Powered speakers show audiophiles are confused

Earlier in this thread, thespeakerdude argued that my Atma-sphere MA1 amps wont be a good match for many active speakers (testing the passive speaker in the pair). He showed 1990s statistics of the amp performance. My amp is upgraded to mk 3.2 status with many component changes, so this is no longer reliable. But generally he is probably right. Active speakers are not designed for tube amps.

My point was not that the small passive speaker sounded great with the Ma1, only that it sounded surprisingly much better, than driven by the amp in the active speaker in the pair. I tested two pairs of active speakers - Elac am50, and Sony SRS ZX-1, plus a passive pair, Aurum Cantus Leisure 2SE. In all cases the MA-1 lifted the speaker to new heights, even if the match was not optimal. I have not tested more expensive active speakers - there, maybe the story would be different.

@o_holter

Earlier in this thread, thespeakerdude argued

He should be ignored, he argues a lot, has never posted his own system, never recommended a speaker or a system to anyone, pretty much he argues and that’s it. Just trolls in this thread and annoys people who actually have systems of their own.

I tested two pairs of active speakers - Elac am50, and Sony SRS ZX-1, plus a passive pair, Aurum Cantus Leisure 2SE. In all cases the MA-1 lifted the speaker to new heights, even if the match was not optimal

I have had that experience when comparing the JBL Studio 230 (passive) to the JBL 305 (active). The speakers came out around the same time and both use trickle down tech from the M2 monitors. I preferred the $400 Studio 2 driven by a $1000 Carver amp to the $300 305 driven by their internal amp. The bad news for the people that bought the passive setup is it costs more and it could sound worse depending on the amp you choose.

I have not tested more expensive active speakers - there, maybe the story would be different

I would highly recommend the 4329P I just posted. That speaker is based on a studio monitor but customized for home use. Best of both worlds. You will notice the @thespeakerdude started arguing again as soon as I posted something, trolling as usual.

@o_holter ,

You will notice that unless I am personally attacked, my comments apply to content. The 4329P (which you cannot buy yet), is based on the 708P, which I am very familiar with. There may be tweaks in the drivers, but the articles imply it is using the same driver compliment and it looks like the same horn. Spacing looks similar. My comments on the 708P, are informed. They are a good speaker, but they don't like to be pushed too hard. They have good horizontal dispersion, but poor vertical dispersion. In a typical studio, these will be used at closer distances than in a typical home, and ensuring proper seating height would be a given. The closer seating position negates both peak volume requirements and much of the poor off-axis vertical response (floor reflections mainly). The proper seating height will also negate issues with off axis vertical response.

In the appropriate residential installation, no doubt they would sound very good, but one should be aware of their flaws before blinding jumping in.

@o_holter

My main argument

You see what I mean? He doesn’t own them, posts nothing to support his claims like a link to some type of proof, doesn’t recommend anything else, just argues, best to ignore.