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In Reply to: RE: New powered speakers posted by mbnx01 on November 13, 2015 at 09:44:52
Active speakers can sound great because they use an active line level crossover. Active biamping if done right will always best speaker level XOs. However I have lots of doubts about these. First, the manufacturer says that the amps are monoblocks but there is only one power cord - what gives. I also suspect that while the speakers are powered they do not have an active XO but rather the usual speaker level XO. So the only advantage is the inclusion of two low-fi amps. I get very suspicious when the manufacturer reports peak power at 75 WPC. They do clarify that the RMS is 50 WPC but why mention peak power or combined peak power (150 W) unless you are trying to hype the true performance. But for $750 you get two speakers, 2 channel amplifier, a DAC, a speaker cord and augmented Bluetooth -- that's quite a deal.
It appears this is for the younger generation who will be listening to MP3 off the iPhone rather than the "audiophile crowd". And for those users this seems like a great step up but I doubt that they sound "pretty spectacular".
Edits: 11/13/15 11/14/15Follow Ups:
neolith,
Have you have heard the HD6s? Have you seen measurements?
Audioengine has been selling A5 and A2 powered speakers (and the plus versions) for years. I've listened to A5s in my home office since 2007 and am still happy with them. They are very pleasing for near field listening and do well at a greater distance too.
I've had 3-way active speakers in my main system since 1998. They deliver on the promise of active crossovers. The A5s are just powered rather than active but they deliver good sound too.
There are lots of interesting alternatives at low prices now. What good designers can do with a sub $ 1000 product is more interesting to me than the latest $ 200,000 state of the art product.
The rise of computer audio created a big market for powered speakers; Audioengine appeals to that market.
my blog: http://carsmusicandnature.blogspot.com/
I also suspect that while the speakers are powered they do not have an active XO
The single speaker output terminal on the "active" one feeding the "passive" one.
Very well analysed.
But are the amps Low Fi? My powered Tivoli and the ZVOX do not sound Low Fi. Nor do the Inmates' Audioengine 2, Emotiva et al. What gives?
Cheers
Bill
Ok, I don't know if the amplifiers are low-fi or mid-fi. I believe the reference to "monoblocks" was wrong and should have read "monolithic" meaning a one piece op-amp. I kind of doubt whether these are what I would use in a high quality speaker system but like I said the speaker may be just the thing for someone who wants a compact system to use with an iPhone/Android and MP3 files.
Also the description as a powered speaker system is using the term loosely. The left speaker houses an stereo amplifier which connects to the speaker presumably through a speaker level xo and the right speaker is connected by a cable and is "non-powered" (manufacturer's description). So really both speakers are non-powered but an amplifier is included in one of the boxes. A true powered speaker would use an active level xo.
If applicable, perhaps the correct term would be dual mono rather than monoblock.
The difference being dual mono involves two channels with independent power supplies including transformers, which share a single enclosure and power cord.
Powered means "includes amplification". That is simple and understandable to most people. It has been widely used for years.
my blog: http://carsmusicandnature.blogspot.com/
nt
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