Pros and Cons of built-in amps?

Ussarn,

Have you managed to compare the AML-1 active to the TB2S-A? I have noticed a few comments by AML-1 users and those who have heard these speakers and the larger active ones. According to them, once we listen to active speakers, it will be extremely difficult to go back to any passive speakers. Reasons cited were greater dynamics and more resolution. Maybe the removal of the passive crossover in passive speakers have got something to do with the sound improvement.

Ryder, I never compared the AML-1's to any other PMC speaker. I would like to add two reviews if any of you are interested in the PMC AML-1's. The 6 Moons website did a very detailed review with a complete description of the construction and circuitry. It is in their archives and was posted in August, 2005. The other is in Audio Ideas Guide, a quarterly Canadian publication. They have a website and an archive section. The speaker was reviewed in Fall, 2001 and it has measurements. These reviews together should answer many questions. Check out Audio Circle under "Bryston" for even more information. There was a thread running there for these speakers with some pictures as well, it is about 4 or 5 pages in.

Thanks for the tip Usarrn. Actually, I have toyed around the idea of transforming my PMC LB1 Signatures into active speakers a while back as one of the forummers in Audiocircle suggested that it might work by removing the passive crossover in the speakers and getting the Bryston 10B into the mix. The use of ETF software and balanced mic are needed to measure post installation. I figured out this move is not viable as a pro is needed to perform this task. Furthermore, James Tanner of Bryston has advised against this move due to careful considerations that need to be taken into account in taking a passive design and turning it into an active system. Hence, I have scrapped the whole idea.

Since you have replaced the formidable full-range Avalon Eidolon's ($20,000 retail) with these small little actives, that shows a lot. Just out of curiousity, are you using any subwoofer with the AML-1's?

Hi Ryder: No subwoofer, not necessary. I am hearing all i need to without complicating the system. Frankly, the bass is equivalent in depth to the Eidolon's, minus about 2db. I have a dedicated listening room conducive to lower frequencies. Perfect bass integration with dissimilar cabinets and drivers can be quite illusive! I must note I listen primarily to Classical & Jazz.

Hello again Ryder! I should qualify the previous post. I measure to 30 Hz in my room at about 2 db down. The Eidolons ($25,000 with the Walnut Burl upgrade) measured 1 db down and 3 db down at 28 Hz in the same room. Now, you know the size of the AML-1's. They use a flat piston instead of a cone for the low frequencies. The motor assembly is about the size of the piston. This is feeding into a 5 1/2 foot transmission line from the rear of the piston. You cannot visually detect the piston moving at loud listening levels! The Eidolons weighed 150 lbs, were a 3 way with an 11" woofer and a vertical port with a very complex passive crossover network and a costly cabinet. I think the AML-1's are now about $10,000 due to the falling dollar. In this context however, they are still a bargain considering you get the amplifiers, electronic crossovers, equalizers and do not need to pay for the glorified fixed frequency tone controls called speaker cable. Plus, I feel the overall performance is improved. As a bonus, my friends need not fear a hernia whenever I decide to re-arrange the listening room where I now have more square footage left over!