Do Active Speakers Belong In A High End System?

Why not?

Some of the best speakers around, and I have heard, are active.

That said the very best speakers I have heard are NOT active and the designers think a SOTA passive simply sounds better.

I am looking to arrange a GTG to put that to the test with a SOTA passive compared to a DEQX active.

Thanks
Bill

An active speaker can sound truly awful.

An active speaker can sound truly state of the art.

Like all components, it depends on the design, execution, and subtleties of the voicing of the product.

ATC self powered speakers can sound fabulous. I'm sure others can also.

The plus side: eliminates trying to find the perfect amp, cables, eliminates the nasty passive crossover that eats power, dynamics, detail, and has phase issues.

The minus side, it eliminates the tuning possibilities of matching up an amp that fits your sonic aesthetic.

You have to ask yourself: are you the type that loves to tune your system with cables and amps? Do you typically only keep a component for a few years and then get itchy ears and feet to replace it or tune it differently? i If you are, then you may get frustrated with self powered speakers.

If you are the type that hates that pain of dealing with amps and speaker cables in order to find a good match? Then you sound like a good candidate.

If your budget allows you to go up to ATCs I would start (and for me, finish) right there. Truth in the sound of music, good enough for many of the best pro installations in the world, chosen by many who make the music and recognize it when they hear a closer rendition played back.

I love my speaker/amp/cable combinations. But if it all burned I would have a hard time choosing between ATC and what I have.

Onhwy61 is correct. Eliminating the passive crossover, installing an electronic crossover, matching amplifiers to drivers and bi-amping or tri-amping all add up to better sound.

Rrog wrote: 'Eliminating the passive crossover, installing an electronic crossover, matching amplifiers to drivers and bi-amping or tri-amping all add up to better sound.'

Sorry mate - comparisons to not always bear that out. I know people who have compared a DEQX to a SOTA passive and the passive blew it out of the water. I am trying to organize a GTG to repeat it but can say for certain it is NOT true active is better - not by a long shot.

Thanks
Bill