Audiophile Active Speakers?

With Lynn and Meridian do you need separate (expensive) controllers that work with the speakers or is it just speaker ->source?

One limitation I see with the Dynaudio XEO and Focal Easya is that being wireless they don't do hi res audio. I don't listen to hi res audio currently, but I do think hi res streaming audio is right around the corner.

Maybe I'm looking for wired active speakers. I'll try to find info on the Earo's also.

Wow - great responses! And yes, I'm more interested in a realistic to timbre, scale, transients, etc sound than caring as much about audiophile fetishes such as perfect instrument placement, spooky imaging, or being able to actually hear whether Diane Krall clipped her nose hairs before stepping into the studio.

I've actually always been partial to good pro-audio sound and would probably go that way it if my wife would put up with it (as if..).

I guess I'll check out the ATC's Adams and Dynaudios.

But with active speakers you all still recommend a preamp rather than a front end? No preamp/DAC combos?

It seems like most of the active speakers (ATC included) have a reputation of being on the brighter more etched or revealing side. Is this true?

I just sold some excellent Verity speakers just because the process of getting all new well matched components, cabling etc would require too much effort and time on my part. Not only are high end dealers far and few between these days, but they don't seem to let you audition equipment, cables etc in your home before purchasing.

Though I understand the business reasons for this, it makes the task of getting an optimal system lots of work.

For quality audio to gain any traction from the tiny niche its in, manufacturers will have to focus more on all in one systems that effectively takes the excess time and grief out of the process. At least for those of us who are looking good sounding audio - and not a time consuming hobby. And of course up to dealers to promote these products.

Powered speakers seem to be a good step in this direction along with integrated amp/DAC packages like the Wadia intuition.

Crazy thing, but if you google "best speakers" you'll get far more hits for blu-tooth or wireless than conventional speakers.

But that's pretty much the choice - either stereo systems that cost more than your car or single blu-tooth speakers from Bose etc. Quality stereo systems have been around so long they should be commodities by now. Sure you'll always have to pay for new technological leaps forward. But there should be no reason you have to mortgage your home to afford technology that was high end 30 years ago. And that was pretty damned good.

Sorry for the rant - but all I want is quality audio without the tears. And if we can make products as complex as iPhones, coming up with high quality sounding systems combining amp, preamp, DAC's and speakers into a simple setup that most people could at least splurge for shouldn't be impossible.