Active speakers suggestions

[Bikerjon]

Hi,

Looking for some powered hi-fi speakers and wondered if anyone can make any recommendations? The speakers will be plugged directly into an Apple Airport Wi-Fi access point and all content will be streamed from a Mac. This part of the setup is already in place and works well - I just need some decent speakers!

Powered speakers seem mainly geared at the PC end of the market but I'm looking for something bigger and of decent Hi-Fi quality that will fill a living room. Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance

[TonyRPH]

How about something from AVI?

[StuH]

No idea what your budget is but in order of cost

Audioengine A5 - http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2396302,00.as...
Kef X300a - http://www.expertreviews.co.uk/pc-speakers/1298731...
Dynaudio BM6a - http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audio/dynaudio-...

Then onto the big boys like PMC or Genelec - http://www.pmc-speakers.com/products/professional/...

[spyder dryver]

Where abouts in the country are you? I've got a pair of Meridian M30's to sell.
Oldies but goodies.

[Bikerjon]

Thanks for suggestions. I bet the AVI ones are very nice but over my £500 budget!

The audioengine ones look like a decent choice and seem to have glowing reviews - can't find anywhere local that sells them though. I've also noticed the Q Accoustics BT3's which also have the bonus of bluetooth. I might see if I can demo these.

The other option is linking two Sonos play 1's together. Not sure I really want (or need) to go the Sonos route but nevertheless the Play 1's don't seem to have anything other than 5 star reviews so worth checking out.

[IforB]

I'd definitely recommend trying out actives first before buying them. They have a very different sound to passive speakers, especially studio monitors, which can be ruthlessly clear in their sound reproduction, but sometimes aren't very relaxing to list listen to, it's more of an aural assault at times rather than a pleasurable experience. When you are in the mood, they can be fantastic, but if you just want to sit and chill out, they often grate.

Or that's my experience anyway.

[DavidY]

Studio monitors often use tweeters with narrow dispersion angles, the guy/girl at the desk is listening in a very controlled position, so some may not suit domestic environments. Also the finish on Studio Actives is necessarily up to SWMBO exacting standards!!! They can also as others have pointed out be very ruthless of the source, not good for playing low bite rate MP3s!!!

That said they can providing amazing bang for buck, I use Mackie HR624's at Home, and these are just about acceptable as a domestic finish, have a wider tweeter dispersion then many studio actives, and perhaps aren't quite as neutral as some studio monitors

[Bikerjon]

I always thought monitors only belong in studio environments but if I can demo the yamaha's anywhere then I will. I want good sound but I'm not into the ugly "grills off" speaker setups though!

Anyone heard a pair of Sonos play 1's in stereo mode?

[IforB]

Yes, the play 1's are excellent and when paired I'd go as far to say they are a good match for a Play5.

I was really surprised by the Play1 when I first heard it. Much better than I though it was going to be.

[Crackie]

Bikerjon said:

Thanks for suggestions. but over my £500 budget!

Beg, steal or borrow the extra money for the KEFs X300s suggested by StuH. Alternatively save a little longer for the extra £100.

http://www.audiostream.com/content/kef-x300a-digit...

http://www.audioholics.com/bookshelf-speaker-revie...

Edited by Crackie on Sunday 16th February 18:30

[StuH]

I'd agree re the studio monitors not always being the most relaxing to listen to but fantastically revealing if you've got a good quality source.

The Sonos option is convenient but a long way behind the other options listed in terms of sound quality and will cost more. The Audioengine A5's are proper hi-fi.

[thecrow]

Tannoy have a new line up of Reveals out:

http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/product/96150-tannoy...

Not heard them but always used to like the Reveals - had some as studio monitors and used another pair in the house as a second system.

[RedLeicester]

Bikerjon said:

Powered speakers seem mainly geared at the PC end of the market but I'm looking for something bigger and of decent Hi-Fi quality that will fill a living room. Any suggestions?

This:

StuH said:

Then onto the big boys like PMC - http://www.pmc-speakers.com/products/professional/...

[RedLeicester]

StuH said:

I'd agree re the studio monitors not always being the most relaxing to listen to but fantastically revealing if you've got a good quality source.

Quite the reverse in many ways - studio monitors should be VERY relaxing to listen to as they'll often be listened to for 20+ hours a day, and a fatiguing sound would have them thrown out the window in seconds.

PMC are a classic example - their studio range are echoed in their hifi range and both have a very similar sound - smooth, accurate, and lovely to listen to in either environment. The monitor versions tend to be more accurate but that's an environmental thing: sat in a treated studio they can appear more accurate than when dumped in a wildly uncontrolled living room.

[Crackie]

RedLeicester said:

Quite the reverse in many ways - studio monitors should be VERY relaxing to listen to as they'll often be listened to for 20+ hours a day, and a fatiguing sound would have them thrown out the window in seconds.

PMC are a classic example - their studio range are echoed in their hifi range and both have a very similar sound - smooth, accurate, and lovely to listen to in either environment. The monitor versions tend to be more accurate but that's an environmental thing: sat in a treated studio they can appear more accurate than when dumped in a wildly uncontrolled living room.

PMCs would be great and some might say these are even better
http://www.atcloudspeakers.co.uk/hi-fi/loudspeaker...
http://www.neumann-kh-line.com/neumann-kh/home_en....
the target budget is £500 though.

[RedLeicester]

Crackie said:

PMCs would be great and some might say these are even better
http://www.atcloudspeakers.co.uk/hi-fi/loudspeaker...
http://www.neumann-kh-line.com/neumann-kh/home_en....
the target budget is £500 though.

Depends on market and installation - PMC/ATC/KHn all vie for some sectors, in others are worlds apart.

Yeah the budget didn't crop up in the first post... oops.

[The_Burg]

spyder dryver said:

Where abouts in the country are you? I've got a pair of Meridian M30's to sell.
Oldies but goodies.

PM sent.