Active speakers or not?

[vinyl_paul]

What is your budget? ATCSCM40A’s are absolutely superb. You’d still need a preamp though?

Those on out of scope on two counts: price and size!!
I was more in the £1,000 bracket price wise, and more stand mount size wise

 

[Alex S]

The Genelec 8030 is very good.

 

[fatbob]

I changed from passive atc 40 to active and wouldnt go back.

 

[Riotvan]

Very happy with my Quested S7R’s which use class A/B amps.

 

[Fretbuzz]

How are actives at low volumes? If a generalisation can be made.

 

[Alex S]

You can’t generalise.

 

[SteveH]

Just to add to the chorus stating that having gone active a few years ago, I could never return to passives.
Fewer boxes yes, but the primary reason is far, far better music reproduction.
Haven't thought about upgrading for >5 years.

 

[Woodface]

No reason why actives shouldn’t be better at low volumes. However, I do find the temptation to turn them up difficult to ignore, they just sound so clean & effortless.

In comparison my naim system could sound rather shouty.

 

[Ayya Khema]

Not
Never

They suck or those who dont suck are ridiculously overpriced

 

[garyi]

I've a pair of meridian M33s in my shed directly connected to a gustard dac via balanced leads, they sound bloody marvellous and makes up 90% of my music listening now by virtue of the fact its where I work. This set up makes so much sense to me in this space.
However in the living room my set up is integrated into a theatre set up, and I have not found a solution to that which is not super super expensive. The gustard and speakers were sub 700 squids.

 

[vinyl_paul]

Thanks everyone. I will keep looking for some actives on the second hand market to try.
I can see some M2s on ebay but I fear they are too large.
I have had passive AE1s before and I think a pair of active AE1s would be my first preference - hard to find secondhand it seems.
I will see what comes up

 

[JezmondTutu]

Not
Never

They suck or those who dont suck are ridiculously overpriced

Am interesting comment and would you care to elaborate? As active speakers are almost always better value than power amp + speakers. There are also great cheap options out there too as well as costly ones, used too of course.

 

[JezmondTutu]

Thanks everyone. I will keep looking for some actives on the second hand market to try.
I can see some M2s on ebay but I fear they are too large.
I have had passive AE1s before and I think a pair of active AE1s would be my first preference - hard to find secondhand it seems.
I will see what comes up

There is a pair in classifieds Paul?

 

[JezmondTutu]

Here you go

https://pinkfishmedia.net/forum/threads/acoustic-energy-ae1-active.271593/

 

[vinyl_paul]

Here you go

https://pinkfishmedia.net/forum/threads/acoustic-energy-ae1-active.271593/

Completely forgot about those - I did enquiry initially but wasn't sure about black. I will revisit - thanks

 

[mellow_yellow]

Here you go

https://pinkfishmedia.net/forum/threads/acoustic-energy-ae1-active.271593/

Those active AE1s look like an absolute bargain.
Many years ago, I had the original [passive] AE1s on their dedicated heavy stands and they were superb speakers – highly recommended.

 

[Alex S]

I had and enjoyed the original AE1s for about 20 years. To be honest, they were bettered by just about every stand mount I’ve had since. The Genelecs are probably the best of those. I’d be astonished if AE1 actives were better.

 

[Aural]

Beyond yr budget, but you can dream?
https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/fram/
built-in dac as well. Just add CD/streamer/iPod....

I'm sure there's been a String on this before.

 

[Ayya Khema]

Am interesting comment and would you care to elaborate? As active speakers are almost always better value than power amp + speakers. There are also great cheap options out there too as well as costly ones, used too of course.

how many passive speakers you have had? how many amps? and how many active speakers?

just want to know your past experience.

 

[daytona600]

Reflector Audio Bespoke P18 4x18inch OB 2500Wpc
Single men only WAV factor zero