Active Speakers - would you consider?

With the new innovations in class D modules, which actually sound damn impressive as some people in the industry claim, the “active speaker” may indeed be the future dominant trend. It already is according to my local dealer who caters to slightly less than “passionate, exotic audiophile” but an “audiophile none the less” crowd. In his words, “people are findings the sound quality to be more than just “good” and the “clutter-less” approach is met with great enthusiasm by the customer and the wife by his side for their condos and summer homes.
 
Having the guesswork taken out of component matching is the biggest reason i went active and it's probably the biggest reason 'hi-end audiophiles' aren't interested. No 1/2" thick face plates to dress up the listening room.
 
TheOctopus said:
With the new innovations in class D modules, which actually sound damn impressive as some people in the industry claim, the “active speaker” may indeed be the future dominant trend. It already is according to my local dealer who caters to slightly less than “passionate, exotic audiophile” but an “audiophile none the less” crowd. In his words, “people are findings the sound quality to be more than just “good” and the “clutter-less” approach is met with great enthusiasm by the customer and the wife by his side for their condos and summer homes.
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Don't know about this. I have not heard yet a class D amp that I liked (or an active speakers running that way). I listen extensively to the Kii (embarrassed to say I bough a pair), it was overall a very disappointing experience. They were not bad, I just couldn't get excited about listening to them.
 
LVB said:
Don't know about this. I have not heard yet a class D amp that I liked (or an active speakers running that way). I listen extensively to the Kii (embarrassed to say I bough a pair), it was overall a very disappointing experience. They were not bad, I just couldn't get excited about listening to them.
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what speakers/amps did you own/listen to pre Kii and post Kii?
 
LVB said:
Sorry, didn't mean to start a food fight, they just didn't do it for me. I am glad that you are enjoying yours.
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its not a food fight question. you made contradictory statements in the same paragraph: "overall a very disappointing experience" and "They were not bad"

In over 200 post you mainly (always?) talk about Magico and the one time you comment on the Kii they sucked. Okay :) Im not an apologist for anything or anyone, I own Kiis and knew going in they weren't going to be my last speaker or my only speaker. Their mid-band transparency and low over-all distortion do remind me a lot of the Magicos I have considerable seat time with.
 
LVB said:
Don't know about this. I have not heard yet a class D amp that I liked (or an active speakers running that way). I listen extensively to the Kii (embarrassed to say I bough a pair), it was overall a very disappointing experience. They were not bad, I just couldn't get excited about listening to them.
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I'm not familiar with KII speakers at all but FWIW, Stereophile review, both listening and measurement wise conclusion was:

"The Kii Audio Three is an outstanding loudspeaker" While I was struck by the transparency of the Kii Threes' soundstaging and transparency, freed as they are from most acoustical influences, the result was somewhat surreal. I found myself groping for explanations that apply more to conventional speakers: What happened to the warmth? Isn't it a bit bright? Is there a midrange suckout? Are the rear-mounted drivers spraying sound out the back to be washed back at me from the front wall?

"There was none of that. The Kii Three didn't just lift a veil away from the music—it removed a heavy cloak."

"As with Dynaudio's Focus 200 XD active loudspeaker, which Jason Victor Serinus reviewed in October 2016, Kii Audio's Three demonstrates that judicious use of DSP in a powered speaker allows a multiway, moving-coil design to offer superb performance in the frequency and time domains—things that are usually mutually exclusive. Other than that rather lively enclosure, which raised my eyebrows, I was impressed by the Kii Three's measured behavior. Very impressed.—John Atkinson

Read more at https://www.stereophile.com/content/kii-audio-three-loudspeaker-page-2#1MesVEgSXzxRRxID.99


As far as Class D goes, here is what the manufacturers have to say.

Paul McGowan https://youtu.be/wKb3zi6Oo84

Bryston http://www.bryston.com/PDF/newsletters/Bryston_Newsletter_V7_4.pdf
 
puroagave said:
its not a food fight question. you made contradictory statements in the same paragraph: "overall a very disappointing experience" and "They were not bad"

In over 200 post you mainly (always?) talk about Magico and the one time you comment on the Kii they sucked. Okay :) Im not an apologist for anything or anyone, I own Kiis and knew going in they weren't going to be my last speaker or my only speaker. Their mid-band transparency and low over-all distortion do remind me a lot of the Magicos I have considerable seat time with.
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The "disappointing experience" was based on the high expectations I had. So yes, a product can be ok, yet disappointing (or as the What HiFI review said "Sound is easier to admire than love")
 
puroagave said:
its not a food fight question. you made contradictory statements in the same paragraph: "overall a very disappointing experience" and "They were not bad"

In over 200 post you mainly (always?) talk about Magico and the one time you comment on the Kii they sucked. Okay :) Im not an apologist for anything or anyone, I own Kiis and knew going in they weren't going to be my last speaker or my only speaker. Their mid-band transparency and low over-all distortion do remind me a lot of the Magicos I have considerable seat time with.
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I think they have potential, but so far, they have been demonstrated in a piss poor fashion. In some cases, it was a bloody gong show. Fortunately, now they have a real distributor and I think they truly understand the product. It will be interesting to hear them demo them in the future. I like their new BXT. Cool modular design.
 
TheOctopus said:
I'm not familiar with KII speakers at all but FWIW, Stereophile review, both listening and measurement wise conclusion was:

"The Kii Audio Three is an outstanding loudspeaker" While I was struck by the transparency of the Kii Threes' soundstaging and transparency, freed as they are from most acoustical influences, the result was somewhat surreal. I found myself groping for explanations that apply more to conventional speakers: What happened to the warmth? Isn't it a bit bright? Is there a midrange suckout? Are the rear-mounted drivers spraying sound out the back to be washed back at me from the front wall?

"There was none of that. The Kii Three didn't just lift a veil away from the music—it removed a heavy cloak."

"As with Dynaudio's Focus 200 XD active loudspeaker, which Jason Victor Serinus reviewed in October 2016, Kii Audio's Three demonstrates that judicious use of DSP in a powered speaker allows a multiway, moving-coil design to offer superb performance in the frequency and time domains—things that are usually mutually exclusive. Other than that rather lively enclosure, which raised my eyebrows, I was impressed by the Kii Three's measured behavior. Very impressed.—John Atkinson

Read more at https://www.stereophile.com/content/kii-audio-three-loudspeaker-page-2#1MesVEgSXzxRRxID.99


As far as Class D goes, here is what the manufacturers have to say.

Paul McGowan https://youtu.be/wKb3zi6Oo84

Bryston http://www.bryston.com/PDF/newsletters/Bryston_Newsletter_V7_4.pdf
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Yes, I know, that is why I bought them; the reviews :rolleyes:. BTW, I just read the Dutch and Dutch review on SP and, surprise surprise, they went gaga over it, even though JA in his measurements says he couldn't get anything but 48K sampling rate out of their DSP (it will even downsample hires material :weird:). Hard to imagine how that will be a good thing. I learn my lesson, and I do have a bridge to sell if you are interested ;)

BTW, I am not opposing active setups, just not with class D, or at least not yet.
 
LVB said:
:weird:

Yes, I know, that is why I bought them; the reviews :rolleyes:. BTW, I just read the Dutch and Dutch review on SP and, surprise surprise, they went gaga over it, even though JA in his measurements says he couldn't get anything but 48K sampling rate out of their DSP (it will even downsample hires material :weird:). Hard to imagine how that will be a good thing. I learn my lesson, and I do have a bridge to sell if you are interested ;)

BTW, I am not opposing active setups, just not with class D, or at least not yet.
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I'm not in any hurry either. I'm Class A and Tubes kind of a listener.
 
LVB said:
Don't know about this. I have not heard yet a class D amp that I liked (or an active speakers running that way). I listen extensively to the Kii (embarrassed to say I bough a pair), it was overall a very disappointing experience.
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Interesting.
Could your share your process of eliminating the drivers, crossover, dsp, settings, room position, room acoustics, break in, burn in, associated equipment/cabling/wall outlets etc, etc, etc. "synergy"..and determined it was the onboard Class D amps you were dissatisfied with?
TIA.
Btw, I'm not contesting you dissatisfaction with the speakers whatsoever, personal taste based on belief, vision etc, is mere preference. Non contestable.
 
Mr Peabody said:
I just read a review by Jerry Del Colliano of the B&W, here's the conclusion:
Conclusion
Great design paired with fantastic sound makes the Bowers & Wilkins Formation Wedge one of the best compelling single-speaker solution that I've ever heard. Perhaps more importantly, its deft mix of audiophile sound and innovative form factor is exactly the sort of combination we need to appeal to younger and more mainstream consumers and woo them into the love of great sound.

If you are an audiophile in need of a wireless solution, the Bowers & Wilkins Formation is a must-hear product. If you have a young person in your life who you would love to get involved in the art, science, and passion of great sound reproduction, this could also be a $899 well spent.

Make no mistake: this is no normal single wireless speaker. The Bowers & Wilkins Formation Wedge (especially when paired with the Formation Bass) turns your phone, laptop, or tablet into a legitimate starter audiophile system. Bravo. And by the way, B&W: you can't have the review samples back. The check is in the mail as I am keeping this system for my condo and pending new home.

The active speakers are fairly new, I've always had components but would keep an open mind if the application came along. I was really impressed with the active ATC but the price could buy a lot of electronics :)
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Thanks for sharing. Looks like this would be a good option when space is limited but good sound and simplicity are desired. I wonder if there is anything else out there that is comparable.
 
nicoff said:
Thanks for sharing. Looks like this would be a good option when space is limited but good sound and simplicity are desired. I wonder if there is anything else out there that is comparable.
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Add the matching subs to the B&W Formation Duo’s and you have a hell of an active system. I heard this combo when I spent 3 days at B&W.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Mike said:
I think they have potential, but so far, they have been demonstrated in a piss poor fashion. In some cases, it was a bloody gong show. Fortunately, now they have a real distributor and I think they truly understand the product. It will be interesting to hear them demo them in the future. I like their new BXT. Cool modular design.
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Ouch. sounds like more than a rivalry between you and the 'old' dist. :) I did go through the old dist and it was a good experience.
 
AJ Soundfield said:
Interesting.
Could your share your process of eliminating the drivers, crossover, dsp, settings, room position, room acoustics, break in, burn in, associated equipment/cabling/wall outlets etc, etc, etc. "synergy"..and determined it was the onboard Class D amps you were dissatisfied with?
TIA.
Btw, I'm not contesting you dissatisfaction with the speakers whatsoever, personal taste based on belief, vision etc, is mere preference. Non contestable

.
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I'm not contesting you dissatisfaction with non active type speakers driven by non class -D amplifiers , personal taste based on belief, vision etc, is mere preference.

Non contestable.
 
Your high distortion preference is not contestable .., btw Thanks for loaning me your pipe ..!


Got the room dimensions worked out yet or are you folding and running again ..


Lol :)
 
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