Enter to Win: Intimus 5B Bookshelf Speakers from Aperion Audio!

[Imitation]

1. Do you currently own or have a need for powered speakers? If yes, where?
In the office where I spend the majority of my work hours.

2. In your opinion can powered speakers sound as good as passive speakers paired with an amp or receiver?
Yes I definitely think they can be equal in sound quality, but I doubt they have the volume headroom of passives.

3. If you add wireless surround speakers to your home theater system, will they match the sound quality of your passive speakers? Is this something you would consider doing?
If I added wireless, they'd need to be comparable. But I'd be more worried about static or hum at higher volume levels than anything else. Right now I'm not going to add any wireless just because i've already got a good setup with wired speakers that keeps the wires out of the way.

4. If you use a desktop computer speaker system, what do you like or dislike about the system? (size, sound, quality)
I'm using a passive system right now after just recently selling my logitech z-5500's. I miss the hitting of the sub as the budget didn't allow replacement and the integrated amp takes a little more room than I'd like, but the sound quality jump is well worth it. Issue i've got with active's for the desktop is that you're not as flexible for multiple inputs usually and the choices for speakers isn't even close to amount of options for passives.

5. When you are listening to music, how important is the ability to change songs and source without walking to your audio system?
In the living room the 360 plays the music so my harmony remote takes care of song changes, otherwise I'm not changing sources during music listening.

 

[Alex2507]

1. Do you currently own or have a need for powered speakers? If yes, where?

A: I don't own any. They would be nice to have as computer speakers.

2. In your opinion can powered speakers sound as good as passive speakers paired with an amp or receiver?

A: I'm sure that if you throw enough money at something it can be what ever it is that you intend for it to be. I believe it to be a matter of engineering and design.

3. If you add wireless surround speakers to your home theater system, will they match the sound quality of your passive speakers? Is this something you would consider doing?

A: Due to cost and size I think wireless surrounds in my home theater would have to take a hit sound quality wise. I can't see myself going that route as my surrounds are pretty decent now (for me) without being very expensive.

4. If you use a desktop computer speaker system, what do you like or dislike about the system? (size, sound, quality)

A: I use the H/K SoundSticks II. Due to space constraints and affordability I have to say that I like these pretty well. I paid under $100 for them but if I paid the MSRP of ~ $300 I would not be happy with the sound or the quality. Size would still be good.

5. When you are listening to music, how important is the ability to change songs and source without walking to your audio system?

A: If you guys come up with a way to automatically flip records ... I'm in.
Seriously, I don't mind getting up but I have seen systems where the rec'r gets music from a computer and there is absolutely no reason to get up. I'd say that for me it is somewhat important like maybe a 6.5 / 10 on the desirability scale.

 

[bandphan]

Do you currently own or have a need for powered speakers? If yes, where?

Near field for office

In your opinion can powered speakers sound as good as passive speakers paired with an amp or receiver?

Better in some cases

If you add wireless surround speakers to your home theater system, will they match the sound quality of your passive speakers? Is this something you would consider doing?

No, I would not install wireless surrounds

If you use a desktop computer speaker system, what do you like or dislike about the system? (size, sound, quality)
Using passive with avr,

When you are listening to music, how important is the ability to change songs and source without walking to your audio system?
Very..... automation rules

 

[jostenmeat]

Do you currently own or have a need for powered speakers? If yes, where?

Yes, for my computer! They are cheap tiny POS' that came with it!


In your opinion can powered speakers sound as good as passive speakers paired with an amp or receiver?

Yes, perhaps even better since the amp can be well mated, at least for the money, and there is the potential (depending on how it's configured) to use active xover.


If you add wireless surround speakers to your home theater system, will they match the sound quality of your passive speakers? Is this something you would consider doing?

No, they would be for the computer.


If you use a desktop computer speaker system, what do you like or dislike about the system? (size, sound, quality)

Um, my present ones would make any AHer very ashamed.


When you are listening to music, how important is the ability to change songs and source without walking to your audio system?

Not very, but I also have not yet benefited from such an ability. (Read: I'm not yet spoiled).

 

[Acoustician]

Do you currently own or have a need for powered speakers? If yes, where? Not sure...

In your opinion can powered speakers sound as good as passive speakers paired with an amp or receiver?
This all depends upon the design/performance. I've listened to some powered speaker "systems" that are "accpetable" but don't believe they are capable of sounding as good as passive speakers matched with amp/receiver.

If you add wireless surround speakers to your home theater system, will they match the sound quality of your passive speakers? Is this something you would consider doing?
Currently have all speakers wired (7.1) May consider it for another system, again, depends upon design/performance.

If you use a desktop computer speaker system, what do you like or dislike about the system? (size, sound, quality)
Dislike "typical" sound quality...

When you are listening to music, how important is the ability to change songs and source without walking to your audio system?
Not that important... Really depends upon source and what is "set up" to be "able" to change.

 

[wesley63]

Contest Questions:
Do you currently own or have a need for powered speakers? If yes, where?

No.

In your opinion can powered speakers sound as good as passive speakers paired with an amp or receiver?

Yes, some powered speakers sound really good. But upgrading to better speakers later would probably necessitate buying an amp.

If you add wireless surround speakers to your home theater system, will they match the sound quality of your passive speakers? Is this something you would consider doing?

I am still waiting for a wireless solution that sounds as good as a wire running to the back of the room. Static, drop-outs; these are a few of my least favorite things.

If you use a desktop computer speaker system, what do you like or dislike about the system? (size, sound, quality)

Currently, I'm running a small T-amp with bookshelf speakers. The speakers are not very sensitive, so the T-amp has trouble driving them to loud levels. For most computer stuff and music when I am sitting in front of the computer it is not that much of a problem.

When you are listening to music, how important is the ability to change songs and source without walking to your audio system?

I misplaced the remote to my iPod dock last week and was shocked at how much I missed it. Walking over to skip a song I didn't like was agony. We are so spoiled now.

 

[dkane360]

1. Do you currently own or have a need for powered speakers? If yes, where?
Yes, I could use a pair on my desk.
2. In your opinion can powered speakers sound as good as passive speakers paired with an amp or receiver?
Yea, although they wouldn't be able to be used in a ht application quite as easily.
3. If you add wireless surround speakers to your home theater system, will they match the sound quality of your passive speakers? Is this something you would consider doing?
If they sounded just as good as my surrounds now, were relatively inexpensive and worked well, I would consider them.
4. If you use a desktop computer speaker system, what do you like or dislike about the system? (size, sound, quality)
I used a klipsch promedia 2.1. they sounded great for use on a desktop. However, I didn't like how flimsy and cheap some of the connections were.
5. When you are listening to music, how important is the ability to change songs and source without walking to your audio system?
Mildly important. Song changing more important than source changing though.

I hope that made sense, I'm a little tired lol.

 

[alphaiii]

Do you currently own or have a need for powered speakers? If yes, where?
I have one pair of powered speakers - iStorm speakers - for use with an iPod in the kitchen.

In your opinion can powered speakers sound as good as passive speakers paired with an amp or receiver?
I really have no idea, since I have very limited experience with powered speakers.

If you add wireless surround speakers to your home theater system, will they match the sound quality of your passive speakers? Is this something you would consider doing?
I would definitely consider wireless surrounds speakers, provided they can give the same level of sound quality.

If you use a desktop computer speaker system, what do you like or dislike about the system? (size, sound, quality)
I enjoy the sound quality, compact size, and ease of use of my desktop setup. I'm able to generate whatever playlist I'm in the mood for, and listen to it through what I think is a nice sounding system.

When you are listening to music, how important is the ability to change songs and source without walking to your audio system?[/LIST]
Since I do most of my music listening at my PC, this isn't much of an issue. If I listen to a CD in my main system, I'm used to having to get up to change CD's, so no biggie there. Now if I had to get up manually change a song - that wouldn't work for me.

 

[Jeff R.]

1. Do you currently own or have a need for powered speakers? If yes, where?
No - I would like something to use in my bedroom for better sound from the TV.

2. In your opinion can powered speakers sound as good as passive speakers paired with an amp or receiver?
Yes - I can not think of any reason they would not be as good.

3. If you add wireless surround speakers to your home theater system, will they match the sound quality of your passive speakers? Is this something you would consider doing?
Yes and Yes

4. If you use a desktop computer speaker system, what do you like or dislike about the system? (size, sound, quality)
Don't use one.

5. When you are listening to music, how important is the ability to change songs and source without walking to your audio system?
Very Important.

Keeping my fingers crossed........

 

[amagiri]

1. I have need, but do not own powered speakers. I would like to expand my Sonos system, I have a spare ZP90 (no amp) that I could use.

2. I think that at low volume/power levels, yes.

3. Wireless sound quality can be compromised due to RF interference. Wireless surrounds means that I need to run power cords instead of speaker wire. Frankly, running speaker wire is much easier for my situation then running power cables - especially if I want to hide the wires behind walls. Nope - "wireless" surrounds is a non-starter for me.

4. Don't use them - I wear a headset.

5. This is key, thus I use a Sonos music system for my set-up.

Cheers,
Amagiri

 

[rcw]

Contest

1. I'm currently looking for powered speakers for my office computer system.
2. Never owned a powered speaker system and I would be surprised if they
had the quality of my emotiva/ PSB synchrony's. I would like to be
impressed though and the convenience would be awesome.
3. I would consider wireless surrounds for the office.
4. At this time I have never owned computer speakers but I'm researching this
this topic and need some external sound for my mac.
5. Would love not to have to go to the main system to change source and
music. Harmony one = no RF. Hmmmm. Still need speakers for the office
computer.

 

[Boerd]

1. Do you currently own or have a need for powered speakers? If yes, where?
My main rig is active - NHT XD 2.2; I used it in the dinning room.

2. In your opinion can powered speakers sound as good as passive speakers paired with an amp or receiver?
They sound much better - I had passive gear twice more expensive than my active gear and sounded a class below.

3. If you add wireless surround speakers to your home theater system, will they match the sound quality of your passive speakers? Is this something you would consider doing?

N/A - my speakers are active but YES I'd do it if I had passive ones.

4. If you use a desktop computer speaker system, what do you like or dislike about the system? (size, sound, quality)
I use SlimServer/SqueezeBox from Logitech - I like much better than a CD/SACD player. Easy to use and saves space - the CDs are now in the garage.

5. When you are listening to music, how important is the ability to change songs and source without walking to your audio system?

Very important - on a scale from 1 yo 5 is 5.

 

[tomtuttle]

The Aperion team seems creative, engaging and generous. Cool contest!

1. Do you currently own or have a need for powered speakers? If yes, where?

Currently own Cambridge Soundworks 3 piece system attached to wife's computer. Would like to upgrade that system or attach high quality powered speakers to computer at my office or other computer at home. In addition, a set of powered speakers would be perfect in combination with my kids' iPods.

2. In your opinion can powered speakers sound as good as passive speakers paired with an amp or receiver?

Sure. Especially with relatively recent advances in digital amplification.

3. If you add wireless surround speakers to your home theater system, will they match the sound quality of your passive speakers? Is this something you would consider doing?

I'm skeptical about wireless technology maintaining the same reliability and fidelity as copper. In a secondary system, I would consider the wireless option, but for the main system or a dedicated home theatre, I would be more inclined to spend the time and money for the certainty of cable.

4. If you use a desktop computer speaker system, what do you like or dislike about the system? (size, sound, quality)

Form factor (size) is THE most important thing. I'm not favorably impressed with the quality of the truly "small" systems, so where quality is important, I've gone with small bookshelf speakers and a receiver. The separates approach is not consistent with the "size" criteria.

5. When you are listening to music, how important is the ability to change songs and source without walking to your audio system?

Not very important.

 

[JP99]

1. Do you currently own or have a need for powered speakers? If yes, where?
I own a 2.0 set of powered speakers for my desktop computer.

2. In your opinion can powered speakers sound as good as passive speakers paired with an amp or receiver?
Not in my experience. Always open to new products though.

3. If you add wireless surround speakers to your home theater system, will they match the sound quality of your passive speakers? Is this something you would consider doing?
Until I find wireless speakers that compete with both sound quality and price-point, I have no interest in them. I really wish some would come along though!

4. If you use a desktop computer speaker system, what do you like or dislike about the system? (size, sound, quality)
The quality is pretty horrible. Not much to like about it.

5. When you are listening to music, how important is the ability to change songs and source without walking to your audio system?
Very important to change songs, less important to change source.

 

[Kronos83]

1. Do you currently own or have a need for powered speakers? If yes, where?
I have a need for them for my Computer, right I have my computer routed directly into my main Receiver but this will be changing and it will need its own separate Setup

2. In your opinion can powered speakers sound as good as passive speakers paired with an amp or receiver?
yes I think so, its the quality of the parts and engineering that make a set of speakers sound good

3. If you add wireless surround speakers to your home theater system, will they match the sound quality of your passive speakers? Is this something you would consider doing?
I would consider this, but the sound would have to match, would be a requirement for adding them in the first place

4. If you use a desktop computer speaker system, what do you like or dislike about the system? (size, sound, quality)
I have used them before and the compact size and ease of placement were requirements for me when I last had one in use

5. When you are listening to music, how important is the ability to change songs and source without walking to your audio system?
Somewhat important, changing source is more important to me remotely compared to song changing remotely

 

[gregt16g]

1.Do you currently own or have a need for powered speakers? If yes, where?
--Yes. PC, Altec Lansing 2.1

2.In your opinion can powered speakers sound as good as passive speakers paired with an amp or receiver?
--Yes, I can't think of a reason why not...Actually would be curious to know why they couldn't sound as good...

3.If you add wireless surround speakers to your home theater system, will they match the sound quality of your passive speakers? Is this something you would consider doing?
--They would have to match for me to consider using them

4.If you use a desktop computer speaker system, what do you like or dislike about the system? (size, sound, quality)
-- I like the size (small) although the sub JUST fits into the armoire where we have the PC, they are very durable too (kids at the PC)

5.When you are listening to music, how important is the ability to change songs and source without walking to your audio system?
--100% necssary

 

[Nugu]

1. Do you currently own or have a need for powered speakers? If yes, where?

Yes, I do own a Logitech 2.1 system. However they are no longer in use as I've hooked my PC up to my HT receiver, so in a sense I no longer need them.

2. In your opinion can powered speakers sound as good as passive speakers paired with an amp or receiver?

They can sound as good, but to get equal quality the price is much greater.

3. If you add wireless surround speakers to your home theater system, will they match the sound quality of your passive speakers? Is this something you would consider doing?

I would prefer the speaker quality to match but at the price point needed for that, I'd rather run the cables and pocket the extra cash.
In short, no I would not consider wireless surrounds.

4. If you use a desktop computer speaker system, what do you like or dislike about the system? (size, sound, quality)

Like: size (physically small), self contained amp. Dislike: size (a 1" speaker doesn't deliver a lot)

5. When you are listening to music, how important is the ability to change songs and source without walking to your audio system?

Pretty important. If I'm doing any serious listening having to get up can really break the flow and bring me out of the music.

 

[zuki76]

1. Do you currently own or have a need for powered speakers? If yes, where? no not currently
2. In your opinion can powered speakers sound as good as passive speakers paired with an amp or receiver? could depends on alot of factors
3. If you add wireless surround speakers to your home theater system, will they match the sound quality of your passive speakers? most likely not. Is this something you would consider doing? not currently
4. If you use a desktop computer speaker system, what do you like or dislike about the system? (size, sound, quality) sound quality
5. When you are listening to music, how important is the ability to change songs and source without walking to your audio system? extremely like to never touch buttons on components..lol


thank you for the opportunity

 

[CPTMULLER]

1. Do you currently own or have a need for powered speakers? If yes, where?

My desktop computer rig, all I have are cheesy computer speakers and headphones

2. In your opinion can powered speakers sound as good as passive speakers paired with an amp or receiver?

Yes, though I've never owned both to compare them

3. If you add wireless surround speakers to your home theater system, will they match the sound quality of your passive speakers? Is this something you would consider doing?

I wouldn't add them if they didn't match

4. If you use a desktop computer speaker system, what do you like or dislike about the system? (size, sound, quality)

size, everything else is mediocre

5. When you are listening to music, how important is the ability to change songs and source without walking to your audio system?

I've always changed at the source 90% of the time, but it would be nice to be able to manipulate the system remotely

 

[GTOhaas07]

1. Do you currently own or have a need for powered speakers? If yes, where?
- Yes, my garage could use some speakers that I could hook my computer or iPod up to when I'm working on my car.

2. In your opinion can powered speakers sound as good as passive speakers paired with an amp or receiver?
- No, I think you have more options with the AVR and amp as far as settings go. The only powered speakers I've owned are multimedia speakers and although they sound great, there are many better sounding passive speakers out there. But I haven't heard any higher end powered speakers to
compare to fairly.

3. If you add wireless surround speakers to your home theater system, will they match the sound quality of your passive speakers? Is this something you would consider doing?
- I would not use wireless for a number of reasons. You still have wires to worry about and you have a separate volume control for the wireless speakers. Also, there is a greater chance for interference and I would be worried about all of the audio signal being played in its entirety and in sync with the rest of the speakers. I think they would create more hassles than they would solve.

4. If you use a desktop computer speaker system, what do you like or dislike about the system? (size, sound, quality)
- I am actually really pleased with my HK SoundSticks II. They sound awesome for the size and do what they are designed for with ease. I'm not expecting the same quality that my HT delivers.

5. When you are listening to music, how important is the ability to change songs and source without walking to your audio system?
- It just makes things that much more convenient, but is by no means a requirement. I sometimes miss the sound of my dads old records playing through his Phase Linear stuff. Old school knobs all around.