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Topic: Seeking advice on new active speakers (Read 8588 times) previous topic - next topic
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Seeking advice on new active speakers

Hi,

I need to buy myself new speakers, and I haven't bought a set of speakers since probably 2006 and I am completely out of the loop regarding audio since. I have no idea how to identify what I am looking for.

Specification of how I intend to use them:
- RCA input
- Active
- Not floor speakers
- Handles fairly well anything from quieter parts of classical music to distortion/loudness of funeral doom and death metal.
- Does not need to support "fancy" things like streaming, bluetooth and so on.

Preferences:
- "standard speaker-look design" (for example: Not a round pillar in red, doesn't imitate a Marshall amp.)
- A price below 500 euro

Example music of what I will be listening to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LRwYKpV-6A
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sR2W2scFS4Y
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0a62GEZddQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYh25wOlmj0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RuDy345JIzc

If I need to specify further things in order for suggestions as to which technical specs I should be looking for to be possible, please let me know. Thank you in advance.

Re: Seeking advice on new active speakers

Reply #1
Quote
- "standard speaker-look design" (for example: Not a round pillar in red, doesn't imitate a Marshall amp.)
Most "active monitors" are studio monitors and the current style is exposed drivers with no grill.   Is that OK?

"Computer speakers" are active but you don't get the same quality.

Home stereo and home theater speakers are passive except for subwoofers.

Re: Seeking advice on new active speakers

Reply #2
Quote
- "standard speaker-look design" (for example: Not a round pillar in red, doesn't imitate a Marshall amp.)
Most "active monitors" are studio monitors and the current style is exposed drivers with no grill.   Is that OK?
That's the sort of general design I was trying to explain. Grill or not doesn't matter to me.

Re: Seeking advice on new active speakers

Reply #3
- RCA input
- Active
- Not floor speakers
- Handles fairly well anything from quieter parts of classical music to distortion/loudness of funeral doom and death metal.

Preferences:
- "standard speaker-look design" (for example: Not a round pillar in red, doesn't imitate a Marshall amp.)
- A price below 500 euro
Unlike higher end home audio stores which are almost gone, over here, there are still Pro audio stores (2 in my city) that you can go to and see/listen/buy. The reason I'd suggest this vs buying online as most do today, is the bolded part above.
There is almost no way to know whether you will have a bit of hiss with active monitors using single ended (rca) at your listening location. If that's not what you meant by "quiet", then there's less risk buying online, then having to return. Physical stores make that a bit easier. Should be plenty choices in your price range, I'd opt for the biggest woofer you can get for the money, unless you plan to use a subwoofer. Even then, the larger models will play louder/cleaner at higher volumes.

cheers,

AJ
Loudspeaker manufacturer

Re: Seeking advice on new active speakers

Reply #4
Unlike higher end home audio stores which are almost gone, over here, there are still Pro audio stores (2 in my city) that you can go to and see/listen/buy. The reason I'd suggest this vs buying online as most do today, is the bolded part above.
There's unfortunately nothing like that in my area. There used to be but they closed a few years ago. Which is why I am trying to gather information online, and reviews weren't helping. They either went over my head and/or had titles like "perfect for electronic music" which isn't the music I aim to play the most.

There is almost no way to know whether you will have a bit of hiss with active monitors using single ended (rca) at your listening location. If that's not what you meant by "quiet", then there's less risk buying online, then having to return.
A slight hiss/buzz would be fine with me as long as I can actually hear the music. I had a pair of earphones once that just couldn't reproduce it at all (just silent), same with the more extreme death metal (too static:y) (or what the technical term for those situations are), which is what I am trying to avoid. Or maybe such a worry is not a thing with speakers at all?

Re: Seeking advice on new active speakers

Reply #5
From what I gather, Genelec are good performers. For less money, I'd look at ADAM.

Re: Seeking advice on new active speakers

Reply #6
There's unfortunately nothing like that in my area.
Without knowing what country you are in, not possible to make specific recommendations for budget
Loudspeaker manufacturer

Re: Seeking advice on new active speakers

Reply #7
There's unfortunately nothing like that in my area.
Without knowing what country you are in, not possible to make specific recommendations for budget
Should definitely mentioned that, my bad. Sweden, Östergötland. Not really near any of the major cities.

-----------------------

Thanks for the input so far, I looked around and none of the suggestions are directly available to me.
What is available so far is:
Adam A3X (at 600 euro / pair + all cables, slightly out of price range but can be done)
Klipsch R-41PM
System Audio Saxo 3

Based on the descriptions of the last 2 it seems like they will try to enhance the audio though (as it seems they expect mostly digital input and Analog via RCA is a "bonus"?), not sure I want that when my signal is already analog?

 

Re: Seeking advice on new active speakers

Reply #8
Should definitely mentioned that, my bad. Sweden, Östergötland. Not really near any of the major cities.
Ok, would these fit budget? 300 euro, but unsure how import taxes/duty(?) would affect, with Sweden in EU.
https://www.musicstore.com/en_SE/SEK/Behringer-B-2031A-TRUTH/art-REC0000453-000
The 3 you listed would need a sub and/or be limited in volume with tiny woofers (3-4")
Loudspeaker manufacturer

Re: Seeking advice on new active speakers

Reply #9
Should definitely mentioned that, my bad. Sweden, Östergötland. Not really near any of the major cities.
Ok, would these fit budget? 300 euro, but unsure how import taxes/duty(?) would affect, with Sweden in EU.
https://www.musicstore.com/en_SE/SEK/Behringer-B-2031A-TRUTH/art-REC0000453-000
The 3 you listed would need a sub and/or be limited in volume with tiny woofers (3-4")
If they ship from within the EU, it would be fine. Outside of EU member countries I get slapped with an import tax of 25% of the purchase price + another 10 euro in import handling fees. Germany is fine.

I assume I need to purchase 2 to get a pair?

Thank you very much so far!

Re: Seeking advice on new active speakers

Reply #10
2030
Loudspeaker manufacturer


Re: Seeking advice on new active speakers

Reply #12
Looking at the Truth B2031A again. How would I connect 2 of them to get stereo? I found a picture of the back and don't see anything other than voltage in and input. Do they only take one "channel" each? (in my case L/R stereo)

They also don't seem to use RCA inputs, what kind of adaptors will I need? I can't figure out the name of the connection they take.

Just trying to make sure I order something I can manage to hook up. Thanks in advance.


Re: Seeking advice on new active speakers

Reply #14
Excellent, thank you.

That just leaves the question of how to set up 2. If it's as easy as plugging in one channel in each monitor or if I need to do something else.

Re: Seeking advice on new active speakers

Reply #15
Looking at the Truth B2031A again. How would I connect 2 of them to get stereo? I found a picture of the back and don't see anything other than voltage in and input. Do they only take one "channel" each? (in my case L/R stereo)

They also don't seem to use RCA inputs, what kind of adaptors will I need? I can't figure out the name of the connection they take.

Just trying to make sure I order something I can manage to hook up. Thanks in advance.
The inputs etc are on the bottom of the amp enclosure that protrudes off the back. You'll need either an rca>trs or rca>xlr cable
Loudspeaker manufacturer

Re: Seeking advice on new active speakers

Reply #16
That just leaves the question of how to set up 2. If it's as easy as plugging in one channel in each monitor or if I need to do something else.
What are your rca outputs? From a DAC? A preamp? A..??
Loudspeaker manufacturer


Re: Seeking advice on new active speakers

Reply #18
From a DAC, it outputs in stereo, one RCA for L and one for R.
Well, that will supply signal, but volume, etc? Computer?
Using a lower level signal (1-2v from dac) without additional gain from a preamp etc may limit your overall max volume, increase hiss, etc.

cheers

AJ
Loudspeaker manufacturer

Re: Seeking advice on new active speakers

Reply #19
Behringer's then top monitors we thought that everything sounded so good but when we took the recordings and listen to them on other systems the sound was dull and far from as good as we thought they were.

So that is how we are doing this?
Nope, just you. I had no involvement in the original ineptitude, blaming tools, etc.
The 2031s direct sound FR is natively and/or adjustably flat by the user as I've posted...and the perceptual science of that is already well established with blind testing, so no excuse. For you. No we.  ;)

cheers,

AJ
Loudspeaker manufacturer

Re: Seeking advice on new active speakers

Reply #20
From a DAC, it outputs in stereo, one RCA for L and one for R.
Well, that will supply signal, but volume, etc? Computer?
Using a lower level signal (1-2v from dac) without additional gain from a preamp etc may limit your overall max volume, increase hiss, etc.

cheers

AJ
I see. The DAC is an ASUS Xonar Essence ST.  (Computer PCI-based card)

Re: Seeking advice on new active speakers

Reply #21
2+ V so you should be fine. You can increase volume further with input trim (+6db)
Loudspeaker manufacturer

Re: Seeking advice on new active speakers

Reply #22
Great, order placed for 2x monitors and the necessary adaptors.

Thank you very much for all the advice!

Re: Seeking advice on new active speakers

Reply #23
You're welcome. Out of curiosity, was total <500 euro?
Loudspeaker manufacturer

Re: Seeking advice on new active speakers

Reply #24
ajinfla: Graphs do not give the whole picture of how something sounds.
The ones posted show a quiet linear, neutral speaker, especially for the money. More important, fully adjustable to produce neutral high frequencies. Anyone whose mix on them sounds sounds "dull" on any other neutral loudspeaker, is simply incompetent.
Not uncommon among studiophiles. The Circle of Confusion.
Loudspeaker manufacturer