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

Take a look at products along the lines of the Bowers and Wilkins Formation Duo, the Devialet Phantom II, the Naim Mu-so II, etc. to see if they meet your needs. Most are sold with return privileges, depending on the seller.

Most loudspeakers are designed to sound best in a normal living space not in a laboratory or anechoic chamber. 

Thanks David, yes the Devialet Phantom II can be heard locally, I just haven't got around to that one yet!

We used to sell  them  the devialet tphantoms totally gimmicky low end sound if yoyou like rap or club music rather y are great

 

You want lifestyle that sounds great dali Rubicon actives or atc

 

We are a dealer for both

Give us a call

 

DAVE AND TROY

audio intellect nj

Dali and atc dealer 

 

 

Active Systems like Passive Systems are imperfect ...

A ' Passive System ' would be less expensive - generally - than a high tech Active System and DSP will not resolve all room issues.

As for the walls 2D and 3D Diffusors could be integrated with a Modern Theme.

A ' Cloud ' absorber and treatment around the L / R - Mains is a very effective minimal outlay for treatment.

Integrating all the components into a room should give an aesthetic flair with sound being no less important. As @david_ten pointed out - re-thinking goals and priorities can be helpful.