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Active studio monitors for "audiophile" listening ?

Mar 1, 2004 at 9:48 AM Post #33 of 46
What are the advantages and disadvantages of passive vs active monitor speakers? And why arent there a lot of active audiophile speakers when there are quite many for monitoring?
 
Mar 1, 2004 at 5:25 PM Post #34 of 46
Quote:

What are the advantages and disadvantages of passive vs active monitor speakers?


1. they are convenient (less equipment and cables)
2. they are portable (pros bring their own monitors to the studios sometimes)
3. but most importantly: the amps can be made specifically for each driver, with the correct specs and power output. usually in most audiophile setups, the same amp powers the tweeter and the woofer... but most active monitors are bi-amped and use different amps for the tweeter and woofer. there are also other considerations such as impedance and stuff.
Quote:

And why arent there a lot of active audiophile speakers when there are quite many for monitoring?


audiophiles like to pick and choose and taste every component on the market. you can't change the amps in the active monitors. that's basically the only reason i think.

they would save audiophiles a crap load of money though... with all those crazy amps and cables.

but heck, we all need an excuse to spend a little.
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Mar 1, 2004 at 8:28 PM Post #36 of 46
With the abundance of measuring equipment now available, many people have measured the LS3/5a, and discovered they actually don't measure very well at all. No bafflestep compenasation, no nuttin. Anyway, people still think they sound great, but DIY'ers think they can do better. At least their FR plots look better
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I discovered that minimal bafflestep compensation is needed in the nearfield. I guess it's the extra diffraction off of walls that cause the problem in farther field application.
 
Mar 1, 2004 at 9:37 PM Post #37 of 46
After almost 30 years of existence LS3/5a is still considered a very good small monitor, but since maybe 10 years or more, you can find better IMO. I was very impressed by the Acoustic Energy AE1, just a little bigger than LS3/5a but with more realistic bass response and amazing dynamics.

Lots of audiophiles are talking about LS3/5a but forgot their big sisters LS5/9 which, when driven properly are simple amazing and leave the small 3/5a in the dust.

If you have a small to medium room, those nearfield passive monitors can do a fantastic job and can handle with ease some monster power amp like VTL "Ichiban" (100 watts of pure triode monoblock, 80lbs each, from the '90s).
 
Mar 1, 2004 at 10:34 PM Post #38 of 46
When you consider the current Spendor models of the LS3/5a are like $700+, and the AE 1 is like $200...something's not quite right. However, I think the DIY versions are pretty affordable, if a clone is what you're specifically looking for. I'd have to say that there must be better speakers with some of the newer drivers now available.
 
Mar 2, 2004 at 1:00 AM Post #39 of 46
Quote:

Originally posted by ooheadsoo
When you consider the current Spendor models of the LS3/5a are like $700+, and the AE 1 is like $200...something's not quite right.


AE1 $200
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, we don't speak about the same speaker.

The Acoustic Energy AE1 i heard was about $2,200 and the Rogers LS3/5a $1,200...in France 10 years ago.
 
Mar 2, 2004 at 1:28 AM Post #42 of 46
No it's not new. AE1 mkIII is the latest evolution but this is a 15 years old design or something. ( not 100% sure but the first AE1 came out in 1988 - US price in 1992 was between $1,899 to $2,460 regarding cabinet wood you want )
 
Mar 2, 2004 at 1:49 AM Post #43 of 46
Oooh, vifa ring radiator. Very nice! I wish I didn't know the prices of these drivers
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Rogers and Spendor both put out models, but I think Spendor is the one currently active selling theirs...not sure. I think I was mistaken. $600-700 is the price of the Spendor copy LS5/3a direct from Hong Kong/China. Spendor charges a lot more if you buy it from them.
 
Mar 2, 2004 at 2:01 AM Post #44 of 46
Whoa, how much do those cost? That carbon fiber and aluminum molding's gotta be expensive! That stuff about sonically invisible baffle is not true though. They went so far as to use a first order series crossover, I wonder if they tried to match it without a capacitor for the woofers. Man, I'd like to hear these some time. They just look so flashy, I can't help but think they're a bunch of hooey, but the ingredients look right.

Quote:

Originally posted by eyeteeth
How about one with a really presumptuous name. 'The Ultimate monitor. It's even worse than 'Cardas Neutral reference'. http://www.theultimatemonitor.com/default2.htm

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Mar 2, 2004 at 8:16 AM Post #45 of 46
I wouldn't say all pro stuff is better. Plenty of "audiophile" amps I tried outperformed the grace 901, not to mention costed less.

I'm sure a pair of silverlines or other GOOD audiophile speakers would hold their own when put next to similarly priced pro gear. Its not always smoke and mirrors. You just have to let your ears be the judge.
 
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