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Amp vs powered speaker confusion….

So, today I’m wondering why people spend a fortune on an amp when powered speakers don’t require a separate amp or do most people prefer passive speakers ?

For sound quality do you think the speakers are more important or the amp? I’m guessing both, provided you have the amp paired up with the right speakers. So, do you guys decide on speakers first then look for an amp or the other way around? So, if you already had speakers then the goal is to find the correct amp for those particular speakers or if a fantastic amp just came out would that make you sell your speakers then find a pair that matches that amp? All pretty complicated to me.

 

thomastrouble
thomastrouble OP
239 posts
 

Yes, I have a pair of decent but never used Totem One speakers overseas where I live these days and have settled on a Benchmark system to drive them but I’ll have to wait a month to bring the amp etc over there.

I’ve just came across a pair of powered Paradigm Signature S2v2 speakers in storage - is anybody familiar enough with these to compare them to the Totems? I might consider bringing them overseas with me if people thought more highly of them than the Totems with the Benchmark AHB2 and the Benchmark DAC3 HGC.

lordmelton's avatar
lordmelton
982 posts
 

Most "overseas" AC mains is 230v then you have import duties and shipping.

The very best speakers are bi-amped or tri-amped with an active crossover.

The cost of the cables alone is prohibitive.

The best active speakers I've heard were Dutch & Dutch.

fuzztone's avatar
fuzztone
5,640 posts
 

A "fantastic" amp produces no sound waves.

kota1
2,706 posts
 

@thomastrouble , I think it is because people who buy amps like to buy and tinker with amps. I own both the passive and active version of the Paradigm Reference 20 speaker. Even when the passive version is biamped it is no contest, the active version is better.

grislybutter
3,627 posts
 

"why people spend a fortune on an amp when powered speakers don’t require a separate amp "

when you buy powered speakers, you are "stuck" with that sound. If it's good, you are done. Some people don't want to be done. They have different amps, speakers, sources, that produce different sounds. It's like collecting cars, the fun doesn't stop with one car that you label the "best" on Tuesday.

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