I just can’t get my head around active speakers. As we spend so much time and money trying to isolate our speakers and components, how does it make sense for hifi?
We’re you directing this question to @Paul ?
An interesting thought.
I have found racks to be beneficial and assume they control vibration. But I have also heard a number of excellent active speakers.
True. Probably the advantages are bigger than this compromised situation.
I could place my amp unit outside the speaker to check. Will try sometime. So far I did not recognize worse sound when playing music so low volume that there’s no vibration, compared to playing higher volumes. The amp section certainly has an own closed area, but still it must get vibration. Somehow this seems to play less role than assumed whysoever.
Bob Stewart from Meridian I know has written many articles on the benefits of active speakers. His go as far as DAC in speaker. As with anything I think there are both advantages and disadvantages of each.
1 Like
I have a pair of active monitors in my home office and a pair of passive stand mount speakers in the living room. I like them both. I don’t see absolute right or wrong in technical concepts.
Not specifically.
Hi @scotte1,
I have and use an AVM60 for 2 channel listening as well as 5.2 multichannel and am very pleased with it. The AVM60 has 2 sub-out connections, however, both are from the same mono signal. I understand the newer AVM models have stereo sub-out connections.
As for RCA interconnects, I am satisfied with them but I personally have never used balanced interconnects so I have no frame of reference for any sound quality difference. I am running 2.0 meter Nordost Purple Flare RCA interconnects between the DSD and the AVM60 and from the AVM60 to my amp.
My amp is Anthem’s PVA7 where the two additional channels are used for zone 2 in my backyard during the warmer season.
With respect to ARC, I just recently remeasured everything using the latest version of ARC Genesis and noticed a huge improvement in the soundstage. I find that a Maximum correction frequency of 500 Hz as opposed to the default of 5000 Hz is the sweet spot for my system/room.
If you want to see more details about my system, check my profile.
1 Like
When I think of active speakers, digital room/speaker correction and digital crossovers come to mind.
Amplification would still be a separate component if I had my druthers (except for maybe driving the lowest of frequencies).
FWIW.
1 Like
I agree the magic with ARC is more associated with mid to lower frequencies.
I feel like ARC has the appropriate “light touch” in this regard; and does not result in an over-processed or digital-sounding presentation.
Thanks for the input.
This thing is arriving.
http://www.dspeaker.com/en/products/anti-mode-x4.shtml.
Hoping I can find a way to improve the 4 Rel N25s integrated to the MBL 101s and the room. I have heard good things. 60 day trial return policy because it was “B” return stock. I am thinking of running it in .4 mode so it only manipulates the subs. May also limit to 90hz. Also need to give up the use of the Rel high level input method to use this.
2 Likes
It’s a choice made by some designers for some customers. Dynaudio, Grimm and Meridian come to mind. Some include DAC and amp, others add DSP to better integrate with listening space! I am in the passive camp, so far! 
The Grimm setup really makes me wonder. Basically the equivalent of an Ethernet cable between the Tiny Grimm MU1 and the speakers. No Amp, Preamp, just three power cables and an Net connection. Or not. Nice second system, wonder if it could be first?
2 Likes
I think we all savor the feeling of analysis paralysis too much to have a simple system with no choices to confuse the issue.
Although I do have a small system that is just two LS50W2’s and 2 SVS mini subs. Hmmm. 
4 Likes
Active speakers have their use. My complete system is now a P20, Nucleus+, and two Dutch&Dutch 8cs. I do have an EtherRegen to isolate the ethernet to the 8cs plus some good power cables and SR Purple fuses. All-in I paid about $21k for the entire system. I can’t do room correction and am limited by aesthetics for speaker placement. This is where actives shine. I am using convolution filters in Roon from Home Audio Fidelity to help with the room. I would be very hard-pressed to build a system of separates that would perform as well for the price in my room with my limitations. And yes, the 8cs each contain the DAC and 1000w amplification.
4 Likes
The 8c is an excellent speaker, or perhaps better stated, an excellent system.
1 Like
Hi Matt. I have to recommend this for your subwoofer integration JL Audio CR1 I have a guy that might be able to save you over the retail price.
2 Likes
Funny you recommended this. I just had Kal Rubinson on another forum also make the same recommendation as an alternative. Put me in touch with your dude please. Also I need to talk to the Rel guys a little more to make sure I am maximizing all the technology embedded in the Rels. I still have not figured how to get the parametric equalizer function to work on the Rels.
1 Like
One of the best components for Analog audio. I just added one and not only do you get great sub integration but you can have a hybrid room for HT as well with that device and share the sub.
Just seeing you have 4 subs. Wow. I have seem people do room correction with multiple subs via the MiniDSP2x4 I think its called. MiniDSP has many add on things for doing room correction with multiple subs.
3 Likes
This will probably be a great solution!
But why not buy eq’able subs from the start?
I still have to understand why others are sold above a certain price point.