powered/active speakers

[joedornan]

Hi all,

I will be buying a SB2 for a small room, and I am looking for a good quality but small form-factor audio device to match up with the SB2. Preferrably something with digital in?

The best I could find so far is the Tivoli Model Two (but no digital in). perfect for the bookshelf location.

Can anyone recommend a set of good small powered speakers that I can use with my SB2?

Cheers,
-Joe

[pasodoble]

The big question is is the DAC / initial audio stage fitted to the speaker any better than the SB2? At small monitor prices, I somehow doubt it. The likes of the M-Audio LX4 or BX5 might be a good choice for straight analog connection. The LX4 is a small powered 2.1 system and the BX5 are a pair of powered monitors. I've ordered the LX4 but in this country it seems to be backordered by about a month.

[Avi Schwartz]

joedornan wrote:

>Hi all,
>
>I will be buying a SB2 for a small room, and I am looking for a good
>quality but small form-factor audio device to match up with the SB2.
>Preferrably something with digital in?
>
>The best I could find so far is the Tivoli Model Two (but no digital
>in). perfect for the bookshelf location.
>
>Can anyone recommend a set of good small powered speakers that I can
>use with my SB2?
>
>Cheers,
>-Shady
>
>
Edirol <http://www.edirol.com/products/speakers.html> has a few nice
digital models:

MA-10D, MA-15D and MA-20D. I am using the MA-20D.

Avi

--
Avi Schwartz
http://public.xdi.org/=avi.schwartz

[street_samurai]

I agree with pasodoble that you should be extremely careful in buying any digital speakers since many consumer level brands will have worse DAC than in the Squeezebox itself (and more expensive brands often use the same one as in the Squeezebox).

I would highly recommend the (non-digital) Tannoy Reveal Active (http://www.tannoy.com/RevealActive). It might be a little larger than you are looking for but the sound quality is amazing for the price. These speakers have often been used in studios and there is a good chance that many of your CDs have been mastered using these speakers... so you'll be hearing the sound exactly as the engineer intended.

ss.

[Random-Tox]

I'd agree that it would be expensive and challenging to find a speaker with a better DAC than the SB2.

I can share my experience with two active monitors I own: The Alesis M1 Active MK2, and M-Audio BX8.

http://www.alesis.com/product.php?id=27
http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/BX8-main.html

I love the M1 for their accuracy, and they are my first choice and recomendation for a small space. I use them with a SB1 in my bedroom where I do most of my listening. Consensus in various online forums is that these speakers sound as good or better than speakers costing several times as much. (Mackie is often referenced.) Bass cut-off is great for a 6.5 inch driver. They are slightly more expensive than BX8. Note that it's easy to confuse the M1 Active MK2 with the original M1 Active, and the passive version.

If you are less discriminating about precise frequency response and/or want more volume, the BX8 is a good choice. They also have a fun base response, though I find it a little unrealistic. I use the BX8 in my rec-room with a DJ console and my computer. They are fun and REALY loud.

Neither of these have RCA inputs. You need to convert to 1/4 inch, or XLR. (Both are designed for studio use.) The M1 is smaller than the BX8, but both are bigger than the Tivoli.



Hi all,

I will be buying a SB2 for a small room, and I am looking for a good quality but small form-factor audio device to match up with the SB2. Preferrably something with digital in?

The best I could find so far is the Tivoli Model Two (but no digital in). perfect for the bookshelf location.

Can anyone recommend a set of good small powered speakers that I can use with my SB2?

Cheers,
-Shady

[Apteryx]

I'm using Edirol (part of Roland) Active Monitors for one of my SB2's - this one installed in the kitchen.

I was not expecting them to be outstanding and they well exceeded my expectations. I have an optical connection but I've not got around to trying to test analogue vs digital to see if there is a noticeable difference.

There is an analogue-only version anyway if you are not bothered or I think they also have models with more highly-spec'd DAC's.

http://www.edirol.com/products/info/ma10dbk.html

At something like $150 US, they were a pretty good deal and I'm about to get another set so I can fire up another SB2 in the bedroom.

[Darren]

I just bought a ZVOX 315 http://www.zvoxaudio.com from Best Buy for $150 to test out. I hooked up my SB2 and I've been listening to this setup for the past 2 days. Sounds pretty good.

So far, I agree with all the reviews. I'm also quite surprised of the "out of box" sound. I also connected my dvd player and TV and was also satified with the virtual aspect.

This is not for critical listening.

Don't know if I'll keep this setup though. I'm looking at other options for a low cost secondary home theater setup using an older AV DP Logic reciever that I have laying around.

I don't want to have to string speaker wire for multiple speakers and frankly I don't have the space. I don't know if that is possible without going over $150. That is how I stumbled upon the ZVOX 315.

If this setup is to big for you. Wait for the ZVOX Mini http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1791121,00.asp & http://www.hometheatermag.com/news/042905hes/

[joedornan]

Hi all,

Wow! Thanks for the feedback / intro to active speakers!

These are exactly what I was looking for. And thanks for the tip on using digital v. analogue. I guess analogue will be just fine for my needs.

Unfortunately, I'm dealing with a space only 11.5" high... so that knocks out the:
Tannoy reveal Active
Alesis M1 Active MkII

But leaves in the
Edirol MA-10DBKs ($150) or MA-10Ds () or MA-20Ds ($270)
M-audio LX4s ($350) and DX4s ($200)
Tivoli Model 2 ($160)

and maybe the Roland DM10 ($150) and DM20 ($250) ?
http://www.andysmusiconline.com/product_p/roland_dm20.htm

Given the prices... I'm wavering between the MA-10DBKs and the DX4s.

Thanks again everyone!

I'll be glad to post my listening experiences when everything's bought and set up!

Cheers,
-Joe

[takashi37]

Hello all -

I recently purchased the SqueezeBox but currently have it running through some inexpensive Boston computer speakers.

I'm considering the EDIROL MA-10D as they are now only $119.99 through amazon but would love to hear more opinions about the digital vs analog debate. That said, couldn't I just use the analog in on these speakers if I determined that the squeezebox DAC was superior?

Thanks for you input,
TL

[street_samurai]

Judging my the specs I found here:

http://www.edirol.com/products/info/ma10d.html

I'd say you could use either the analog or digital outs of the squeeze with no problem. Its hard to tell whether the volume control of the speaker controls both the digital and the analog but in a pinch you could use the squeezebox's volume control (although you're better off controling on the speakers if possible).

My suggestion would be to listen to both analog and digital inputs on the speakers with a broad range of your music to see which you think sounds better.

Edit: if possible, I'd try and have a listen to these before buying them on eBay. Given that they are called "digital" monitors... they may not perform super well with analog inputs. Speakers are very subjective... its always best to listen to them first.

ss.

[audiofi]

I sell squeezeboxes over here in North East England and to most people, pair them up with Edirol active speakers (the general public seem to prefer small speakers and no amp).

The MA10D are good speakers and as they are being discontinued, can be found cheaper if you hunt around.

In my honest opinion, the replacement MA15D are much better made, more solid switches and a slightly darker wood which looks more professional. They are also slightly larger and quite a bit heavier and have larger amps inside (they need a large metal heatsink on the back).

I think they have an amp in each speaker, but will have to double check that.

If you have any more questions, just ask.

Also, if anyone in England is considering them, drop me a line as I may be able to get them discounted.

Thanks

Andrew

[takashi37]

The MA10D are good speakers and as they are being discontinued, can be found cheaper if you hunt around.

In my honest opinion, the replacement MA15D are much better made, more solid switches and a slightly darker wood which looks more professional. They are also slightly larger and quite a bit heavier and have larger amps inside (they need a large metal heatsink on the back).



Thanks for the additional info. Actually, these would be going in our baby nursery, so small size is very important and I don't personally need the extra amplification. Also, the blue ones will look nice in there (though the baby is a she).

What would you consider a great price for the MA10D?

Also, do you find the general public uses the analog or digital inputs for the speakers?

Lastly, I know it's not the audiophile way, but since it's in the nursery we need to change the volume pretty frequently so controlling volume on the speakers isn't really a good option. Would this affect your speaker purchase decision?

Thanks again,
TL

[audiofi]

For the Squeezebox, I normally install digital cables as the difference isn't that noticeable between the two and as I sell as a small system, by using optical cables, the cable can be smaller and hidden away easier than a large RCA. Like you said before though, either works so just choose which you prefer.

Also, the speakers have separate volume controls for digital and analogue, so you could just plug in both at the same time and do a direct comparison by changing the volume on each.

If I get a chance over the weekend, I'll test out the two and see if I can notice any difference and post back.

Providing you don't mind a (tiny) decrease in quality, you could just set the volume on the speakers at your maximum with the squeezebox on 100% and then change the volume at the squeezebox end.

I'm not too sure on prices abroad, but over here, anything under about £110 would be very cheap, the MA15D are actually roughly the same price so its all a matter of opinion really.

Edit: Read your original post, $120 is certainly very cheap (I would actually make a large loss at that price!!).

Thanks

Andrew

[harvey@amgav.com]

See www.xhifi.com or www.amgav.com/manufacturers

Very awesome self powered ribbons are near field monitors and a powered subwoofer. Once you hear them you wont go back to anything else. Good Sound to you.

Harvey/AMGAV

[water]

this thread has led me to these : http://www.edirol.com/products/info/ma10dbk.html

The only problem is I need them for my bathroom and I'm not sure how well they'd take to being placed in that kind of an environment.

Anybody know anything about this? or of any other kind of active speakers that might be a better choice for a bathroom?

:water