Active Speakers and A/D/A Conversion Question

**tino27** · March 1, 2020, 09:07 PM

I'm considering upgrading my passive speakers to an active pair (e.g., amp built into the speaker). While this particular speaker (Janszen Valentina) does have S/PDIF digital inputs, I plan on using the analog XLR inputs hooked up to my Pass XP-10 balanced outputs. The speaker documentation specifically states that the analog signal is then converted to digital, the crossover / DSP magic is applied digitally, and I believe is then converted back to analog before passing to two Class-D amplifiers that drive the transducers (each speaker is bi-amplified).

My question is, do most modern active speakers do this analog -> digital -> analog conversion to handle crossovers / DSP magic? The digital inputs can handle up to 192khz/24-bit data streams, so I'm thinking the A/D/A conversions would also be at this bitrate, too.

I do have a meeting planned with the manufacturer this coming Saturday to audition the loudspeakers in question, and I'm sure I'll have questions for him as well, but I thought I'd do a little reconnaissance first.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

**Bones13** · March 1, 2020, 10:21 PM

From the research I did, the answer is yes. Analog signal to the speaker gets digitized, then fed to the crossover/equalizer, then back to analog to (usually) a class D amp for each part of the speaker. I saw some at 192, and some at 96. The 96 ones usually had this bit rate for wireless streaming purposes. Some of the speakers allowed varying degrees of room correction in the equalizer. Some simple, some complex.

I know the “active” speakers from Bryston use an analog crossover box to split the signal, feeding separate (external) amps, which goes directly to the speaker terminals. (No crossover in the speaker) so minimum setup for these are the speakers, external crossover, and 2 stereo power amps.

**steve59** · May 1, 2020, 11:59 AM

I would like to know how this unfolds, what your impressions are after the upgrade. I couldn’t really make a judgment on the Bryston room at axpona and their outboard xover, 3 driver 3 ways and amps really just seemed more gimmicky than having an actual benefit. My understanding is the digital xover is the biggest advantage.

**steve59** · May 1, 2020, 11:59 AM

Dup

**Speedskater** · May 1, 2020, 12:43 PM

Doesn't each speaker driver amplifier only have an analog input in any case?
Doesn't the DSP active crossover only output analog?

**steve59** · May 1, 2020, 12:58 PM

Some models, the pair I’m using have only a digital input and convert to analog after the xover to the individual amps for each driver, the range each driver will cover.

**nicoludio** · May 1, 2020, 02:35 PM

Originally Posted by tino27

I'm considering upgrading my passive speakers to an active pair (e.g., amp built into the speaker). While this particular speaker (Janszen Valentina) does have S/PDIF digital inputs, I plan on using the analog XLR inputs hooked up to my Pass XP-10 balanced outputs. The speaker documentation specifically states that the analog signal is then converted to digital, the crossover / DSP magic is applied digitally, and I believe is then converted back to analog before passing to two Class-D amplifiers that drive the transducers (each speaker is bi-amplified).

My question is, do most modern active speakers do this analog -> digital -> analog conversion to handle crossovers / DSP magic? The digital inputs can handle up to 192khz/24-bit data streams, so I'm thinking the A/D/A conversions would also be at this bitrate, too.

I do have a meeting planned with the manufacturer this coming Saturday to audition the loudspeakers in question, and I'm sure I'll have questions for him as well, but I thought I'd do a little reconnaissance first.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Not all.

Digital crossover - Kii Audio, Dutch & Dutch 8C, Grimm Audio LS1be, AvantGarde Acoustics Zero XD, B&W Formation Duo.

Analog crossover - ATC Loudspeakers (consumer hi-fi range - SCM40A, SCM Special Edition (SE) series), Manger Audio (S1, C1 models), PSI Audio, Adam Audio). Depending on the manufacturer, Class A/B, Class G/H or Class D amp modules.

Given a choice, and depending on one’s requirements and future, I would prefer an analog active speaker.

With advances in digital technology, one is not locked in with the DA section of digital active speakers. The other issue is that digital volume control is not lossless.

**nicoludio** · May 1, 2020, 02:37 PM

Originally Posted by tino27

I'm considering upgrading my passive speakers to an active pair (e.g., amp built into the speaker). While this particular speaker (Janszen Valentina) does have S/PDIF digital inputs, I plan on using the analog XLR inputs hooked up to my Pass XP-10 balanced outputs. The speaker documentation specifically states that the analog signal is then converted to digital, the crossover / DSP magic is applied digitally, and I believe is then converted back to analog before passing to two Class-D amplifiers that drive the transducers (each speaker is bi-amplified).

My question is, do most modern active speakers do this analog -> digital -> analog conversion to handle crossovers / DSP magic? The digital inputs can handle up to 192khz/24-bit data streams, so I'm thinking the A/D/A conversions would also be at this bitrate, too.

I do have a meeting planned with the manufacturer this coming Saturday to audition the loudspeakers in question, and I'm sure I'll have questions for him as well, but I thought I'd do a little reconnaissance first.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Not all.

Digital crossover - Kii Audio, Dutch & Dutch 8C, Grimm Audio LS1be, AvantGarde Acoustics Zero XD, B&W Formation Duo.

Analog crossover - ATC Loudspeakers (consumer hi-fi range - SCM40A, SCM Special Edition (SE) series), Manger Audio (S1, C1 models), PSI Audio, Adam Audio). Depending on the manufacturer, Class A/B, Class G/H or Class D amp modules.

Given a choice, and depending on one’s requirements and future plans, I would prefer an analog active speaker.

With the speed of advance in digital technology, one is not locked to the DA section of digital active speakers. The other issue is that digital volume control is not lossless.

**steve59** · May 2, 2020, 07:16 PM

Originally Posted by nicoludio

Not all.

Digital crossover - Kii Audio, Dutch & Dutch 8C, Grimm Audio LS1be, AvantGarde Acoustics Zero XD, B&W Formation Duo.

Analog crossover - ATC Loudspeakers (consumer hi-fi range - SCM40A, SCM Special Edition (SE) series), Manger Audio (S1, C1 models), PSI Audio, Adam Audio). Depending on the manufacturer, Class A/B, Class G/H or Class D amp modules.

Given a choice, and depending on one’s requirements and future plans, I would prefer an analog active speaker.

With the speed of advance in digital technology, one is not locked to the DA section of digital active speakers. The other issue is that digital volume control is not lossless.

The list is an example and far from complete

**steve59** · May 2, 2020, 07:16 PM

Originally Posted by nicoludio

Not all.

Digital crossover - Kii Audio, Dutch & Dutch 8C, Grimm Audio LS1be, AvantGarde Acoustics Zero XD, B&W Formation Duo.

Analog crossover - ATC Loudspeakers (consumer hi-fi range - SCM40A, SCM Special Edition (SE) series), Manger Audio (S1, C1 models), PSI Audio, Adam Audio). Depending on the manufacturer, Class A/B, Class G/H or Class D amp modules.

Given a choice, and depending on one’s requirements and future plans, I would prefer an analog active speaker.

With the speed of advance in digital technology, one is not locked to the DA section of digital active speakers. The other issue is that digital volume control is not lossless.

The list is an example and far from complete

**nicoludio** · May 3, 2020, 12:26 AM

Originally Posted by steve59

The list is an example and far from complete

Of course. It was never meant to be. For example, there is a whole host of German active speaker manufacturers that I have not, and will probably not, see or hear in my lifetime.

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