Alright, someone is going to revoke my audiophile card for this....

[AMP]

... but please hear me out....

Philip O'Hanlon from On A Higher Note stopped in this week and along with a laptop full of good music and some very nice products from Luxman dropped a pair of these on my desk. This is the soon to be released Eclipse TD-M1 speaker system from Fujitsu Ten... and it's AMAZING!



The TD-M1 is a completely self-contained system with a built-in 24/192 DAC and class D amplifier. As with Fujitsu's passive speakers it's a single driver in a complex enclosure. Along with USB and analog inputs the TD-M1 also creates its own WiFi network to which you can connect your iPhone and stream music via AirPlay. Fit and finish is excellent and they're available in black and white.

So, how do they sound??? I believe the correct technical term is, "Holy Crap!"

Setup in a nearfield position on either side of my monitor they cast a wide and deep soundstage that spread well beyond the boundaries of the corner that my desk is shoved into. Tonal balance is excellent with a level of detail retrieval that puts many high-end systems to shame. Best of all they just suck you into the music and you forget that you're listening to a little desktop speaker.

Since this is a single driver speaker with no crossover there are no issues of driver integration or crossover losses. Regardless of volume setting the music retains the same qualities which means that you don't need to play them loud for them to be satisfying.

Imagine having music playing in your office at work in a way that is totally satisfying to you, but without disturbing anyone around you. I was able to hold conversations and talk on the phone without having to lower the volume level or mute the speakers.

It's like listening to a very good pair of headphones, but with a real soundstage and without having to wear anything.

These are coming in early February and you need to make an effort to try them out. You simply will NOT find anything like them and for $1300 they're an absolute steal.

 

[prerich]

$1300 for a pair of PC speakers....I think your audiophile card is intact !!!!

 

[Steve Williams]

$1300 for a pair of PC speakers....I think your audiophile card is intact !!!!

For the same price I would be interested in how they compare to the Kef LS50

 

[wisnon]

Maybe the PeachTree Audio DeepBlue eats this for lunch at $400!

 

[kach22i]

For the same price I would be interested in how they compare to the Kef LS50

Those are just speakers at the same price, like the Mini Maggies, right?

This is a whole system as I understand it.

Perhaps comparisons to an Audio-Engine A5 or A2 would be more appropriate, but still not an equal.

Based on the industrial design alone I declare the Eclipse TD-M1's to be a handsome lot.

 

[AMP]

$1300 for a pair of PC speakers....I think your audiophile card is intact !!!!

Funny thing is that they weren't developed as a PC speaker, but it's a perfect application for them. These were co-developed with Apple as a high-end lifestyle product. In the US they'll be available at the Apple Store in black or from dealers in black or white.

For the same price I would be interested in how they compare to the Kef LS50

No chance to hear them side-by-side and depending on application I think that the KEF would out-perform...but... with the KEF you still need electronics and by all accounts some pretty good electronics at that.

Having tried to setup a decent system in my other office I encountered a number of issues and the one which made me stop and give up was the fact that I had to turn the volume up too high in order to be able to really hear the music. Whenever someone would stop by my office or the phone would ring I would have scramble to find the mute button. With these there's no need.

We all bemoan the proliferation of lifestyle products that sound like crap. Here's one which will decode and play hi-rez material, checks off most of the audiophile boxes, and is more likely to be found in the possession of a non-audiophile music-lover.

Imagine finding a pair of these in the home of a non-audiophile friend playing mp3s and saying, "Now listen to this music in high resolution." These are so good that that the differences between formats are easily discernible.

Philip will be showing them at CES and last I heard Synergistic Research will be showing with a pair as well.

 

[wisnon]

Deeep Blue baby!

http://www.computeraudiophile.com/content/526-peachtree-audio-deepblue-review/

Excerpt:

How do I review this product without sounding like a book of audiophile adjectives exploded on my keyboard? The Peachtree Audio deepblue music system will likely be reviewed countless times and have more HiFi one-liners written about it than I've ever heard. To use an idiomatic phrase I guess it is what it is. deepblue is a surprisingly better product than I thought could come from its smallish size. There are only so many ways to rearrange drivers in a small chassis. Most products like this offer different spins on the same thing. Average performance using average components sold at above average prices. The deepblue music system offers much better performance than I've heard from anything in its class and at a better price than even commodity components from giants of this industry. A $399 product that sounds this good and is very easy to use is a dream come true for audiophiles looking to spread the word about our wonderful hobby. Take note, the new HiFi ambassador to the world is here and its name is deepblue.

and

Peachtree Audio's deepblue music system will impress all but the most jaded audiophiles. deepblue may not be for everyone, just 99.9% of us who enjoy music that sounds good for a good price. Peachtree's use of DSP to compliment it's amplifier and driver design has elevated deepblue beyond the competition in this crowded market. It's the best small table top type of audio device I've heard to date. deepblue also reminds me of the popular water cooler question, "what stereo should I buy?" The answer to this question is the best stereo one can buy is the stereo he listens to most. deepblue won't force people to listen to more music but at least it sets people up for success if listening to more music is their goal. When the ambassador speaks everyone listens, or can't stop listening. deepblue = CASH List = No Brainer.

 

[mep]

For the same price I would be interested in how they compare to the Kef LS50

Not a fair comparison because the LS50s don't have a built in DAC and amp.

 

[Phelonious Ponk]

Nobody's audiophile credentials are threatened here. $1300? Please. $1100 will get you a pair of JBL LSR4326s -- bi amped at 150 watts for each woofer, 70 watts each tweeter, built in automatic DSP room correction. Use your own ears, of course, but mine have no doubt they're miles ahead of most high end stand mounts powered by amps costing many times more than the whole JBL system, and in a completely different league from lifestyle products. Now if these adorable little single driver desktops were $500, your 'Phile cred might be threatened. At $1300, you're pretty safe.

Tim

 

[Old Listener]

Nobody's audiophile credentials are threatened here. $1300? Please. $1100 will get you a pair of JBL LSR4326s -- bi amped at 150 watts for each woofer, 70 watts each tweeter, built in automatic DSP room correction. Use your own ears, of course, but mine have no doubt they're miles ahead of most high end stand mounts powered by amps costing many times more than the whole JBL system, and in a completely different league from lifestyle products.

Tim, do you use these JBL speakers? Some time back, you had AVI active speakers. Still using them?

You didn't mention input switching and remote control as part of the monitors fe4ature set.

The real beauty of this sort of DSP is that it integrates main speakers plus one or more sub-woofers.

Genelec has monitors with similar digital input + DSP for room correction.

Bill

 

[Phelonious Ponk]

Tim, do you use these JBL speakers? Some time back, you had AVI active speakers. Still using them?

You didn't mention input switching and remote control as part of the monitors fe4ature set.

The real beauty of this sort of DSP is that it integrates main speakers plus one or more sub-woofers.

Genelec has monitors with similar digital input + DSP for room correction.

Bill

I still have the AVis, Bill, but I've listened, and if I were buying today, I'd buy the JBLs.

Tim

 

[flez007]

Liked them! ... But still happy with my NAD+KEF combo myself at almost the same price.

 

[Old Listener]

I still have the AVis, Bill, but I've listened, and if I were buying today, I'd buy the JBLs.

What other powered/active speakers or pro monitors have you listened to? And what do you think of them?

I listened to the Neumann KH120s in a store and some Dynaudio BM6as. Liked the KH120s better. I'm interested in Focal CMS 65s, Focal Solo6 be, KH310s and Emotiva Pro Stealth 6 and 8.

Right now, it's like visiting a Persian rug store. I always see good looking rugs and then start wanting to buy them. I've been avoiding listening to speakers until I'm ready to buy them.

 

[Phelonious Ponk]

I've heard Dynas, focals, Mackies, Adams, Yamahas, JBLs, Events...the Dynas are on the warm side, but I really like them, a good choice for many. The Focals and Adams lean the other way, the small Yamahas (I forget the model) are remarkable for the money, but need the sub to have any warmth. I liked the JBLs best, but after a few rounds of listening, I decided to just stay with the AVis and buy music gear instead. Don't get me wrong, the AVis were bested a few times, but not by enough to make me want to let go of the money. And mine are a couple of generations old. I'd really like to hear some of the new AVis. That's not going to happen stateside, though.

Tim

 

[daytona600]

http://www.stirlingbroadcast.net/

i use these , good enough for the BBC for decades

 

[KeithR]

I've heard Dynas, focals, Mackies, Adams, Yamahas, JBLs, Events...the Dynas are on the warm side, but I really like them, a good choice for many. The Focals and Adams lean the other way, the small Yamahas (I forget the model) are remarkable for the money, but need the sub to have any warmth. I liked the JBLs best, but after a few rounds of listening, I decided to just stay with the AVis and buy music gear instead. Don't get me wrong, the AVis were bested a few times, but not by enough to make me want to let go of the money. And mine are a couple of generations old. I'd really like to hear some of the new AVis. That's not going to happen stateside, though.

Tim

How about Barefoot?

 

[Phelonious Ponk]

How about Barefoot?

Nope.

 

[Old Listener]

I've heard Dynas, focals, Mackies, Adams, Yamahas, JBLs, Events...the Dynas are on the warm side, but I really like them, a good choice for many. The Focals and Adams lean the other way, the small Yamahas (I forget the model) are remarkable for the money, but need the sub to have any warmth. I liked the JBLs best, but after a few rounds of listening, ...

Thanks for the detail. Your preference for the JBL's is interesting. The LSR432x models have been around for years.

A few days ago, I had a "no sound" problem in my main system and early troubleshooting pointed to the active crossover for my Waveform Mach 17s. So I went from casually following the active monitor scene to considering what to buy. In the course of further troubleshooting, the problem fixed itself.

I noted the appearance of the JBL LSR305 monitors short while ago. This review is very positive.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13645_3-5...ting-sound-expectations-for-desktop-speakers/

Bill

 

[Phelonious Ponk]

Thanks for the detail. Your preference for the JBL's is interesting. The LSR432x models have been around for years.

A few days ago, I had a "no sound" problem in my main system and early troubleshooting pointed to the active crossover for my Waveform Mach 17s. So I went from casually following the active monitor scene to considering what to buy. In the course of further troubleshooting, the problem fixed itself.

I noted the appearance of the JBL LSR305 monitors short while ago. This review is very positive.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13645_3-5...ting-sound-expectations-for-desktop-speakers/

Bill

All the others I listed have been around awhile, too, because it has been a few years since I did my serious comparing. I'm sure many have been upgraded. I haven't heard these new JBLs. If they're good, they're quite a bargain.

P

 

[Kevin Doyle]

Thanks for the detail. Your preference for the JBL's is interesting. The LSR432x models have been around for years.

A few days ago, I had a "no sound" problem in my main system and early troubleshooting pointed to the active crossover for my Waveform Mach 17s. So I went from casually following the active monitor scene to considering what to buy. In the course of further troubleshooting, the problem fixed itself.

I noted the appearance of the JBL LSR305 monitors short while ago. This review is very positive.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13645_3-5...ting-sound-expectations-for-desktop-speakers/

Bill

I haven't heard them but became interested when I'd heard that they were developed leveraging the research that had been done in developing the waveguides for the M2.

Considering both the 5" and 8" versions have numerous 5 star reviews on every site I see them being sold, I'd say they're a success.