Yes, whoever mentioned that DSP is much more accessible now is 100% correct. This is the route to take. They can be easily programmed and fitted into the unit, and are much more flexible than analog devices.
Glad to see so much activity on the thread!
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Legacy focus xd active speakers with wavelet? I currently have the signature se. models and like them .but think the focus will be a big improvement . I have my room treated and have BHK PSAUDIOS separates with cat 5 morrow wiring and 2 SVS 3000 subs .... Can anyone from experience give me their thoughts on the situation??? |
I went with active speakers mainly because my wife didn't want a mountain of gear/cords cluttering up the room. Also, I can easily move the set up into my office and listen there when I feel like it. I have the DALI Callisto speakers and have been very satisfied. My only complaint is that they are not Roon ready. |
There are some great new/refined technologies coming in early 2021 that will be game changing for active speakers/speaker manufacturers, however I have little faith that the audiophile community will be willing to except or adopt them. Fortunately for me there are millions of music lovers around the world that actually buy audio equipment because it sounds great and don't get all hung up on details that continue to hamper audiophiles and their ability to further enhance they're own musical enjoyment because of pre-conceived ideals & perceptions. Personally, I wish the OP luck, I don't have the energy and will spend little of my time trying sell to a dying population segment who are not willing to accept that new technology can be superior.
Cheers
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Active speakers can sound really good.
Many yrs ago, I was scouting for a pair of new speakers and tested many brands and models. Finally settled for a Yamaha HS80 (about USD500/pr). At lower volume, it sounded as good as Harbeth LS5 with separate pre and power combo, same music used. I kid you not!
This yr, I feel that the HS80 is not giving me the dynamics slam as I crank up the volume due to the limiter feedback protection circuit. So I researched a bit and bought a pair of Neumann KH310A speakers. Cost about 7x more but the immediate dynamics and sound stage and clarity are better. This speakers sound more like USD12000 speakers, and I can crank up louder before limiter circuit restrictions kicks in.
What makes these active speakers sound better is a power regenerator. I had a PS Audio but it blew. Now I’m using a UPS that can regenerate pure sine wave to power my gears. Works just as good, believe it or not. Make sure it is really pure sine wave and not sine wave simulated. The sound produce by AB amp speakers with the power regen sound like class A amp to my ears. It is really good, dark backgrounds, separation, soundstage, a bit of warmth, etc are all there.
So my suggestion is, keep the ears and mind open. Active speakers, especially the studio monitoring ones, can sound very good too. ATC, Genelec, PMC, HEDD, etc make very good studio speakers that are also suitable for hifi listening at a more affordable price, that otherwise needs tens of thousands of dollars.
BTW, I use a Macintosh C47 to run the speakers. A computer (for hi rez music), a AudioLab 6000CDT transport and a turntable are plugged into it. But the phono stage of the Mac I find only so-so, I prefer YBA, that phono was much better.
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B&W had an active speaker based on their DM 14/1400, the Active 1. It sounded a bit better than my Phase Linear 400 on my stacked 14's and 1400's, but newer amps are better. Currently, B&W has the 25 year old actual Nautilus four way speakers (not the numbered ones) still available. It is functionally an active system (requiring eight channels of 350 wpc) because the B&W supplied crossover is between the preamps and amps. I have not heard anything that I would swear sounds better. I do believe this works better than speaker crossovers, and is noticeably more efficient.
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I like the idea of active speakers with the amplifiers and active crossover not inside the speaker enclosure, it seems like a better idea because you could isolate the vibrations better. A passive crossover can also be used in a line level position. |
I am using the el-cheapo Behringer DCX and DEQ (and cannot report any sonic inferiority, there is even a firmware patch for the audiophiles ;-) and since I wanted to toss some extra money at the task , the dbx venu360.
Reason...I am constantly building speakers, no need for it, just pure ideas and fun.
Passive crossover do cost money if you want quality and higher order.
While that is offset by the need for 2nd and xrd amp once you have it (active xover and enough amps) it can't be beaten for flexibility. E.g. how is dialling back mid- level versus soldering in resistors? Or switching to a different xover type or order with a couple clicks vs. a lot of different value parts to be soldered/switched out? Same for time alignment, phase inversion at xover (actually that one is damn easy, but still soldering)..the list of plus(es) is long.
Try to grab your input in the digital domain (CD dig out, SPDIF or AES/EBU from devices like the Raspberry pi). It works with sampling analogue, but I cannot see a benefit.
Cheers
brxl |
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The bitch about being a middle class audiophile is saving for a pair of dream speakers you heard at a shop or show bringing them home to have them sound awful. It’s happened to me more than once. Dsp active speakers, digital xovers, controlled directivity, time aligned bass and self powered. Whats not to like? |
I could live with all sorts of different esoteric passive or active set ups, and have done over nearly fifty years of box swapping to experiment and aiming to hear the music better.
A rough chronology is.........
Quad, Tannoy, Garrard 401
Naim 32.5-52, 110-135, IBL-DBL
47 Labs, Bauer dps, Linn Lp12, Linn Isobarik. Pass Labs, Mark Levinson,
Cello Serafin actives
ATC scm50asl actives, Meridian M2.
Merlin TSM and VSM.
Tannoy SRM15, HPD295,315,385.
Chord Mono amps, Bryston 4SST.
Hegel 360, Harbeth SHL5+.Ayon Triton III integrated, Escalante Fremont Mk2 (best passives owned).
Lavardin Lecontoure Stabile 210,
Tannoy Legacy Ardens.
Arriving at, expecting to be final system....
ME Geithain RL901K (K for Cardioid) with Ayon S-10 mk2 pre/network/streamer/Dac as front end with t/t and cd transport as further sources.
Gearslutz.com has much discussion on all makes of active speakers with studio professionals and Hifi people alike swopping comments.
Info on Geithain.......
Sound Link Pro Audio
video clip on YouTube
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I have a pair of dynaudio focus 20 xd's in my office. they have DAC in addition to amps, and no wires needed other than power cord for files up to 24/192 or something thereabouts.
I this type of speaker is going to be very popular and is the way of the future. many people don't have the space for a big system, especially in an office or the kitchen (I have a Naim mu-so qb 2nd generation in my Kitchen--Roon Ready). the focus xd's are essentially a great sounding system and only comprise two boxes. if they were Roon Ready it would be almost perfect (but they don't sound anywhere near as good as my old C1s). |
