Looking for good active-type system

[Mxo]

Good day, audioholics!

I am currently searching for a good 2.0 active-type sound system, much like the Microlab Solo 6 model (Power distribution: 50 Watt x 2), but with a bigger punch. Can you help me with good brands and models I can get? Price range is below $1000.

 

[Crackerballer]

So you want 2 active speakers? Any plans for a sub? What will be the source? Define "bigger" punch. I was going to suggest another thread where a guy is deciding between the Audioengine A5+ (which I myself just ordered) and the Emotiva Airmotiv Series. I am guessing for more "punch" you'd want something like the 6s

Emotiva Professional, LLC

I have never heard them, but based on Emotiva's rep with speakers I wouldn't hesitate to own them.

Here is the other link I was referring to

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/loudspeakers/78605-powered-bookshelf-speaker-question.html

 

[Mxo]

Yes, 2 active speakers. Well, sub would not be neccesary as long as the speakers pack a good punch. "Bigger" would be a power distribution of 75 or 100 watts, the whole system having 150-200 watts. The source would most likely be a laptop or a PC, a bit later on probably more professional equipment, because I might get involved in the music scene a lot more.

Thanks for the suggestions, I'll look them up now.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

You'd need an balanced interface to use with most active monitors (not a requirement, but highly recommended due to ground hum issues)
Like M-audio MobilePre v2
For monitors: I own LSR2325p and they are simply amazing - see my sig
but these a bigger brothers: LSR2328P $330/ea

If you want to step up even further: LSR6328P (3k/pair )

p.s: Forget about watts - even my "tiny" speakers deliver ear shattering 118 dB Peak (pair at 1 meter) - Jet Airplane taking off makes sound at 120db level....

 

[agarwalro]

1) What is your listening distance?
This will help "size" the speakers to your listening distance.

2) Active or powered?
They are not the same. Most consumer focused speakers marketed as "active" are truly only powered. Meaning, amp is built into the speaker enclosure, but passive crossover is used for signal seperation at speaker levels. Think, computer speaker with On/Off button and volume. Most pro studio monitors are true active speakers, individual drivers get specific line level signal and amplification.

You can take a passive speaker, remove the passive signal processing network aka. passive crossover and make it active by doing pre-pro for each driver, for phase, time allignment and crossover and then individually amp the drivers. This too will be considered an active system.

 

[Mxo]

1) It will vary from 1 meter closest (when i will be sitting at the computer) to around 15-20 meters or a bit more when I will put into a room where they will be used as sort-of party speakers.

2) Active, such as the microlab solo 6c model. I fell in love with that one. Although judging from your description, they were just market active.

The emotiva PRO 6 look like something of what I'm looking for. (or at least I think)

I'm a total noob when it comes to the REAL technical stuff. But hey, at least I know a small bit.

I have noticed that Microlab isn't very popular in the US, but they were one of the best in the public consumer level in Europe.

 

[GranteedEV]

Don't restrict yourself to active speakers. The advantages of active don't outweigh other SQ considerations, except in rare cases where they do. Often you end up paying for a "second amp" for no real reason.

The advantages of active become more real in larger 3-way speakers like the Genelec 8260A or Linkwitz Orion.

 

[zieglj01]

For exploration look at the Event 20/20 - they are good
Event Electronics | Reference Studio Monitoring | 2020BAS

 

[agarwalro]

It will vary from 1 meter closest (when i will be sitting at the computer) to around 15-20 meters or a bit more when I will put into a room where they will be used as sort-of party speakers.

IMO, you need two sets of speakers.

 

[Mxo]

IMO, you need two sets of speakers.

As in for the short distance and long distance?

The microlabs acted for both distances quite good

 

[avnetguy]

What about the Behringer B2030A?

I believe the passive one was reviewed here a while back (and did very well) in a book shelf shootout ... yup, here it is -> Budget Bookshelf Speaker Shootout 2009 — Reviews and News from Audioholics

Steve

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

What about the Behringer B2030A?

I believe the passive one was reviewed here a while back (and did very well) in a book shelf shootout ... yup, here it is -> Budget Bookshelf Speaker Shootout 2009 — Reviews and News from Audioholics

Steve

B2030A have long history with QC issues with built-in amp - I don't know about B1030A and other actives from Behringer, but I'd stay away from 2030a

 

[avnetguy]

B2030A have long history with QC issues with built-in amp - I don't know about B1030A and other actives from Behringer, but I'd stay away from 2030a

Ahh, I wasn't aware of any QC issues, good thing to point out. Does the 2031A also have issues as that might be another option.

Steve

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Ahh, I wasn't aware of any QC issues, good thing to point out. Does the 2031A also have issues as that might be another option.

Steve

With OP's decent budget I see to reason to choose any Behringer product at all. Not saying they are all bad, but JBL Pro's and Event's are in whole different league in many aspects.

Looking at Event 20/20 BAS reviews and specs - I think these would be a good choice

 

[avnetguy]

With OP's decent budget I see to reason to choose any Behringer product at all. Not saying they are all bad, but JBL Pro's and Event's are in whole different league in many aspects.

Looking at Event 20/20 BAS reviews and specs - I think these would be a good choice

No problems on the Behringers, I just put them out for consideration due to the high rating in the AH review here, I've never heard them myself. I've been using a set of older active Fostex monitors everyday for years and they sound great, especially for their smal size.

As with any speaker purchase, you really have to audition them yourself to see if they fit your needs and expectations.

Steve

 

[Mxo]

*sigh* Didn't see page two, thought people stopped posting -_-

The 20/20 bass looked good, although at the time I'm still more inclined towards EmotivaPro 6. Going to find reviews to see if they're sturdy and durable.

I'll take a look at some passive ones too, perhaps I will find something better.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

No problems on the Behringers, I just put them out for consideration due to the high rating in the AH review here, I've never heard them myself. I've been using a set of older active Fostex monitors everyday for years and they sound great, especially for their smal size.

As with any speaker purchase, you really have to audition them yourself to see if they fit your needs and expectations.

Steve

offtopic:
I own Foxtex T20RP headphones and I love them - too bad not the cable is bad and some of the foam is in pretty bad shape - I looked for replacement parts, but they are too expensive. I'll need to replace them soon

 

[davidtwotrees]

Quad 12 L active

I'm still not sure if you are using these like pro dj equiptment, or for home use?

I have the Quad 12 L actives and they are really nice speakers. I also have an 8" sub to pick up the low end.
They are well built, dead solid on the knuckle rap test, and the amps use the current dumping technology that TLS guy loves so much (i think!).
Here is a subjective review- Totally Wired - Quad Active Studio Monitors
Here is where I bought them- http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002BX1TAY/ref=sc_pgp__m_A1LJQ1EM80D378_5?ie=UTF8&m=A1LJQ1EM80D378&n=&s=&v=glance

 

[davidtwotrees]

I don't see the 11L actives listed, but didn't look that hard. The 9Ls look like they are a little more user friendly, sporting 3.5mm, USB, and RCA inputs. Both speakers are amplified.
Amazon.com: Quad 9L Active Bookshelf Speakers w/ USB Input - Purple Lilac: Electronics

 

[Mxo]

I'm still not sure if you are using these like pro dj equiptment, or for home use?

I have the Quad 12 L actives and they are really nice speakers. I also have an 8" sub to pick up the low end.
They are well built, dead solid on the knuckle rap test, and the amps use the current dumping technology that TLS guy loves so much (i think!).
Here is a subjective review- Totally Wired - Quad Active Studio Monitors
Here is where I bought them- Amazon.com: Quad 12L Active Gloss Cherry: Electronics

The thing is, probably (i'd even say most likely) after about 6 months of using them for "home use" i'll move on to a more professional aspect of the whole thing. I'll still need to research about it, but chances are pretty high that I'll move on from "leisure" to "work", if you know what i mean.

Sorry for some wrong use of words, English ain't my native language.

I'll check those qual 12 now.