2. speakers
  3. 175604-169961

Intriguing inquiry, are floor-stand speakers always better than active speakers?

Hi guys,

Just a general wondering though, nowadays I've seen a lot of new active speakers, and truth to be told, I find them quite professional indeed, when I go into an audio shop and ask some advice, some might even encourage to purchase the bookshelf speakers, as they're more cost-effective and space-saving hahah.

All that asides, regarding the sound quality matter, it ain't bad at all, but I'm not sure if it's my living room just not that big or some technical matters, the sound experience is actually vivid, but yeah I also think when you put the extra circuit inside the speaker for amplifying use, it'd certainly affect the original performance more or less. Especially under this digital streaming era, every part seems to be specifically separated, so it can perform to its fullest, and lessen the interference between each device.

Anyways, let me know what you think, I'd be grateful, or maybe share you existing setup with us!

Best,

preston8452
holmz's avatar
holmz
2,328 posts
 

My current setup is a Silent Angel Rhein Z1 which runs a Roon Core, then Munich M1T as a Roon Ready streamer, then to PS Audio DAC, then KEF active speaker, which the streaming is all based on Roon I'd say, the SQ ain't bad at all, I'm quite content.

But just not sure if applying passive speakers with separated Amps would be so much better, cuz I know for sure that'd cost my wallet so much more

Do you need the PS Audio DAC, and the Munich M1T?
Can you just do all that in the KEF?

clearthinker's avatar
clearthinker
1,582 posts
 

The only difference is where you put the amp.  For active the signal from source to speaker is line level all the way (except for vinyl).  For passive you take the amp out of the speaker and put it somewhere else, running an output level cable between.

Oh, and the amp of course.  Generally there isn't a whole lot of space inside a speaker and the amp needs to be cooled.  So you can't put a big valve amp in a speaker.  You also can't have Class A or probably Class AB as there would be too much heat.  So you are left with Class D - small size and little heat.

If you like Class D, that's fine.   If not.....

djones51
4,947 posts
 

Focal uses class g and ab amps in some of their active speakers. ATC uses ab amps. 

rixthetrick's avatar
rixthetrick
1,060 posts
 

I can try and fill MC’s role if you like?

@holmz - you just be you mate. Oh my word.
And you could use the valve springs if you had the correct mass loading for them to achieve <4Hz isolation. If you haven’t tried good isolation on your speakers, you should try it. And you're kinda crossing into territory of the great Geoff Kait, not seen in here of late.

How’s that for controversial?
Again, I think GaN Fet class D modules in an active speaker could be a game changer.

mahgister's avatar
mahgister
13,196 posts
 

This question thread is related to the room dimension and the way the room will be acoustically controlled or not....And ESPECIALLY here of the quality of amplification like said my friend above: high quality class D will do the job...

Es^pecially if the room is controlled for these speakers response...Vibrations controls is especially important for sure....

 

More to discover