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If Thiel, Wilson, Sonus, made active speakers?????

Lately I've seen a few "active speaker" threads on the gon.
So, I'm curious...if some of the more well known high-end speaker manufacturers, like Thiel, Wilson, Sonus, Merlin, Audio Physic, Verity audio,B&W (or whatever) offered "active speakers" in their lines, would you as audio consumers be interested in possibly buying them? That is of course assuming the same great clear, pure, refined sound you've come to love from your favorite line, only the befefits of an active speaker(more power, finess, controld, dynamics, pressence, soundstaging, etc).
Also, knowing you'd have to give up your favorite amp/amps and the flexibility of choice there(again, assuming the manufacture "got things right" in the amp sections, yielding stellar sonic results, bettering the passive designs they already offer), and would likely end up paying more for the speaker (if offered with crossover and amp's, as opposed to "adding those yourself"), do you still think you'd be interested?...or does your passive high end speaker you're likely using now suit you just fine, and you'd likely never consider changing?
I simply see no reason speaker makers can't come up with a speaker with an electronic active crossover, and maybe offer matching amps, or let you chose your own!!! The potential benefits surely have to out-weigh the potential downsides (if any, I don't see them), ya think?
Anyway, curious as to what people think.
Once again, if your fav speaker designer came out with the same superb sounding high end speakers in active configuration, do you think you'd gravitate that direction, even if it ment a cost premium(of course, you'd have to subtract your amp cost you'd otherwise have)?
exertfluffer
vedric
46 posts
 
Umm, its "Bowers and Wilkins".. also "Martin Logan"..

Bueller? Im sure Matthew Broderick would be proud.

As for active vs passive. Both can sound great! Both can sound horrid! Digital amplification in its various forms will drive active speaker development if there is indeed a road for them to be driven down. How many speaker manufacturers would you trust to incorporate a genuine top rank amplifier in their speakers? What about upgrades? Obviously a modular design approach is needed. What compromises would be made in speaker design to accomodate the amp in such a way? Interesting subject but im not going to jump up and down one way or the other.

Vedric
gs5556
1,241 posts
 
If they'll sell, they'll make them. I think these speaker manufacturers did their homework in this regard and determined it's not in THEIR interests to pursue this product line. The last major shift the mainstream and high end audio manufacturers went through was home theater - they found out very quickly that survival depended on jumping into that market. Some dealers dropped Thiel, for example, for not reacting to home theater quick enough. Imagine what would have happened if Thiel went active instead of home theater. Resources (and dealer floorspaces) are not infinite, they must be allocated wisely to ensure profitability.
exertfluffer OP
270 posts
 
Actually, If I'm not mistaken (probabably forgot on B&W), Martin Logan is a summation of two names! I think it's the last name of two individuals....not Martin Logan, as a single peron's name. I could be wrong..dont' think so however.
Anyway, I'm sure there's lots of logistics involved with all this. Marketing and demand I'm sure play the major parts, as well as R&D, finance, whatever.
I'd still like to see some of these at least "delve" a little and perhaps offer a piece or two, as some have tried, like paradigm (never cared for the tonality of Ref 20 actives, nore the rest of their line in the past...too warm). Still, I'd like to see it. I think if marketed right, promoted right, and displayed right, these products could excell. Put a world class active next to a supposed world class passive, and I bet you'd sell a lot of active!
Immagine, active Wilson WATT Puppies next to active versios of the same thing! If done correctly, I seriously doubt any would consider sticking with the passives at that price range. I'm sure you'd be hearing a lot similar (probably better) of what John Atkinson of Stereophile mag responded when here heard the $90K active ATC system, proclaining that system as probably the best he's ever heard!..and that's saying something. I'm sure Wilson and others could pull of similar feats with better results if they put the time into it....Dare to dream..
kennyt's avatar
kennyt
1,226 posts
 
Exertflutter,

Yes, I am happy, I loved going active with the fronts in my HT so much that I ultimately went active all around and can't look back! Full size speakers for surrounds, active might seem like overkill, and I know the wiring is a nightmare, but it's maazing how much better surround effects are!!! I'm still sorting out a multichannel pre/pro and when I do, expect that DVD-A and SACD's will be equally intense!!!

Long live active speakers!!!!
aroc
760 posts
 
I'd add this. Look at the quality of included crossovers in most speakers. Are they mediocre or SOTA? Would you trust the company provide you with a SOTA amp in an active speaker? I wouldn't. I would like to know what amp(s) and source(s) the speaker designer used to voice his speakers, though. That info would be helpful in and of itself.
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