.de/nupro-serie-neu/420/

I really like the look of those. If I'm not mistaken they are 'direct digital' (like some NAD, WADIA and Nuforce amps) which makes them even more interesting.

 

[Ajani]

Because I like the look, one more pic:

 

[byakuya83]

Have these been mentioned or reviewed here? http://www.kubikfree.com If you have a phone/tablet add these for a complete system.

 

[WishTree]

Just want to say Thank You for this thread! :cheers:

 

[Electro]

This modular active dsp hifi and av system looks interesting although they are not available until August .

There is more info if you click on each unit .

http://www.electrocompaniet.no/dg/

 

[AlmaataKZ]

Interesting stuff!

 

[DocG]

This modular active dsp hifi and av system looks interesting although they are not available until August .

There is more info if you click on each unit .

http://www.electrocompaniet.no/dg/

Do they present the #4 with BeoLab3s (Electro's link)? So the system is compatible with other actives?

 

[chebby]

http://www.whathifi.com/news/bristol-show-elac-unveils-air-x-active-wireless-speakers

 

[AlmaataKZ]

Canton has a new small active, the AM5. I posted some info and pics in the Bristol show thread. Very good price.

I wonder if larger models will be released too, as Canton is a big player.

 

[altruistic.lemon]

Hmm, Canton are usually good, but this one seems limited in connectivity, and presumably doesn't have a preamp. Is it intended for the pro market?

 

[davedotco]

Canton has a new small active, the AM5. I posted some info and pics in the Bristol show thread. Very good price.

I wonder if larger models will be released too, as Canton is a big player.

Which is........?

The Germans seem way ahead of the game when it comes to active speakers, very competitive.

The AM5 looks to have every thing you need apart from digital ins, for a system that has DSP that is odd......... :?

 

[altruistic.lemon]

No, in terms of connectivity and amplification it has nothing you need. Look at the Nuberts and new Quads, much better specs, cutting edge stuff. These are bog standard studio monitors. I bet thet don't even have a remote. Only the newish DM5s have poorer specs.

 

[AlmaataKZ]

Canton has a new small active, the AM5. I posted some info and pics in the Bristol show thread. Very good price.

I wonder if larger models will be released too, as Canton is a big player.

Which is........?

The Germans seem way ahead of the game when it comes to active speakers, very competitive.

The AM5 looks to have every thing you need apart from digital ins, for a system that has DSP that is odd......... :?

250gbp each which keeps it is the sane territory

agree re dsp vs lack of digital inputs. A straight simple monitor in domestically acceptable finish.

 

[daveh75]

Is it intended for the pro market?

No. Its intended to be an all rounder, for studio, HiFi, A/V, multimedia and presentation/conference room use.

No, in terms of connectivity and amplification it has nothing you need.

Does it take much practice...

And, speak for yourself!