active monitors and balanced processor


has anyone had success building a home theatre setup with balanced ht processor like sunfire, connected to active pro audio monitors like mackie? eliminates need for multi channel power amps. (i plan on using balanced interconnects as commonly used in pro audio.) if so, where there any drawbacks other than the obvious power requirements for the active monitors? (i don't anticipate problems with hum/noise due to common mode rejection w/ the balanced approach.) i have heard the mackie hrs series monitors at my local pro audio store and they sound fantastic. the only other drawback i can anticipate is the fact that they are "nearfield" monitors, altho' mackie recommends usage for ht. appreciate any thoughts, especially from installers. t.i.a.
ericjcabrera

Showing 4 responses by bob_reynolds

My 2.1 music/HT system is active. Can't imagine doing it any other way now. I looked at the Mackies (HR824) seriously, but went with JBL LSR4328 DSP controlled instead. I was told by Ethan Winer (Real Traps) that he uses the Mackies in his HT and thinks they're great speakers.

I can highly recommend Blue Jeans cable for balanced ICs: http://www.bluejeanscable.com/store/balancedaudio/index.htm I use the Belden 1800F.
Why are the majority of high-end and super high-end speakers still not using active crossover & amplification?

Audiophiles haven't embraced the concept yet so the manufacturers are providing what the market demands. Doesn't Nelson Pass offer such a speaker? I wonder how many he's sold?
Is this an example of the chicken or the egg?

Paradigm offered up the active Studio 20s many years ago. It was said to be very good. How long did it stay on the market? Many audiophiles are more interested in tweaking rather than having high fiedlity sound. Typical active designs limit tweaking. Quad now has a couple of active designs. Let's see how long they stay around.

If enough audiophiles went shopping in the pro studio market, I suspect that we'd begin to see active speakers being produced by mainstream audiophile manufacturers.

I had a recent discussion with SVS about their speakers and subs and suggested an active design would sell well in the HT market. I was told that active speakers are a small niche market and not worth considering.

Another aspect is that audio magazines don't review active designs. John Marks, in his Stereophile column, is currently putting together a cost effective music system. He did the same last year. In neither case did/has he consider active designs, which can be very cost effective.