johnhunt
pfm Member
Has been available for years.
I'm thinking of adding some Dirac to the laptop where most my music comes from. Will report back as and when ..
Is it time for active speakers?
- Thread starter kc5819w
- Start date
Has been available for years.
I'm thinking of adding some Dirac to the laptop where most my music comes from. Will report back as and when ..
Purité Audio
Trade: Purite Audio
Dirac offer a free trial, even if you ultimately decide not to purchase it is interesting to see the measurement plot of your room.
Keith
Keith
Don't equate £100 powered speakers with professional actives. These are aimed at the budget amateur music makers. This market can be terribly anti hifi. I've given out countless recommendations to use the speakers someone already has (an ok KEF or B&W) for simple monitors for the argument that they're "hifi" speaker thrown back at me. Even the saving of any extra spend didn't work. They had to have the KRK (or whatever brand).
A slight aside to the Beolabs. They are a tour de force but I have a feeling that some of their expense has gone into making them do many tricks. This is the advantage and ATC has, it's not trying to be a universal speaker.
This isn't to say the Beolab isn't great, it just give the hint of a new Bugatti - "a car to drive to the shops or the race track" and it ends up costing a fortune. If you want a VW for shopping get a Golf and get a porker for the track. (I understand the cache for some of the price and brand, it's the concept that causes some of the expense).
Purité Audio
Trade: Purite Audio
The Beolabs and Kii's use fundamentally more advanced technology to create their 'controlled directivity ' ATCs are a solid traditional active loudspeaker.
Keith
I'm happy to generalise that a lot of the £100 powered speakers would struggle against a lot of modest hifi speakers. I'm not saying they're useless but this is a hifi forum and the bar has to be at a certain level. I've heard some from the regular brand names.
I've heard a reasonable number of studio actives from Genelecs and the like. I've worked with Genelecs for the past few years. These replaced a mix of Tannoy, dynaudio, PMC and NS 10s.
I've heard a reasonable number of studio actives from Genelecs and the like. I've worked with Genelecs for the past few years. These replaced a mix of Tannoy, dynaudio, PMC and NS 10s.
I understand that. My point was something different. Put a Beolab in a reasonable room with 2 ch stereo from a set listening position. Now tell me if it has unused features.thats why I said it was a tour de force and that an ATC type active might well do enough for many.
Purité Audio
Trade: Purite Audio
The Kii's don't have the 'wide' beam or 'omni' modes that the Beolabs have just the 'narrow'. I understand your point, personally I am not fond of 'omni' but great for parties.
B&O wanted to make a statement and the multiple drivers/ DSP allow you to implement those functions.
B&O are working on a smaller model it will be interesting to see exactly what is included.
Keith
B&O wanted to make a statement and the multiple drivers/ DSP allow you to implement those functions.
B&O are working on a smaller model it will be interesting to see exactly what is included.
Keith
suzywong
Wot, no electrons?
Hmm, interesting. Got any examples of speakers like this?
davidsrsb
pfm Member
Passive crossovers cause distortion because of coil inductance variation with position and thermal resistance changes. Under-specified inductor nonlinarity doesn't help either
Cav
pfm Member
Powered speakers are not the same as active, though.
These are also not active http://m.rspeaudio.com/?url=https:/...s-aiii-p/pmc-ib1s-aiii.htm&utm_referrer=#2640
They refer to them as 'Activated'.
They refer to them as 'Activated'.
suzywong
Wot, no electrons?
Yes, I see what you mean. Looks to me like the retailer is re-imagining the term "active loudspeaker".
And to be fair, PMC on their website refer to them as "passive".
suzywong
Wot, no electrons?
OK, I understand your definition now.
So my PC's Creative 7.1 system would be considered "powered", whereas my Meridian 5.1 Home Theatre is very definitely "active".
I do understand the difference between powered and active. That's why I differentiated.
If there are great sounding super cheap speakers, then tell us! The Fostex ones are ok. The obvious names are fairly reliable but at the cheaper end of the scale there are still plenty of hifi speakers that will show them what's what. I don't mind that you've heard different but you haven't heard the JBLs you recommend! I've spend hundreds of hours wth Genelecs.
If there are great sounding super cheap speakers, then tell us! The Fostex ones are ok. The obvious names are fairly reliable but at the cheaper end of the scale there are still plenty of hifi speakers that will show them what's what. I don't mind that you've heard different but you haven't heard the JBLs you recommend! I've spend hundreds of hours wth Genelecs.
marvin1882
Banned
I wonder why ProAc (ProAc means Professional Acoustics) have never brought out (to the best of my knowledge) a pro 'active' studio monitor? The Studio 100/SM100 is a very well regarded and mature design, used in a great many professional recording studios throughout the world. I wonder why they have never released an active version of it?
Purité Audio
Trade: Purite Audio
Perhaps Raj could ask Stewart, a passive loudspeaker's quality is determined by the amp used with it, a loudspeaker must be driven properly.
Keith
Keith
S-Man
StrivingON
I suspect it's because ProAc doesn't have the neccesary electronics expertise.
Julf
Facts are our friends
I'd say a lot of £100 hifi speakers + amps (where the combination of speakers and amp is £100) would struggle against a lot of £100 powered speakers.