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For those considering buying speakers: (1) do it, (2) get passive ones and a separate amp. Honestly it’s such a mature market that buying these active speakers

For those considering buying speakers: (1) do it, (2) get passive ones and a separate amp. Honestly it’s such a mature market that buying these active speakers just creates e-waste. Keep the e-waste to the amp. You can get really solid speakers for $300 and a cheap amp with BT for $50-100, replacing them basically independently depending on your needs.

Mo3 2y ago
Which speakers would you recommend in that price range?
- alfanick 2y ago
  I would recommend some older B&W (Bowers & Wilkins) from 6xx or DM6xx series. You can find them cheap on eBay etc, I use those since 15 years and cannot complain.
- stereo 2y ago
  The most expensive boxes you can afford from Canton. Or buy second hand - they will sound like new. But speakers are something very subjective, and while I’m still delighted with the Canton I got for a discount, your ear might prefer something different. This is something where comparing in a physical store with a passionate salesperson can be worth it.
squarefoot 2y ago
Quality active speakers very rarely break, but one should buy them from studio gear (e)shops instead of the nearest mall. I totally agree on other gimmicks that would add single points of failure and should be kept out.
Endurancee 2y ago
Quality of active speakers are really good these days, they have matched amps and speakers from neumann, genelec etc also has active crossover which is superior than any passive setup. Mature market sure, but even companies like KEF who didn't offered or focussed much on active systems, have growing range of options now.
- 2OEH8eoCRo0 2y ago
  Nobody is arguing their quality is bad, but that amps die long before speakers die. Do passive speakers even die? Also, online services built into these will die before the speakers do.
  - atoav 2y ago
    Sure from a longevity perspective, you are 100% correct and for HIfi/Home use I'd recommend the same. I am not sure however if your estimation is correct for all cases. The amount of killed tweeters I have seen would not have happened with an active speaker..
    - otteromkram 2y ago
      > I am not sure however if your estimation is correct for all cases. Apologies. Next time they'll do a 10-year study on the subject before daring to comment on a public forum, ensuring that each and every angle is covered so that le smart folks like yourself will be able to sleep at night.
      - atoav 2y ago
        No need to be bitter. I don't even know you, so I mainly said my experience is different. Now maybe that is because I am an electronics guy and people come to me with their broken stuff and I see what actually breaks, but isn't the point of a public forum to say something and be occasionally wrong? Should I rather have stayed silent? I don't know about you, but if some knowledgeable person corrects me, I am grateful for getting a check on my perspectives. This is the value of discussion.
    - cobbaut 2y ago
      >The amount of killed tweeters I have seen would not have happened with an active speaker. My 1978 (no brand) speakers are still in excellent condition, so are the 1991 Bose. Hifiberry works fine. ymmv
tomaskafka 2y ago
Or, imo even better, get a lasting amp as well and make the changing part (receiver) external. I have a pair of timeless speakers and amp with optical input, and AirPort Express 2 to provide Airplay capability.
layer8 2y ago
Active crossovers usually sound better than passive ones, and with active speakers the amp is generally better matched to the drivers. In addition, speaker design keeps evolving, as does people’s budgets, so it’s likely you’ll want something else in 10-20 years. I also never had an amp fail other than by cranking it up too high with the wrong speakers.

Mo3 2y ago

Which speakers would you recommend in that price range?

alfanick 2y ago
I would recommend some older B&W (Bowers & Wilkins) from 6xx or DM6xx series. You can find them cheap on eBay etc, I use those since 15 years and cannot complain.
stereo 2y ago
The most expensive boxes you can afford from Canton. Or buy second hand - they will sound like new. But speakers are something very subjective, and while I’m still delighted with the Canton I got for a discount, your ear might prefer something different. This is something where comparing in a physical store with a passionate salesperson can be worth it.

squarefoot 2y ago

Quality active speakers very rarely break, but one should buy them from studio gear (e)shops instead of the nearest mall. I totally agree on other gimmicks that would add single points of failure and should be kept out.

Endurancee 2y ago

Quality of active speakers are really good these days, they have matched amps and speakers from neumann, genelec etc also has active crossover which is superior than any passive setup. Mature market sure, but even companies like KEF who didn't offered or focussed much on active systems, have growing range of options now.

2OEH8eoCRo0 2y ago
Nobody is arguing their quality is bad, but that amps die long before speakers die. Do passive speakers even die? Also, online services built into these will die before the speakers do.
- atoav 2y ago
  Sure from a longevity perspective, you are 100% correct and for HIfi/Home use I'd recommend the same. I am not sure however if your estimation is correct for all cases. The amount of killed tweeters I have seen would not have happened with an active speaker..
  - otteromkram 2y ago
    > I am not sure however if your estimation is correct for all cases. Apologies. Next time they'll do a 10-year study on the subject before daring to comment on a public forum, ensuring that each and every angle is covered so that le smart folks like yourself will be able to sleep at night.
    - atoav 2y ago
      No need to be bitter. I don't even know you, so I mainly said my experience is different. Now maybe that is because I am an electronics guy and people come to me with their broken stuff and I see what actually breaks, but isn't the point of a public forum to say something and be occasionally wrong? Should I rather have stayed silent? I don't know about you, but if some knowledgeable person corrects me, I am grateful for getting a check on my perspectives. This is the value of discussion.
  - cobbaut 2y ago
    >The amount of killed tweeters I have seen would not have happened with an active speaker. My 1978 (no brand) speakers are still in excellent condition, so are the 1991 Bose. Hifiberry works fine. ymmv

tomaskafka 2y ago

Or, imo even better, get a lasting amp as well and make the changing part (receiver) external. I have a pair of timeless speakers and amp with optical input, and AirPort Express 2 to provide Airplay capability.

layer8 2y ago

Active crossovers usually sound better than passive ones, and with active speakers the amp is generally better matched to the drivers. In addition, speaker design keeps evolving, as does people’s budgets, so it’s likely you’ll want something else in 10-20 years. I also never had an amp fail other than by cranking it up too high with the wrong speakers.