"...One (idiot) salesman in a high-end store in Denver argued with me earlier this year that passive crossovers are better than active,..."
I agree that the above is the most absurd thing I've ever heard! Passive crossovers have SEVERE LIMITATIONS! There is absolutely no reason whatsoever that a well design passive shouldn't stomp all over the rather unefficient and limiting passive networks!
I've been asking similar questions for years regarding active speaker options, and "why don't more speaker makers build them?"
My old Electa Amators used almost no passive crossover whatsoever! It was basically as simple as a resistor and such...or whatever. Anyway, MUCH BETTER DYNAMICS AND CONTROL OVER THE DRIVERS!...and accordingly, the speakers rocked compared to most any monitors(non-active) I've heard in their category! Basically, active speakers offer much better dyanamic potential and transparancy, all things equal.
I see NHT has a new Active/DSP/Sub and Sat combo for a few grand. Not sure of driver quality, but I'm sure dynamics are LEAPS AND BOUNDS BEYOND ANY OTHER MINI-MONITOR THEY MADE FOR THE HOME MARKET PREVIOUSLY!!!!...GARANTEED.
Speaker makers should really consider making more comprehensive designs like these, as the only step up is going to be going ACTIVE!...I promise.
Other than radically more efficient (yet practical...unlike some horns which have their problems) speaker design tech's on the horizon, I see no other growth potential in the future. Active is the future of home audio IMO.
I agree that the above is the most absurd thing I've ever heard! Passive crossovers have SEVERE LIMITATIONS! There is absolutely no reason whatsoever that a well design passive shouldn't stomp all over the rather unefficient and limiting passive networks!
I've been asking similar questions for years regarding active speaker options, and "why don't more speaker makers build them?"
My old Electa Amators used almost no passive crossover whatsoever! It was basically as simple as a resistor and such...or whatever. Anyway, MUCH BETTER DYNAMICS AND CONTROL OVER THE DRIVERS!...and accordingly, the speakers rocked compared to most any monitors(non-active) I've heard in their category! Basically, active speakers offer much better dyanamic potential and transparancy, all things equal.
I see NHT has a new Active/DSP/Sub and Sat combo for a few grand. Not sure of driver quality, but I'm sure dynamics are LEAPS AND BOUNDS BEYOND ANY OTHER MINI-MONITOR THEY MADE FOR THE HOME MARKET PREVIOUSLY!!!!...GARANTEED.
Speaker makers should really consider making more comprehensive designs like these, as the only step up is going to be going ACTIVE!...I promise.
Other than radically more efficient (yet practical...unlike some horns which have their problems) speaker design tech's on the horizon, I see no other growth potential in the future. Active is the future of home audio IMO.