active loudspeakers

[Audio_Karma]

The all new Kii Audio Seven Active Speakers were one of the very best sounding speakers at the 2024 Warsaw Show WOW !..

https://www.hifipig.com/audio-video-show-warsaw-2024-report-part-2-the-sobieski/

Here's some reviews on the older Kii Audio Three Active speakers ! WOW....
With MEASUREMENTS !..
https://www.erinsaudiocorner.com/loudspeakers/kii_three/

THE FUTURE OF SPEAKERS !...
https://www.the-ear.net/review-hardware/kii-three-bxt-active-digital-speakers/

https://www.kiiaudio.com/events-and-reviews/

https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/kii-audio-three-bxt

 

[KlausR.]

For Neumann the obvious choice would have been the K+H O500 - only that they don't produce them anymore, which is a real shame. I once had the chance to hear the O500 at the Neumann development site near Hannover, and it was a really breathtaking speaker.

View attachment 69985

Since this post back in 2020 I've been told by the designer of the K+H O500C that when he got the green light they produced 400 pairs in one go and sold them from the warehouse. I still have those speakers (serial nos. 26 and 33), now 23 years in use, still going strong.

Klaus

 

[Birdwatcher]

I still have them too, mine were the very last pair sold new officially from the factory in 2012. Fantastic units, and some of the historically important speakers, one of the first of its kind with moulded waveguides and digital FIR filter, with the outstanding ATC 75mm dome driver.

 

[OrigTweaker]

Meridian DSP9

 

[Flamingo]

I love my Backes&Mueller BM Line20

In addition to the excellent price-performance ratio of these not exactly cheap speakers, I don't have to search for suitable power amplifiers and speaker cables, but rather I can enjoy the music that these speakers transfer into the room with a liveliness.

 

[Jägerst.]

Most actively configured speakers are bundled all-in-one solutions (even incl. DAC's and streamers), and as such rightly called 'active speakers,' but active config. can also be had with outboard components like in my setup pictured here. Longer cable runs, yes, but still active qua active with the (DSP) filtration done prior to amplification on signal level. Bundled solutions often have a smaller size factor, but it's nice to see larger examples like the Backes & Mueller model in above post, ATC's and other. Maybe we are now witnessing more of the physically larger active speakers (even outboard configured from the likes of Bryston, Sanders Sound and a few others), but if one intends to go even further size-wise and be less restricted in the choice of the particular speaker design/principle and drivers, then outboard active lends itself naturally in combination with a DIY-mind and entrepreneurial spirit.

 

[Bertrand D]

Active loudspeakers don't seem to be an overly hot topic here on WBF. While I understand that they simply remove some of the areas that audiophiles just love to tinker with (amps, cables, ...) I personally really see - and like - the advantages of dedicated power amps per chassis, carefully matched by the speaker manufacturer to the requirements of the speaker chassis, and driven by signals coming from an active crossover. Plus of course the option to fine tune the frequency response of the speaker to one's room requirements.

Are there any other members here using active speakers, and if so, which ones and for which reasons?

And if you specifically don't like active speakers, please let me ask why?

Here's a picture of my ME Geithain RL 901K, an active 3-way coaxial midfield studio monitor with a 16" bass driver. ME Geithain is quite well regarded in Germany, not only in the professional area, but also in hifi circles. But I understand that they are not overly well known outside of the country.

View attachment 48143

Hi Jackelsson,
While active loudspeaker are still not very popular amongst audiophiles, probably because they do not allow loudspeaker/amp/cable mix and match, they are certainly the way of the future in terms of active crossover performance, DSP capability and ease of use, in particular for the young generation.
I own Kii Three active loudspeakers since several years. They deliver a very clean and straight sound with great bass extension relative to their size. They offer outstanding value for the money in my opinion. I heard Geithain RL 921 K at the Munich High-End Show a month ago. Even if they are not as modern than the Kiis in terms of conception, they were very musical and impressive. One of the best sound of the show in my opinion. I imagine that the 901s, which are the top of the range, would be even more musical. I am therefore considering buying 901s. Do you still own your 901s or have you identified a more musical (active) loudspeaker? The stands used with your 901s are the most beautiful that I saw for this loudspeaker? Did you make them yourself (if so could you please share your drawings) or bought them from a manufacturer (if so, could you please share its details)?
Many thanks.
Bertrand

 

[Flamingo]

In the 40 years I've been pursuing this hobby—or let's say in the last 10 years since I've owned active speakers—I can't imagine ever having heard a speaker-amplifier combination in a similar price range to my Backes & Mueller Line 20 that even comes close to this level of performance. You'd have to dig deep into your pockets—spending about twice or three times as much—to achieve this level.

 

[Flamingo]

I‘ve listened to the Kii and 901 - yes you are right, the 901 has more musicality.
But if you are lokking/hearing to B&M Line20this is Kii combined with 901.
LG Matze

 

[gleeds]

This is my first time weighing in on a subject that has held my interest for a decade, an interest reignited when I heard B&M at HE-Munich 2024. Their speakers impressed with compelling sound and a wide range of well-executed products exhibiting the expected German craftsmanship. This year, B&M displayed their smaller line array at HiFi Deluxe, but given my duties in the Von Schweikert suite, I was only able to catch a brief listen.

Active speakers are gaining more and more acceptance, but are still shunned by purists, which is, in some cases, unfortunate. With entries now available from premium brands like Tidal, YG, and Avantgarde, I expect this trend to continue. Semi-active non-DSP products from brands like Von Schweikert and AEquo offer the best of both worlds by utilizing analog-based bass solutions combined with full passive networks, resulting in enhanced dynamics, easier room integration, and subjectively more neutral overall presentation.

Speaker design, including improved drivers, crossover components, cabinet design, and, yes, active amplification, continues to drive performance to higher levels, a benefit for those seeking the highest levels of performance. Onward!

 

[thedudeabides]

No KEF?

 

[jackelsson]

Hi Bertrand, glad you enjoyed the Geithain in Munich. I’ve been fortunate enough to hear some of their other models in Munich in previous years — in fact, it was the mighty ML 811K1 in both 2018 and 2019. And for me, this was also one of the best-of-show presentations both times.

However, another demonstration at the 2019 High End show ultimately led me to buying another active speaker one and a half years later: an ATC SCM150, a standard cabinet version, but equipped with the discrete „Anniversary“ amp, which is now only still available in their „SE“ models.

But I didn’t sell the Geithain, I just like them too much. For a while I actually had them both running in one room, side by side or in different positions, or I moved them in and out. And when I moved house three years ago, I finally had the opportunity to start another system in the living room. So now the ATC plays in the listening room system and the Geithain in the living room system. And I’m one happy camper.

And frankly, as much as I really like the Kii, I would still always prefer one of the larger Geithain models, especially the RL 901K, which is a bargain for what it does at its price. I find them indeed to be more musical, at least for my taste.

 

[Young Skywalker]

Active loudspeakers don't seem to be an overly hot topic here on WBF. While I understand that they simply remove some of the areas that audiophiles just love to tinker with (amps, cables, ...) I personally really see - and like - the advantages of dedicated power amps per chassis, carefully matched by the speaker manufacturer to the requirements of the speaker chassis, and driven by signals coming from an active crossover. Plus of course the option to fine tune the frequency response of the speaker to one's room requirements.

Are there any other members here using active speakers, and if so, which ones and for which reasons?

And if you specifically don't like active speakers, please let me ask why?

Here's a picture of my ME Geithain RL 901K, an active 3-way coaxial midfield studio monitor with a 16" bass driver. ME Geithain is quite well regarded in Germany, not only in the professional area, but also in hifi circles. But I understand that they are not overly well known outside of the country.

View attachment 48143

I have been using the same pair of actively tri-amplified speakers (active line level crossovers and 6 amplification channels outside the speaker cabinets) since around 2008. I don’t plan on parting with them and if I was to dabble in another pair of speakers (of very different philosophy) it would be for a second system. I call these disparate approaches, “beautiful truth” versus “true beauty”. One being as faithful to all recordings as possible, and the other seasoning to taste my most preferred musical selections.

My active speaker system comes from Australian manufacturer, SGR Audio. Their more contemporary active speakers have all of the electronics inside the speaker cabinets and add parametric bass EQ options in the analog domain.

 

[Brucemck2]

I’m a fan of actives and have been for years.

Fifteen years ago I commissioned Selah Audio to make bespoke line arrays. The first were Seas midwoofers and Fountek ribbons. The second were Accuton midwoofers and Raal ribbons. In both cases I used a heavily modified DEQX crossover with various amps (BAT tube and Bryston 28 monoblocks). Both were pretty impressive for the day, although they were in a rotation with traditional speakers using those same amps.

More recently I’ve enjoyed Paul Hales big active speakers (outboard amps with built in crossovers) and Kii3’s.

 

[Al M.]

And frankly, as much as I really like the Kii, I would still always prefer one of the larger Geithain models, especially the RL 901K, which is a bargain for what it does at its price. I find them indeed to be more musical, at least for my taste.

Could you describe the differences and what makes the Geithain more musical to your taste? Thanks.

 

[Bertrand D]

Could you describe the differences and what makes the Geithain more musical to your taste? Thanks.

Many thanks Jackelsson for your feedback.
Many thanks also to the other members for their views. I did not know M&B loudspeakers.
Jackelsson, If you were to keep only one pair of loudspeakers, would you keep the ATC 150 or the Geithain? What about the stands of your Geithain, did you make them yourself? Many thanks in advance.

 

[Robh3606]

I have had an analog active quad amp system for 20 years. Love it! High sensitivity 98dB and effortless dynamics. One of the issues I have seen and heard is dynamic compression in some of the all in one active systems. If you look at the Ki3 it's impressive however on the dynamic side it has issues. The new lower add on should help however the top will still compress.

Rob