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Self-powered speakers: any good?

Have you heard any musical sounding high quality self-powered speakers that would fill a medium sized room with MUSIC?

I've got a fireplace on one wall where I'd like to put my stereo. And, I hate running wires by the fireplace.

Had the idea to put a self-powered speaker in each corner and one of my Squeezebox Touches next to each speaker. Slave one Touch to the other, and done?

Room is medium size: 22 x 14 with 8 foot ceilings, but it does open into other rooms.

Self powered speakers I've heard have been all intended for near field or table top. And the more expensive ones sound lean (sigh).
artmaltman
inna
7,296 posts
 
ATC, right.
ckoffend
684 posts
 
I'll jump on the ATC bandwagon. But also wonder if the dual squeezebox/Duet/Touch approach will be error proof. I have a Duet (one) and love it. But the idea that you will hook up a separate Touch to each speaker, via the built-in DAC and outputting only one channel and insuring the timing is going to be exact. . . I am not so sure how well that will work? Not saying it won't, but it would concern me that the tiniest timing difference would create huge problems.

Added to that, if you would be considering the ATC speakers, I really don't think you would want to be using the built-in DAC on the squeezebox.

Call in an electrician and my guess he can run a cable (speaker, interconnect or other) down through the floor and over to the other side of the fireplace to hide the cables. If you are going to do that, have him run all the cables you may have want to use so you are covered for the future.
dedicatedaudio's avatar
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dedicatedaudio
169 posts
 
The Dynaudio MC15's or Focal CMS Series are ones to consider as well.

disclaimer: we are a Dynaudio/Focal dealer
jburidan
803 posts
 
I believe there are reasons why this technical approach will yield only modest results.
marakanetz's avatar
marakanetz
5,473 posts
 
The champ of all self-powered speakers I've ever heard are Event Opal. Event company is mostly oriented for pro audio near-filed studio monitors but Opal has truly high-end performance for the price paid. They're self-powered with over 400 continueous watts each. From musiciansfriend.com or from B&H you can get free shipping.
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