Which new active desktop speakers to buy?

[hybridauth_Facebook_100001938819909]

Hi all,

I'm looking to buy a new pair of desktop speakers. Preferably I want them to be active because I am not sure how good the dac in my macbook pro is. I'm currently looking at Audioengine A2+, Monitor Audio Airstream ws100, Audio Pro Addon T8 and Ruark MR1. Any advice? I am open to other suggestions as well.

Thanks

WHitney

 

[bluedroog]

Have a look at Adam Audio http://www.adam-audio.com/

 

[matt49]

Have a look at Adam Audio http://www.adam-audio.com/

I use the Adam ARTist 3s in my office at work. Excellent!

 

[Overdose]

Don't ya just love this slick new forum?

 

[Overdose]

Presumably, you mean to use an active speaker setup with integrated DAC, hence the comment about your doubt of the Macs DAC being any good?

Competent and cheap DACs, such as the Behringer UCA202/222 are good, but the DAC in Macs are generally rather good. Galvanic/electrical isolation is always a good thing however, so using the optical output might be a better way to go.

 

[davedotco]

Most of the speakers you mention are powered not active. It is usually worth searching out proper actives, they cost the same and sound better.

A lot depends on the functionality. A lot of powered speakers come as a master/slave setup and offere input switching and volume cobtro, often with remote. actives at this price page do not.

I bought my current desktop active speakers for £100, current retail is slightly higher but the performance is outstanding fpr the money. If you are feeling a bit flush, then the Adam Artist 3 are available for just €350. They have a pro quality usb dac built in, so perfecr for a wired solution from your converter.

 

[davedotco]

Don't ya just love this slick new forum?

Actually it was my fault, hit the wrong key.

I have remarkably few issues with the current state of this site, unlike others it would appear.

 

[Overdose]

I'm not sure what this hybridauth_Facebook thing is though.

 

[Vladimir]

The OP registered via FB and the forum has a bug.

 

[hybridauth_Facebook_100001938819909]

i thought when speakers have integrated dac then they are called "active"? Can't really distinguish between active and powered.

 

[Phileas]

i thought when speakers have integrated dac then they are called "active"? Can't really distinguish between active and powered.

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Active_loudspeaker

 

[gasolin]

Price and size limiteds?

To me i found genelec speakers to be good, not so loud, but still good, i have heard the genelec M030, not cheap though

The Equator D5 is also a popular speaker because of the good sound

 

[BigH]

i thought when speakers have integrated dac then they are called "active"? Can't really distinguish between active and powered.

No active has nothing to do with DACs although some do have dacs inside them. Its to do with the crossover and amps. In active the high/low frequences are split by an active crossover and then amplified by 1 amp for each driver, so 2 or more amps in each speaker, passive are amplified then freq. are split by a passive crossover in speakers. Powered are the same as passive but have 1 amp in each speaker. However active do not have to have amps inside the speakers but most do.

 

[steve_1979]

i thought when speakers have integrated dac then they are called "active"? Can't really distinguish between active and powered.

The section of this Wiki page on 'Differences between passive, powered and active speakers' explains it clearly.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Powered_speakers#Differences_between_passive.2C_powered_and_active_speakers