sorry for ignorance, but can you explain to me what exactly 16/44 is and how I would go about upgrading
 

Agreed with everybody about the Genelec price floor.
 
And yes, apples and oranges, and bicycles, or whatever.  But, c'mon, you can say that about a lot.  I mean, I'd like the experience of standing 10ft away from a 8ft tall bass cabinet with 50,000 watts please.  You're not going to get a home stereo to do that at any price range.  It's a unique experience.  Personally, I didn't like the small near-fields as much as I did my JH13s.  But yes, if I had my own medium-sized room, and a $5000 for speakers, I'd get a nice pair of genelecs any day.  

Quote:

mac336 said:

but can you explain to me what exactly 16/44 is and how I would go about upgrading

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It’s typical insider jargon for digital audio with a bit depth of 16 bits per sample and a sampling rate of 44.1 kHz per second. These are the parameters used on standard audio CDs, also known as “red book audio”. Don’t worry about upgrading to higher resolution playback, since I’m pretty sure you’re part of the population’s 99.999 percent which will not be able to detect any difference. See → this thread for more details about one of the most popular digital audio myths.
 
I don’t appreciate the prevalent use of insider jargon on this and other similar forums, since doing so makes it very difficult for interested “outsiders” to understand what the enlightened, cool dudes are talking about, and it is certainly an indicator for lack of respect and empathy for others.
 
Werner.

Just stating my opinion: genelecs all the way in the ~1000euro price class.

Is the proposition that the differences between 192kbps and RedBook are not audible?

ok, so does anyone have any recommendations on active speakers?
 
looking for some for casual listening on my pc.......budget $1,000
 

Quote:

mauricio said:

Is the proposition that the differences between 192kbps and RedBook are not audible?

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No one said anything of the kind.  
 
Quote:

mac336 said:

ok, so does anyone have any recommendations on active speakers?
 
looking for some for casual listening on my pc.......budget $1,000

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If you look earlier in this thread, there are a lot of recommendations in that price range.

The only thing I can add to this thread is that those who want actives for nearfield use really need to check out come of the YouTube vids to get an idea of just how much bigger a speaker with an 8-inch woofer is over one with a 5-inch woofer - I know there is more to it than that, but I was blown away by how  huge the Rokit 8s seem after the 5-inch Yamaha's in one of the comparison vids. Seeing reference to upcoming 15-inch models below one of the vids completely does my head in - outside of a studio, who would think of using such a monster on a desktop, just a couple of feet from your ears ? I only say this because many head-fiers strike me as 'moar power' junkies, particularly when it comes to bass impact. If that isnt you, fine - accept my apologies and be on your way, good sir ! 
 
On the earlier point re power output, some of the JBL powered stage monitors would send you to hospital, with permanent hearing damage, in the wrong hands. Not my idea of a good  time, but they weren't designed for muppets needing a pair of nearfield monitors. As Lionel Hutz would say, I rest my case.  
 
Your Chief Muppet and Bottlewasher, estreeter   

So, I went to an audio store and auditioned the Adam A7X and Focal CMS 65 the other day. I liked the CMS 65 much more than the A7X. 
 
Before I go out and pick up a pair of CMS 65, are there any other speakers I should look into? I'm looking for a set of actives that'll be somewhat neutral and analytical while still attaining a slight bass emphasis. They'll be used solely for listening near field and playing "up the room" which is 18 square meters on occasion, when I have company over. I don't intend on getting a sub, which is why I want the speakers to be able to present a bit of "oomph" by themselves. I'll be listening to electronica most of the time and my budget is around $2000. 
 
Any and all help is much appreciated. 

There were suggestions at Gearslutz that the Focal CMS line was a flash in the pan, a flavour of the day monitor, but the accolades and positive feedback just keep on rolling in.  Me thinks they are the real monty.  So much so that I too plan to get a pair of CMS65 within the next six weeks.
 
You might wish to audition to the Dynaudio BM12,($2,000/pair) but I think you should just go with the CMS65 and pocket the $400 difference.

I haven't found a place to audition those yet, and I don't really like the look of those speakers. It's a real shame though, because Dynaudio is Danish just like me and I'd love nothing more than to support a local business. 
 
Think it's gonna be the CMS 65 and then hoping I won't feel the need to get a sub at some point. 

Quote:

staal said:

So, I went to an audio store and auditioned the Adam A7X and Focal CMS 65 the other day. I liked the CMS 65 much more than the A7X. 
 
Before I go out and pick up a pair of CMS 65, are there any other speakers I should look into? I'm looking for a set of actives that'll be somewhat neutral and analytical while still attaining a slight bass emphasis. They'll be used solely for listening near field and playing "up the room" which is 18 square meters on occasion, when I have company over. I don't intend on getting a sub, which is why I want the speakers to be able to present a bit of "oomph" by themselves. I'll be listening to electronica most of the time and my budget is around $2000. 
 
Any and all help is much appreciated. 

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May I ask for more detail re your sources/music in the audition, good sir ? I dont have a dog in this fight, but I know that others will stagger into this thread in 6 months time and wonder the very same thing. 

Quote:

mauricio said:

There were suggestions at Gearslutz that the Focal CMS line was a flash in the pan, a flavour of the day monitor, but the accolades and positive feedback just keep on rolling in.  Me thinks they are the real monty.  So much so that I too plan to get a pair of CMS65 within the next six weeks.
 
You might wish to audition to the Dynaudio BM12,($2,000/pair) but I think you should just go with the CMS65 and pocket the $400 difference.

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Hey Mauricio, what about the Quad 11L/12L actives? Has anyone heard them and if so how they compare to similar priced studio monitors (especially KH120 or Focal cms 65)??

Don't know anything about Quad.  Sorry.

Quote:

mauricio said:

You might wish to audition to the Dynaudio BM12,($2,000/pair) but I think you should just go with the CMS65 and pocket the $400 difference.

Click to expand...

 
I had BM12s for awhile, I thought they were pretty dull sounding, and I got my pair on eBay for $1200. They definitely aren't worth $2,000. I'm hoping to check out the Genelec 8040A soon to see how they compare. It's been awhile since I've heard the Dynaudios, but from my memory they were very soft and dark in the treble region, and didn't have much in the way of a soundstage, at least on a desk placement. It's possible that they would do better on stands with a few feet of space behind them.
 
Genelec's new 8260A with the concentric midrange/tweeter design seems really interesting, but they're also $11K a pair!