The active speakers club

[AlmaataKZ]

A diy active system demonstrated at 2012 amateur hifi show at Scalford hall - based on b&w speakers and external crossovers and amps.

 

[kungula]

@ Almata

just see that there is one producer of Pro Models missing on your list:

ME Geithan. They make compact active speakers in small numbers at prices of € 1300 to € 10 500 as far as I know.

The ME Geithan RL 922 and RL 930 have been reviewed slightly better than the ADAM Tensor Delta A in the same price category.

http://www.me-geithain.de/studio/index.php?lang=en

http://www.testberichte.de/a/lautsprecher/magazin/stereoplay-4-2009/151538.html

 

[DeimosNZ]

Has anyone compared the Genelec 8040a/8050a with the new AVI ADM9T? Genelecs seem like they could be a great (albeit ugly) hifi option. I have heard some people say the sound is a bit warmer than most actives (I heard the ADAM Active Columns and really didnt like them)

 

[moon]

Has anyone compared the Genelec 8040a/8050a with the new AVI ADM9T? Genelecs seem like they could be a great (albeit ugly) hifi option. I have heard some people say the sound is a bit warmer than most actives (I heard the ADAM Active Columns and really didnt like them)

Yup the Genelecs are visually interesting...They tend to produce bass very well, so that sould be where the talk of warmth comes from. Very very good speaker makers. Try some out, the very best kick drum I've heard from any speaker.

 

[fr0g]

Has anyone compared the Genelec 8040a/8050a with the new AVI ADM9T? Genelecs seem like they could be a great (albeit ugly) hifi option. I have heard some people say the sound is a bit warmer than most actives (I heard the ADAM Active Columns and really didnt like them)

The 8050s would be around double the price of the ADMs and you will still need to factor in a DAC/Preamp.

 

[DeimosNZ]

I have a Music First Preamp and Xindak DAC (will upgrade at some stage). Price is managable if the sound is worth it

 

[DeimosNZ]

I have a Music First Preamp and Xindak DAC (will upgrade at some stage). Price is managable if the sound is worth it

Basically - if I can find something a step up from ADM9Ts, Dynaudio 110a etc, styled for home (not studio) use and comparable in price to the Genelecs- I would be very happy.

 

[AlmaataKZ]

I have a Music First Preamp and Xindak DAC (will upgrade at some stage). Price is managable if the sound is worth it

Basically - if I can find something a step up from ADM9Ts, Dynaudio 110a etc, styled for home (not studio) use and comparable in price to the Genelecs- I would be very happy.

Are you considering the big adms?

 

[kungula]

once you want a better active speaker than the Dynaudio A 110 you have to invest a bit more:

ADAM Tensor Epsilon, Genelec 8260 A are better if you are ready to spend that much. I continue to say that the A 110 is really good value for money if you have a small listening room.

 

[DeimosNZ]

I have a Music First Preamp and Xindak DAC (will upgrade at some stage). Price is managable if the sound is worth it

Basically - if I can find something a step up from ADM9Ts, Dynaudio 110a etc, styled for home (not studio) use and comparable in price to the Genelecs- I would be very happy.

Are you considering the big adms?

I love the idea of them but I am in China - and no chance to demo. It is too much outlay for me without listening

 

[shooter]

ADAM Tensor Epsilon...

Adam have dropped this model from the new range, if you can find a used pair their worth a demo.

The Compact Mk3 is still available:

http://www.adam-audio.com/en/home-audio/products/compact-mk3/description

 

[DeimosNZ]

once you want a better active speaker than the Dynaudio A 110 you have to invest a bit more:

ADAM Tensor Epsilon, Genelec 8260 A are better if you are ready to spend that much. I continue to say that the A 110 is really good value for money if you have a small listening room.

Thanks. The Genelecs/ADAMs are a little out of my price range (cost here is more than the ADM40). Also, I have found the ADAMs I have listened to a little bright for my tastes. If Dynaudio did a Focus 160A it would pretty much be perfect

 

[AlmaataKZ]

They do xeo 3 and xeo 5. Xeo 3 looks very similar to 110a , maybe 5 is what you are looking for?

 

[kungula]

Yes the Xeo 5 and the Xeo 3 are probably a good choice for you. They are among the best wireless speakers at reasonable prices. Just go a dealer and find out if you like the sound.

 

[shooter]

Also, I have found the ADAMs I have listened to a little bright for my tastes...

Out of interest what was the partnering equipment?

 

[DeimosNZ]

Also, I have found the ADAMs I have listened to a little bright for my tastes...

Out of interest what was the partnering equipment?

They used an EAR 868 preamp and their demonstration DVD player (playing CDs) because they had issues with the CD player. Not ideal as a test enviroment but it didn't leave me wanting to hear more

 

[shooter]

Also, I have found the ADAMs I have listened to a little bright for my tastes...

Out of interest what was the partnering equipment?

They used an EAR 868 preamp and their demonstration DVD player (playing CDs) because they had issues with the CD player. Not ideal as a test enviroment but it didn't leave me wanting to hear more

Demo with a DVD player, not the best and i wouldn't give up on the Adam X-Art tweeter just yet and Adam like to demo there speakers with Accuphase so the EAR pre should on paper work well. I've been living with Epsilon for a cople of months now and to be honest at first had some issues with input clipping which exagerated the treble which i've now sorted, they work better when the amp packs are left on. When the amps are left on you don't have to go through the warm up phase which does take some time. Now the treble is sweet, probably the best i've heard to date. The speakers i've had previous have always had metal dome tweeters, some better than others, but these X -Arts are in another league.

 

[AlmaataKZ]

A very balanced review of ADM40s from a forum member here:

http://www.whathifi.com/forum/hi-fi/review-of-my-new-avi-adm40s

 

[kungula]

has anybody auditioned the Linn active Isobarik ?

It read in a German review that the fully active version is by far better than the passive version with the same amplifiers.

http://www.pic2fly.com/viewimage/Linn Isobarik/aHR0cDovL3d3dy50aGVob21lY2luZW1hY2VudHJlLmNvLnVrL1NwZWFrZXJzLUZsb29yc3RhbmRpbmcvbGlubl9NYWppa

 

[lindsayt]

I've auditioned the Linn Majik Isobariks, fully active, with a set of 4200 amps fed by Klimax DS / LP12 SE and a Klimax Kontrol.

The biggest problem that I had with them was that the bass was a mess. It just couldn't start and stop properly with each bass note droning on and on. Bass guitars and kick drums got merged into an amorphous bass noise, making it hard to separate them from each other. They sounded like what they are. That someone had put the bass cones inside a large wooden box and the noise of them was coming out of holes in the top and bottom. It's not as if the poor bass was compensated by the midrange or treble having particularly good clarity. Or by the whole speaker being particularly dynamic.

There was Linn Kaber owner at the same audition as me. He prefered the Majik Isobariks to his Kabers. So I suppose whether you like them or not will depend upon what speakers you're comparing them to.

 

[kungula]

@ lindsyt

Well opinions always differ of course, but what you say about the bass surprises me . I will have the possibility to audition to them today ( bass active with one Majik 4200 amp ) but then I still do not know how they will sound in my room if I will order them.

Unfortunately I cannot compare them with so many other speakers, but I know the Naim Ovator S 600 and I will listen to the cheaper Majik 140 and the new Classic 20 from Audio Physik today. It looks like it is very difficult to find the right speaker. >)

 

[AlmaataKZ]

Another interesting option for feeding your actives:

Leema Elements DAC/Pre amp

Compact, plenty of inputs, remote vol control, silver or black

Put a mac mini or Squeezebox Touch on it and you are sorted.

 

[kungula]

yes, 6 digital inputs is not bad ! I found one review about the Leema and it really looks attractive for the price. But I never heard about this company before.

 

[oldric_naubhoff]

Another interesting option for feeding your actives:

Leema Elements DAC/Pre amp

fugly!

I rarely make such remarks on equipment. everyone has different taste. but this one here deserves some comment.

 

[AlmaataKZ]

Another interesting option for feeding your actives:

Leema Elements DAC/Pre amp

fugly!

I rarely make such remarks on equipment. everyone has different taste. but this one here deserves some comment.

yes, tastes differ.

Also things sometimes look different on pics vs real life. I once hated the way one dac looked (on pics) until I saw it in the flesh - loved it. I even bought it!