Active Speakers Better? No, per Michael Borresen


The best sounding speaker I have had the pleasure to hear is made by Borresen.

I recently spent time with Michael Borresen in Seattle at a show. It was slow so

I was able to speak with him for a time. I asked him if he plans an active speaker. 

His answer was a definitive and immediate "No". He said separates sound better.

 

His statement flies in the face of what passes in most audio corners as commonly recognized facts. 

 

Sadly I am too technically challenged to convey any of his further explanation.

 

I invite all intelligent commentary on this question. Theoretical or not.

jeffseight

Bryston uses the same type of approach, active speakers with the crossover and amps external giving you some flexibility:

 

I think ATC has the right idea in reducing complexity while they increase performance.  At least it works for someone who wants high end performance but doesn't have the time or desire to DIY.  That being said, I would not expect that type of buyer to be plentiful on Audiogon forums.

Brad 

kota1, I missed your comment about my post asking if I was a designer or engineer?  Forgive my oversight.  I am neither, I am the ATC importer to the USA for the last 20+ years.  Before that I worked at JBL as in charge of theater and installed sound.  In both roles, there was/is a lot of interaction with the engineering department about "why" they do things a certain way.

Brad   

ATC speakers do not even provide frequency response measurements on their website. You'd think they would give you plenty of measurements to look at given that they brag about how accurate their speakers are. The are just overpriced overrated speakers that have achieved success based on rave reviews by so called industry professionals that know nothing about speaker design. 

ATC are a driver manufacturer that have no expertise in speaker design. You would think a high end speaker would be far more advanced than just a wooden box with drivers in 'em but thats exactly what ATC are.

@lonemountain I could tell you were not a typical customer, now I get it. I checked your profile and you don't have a system posted. Would you mine sharing? Do you know how the virtual system page works? Thanks