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So what about powered Speakers?

Given the quality of affordable speakers like those from Bluesound I decided to try a couple of powered studio monitors.

The first was the Yorkville YSM5 Studio Monitor. These I had for a year. They were most enjoyable, but lacked some bass

The second is the Focal Alpha 65 Evo 6.5 inch Powered Studio Monitor which arrived today - so I am listening to them as I type laugh

They improved the bass performance significantly, along with a nicer top end and larger sound stage

But this is only a part of the story - you can read about my journey in this thread

Powered Speaker Approach

The impotus for this change was the realization that I had too much money tied up in my previous audio system and wondered if I could get close to it’s sound for a fraction of my previous system.

I believe I have succeded since I am finding the listening to this frugal system is providing more enjoyment than my old system did

Some may think studio monitors are for Near Field listening - true - but the Focal’s are equally as good at delivering a superb image in my listening room that is 17ft x 40ft

I think todays affordable electronics is far better than many believe it to be.

Powered speakers eliminate the need for speaker cables and since the amps are in the speaker the improvements in imaging, clarity and dynamics is significant.

Granted, this approach lacks the ablity to upgrade the amp or speakers seperately - but with speakers of this calibre, upgrading is the farthest thing from my mindangel

I would like to add that I using exceptional interconnects and power cables, which I have no doubt contribute to this wonderful sound

Hope some of you find this thread useful in your journey

Regards Steve

 

williewonka
rsure
42 posts
 

@williewonka I think within the powered speakers space ATC have a much higher pedigree than Focal but of course do audition anything before you buy. I just went with the Grimm SQM XLR cables, I spoke with ATC and asked them if they had any recommendations and they just said any 'decent' quality cables are good enough for the speakers. 

One thing I can say about the ATC active 50ASL speakers is that they can play loud effortlessly and without typical distortion (?) you get with other speakers and I've found they can play any genre of music well. This was a key difference in the other speakers that I had zeroed in on (Devore O96 and Audio Note) which could not handle heavier music like hard rock, metal etc. anywhere near as well as the ATCs. With the ATCs I was amazed at how the music doesn't seem to change with higher volume, it gets louder but still sounds the same. It's hard to describe but if you do get a chance to audition do give them a go.

 

sounds_real_audio
1,097 posts
 

If you find some powered speakers you like.........go ahead buy them....we won't be mad at you...

gongli
1 posts
 

I just got Kanto active speakers with a sub and just love their lively presentation and clear sound. 

 

   I have been listening to Audioengine A5 in bedroom for a while now and enjoying them as well, and my main costs $63,000 !

 

   These days, you don't have spend a lot to enjoy midfi music at home...

 

 

williewonka OP
3,169 posts
 

@rsure - RE:

I spoke with ATC and asked them if they had any recommendations and they just said any ’decent’ quality cables are good enough for the speakers. 

I’ve found that many companies do not promote cables because cable performance may depend on the component they are attached too and they don’t want customers complaining that their recommendation *brand X" was not as good as "brand Y" 

But after 12 years of making cables of my own design and countless hours of listening to the many versions of my cables, I am willing to share that using more advanced cables will provide a noticeble improvement in dynamics, imaging and articulation in music. here’s a few companies used advanced designs, metals, connectors and insulations

  1. Advanced advanced geometries
  2. OCC copper and OCC silver in their designs
  3. Advanced connector

Some companies that spring to mind...

  • Zavfino - med-high end
  • In-Akustik - high end
  • Hijiri - high end
  • KLE Innovations 
    • Good cables
    • excellent RCA conectors

Take a look at this thread for my thoughts on cable design

And if interested in DIY, then take a look at

But if you are happy - no reason to change. 

The problem with cables - you can end up spending more on cables that the system cost laugh

Regards - Steve

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