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Audiophile Active Speakers?

Bracing for a flame war on this one - but are there any really seriously good sounding active floor standers? The new Dynaudio XEO 6's intrigued me.

Here's why I'm interested. I recently acquired some great Verity Audio speakers that I realized my entire cabling, amps, preamps etc were too warm for. Problem is I'm getting past the point where I see this as a hobby and am just looking for good music reproduction without tons of system matching experimentation etc.

One interesting option would be selling all my electronics, cables, etc on A-gon and just purchasing a good DAC and good sounding Active floor standers. I could therefore afford decent speakers (up to $7K or so), pocket some cash, simply the system (and save lots of time and grief shopping for matching components).

Am I expecting something that would sound as good as the Verity's with appropriately good electronics? No - not even close.

But a quality audiophile sound I could live with and possible tweak with the right sounding DAC that could make me more or less satisfied is the goal. The don't have to be magical like the Verity's. Any thoughts?
larrybou
rockadanny
1,222 posts
 
I recently picked up a pair of Adam F7 active monitors ($898) for my desk. Laptop directly connected to speakers out the 3.5mm headphone jack via $12 cables (3.5mm connector on one end, split to balanced connectors on other). Speakers plugged into Home Depot extension cords into builder grade outlet.

This no brainer setup is so good it has me rethinking my main system (which you can see here on A'gon).
johnnyb53
3,510 posts
 
I wonder how the Emotiva Pro lines of self-powered speakers would compare to the Adams. They have a similar Heil-style folded ribbon tweeter and a broad price range--from $399/pr to $1498/pr.
rockadanny
1,222 posts
 
Don't know Emotiva, but these Adam F7 are seriously good! Not just for a "pro monitor". Just damned fine music reproducers, period. A real joy to listen to.
roscoeiii's avatar
roscoeiii
1,155 posts
 
+1 on ATC. Magical speakers. And most report that the actives are the ones to have from ATC.
br3098
974 posts
 
Larrybou,

The Meridian speakers require Meridian electronics as the wiring is proprietary. As I recall, you are restricted to digital sources unless using an older Model 565 processor. I'm sure that someone else will chime in who has more recent experience with Meridian systems than me.

I do remember hearing a room setup for Meridian's proprietary 3-channel "stereo" mode some time ago. The soundstage image presence and sense or space were probably the best I have ever heard.
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