Passive vs Active...Again!


My wife and I have made the rounds and have listened to numerous speakers now, not as many as we'd like, but as many as we could within a 3-hour drive. We liked some both active and passive, but it seems most of the active speakers we saw are not that pleasing to the eye (eg: Genelecs).

Not having a dedicated listening room, our room itself is a big problem. We have lots of hard surfaces to deal with.

If we go with passive speakers and the associated gear to go with it, we will need to spend a whole bunch of money on acoustic treatments.

We have a ton of artwork as well and with already limited wall space, we would rather look at the art than a bunch of sound-absorbing panels.

So here's my question: Will active speakers, that may come in cheaper, with room correction software (DSP) be able to tame the sound to a pleasing level in my lively room, or do I go with passives and break out the Rockwool!

Just a side note, I had some Martin Logan Spires in a very similar style room, that was much larger with little acoustic treatments and they sounded pretty good. But in this house I don't have the room to pull the speakers 3 feet of the back wall.

I know there is no perfect answer here, but appreciate any feedback, thanks.

 

high-amp
rego - Thanks, wise words! No, the ceiling is vaulted. 8' at the walls and around 12' or so, in the middle. With a beam down the center.
 
djones51 - thanks, I will check out the D&D's

 

 

 

Kii 3 note: The Kiis can also use component input if one so chooses as well as fully self - contained operation.

Darko's Review: Removing the room with the Kii Audio Three loudspeaker system - YouTube

@djones51, the two reviews @erinsaudiocorner suggest the two models - Kii 3 / D&D 8c are neck n neck in terms of presentation as the notes state.

 rego - "Kii 3 / D&D 8c are neck n neck in terms of presentation as the notes state"

Yes, but the D&D's are about $7,000 cheaper than the Kii's. No longer neck and neck, I'd say...

I think I like the looks of the Kii's a bit better though, but $7K?

 

Post removed 
Post removed