New Klipsch Klipschorn AK7 & La Scala AL6 will be active DSP Crossover

@faustuss wrote:

Interestingly, there is nothing new here and any well-seasoned hobbyist is well aware of the multitude of approaches to sound reproduction and accepts them as revelatory or rejects them out right. We’ve seen this over and over again at least as long as I’ve been around. You should have a look at @norcalal’s post preceding this one.

Chow.

Most audiophiles have heard of active speakers, yes, but not that many of them seem to have a firm grasp of the definition and implications of active configuration(s) and what it really means, requires and offers.

Introducing Digital Signal Processing (that you apparently loathe), often comes on top of an existing, passively configured speaker system as a means into digital room correction, and in that regard DSP is an additional measure, but the point of active configuration is by-passing the passive crossover section, which in the case of the new Klipsch models means removing the cable jumpers on the back that connects the output terminals from the passive XO with the driver input terminals, and instead wiring the respective amps (3 stereo amps or 6 mono dittos) directly to each of the driver input terminals, that are again wired directly to each of their drivers. Meaning, each amp is fed with a line level signal from the DSP telling them the specific frequency range to cover, and thus one means of filtration (analogue, on the output side of the amp) is replaced by another (digitally, on the input side).

Running speakers outboard actively via a quality DSP/electronic crossover with amps and DAC of one’s own choosing is certainly not your everyday audiophile meal; in fact, it’s a rarity - to put it mildly. So, getting down to brass tacks there is something new here, and that’s a speaker manufacturer (among few) that offers outboard active configuration as on option on top of, or rather in addition to their - as an outset - passively configured and horn-loaded speakers.

And just to be clear: to be "well aware of the multitude of approaches to sound reproduction" one has to have actual experience with their entire range to be able to fairly assess them and deem their revelatory or rejectional status, as you so put it, or else it’s just talk and conjecture.

@phusis "And just to be clear: to be "well aware of the multitude of approaches to sound reproduction" one has to have actual experience with their entire range to be able to fairly assess them and deem their revelatory or rejectional status, as you so put it, or else it’s just talk and conjecture."

Isn't this exactly where you're coming from?

@faustuss wrote:

Isn't this exactly where you're coming from?

What has been the main context of my replies thus far? It was you who claimed that "... any well-seasoned hobbyist is well aware of the multitude of approaches to sound reproduction and accepts them as revelatory or rejects them out right," obviously implying you're among them, and with regard to one of the primary subjects of this thread (i.e.: outboard active config.) I can assure you it's not any but rather the minority of the "well-seasoned hobbyists" that are well-versed here; any outright rejection of this approach, with the primary contention being DSP or not, will hardly be based on thorough experience in this field for any but the very few - contrary to what you not only suggested but stated. What's your experience in this field?

what’s most important is the quality of the DSP unit itself, not whether it adds an additional A/D conversion step at the input side.

@phusis

I (largely) agree with you on this subject. I’ve auditioned high-end active setups and found that they sounded wonderful.

A conundrum and bottleneck of sorts is the DSP unit. As you pointed out, quality is important. Relatively few choices exist, and most come from the pro world (which I don’t consider a disqualifier in and of itself; indeed, folks who do audio for a living have long since solved problems that leave seasoned Audiophiles drowning in a glass of water - especially in the digital realm. But I digress).

A DSP / crossover unit does add an AD/DA conversion, usually whether it’s needed or not. In fairness, the benefits of DSP largely outweigh whatever sound degradation may happen as a result of that conversion.

A DSP unit needs to have the appropriate IO combination for your project. For instance, a dbx venu360, which is a 3x6 unit, works well controlling a pair of 3-way speakers, but has no additional outputs in case you wish to add subs later.

Also, most DSP units support rates up to 24/96 or 48/96, so if DSD is your thing the DSP unit will convert and resample it.

Notwithstanding the above, active / DSP speakers sound wonderful. I would definitely recommend anyone serious about gear audition them.

They look nice. I would like to hear them. I wonder about the woofer quality as it always seems questionable with Klispch but I am just guessing.