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Intriguing inquiry, are floor-stand speakers always better than active speakers?

Hi guys,

Just a general wondering though, nowadays I've seen a lot of new active speakers, and truth to be told, I find them quite professional indeed, when I go into an audio shop and ask some advice, some might even encourage to purchase the bookshelf speakers, as they're more cost-effective and space-saving hahah.

All that asides, regarding the sound quality matter, it ain't bad at all, but I'm not sure if it's my living room just not that big or some technical matters, the sound experience is actually vivid, but yeah I also think when you put the extra circuit inside the speaker for amplifying use, it'd certainly affect the original performance more or less. Especially under this digital streaming era, every part seems to be specifically separated, so it can perform to its fullest, and lessen the interference between each device.

Anyways, let me know what you think, I'd be grateful, or maybe share you existing setup with us!

Best,

preston8452

Showing 4 responses by rixthetrick

rixthetrick's avatar
rixthetrick
1,060 posts
 

@preston8452 - I just did a little reading on the Silent Angel Rhein Z1.
How are you liking VitOS and the VitOS Manager? What are you using to control your Rhein Z1?

 

rixthetrick's avatar
rixthetrick
1,060 posts
 

Yes for 99% of the time a quality separate amplifier is of much higher quality

then a low cost class d amp in a active speaker

I wonder how long it's going to be until we start to see GaN Class D in active self amplified speakers? GaN is surprisingly good already. I have heard the LSA Voyager GaN 350, I must agree that it's good, for the money it's very good.

As DAC chips get better and GaN amps also become more refined, the playing field may start to change goal posts, who know?

OP - I wish I could run VitOS on my music server to compare with what I have, I wouldn't be surprised if it bested what I currently have. WinServer 2012 R2 in core mode with Audio Optimizer, Fidelizer Pro with Foobar 2000. (I haven't nutted out how to get my Jplay Femto going yet).

rixthetrick's avatar
rixthetrick
1,060 posts
 

@preston8452 - yeah I’d read that about it being available for the Raspberry Pi.

It’s just that my hardware is possibly better than the Silent Angel hardware, and I have already got it.

8Watt Intel dual core commercial integrated CPU on mainboard, Jcat Femto USB card, HD Plex 200Watt linear power supply (separate runs for mainboard, SSDs, and USB card), Fanless case with copper heat pipes. Now I don’t know which is better, obviously, I haven’t heard it. But the OS, man that’s got me fully interested.

rixthetrick's avatar
rixthetrick
1,060 posts
 

I can try and fill MC’s role if you like?

@holmz - you just be you mate. Oh my word.
And you could use the valve springs if you had the correct mass loading for them to achieve <4Hz isolation. If you haven’t tried good isolation on your speakers, you should try it. And you're kinda crossing into territory of the great Geoff Kait, not seen in here of late.

How’s that for controversial?
Again, I think GaN Fet class D modules in an active speaker could be a game changer.

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