Opinions and recommendations on active loudspeakers

se7en

I just read about the Dutch and Dutch and the review was the same as your response. 

I have tried using several active speakers in my home rig but they were all musically unsatisfying to me and I found, when I downsized that I much prefer pricey mini monitors used with top tier subs and just live with having to provide space for amps and additional cables that would not be required with actives.

-1 as to PSI A-17M. They are much loved by some for pro audio, but I did not like them at all for music playback and they were absolutely boring to me at low to moderate volumes. Also, I think they are very ugly. I sold them to a recording studio in Canada and they love them.

Obviously, many of the more positively reviewed powered speakers to be chosen from in the marketplace were designed for the purpose of using them for monitoring and mixing recordings in the studio by professionals. Some of them may also just happen to sound great for home audio as well, I do not know. Maybe the best ATC models are great, but definitely not the KEF for you primary system.

The lower cost actives can be okay for desktop fun but beyond that only you can decide if they are right for you for home audio. 

Of course, make sure any active speakers you buy have a right of return for refund because you may wind up not liking them for home audio purposes.

I have tried using several active speakers in my home rig but they were all musically unsatisfying to me

why do you think that is?

Important to listen to active speakers before buying, perhaps more so. I also think that thinking about long term enjoyment is key. They often sound great out of the gates, but after a few days of listening, they fail to excite. I listened to the Kii three’s and found they delivered a smaller version of the sound I liked. I heard the D&D 8c’s had an even bigger sound so I auditioned those, but they didn’t have the sound qualities I like. I happened by a B&O store and tried the Beo50’s and Beo90s and while the build quality is superlative, B&O has to learn how to set up speakers in their stores for demos. I will keep auditioning to try to find the shoe that fits. I recommend extended auditions if possible.