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If Thiel, Wilson, Sonus, made active speakers?????

Lately I've seen a few "active speaker" threads on the gon.
So, I'm curious...if some of the more well known high-end speaker manufacturers, like Thiel, Wilson, Sonus, Merlin, Audio Physic, Verity audio,B&W (or whatever) offered "active speakers" in their lines, would you as audio consumers be interested in possibly buying them? That is of course assuming the same great clear, pure, refined sound you've come to love from your favorite line, only the befefits of an active speaker(more power, finess, controld, dynamics, pressence, soundstaging, etc).
Also, knowing you'd have to give up your favorite amp/amps and the flexibility of choice there(again, assuming the manufacture "got things right" in the amp sections, yielding stellar sonic results, bettering the passive designs they already offer), and would likely end up paying more for the speaker (if offered with crossover and amp's, as opposed to "adding those yourself"), do you still think you'd be interested?...or does your passive high end speaker you're likely using now suit you just fine, and you'd likely never consider changing?
I simply see no reason speaker makers can't come up with a speaker with an electronic active crossover, and maybe offer matching amps, or let you chose your own!!! The potential benefits surely have to out-weigh the potential downsides (if any, I don't see them), ya think?
Anyway, curious as to what people think.
Once again, if your fav speaker designer came out with the same superb sounding high end speakers in active configuration, do you think you'd gravitate that direction, even if it ment a cost premium(of course, you'd have to subtract your amp cost you'd otherwise have)?
exertfluffer
kennyt's avatar
kennyt
1,226 posts
 
Exertflutter,

Yes, I am happy, I loved going active with the fronts in my HT so much that I ultimately went active all around and can't look back! Full size speakers for surrounds, active might seem like overkill, and I know the wiring is a nightmare, but it's maazing how much better surround effects are!!! I'm still sorting out a multichannel pre/pro and when I do, expect that DVD-A and SACD's will be equally intense!!!

Long live active speakers!!!!
aroc
760 posts
 
I'd add this. Look at the quality of included crossovers in most speakers. Are they mediocre or SOTA? Would you trust the company provide you with a SOTA amp in an active speaker? I wouldn't. I would like to know what amp(s) and source(s) the speaker designer used to voice his speakers, though. That info would be helpful in and of itself.
lazarus28
339 posts
 
going active isn't necessarily a nightmare for wiring at all. i use an all ATC active setup (50's in front, 10's for center and surround) and the wiring is simpler, because the amps are attached to the speakers, which means you only need to run interconnect cables. all of the speaker cabling is done internally.

as for aroc's question - atc's crossovers (and amplification) are absolutely top notch, so no problem there.
rsbeck
887 posts
 
I have a pair of active speakers I just bought for fun. Mackie HR824's. They are bi-amped. They sound great. When the manufactuer knows what speakers the amps will be powering, it gives them a nice advantage. Intsead of having to design the amp for general use, they can design them specifically for the speaker they will be powering. Plus the signal path from amp to speaker is as short as can be -- eliminating speaker cables! I would LOVE to see what Wilson, Thiel, Sonus, and the gang could come up with in an active bi-or-tri amped speaker. I'd be in line to demo them. Having said that, knowing my audiophile buddies, I wonder how many they'd sell. Audiophiles tend to be tweakers, upgraders, mix and matchers -- and I think some would
miss their "magic" speaker cables!
jazzdude
332 posts
 
The problem with active speakers is that they are a 'packaged sound'. Denying the end-user the flexibility of selecting the amp that they want. Just as an integrated amp chooses the power amp/pre amp combo. 'Packaged sound' is fine if you don't have particular tastes, or if you luckily just happen to like the end sound, or if you think all amps sound the same.

So if someone made active speakers that tickled my fancy I would probably consider them for purchase but getting the sound of active speakers right for my tastes would be much harder than just building the right speakers.
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