The active speakers club

[AlmaataKZ]

I just discovered that I cannot edit the post listing the speaekr sany more so any additions have to be further down the thread. Good going so far.

 

[AlmaataKZ]

Dynaudio - both pro and domestic

http://www.dynaudio.com/int/index.php

The recent Xeo range is wireless (via a transmitter), has multizone capability.

 

[AlmaataKZ]

SE Electronics - Pro models only

http://www.seelectronics.com/

 

[fr0g]

Wireless LAN active from Teufel:

Multi-room streaming with controls courtesy of the Raumfeld Controller or the free Raumfeld App (Apple or Android)
Two 170 mm woofers, a 130 mm midrange driver and 28 mm tweeter in each speaker for astounding sound
Integrated, efficient amplifier with 170 watts of performance capacity
Recommended for rooms up to 40 m²

RRP £1120

These are one of the many speakers described as "active" that are powered passive speakers. Only one amplifier controlling all the drivers with passive crossovers.

 

[AlmaataKZ]

Acoustic Energy - pro only models http://www.acoustic-energy.co.uk/Default.aspx?pagename=Professional-Series-loudspeaker

 

[AlmaataKZ]

Wireless LAN active from Teufel:

Multi-room streaming with controls courtesy of the Raumfeld Controller or the free Raumfeld App (Apple or Android)
Two 170 mm woofers, a 130 mm midrange driver and 28 mm tweeter in each speaker for astounding sound
Integrated, efficient amplifier with 170 watts of performance capacity
Recommended for rooms up to 40 m²

RRP £1120

These are one of the many speakers described as "active" that are powered passive speakers. Only one amplifier controlling all the drivers with passive crossovers.

Let's keep those types in too, with clear note 'powered', where known.

 

[AlmaataKZ]

Focal - pro and 'kinda domestic looking' models as well as a recent nice compact XS speaker

http://www.focalprofessional.com/

www.focal.com

 

[The_Lhc]

AVI - domestic only

Standout features - multiple inputs including plenty of digital

You mean 2? Not sure that's quite the definition of plenty.

 

[John Duncan]

You mean 2? Not sure that's quite the definition of plenty.

When 3 = many, maybe it is.

 

[stuartybass]

Another aspect of actives which keeps cropping up is how to audition these speakers.

For the pro-audio type, a few people have made useful posts about venturing into ....... pro-audio shops

For the domestic type, the manufacturers tend to be small with few dealers. Of course the new Dynaudios should be reasonably easy to demo. But trying to compare speakers could involve much legging around the country.

Without creating another firestorm, I don't think it's controversial to say that it's only natural to want to listen to speakers before you spend a significant amount of money on them. I don't want to regret suggesting that here...

 

[stuartybass]

When I've been browsing around active setups, I've found the variety of inputs quite confusing, particularly in the context of pro-audio vs domestic, where technical know-how is presumed.

There are the small number of domestic setups that are easy to understand, such as the AVIs with their optical input option and the new Dynaudio Xeos. So to use the AVIs as an example, connect an optical cable to your source such as Apple Airport Express or Apple TV and off you go.

But most other speakers, especially pro-audio seem to have different input options, such as RCA, jack, 3.5mm analogue, XLR etc.

I guess that if you have this basic, but technical knowledge then there's no problem, but to the domestic consumer who is primarily intereted in getting the best quality of sound with ease of set-up, you have to think about which speakers have which inputs, the relative merits of each and how each could be used to connect to your source, whether PC, Mac, AEX etc etc.

And of course there's where the DAC fits in, but I'm loathe to mention DACs, since they appear to engender some of the partisan discussion that we've trying to avoid here.

That's what I was thinking about when I mentioned 'cabling' !!

 

[Exshopguy]

When I've been browsing around active setups, I've found the variety of inputs quite confusing, particularly in the context of pro-audio vs domestic, where technical know-how is presumed.

There are the small number of domestic setups that are easy to understand, such as the AVIs with their optical input option and the new Dynaudio Xeos. So to use the AVIs as an example, connect an optical cable to your source such as Apple Airport Express or Apple TV and off you go.

But most other speakers, especially pro-audio seem to have different input options, such as RCA, jack, 3.5mm analogue, XLR etc.

I guess that if you have this basic, but technical knowledge then there's no problem, but to the domestic consumer who is primarily intereted in getting the best quality of sound with ease of set-up, you have to think about which speakers have which inputs, the relative merits of each and how each could be used to connect to your source, whether PC, Mac, AEX etc etc.

And of course there's where the DAC fits in, but I'm loathe to mention DACs, since they appear to engender some of the partisan discussion that we've trying to avoid here.

That's what I was thinking about when I mentioned 'cabling' !!

I think these kinds of issues will become easier to understand as active speakers become a more accepted format in home Hi-Fi. For now there just needs to be a distinction between those with onboard dacs and those without to know more about what cabling and accessories may be required.

On-board dac = digital cables from source, usually optical rather than the more standard co-ax used with conventional source+amp combo.

External dac = connect to dac as you usually would to an amp, then connect dac to speaker via digital cable, again usually optical.

 

[MUSICRAFT]

Without creating another firestorm, I don't think it's controversial to say that it's only natural to want to listen to speakers before you spend a significant amount of money on them. I don't want to regret suggesting that here...

Hi stuartybass

Perfectly reasonable

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

 

[Anonymous]

When I've been browsing around active setups, I've found the variety of inputs quite confusing, particularly in the context of pro-audio vs domestic, where technical know-how is presumed.

There are the small number of domestic setups that are easy to understand, such as the AVIs with their optical input option and the new Dynaudio Xeos. So to use the AVIs as an example, connect an optical cable to your source such as Apple Airport Express or Apple TV and off you go.

But most other speakers, especially pro-audio seem to have different input options, such as RCA, jack, 3.5mm analogue, XLR etc.

I guess that if you have this basic, but technical knowledge then there's no problem, but to the domestic consumer who is primarily intereted in getting the best quality of sound with ease of set-up, you have to think about which speakers have which inputs, the relative merits of each and how each could be used to connect to your source, whether PC, Mac, AEX etc etc.

And of course there's where the DAC fits in, but I'm loathe to mention DACs, since they appear to engender some of the partisan discussion that we've trying to avoid here.

That's what I was thinking about when I mentioned 'cabling' !!

I used three different pro active monitors with an Airport Express with no problems, I was only streaming though, iTunes and Spotify (using Airfoil), I used a 3.5mm mini jack to twin RCA cables to connect them up, and used the DAC in the AEX.

 

[AlmaataKZ]

AVI - domestic only

Standout features - multiple inputs including plenty of digital

You mean 2? Not sure that's quite the definition of plenty.

should have said 2, but for a speaker? surely more than usual ;-)

 

[AlmaataKZ]

Linn - domestic only

www.linn.co.uk

Linn does some models in active, but as far as I know some are only possible with external crossovers and power amps. All are very expensive.

http://www.linn.co.uk/systems/products/loudspeakers/klimax-350

 

[AlmaataKZ]

Another aspect of actives which keeps cropping up is how to audition these speakers.

For the pro-audio type, a few people have made useful posts about venturing into ....... pro-audio shops

For the domestic type, the manufacturers tend to be small with few dealers. Of course the new Dynaudios should be reasonably easy to demo. But trying to compare speakers could involve much legging around the country.

Indeed, very difficult to find demos of the very few domestic actives available. Even in big cities like London it is not easy. HiFi shows help simetimes. I know Bartletts HIFI have several actives - adm9s, adam artist 3 and 5, dynaudio 100a. Cornflake has 100A classics. Sometimes it may be possible to agree with a dealer to send a model for home trial provided you agree to pay the cost of return shipping in case you do not buy.

 

[Ajani]

JBL LSR4326P - Bi-amplified Studio Monitor System with 6" Woofer, 1" Tweeter, and DSP Room Mode Calibration, also digital inputs and remote control. 1,100USD

 

[AlmaataKZ]

If one is interested in actives, one of his next usual area of interest is dacs with pre-amps, espeically with remote control

Here are some:

Benchmark Dac 1 HDR

http://www.benchmarkmedia.com/

Teac UD-H01 (no remote)

http://www.teac.co.uk/

http://www.teac.co.uk/products/reference-UD-H01-DAC-Amplifier.php

Weiss Dac202

http://www.weiss-highend.ch/dac202/index.html

Grace Design m902 and m903

http://www.gracedesign.com/products/m903/m903.htm

Onkyo P300R

http://www.uk.onkyo.com/en/products/p-3000r-35301.html#

Cambridge Audio DacMagic Plus (no remote)

http://www.cambridgeaudio.com/summary.php?PID=872

Matrix Mini-i

http://www.matrixelectronics.net/matrix-mini-i-24-192-balanced-dac-headphone-amp-silver-color-in-p-195.html

Emotiva XDA1

http://shop.emotiva.com/collections/processors/products/xda1

Anedio D2

http://www.anedio.com/index.php/product/d2_overview

Lavry DA11

http://www.lavryengineering.com/productspage_pro_da11.html

Note: A lot of AV amps and processors have digital inputs and pre-outs so can also work as dac/pre/remote with actives.

 

[MattSPL]

PSI Audio

Mainly pro audio, but domestic too.

 

[AlmaataKZ]

Genelec http://www.genelec.com/ has lots of pro models, including DSP managed multichannel systems.

I recently heard their demo at Munich HiEnd and was very impressed with both stereo and 7.2 demos - especially how good and clean small monitors can sound.

in general their site is very good (speaker selector, positioning guide).

 

[AlmaataKZ]

Klein and Hummel

http://www.neumann-kh-line.com/neumann-kh/home_en.nsf

the model pictured has digital input

 

[The_Lhc]

You may drink your weak lemon drink now!

 

[AlmaataKZ]

Musikelectronic Geithain

http://www.me-geithain.de/studio/index.php

http://me-geithain.de/highend/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=14&Itemid=4&lang=en

 

[AlmaataKZ]

Event

http://www.eventelectronics.com/