Bryston active speakers

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Apr 10, 2013
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HI Folks,

I am going to start a thread on all things relating to the Bryston Active speakers.

The first versions will be the Model T and the Middle T.

james
 
BRYSTON MODEL T ACTIVE SPEAKER

The Bryston Model T loudspeaker is also available in a fully ACTIVE version.

Active loudspeakers differ from Passive speakers in that the crossover that determines which drivers (Tweeter, Midrange and Woofer) get which audio frequencies is controlled by an ELECTRONIC crossover placed between the preamp and the power amplifiers rather than the passive crossover version which is typically built into the loudspeaker. Also all the drivers in the loudspeaker (T.M.W.) have an independent amplifier channel controlling them as opposed to a Passive crossover where one amplifier channel controls all the drivers in the speaker. So an Active 3-way speaker like the Bryston Model T requires 3 separate amplifier channels per speaker whereas the Model T Passive only requires one amplifier channel per speaker.

The advantage of an electronic crossover placed between the preamplifier and the power amplifiers is all the speaker control (crossover slopes, crossover points, gain etc.) are performed at what is called low level signal levels whereas passive crossovers are operating at what is referred to as high level signal levels. Manipulating and adjusting signals at low levels is far more accurate than attempting the same with high level signals. So if you look at the frequency response, the crossover slopes and the volume levels per driver required the Active crossover provides much more accuracy than the passive option.

If you refer to the graph below of the Bryston Model T Active loudspeaker you will see two curves – one (upper) is the ‘Listening Window’ and the other is the ‘Sound Power Response’. With an Active crossover we can adjust and design these two performance areas of the speaker separately and independently whereas with a passive crossover they have to be adjusted in tandem. So in a passive system an adjustment on the listening window affects the sound power directly and vice-versa. The importance of the listening window and power response in a loudspeaker is explained in detail in another white paper available on request. So the flexibility and accuracy that Active crossovers provide cannot be underestimated from a performance perspective.

Model T Active - Listening Window & Sound Power.PNG

The other advantage of Active loudspeaker systems is the fact that the amplifiers output stage is directly connected to the loudspeaker driver. So the Woofer, Midrange and Tweeter all have separate amplifiers controlling their movement directly rather than having to deal with passive components (capacitors, inductors, resistors etc.) required by passive networks.

If you recognize that music is essentially a transient condition, a ‘stopping and starting’ as the music signal requires then any system that can control this stopping and starting of the drivers is much more capable of an accurate rendition of the input signal.

The transient response improvement with the direct connection between the amplifier and speaker in the active system. is mainly due to the fact that the main filter components in a passive crossover network, the inductors and capacitors, are energy storage devices. By definition they both suffer from forms of hysteresis where there is a delay between the energy storage and the release of that energy. This leads to a distortion of the signal’s time signature and it will also be frequency dependant to some extent. The other big area of benefit is that fact that the passive filter network has intrinsic losses and these losses translate directly into a reduction in the amplifier power that actually makes it to the loudspeaker drivers. Removing those losses from the equation translates into a more efficient transfer of energy between the amplifier and the loudspeaker.

If you are considering moving to an Active system at some point in the future then purchasing the Bryston ‘Signature’ version of the Model T loudspeaker is a great first step. You would simply replace the external passive crossover that comes with the Signature version of the speaker with the Bryston BAX-1 Active crossover and add 4 more channels of amplification.
 
James - this is definitely a trend. Active speakers. Nice! Congrats.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
HI Mike

Yes once you have taken a particular design as far as you can Passively where do you go? A bigger and smaller version - then what?

I feel the next performance jump comes with Active designs.

james
 
Thanks for the info James. Are those active speakers near-field for professional use?
 
HI Folks,

Soundstage Magazine is coming out with an article on May 1st regarding the state of Active Speakers now and in the past and the Bryston Model T Active is featured in the article.


Favorite Quote:

"Their all-Bryston system in 2017 reproduced incredibly deep, tight bass; beautifully clear, detailed mids; superbly extended highs; and a soundstage as awe-inspiring for its width as for its depth.

Rarely, at any audio show, have I heard a system sound so good!"




james
 
Interesting. I used an active crossover and used to biamp a pair of speakers. In my experience the use of the active crossover does allow for a more efficient use of amplification. I was able to use different amps for tweeter/midrange (these were combined) and bass.
So in the case of the Bryston, one would need either three mono boxes or a three channel amp for each speaker correct? Or are the three amps built into each speaker?
 
Interesting. I used an active crossover and used to biamp a pair of speakers. In my experience the use of the active crossover does allow for a more efficient use of amplification. I was able to use different amps for tweeter/midrange (these were combined) and bass.
So in the case of the Bryston, one would need either three mono boxes or a three channel amp for each speaker correct? Or are the three amps built into each speaker?

HI

The amplifiers are external so you can choose any 3 channels per speaker you wish (they must all have the same gain).

We are building a special 3 channel amplifier called the 21B for the Model T. It is one channel at 600 watts and 2 channels at 300 watts.

There will also be a smaller 6 channel amp for the Active Middle T with 2 channels at 300 watts and 4 channels at 75 watts.

james

21B Open.jpg
 
MEMO: To All Bryston Customers
SUBJECT: Going Active


April, 2017

Model T BAX-1 Active Crossover

Walnut T.JPG

Hi James,

I don't know if you remember about an email I sent you regarding my decision to go from the PMC IB2i's to the Model T Signatures.

Just wanted to give you an update...

Up to this point I have been using a Esoteric K-03x as my cd player, a Esoteric C-03x as my preamp, an Esoteric A-02 as my amp with the Model t's. I have been very happy with this setup. BUT, I have been waiting for the BAX-1 crossover to come available,
and now that it is, I have been thinking of going active.

If I went active with the Esoteric A-02, I would need 2 more, and the cost would be outrageous. So instead it decided to test my single 7B3 (which I have been using on my center channel) on one of the model T's against the A-02, in mono mode.

I was surprised how well the 7B3 performed, so much that I found it difficult to like one over the other. Each had great qualities, but in the end, I found the 7B3 would make me just as happy. Plus the fact that it would improve even more in the active setup.

So, I ending up ordering another single 7B3 and a BAX-1 today, to get me started. I know the Bax-1 will be a longer wait time than the amp, so I can at least run my Model T's in passive mode for now.

I will have to wait for my A-02 to sell before I can get the 2-4B3's, and go active at that point. I will keep you updated on my findings.

Adol
 
MEMO: To All Bryston Customers
SUBJECT: Bryston Demo Montreal 2017

By now, it was almost the end of the show and once again, I almost missed the Bryston room in Le Plateau.

Inside, it was a familiar scene. The rig looks almost the same, year after year, and James Tanner, by this hour of the day, sits restfully in the far right chair enjoying music both of us love. As I write, it is almost a month since the show and my memory of what was said has faded and I have no video notes to save me.

But as I lay in bed last night, I recalled the music sounded a little more alive this year. Strange, because there were no new amps. Then a recollection surfaced (and forgive me if I'm wrong) — he was using active speakers this year — possibly the Model T Signature (EDIT – Correct). The sound was noticeably better this year and from what I learned earlier with the active/passive comparison with the ATC speakers, going active was probably the difference.

Bryston has such a rock solid sound that is hard to fault—usually there are only incremental improvements when new models are released. This is not a bad thing. Consistency builds confidence that is underscored by their 20 year warranty on analog and speaker products. (The digital ones will likely become obsolete before they run into trouble.)

What was new this year was their Bryston BLP-1 turntable with separate BTP-1 power supply.

This may be their first ever turntable, but with their expertise in electronics, you can be sure it runs precisely on both speeds with pulse width modulation synchronous motor with low speed and high torque.

The power supply even has a "Stop" button! Like everything Bryston, there is no bling. Just a modest footprint about the size of a Linn LP12, and like the Linn, an acrylic dust cover. Real meat and potatoes!

Also on display was their BP 2 moving magnet phono stage, the PS 2 power supply, and the TF 2 passive step-up transformer which I have seen before, but with the hood down.

For high resolution, transparency, dynamics and enjoying the music without taking it to the bleeding edge, you don't need to take it any further than this Bryston system.


Rick Becker
Enjoy The Music.com
 
MEMO: To All Bryston Customers
SUBJECT: Pulsworks Audio Arts Active Demo


May, 2017

Model T Active System Open House at Pulsworks

Hi James,

Ken and I have just been listening to the new active system before our event tomorrow.

Bryston Active Pulsworks.jpg

Although we were always happy with the T's in passive configuration and even more impressed with the Signature version, this active system is on an entirely different level!


The regulars around here know I (Ken) generally don't listen very loud. I find most systems get hard and annoying long before they approach clipping or dynamic compression.

They were amazed, however, to walk into a session where I was literally fluttering pant legs and rattling everything in the room with a big smile of my face!

This system is so clean, pure and powerful that amazing levels can be reached without any hint of hardening or strain. The bass is more powerful, clean and extended that I have ever heard in any system, even those with stacks of uber expensive subwoofers. The upper and mid frequencies also lose a level of grain, become tonally more accurate and are therefore much more revealing of timber and space.

This is a significant upgrade over performance as we already suggested stated was perfectly good! I am sure this system will impress all that hear it, and thank you for giving us the opportunity to demonstrate the new Bryston Model T active system.

Ken Roach/David Puls
Pulsworks Audio Arts
 
MEMO: To All Bryston Customers
SUBJECT: Bryston BAX-1 Digital Crossover GUI

May, 2017

Hi Folks,

BAX-1 GUI.JPG

Please see below the GUI that is available with the new Bryston BAX-1 Digital Electronic Crossover.

Most room problems occur below 120Hz due to standing wave issues.

The BAX-1 GUI allows you to modify the factory preset frequencies from 30Hz to 120Hz in 1Hz steps. You can also enter any frequency you wish and make the same adjustments.

You can ‘increase’ the gain a maximum of 3dB or ‘reduce’ the gain by 6dB in 0.1 increments at the frequency chosen.

You can also adjust the ‘Q Factor’ in 0.1 steps. The factory setting for Q is ‘3’

The Red Line in the graph at the bottom indicates the changes you are making.

After making the appropriate adjustment just hit SAVE.
 
BRYSTON MEMO

May 2017

Hi James

The Bryston Active Speaker Demo Show was fantastic!

Pulsworks Store.jpg

The Bryston room was packed all night with many people exclaiming that they had never heard anything like this in their life! With the striking of the bass drum in the Finale of Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite many people were in disbelief at the impact of what they just heard.

So many people dropped their jaw, eyes wide open, some shouting out “Yea!!!” very loudly, and others simply sitting speechless as their pant legs rustled with the sonic impact.

It was an experience and a delight to behold. It was a great evening!

Thank you for helping to make the evening a very memorable one for more than the 150 people that came out. This was the first time that any of those present heard an active system—a whole new experience in itself.

I even have a few clients tell me that they have never heard anything like it—this is a great step forward. I think that it is likely that at least two people will upgrade their Model T’s to active.

Again, thank you for a great evening of music at Pulsworks.

David Puls
Pulsworks Audio Arts
 
Hey James

The demo at Pulsworks was fantastic. The night belonged to Bryston ....we had a full room the entire evening.

Wow is all I can say....the resolution and detail of the system was amazing.....top to bottom extension was amazing .....no sub required.

I will add to this when I get home

Garry Taylor
 
James

Thank you for making such a great speaker as the T active system.

I think it is an amazing system that makes music come alive.

Have a great day!

David
 
Hi James

A follow up to my involvement in the recent Bryston Model T Active speaker demo at Puls Audio.

The demo was very impressive......the systems had incredible control in the room starting with the bottom end through to the highs. I think everybody that entered the Bryston active room thought that we had a sub woofer operating with the system. The bass response moved your body as will as your pant leg were flapping, however it was in total control at all times never hearing any distortion from the system and with this the volumes levels were right up there with no harshness or grain.....it was big fun demoing and listening to this system.

The balance of the system from top to bottom was as good as I have heard on any system at any price point.

Active is the way to go once you hear it and many people said this after entering another room which was 3 times the price and running passive ( nice system )
however everyone ended up back in the Bryston room with the active system!

You have no idea until how good this is until you sit down and listen to it for yourself!!

Garry Taylor
 
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