Active Speaker Choice

I actually demoed a pair of $20,000 Meridian DSP 2500 SE’s and the three of us listening thought the $1600 pair of Genelec G3’s sounded better...go figure?

The dsp5200se was probably against the wall and they’re the only pair of the 3 current floor standers that are rear ported. I won’t buy a new pair of speakers without hearing them in my room first. Genelec is pretty impressive and they have their fans.

For the OP, I suspect that those Meridian DSP5200SEs you demo'd were not set-up properly.  Not questioning what you heard, but when properly set-up and configured, the Meridians are really impressive.  

I’ve run the ATC 40A speakers for over two years and there is no turning back from the immediacy and dynamics active produce.  It is truly a different and wonderful world.  With each upgrade they move forward reflecting the chosen improvement.

These are sealed box so integrate well into a less than optimal room.  I chose Isoacoustics Gaia footers coupled with carpet discs and placed GIK diffusers behind for even greater effect.

Approaching the cost factor;  you need no longer chase amplifiers, speaker wire or ride the upgrade carousel.  Transducer satisfaction guaranteed.

There’s many powered speakers out there but active dsp is another animal. Whats best forum has a very informative thread on the D&D dsp speakers and the owner/reviewer describes in detail the care put into setup and while it makes sense l think I expect dsp designs to be plug and play. ATC, Genelec and  Meridian have been around  while Kii and D&D are new kids on the block and getting press. Nobody can predict what the op will prefer.