285 replies to this topic

[Drizt]

Hi Guys,

Edit: This thread is with regards to your main speakers... I.E. part of your premium rig

It seems that active speakers have become more popular of late and I thought it might be interesting to put together a bit of a list of what active speakers (mains - L&R) people are currently running.

Its easy to have a list for commercially available speakers as they generally have a product name, but its a bit more difficult for DIY speakers. So if your running DIY active speakers please be description with your post. E.G. I had Osborn Interludes that were converted to active by SGR. Or there are guys who have built their own speakers and use a DEQX for active crossovers, and they are using scanspeak revelator drivers (model x, y & z).

Oh, and pictures wouldn't go astray

If you want to be added to the list could you please do the following:

- Name your speaker with make and model
- Add a link to your own thread on SNA that has pic's of your set up
- Add a link to the manufacturers site.


Ill update this first post with the list as people reply.

Active Speakers (L&R):

• ADAM A5 - glenn20 : [Manufacturer's Link]
  
• ADAM A7 - likewise : [Manufacturer's Link]
  
• ADAM Tensor Alpha - Mondie : [User Link], [Manufacturer's Link]
  
• ADAM Tensor Beta - gia : [Manufacturer's Link]
  
• ADAM Tensor Delta - proftournesol : [User Link], [Manufacturer's Link]
  
• ADAM Tensor Delta - notlob77 : [Manufacturer's Link]
  
• ADAM Tensor Gamma - LuckyDog : [User Link], [Manufacturer's Link]
  
• ADAM Tensor Gamma - jrisles : [User Link], [Manufacturer's Link]
  
• ADAM Tensor Gamma - kevenp : [Manufacturer's Link]
  
• ADAM Tensor Gamma - Field : [User Link], [Manufacturer's Link]
  
• ADAM Tensor Gamma - Spearmint : [User Link], [Manufacturer's Link]
  
• Aslan Australs - HIFINut : [User Link], [Manufacturer's Link]
  
• Aslan Custom R5 - Elill : [User Link], [Manufacturer's Link] - Subwoofer(s) : Aslan Maestrom-X, [Manufacturer's Link]
  
• Aslan Reference 1 - Aslan : [Manufacturer's Link]
  
• Avantgarde Solo - proftournesol : [Manufacturer's Link]
  
• Avantgarde Solo - pedsnro : [User Link], [Manufacturer's Link]
  
• Definitive Technology BP7004Ch - peasewise : [User Link], [Manufacturer's Link]
  
• DIY - 56Oval :
  
• DIY - A9X :
  
• DIY - gainphile :
  
• DIY - JiriAU :
  
• DIY - KenTripp : [User Link],
  
• DIY - audio technology - tervaskanto :
  
• DIY - Ekta - joz :
  
• DIY - Franks - terry j :
  
• DIY - GOTO active horns - yoshio : [User Link],
  
• DIY - MorDyn - fury : [User Link],
  
• DIY - Orions - tervaskanto :
  
• DIY - ScanSpeak - aps :
  
• DIY - Synergy Coax Horns - Paul Spenser : [User Link],
  
• DIY - TAG - GAT474 : [User Link],
  
• Emerald Physics CS2 - Damohpi : [User Link], [Manufacturer's Link]
  
• Event Opals - Deepmarine : [Manufacturer's Link]
  
• KRK - KevO : [Manufacturer's Link]
  
• KRK RP5 - Soultone : [Manufacturer's Link]
  
• Legend Big Reds - Dr X : [Manufacturer's Link]
  
• Legend Big Reds - GAT474 : [Manufacturer's Link]
  
• Legend Tikandi - Higgy : [User Link], [Manufacturer's Link]
  
• Magnepan IIIa - andyr : [Manufacturer's Link]
  
• Magnepan MG3.6R - aechmea : [Manufacturer's Link]
  
• Meridian DSP5200 - Mr Gimlet : [Manufacturer's Link] - Subwoofer(s) : SGR Octagon Sub[User Link], [Manufacturer's Link]
  
• Meridian M2 - Telecine : [Manufacturer's Link]
  
• Meridian M20 - jimgoulding : [Manufacturer's Link]
  
• Meridian M3 - Ken : [Manufacturer's Link]
  
• Musikelectronic Geithain RL 901K - LuckyDog : [Manufacturer's Link]
  
• Quested S6R - nortonbert : [Manufacturer's Link]
  
• SGR CX3B - handysteel : [User Link], [Manufacturer's Link] - Subwoofer(s) : SGR Octagon Sub[User Link], [Manufacturer's Link]
  
• SGR CX3B - dalamii : [Manufacturer's Link]
  
• SGR CX3B - zipstartcanoe : [Manufacturer's Link]
  
• SGR CX3B - Mikizee : [Manufacturer's Link]
  
• SGR CX3B - glakey : [Manufacturer's Link] - Subwoofer(s) : VAF SW19 x 2, [Manufacturer's Link]
  
• SGR CX4F - mackinnonrob : [Manufacturer's Link]
  
• SGR CX4F - rippingdragon : [User Link], [Manufacturer's Link]
  
• SGR CX4F - Waylander : [User Link], [Manufacturer's Link]
  
• SGR CX4F - chippy2k : [User Link], [Manufacturer's Link] - Subwoofer(s) : SGR SS18P x 2[User Link], [Manufacturer's Link]
  
• SGR CX4F - Craigandkim : [User Link], [Manufacturer's Link]
  
• SGR CX4F - Stirlo : [Manufacturer's Link]
  
• SGR CX4F - Bigears : [Manufacturer's Link]
  
• SGR CX4F - Warren2503 : [User Link], [Manufacturer's Link]
  
• SGR CX4F - GregWormald : [User Link], [Manufacturer's Link]
  
• SGR CX4F - k371n : [User Link], [Manufacturer's Link]
  
• SGR CX4F - alan3016 : [User Link], [Manufacturer's Link]
  
• SGR CX4F - Ian13 : [Manufacturer's Link]
  
• SGR CX4F - Tsquare : [Manufacturer's Link]
  
• SGR CX4F - PeterA : [Manufacturer's Link]
  
• SGR CX4F - Nada : [Manufacturer's Link]
  
• SGR CX4F - Decky : [Manufacturer's Link]
  
• SGR CX4F - tricka : [User Link], [Manufacturer's Link]
  
• SGR CX4F Signature - SGR : [Manufacturer's Link]
  
• SGR Illuminators - Joz : [User Link], [Manufacturer's Link]
  
• SGR MT3F - Young Skywalker : [User Link], [Manufacturer's Link]
  
• SGR MT3F - Grimmie : [User Link], [Manufacturer's Link]
  
• SGR MT3F - Curious : [User Link], [Manufacturer's Link]
  
• SGR MT3FSL - Drizt : [User Link], [Manufacturer's Link] - Subwoofer(s) : SGR SS18P x 2[User Link], [Manufacturer's Link]
  
• SGR Octagon - JohnA : [User Link], [Manufacturer's Link]
  
• SGR Octagon - Norpus : [User Link], [Manufacturer's Link]
  
• SGR Octogon Acuton Customs - MichaelWC : [Manufacturer's Link]
  
• SGR Reds - Leck : [User Link], [Manufacturer's Link]
  
• SGR Reds - mackinnonrob : [Manufacturer's Link]
  
• SGR-TAG Beechies - ozmillsy : [User Link], [Manufacturer's Link] - Subwoofer(s) : SGR X-Men x 2[User Link], [Manufacturer's Link]
  
• Tannoy Elipse 10 - shogun2 : [Manufacturer's Link]

Edited by Drizt, 12 March 2012 - 01:44 PM.

[Keith_W]

Audioengine A5
Logitech 5.1

[Drizt]

did you replace your mains Keith ?

Sorry, I amended the first post.

I mean your main speakers, part of your premium rig.

Edited by Drizt, 02 May 2009 - 08:17 PM.

[ozmillsy]

SGR-TAG 3 ways: running B&G Neo3, Neo8 and SEAS Excel 6.5" drivers(x2). The mains are part of a trio, that I fondly refer to as Bob & the Beechies. (I know this is a mains only thread, but I cant bring myself to leave Bob out ).

http://i302.photobuc..._Beechies_1.jpg

[Drizt]

SGR-TAG 3 ways: running B&G Neo3, Neo8 and SEAS Excel 6.5" drivers(x2). The mains are part of a trio, that I fondly refer to as Bob & the Beechies. (I know this is a mains only thread, but I cant bring myself to leave Bob out ).

http://i302.photobuc..._Beechies_1.jpg

And lovely speakers they are mate. Thanks for the pic. Harry did very well with that picture, it came up a treat.

[glenn20]

Thanks to the advice of Warwick from the Pure Music Group, I have a pair of Adam A5. I am very happy with them but I am looking forward to getting a Sub7 for a bit of bass extension.

[fury]

I have my own active 3-ways.. does that count?

Known as the "MorDyn's" for obvious reasons.

Morel MDT 33 Tweeter off Marantz MA6100
Morel CDM54 Midrange off Marantz MA6100
DynAudio MW170 8" Woofer off Cambridge 840W
Crossovers done via Behringer DCX2496 soon to have output stage modded/volume control added.

Edited by fury, 02 May 2009 - 09:40 PM.

[JohnA]

I have my own active 3-ways.. does that count?

Known as the "MorDyn's" for obvious reasons.

Morel MDT 33 Tweeter off Marantz MA6100
Morel CDM54 Midrange off Marantz MA6100
DynAudio MW170 8" Woofer off Cambridge 840W
Crossovers done via Behringer DCX2496 soon to have output stage modded/volume control added.

why wouldn't it count

now if i am not mistaken they are car audio drivers from morel and dyn

I have used that midrange, and the 7" dyn driver in an older install
very nice speakers.
Got any pics?

For me
SGR octagons

[Drizt]

I have my own active 3-ways.. does that count?

Known as the "MorDyn's" for obvious reasons.

Morel MDT 33 Tweeter off Marantz MA6100
Morel CDM54 Midrange off Marantz MA6100
DynAudio MW170 8" Woofer off Cambridge 840W
Crossovers done via Behringer DCX2496 soon to have output stage modded/volume control added.

Sounds like a very nice combo. Got any pics to add ? Id love to see them.

[Drizt]

Thanks to the advice of Warwick from the Pure Music Group, I have a pair of Adam A5. I am very happy with them but I am looking forward to getting a Sub7 for a bit of bass extension.

A sound plan . Ive heard great things about the Adams, can't wait to hear the Deltas for myself sometime soon.

[fury]

why wouldn't it count

now if i am not mistaken they are car audio drivers from morel and dyn

I have used that midrange, and the 7" dyn driver in an older install
very nice speakers.
Got any pics?

Sure are, had the MW170's and the MDT33's in the car at one stage, although the MDT33's aren't really car friendly... 66mm mounting depth and 110mm face plate... fun fun fun

Pics can be found here:
http://www.stereo.ne...ighlight=mordyn

More to come once i give them a clean tomorrow

[jimdgoulding]

I've hung on to a pair of Meridian M20's, the last incarnation with over and under mid/bass drivers, that I can't imagine ever getting rid of. They fill my room with dynamically wide and tonally fleshed out music. I pre amp them with an Audio Research LS7. Actives can be time aligned in the crossover which in actives is before the amps rather than after. They stage miraculously, too, depending on the recording.

[JohnA]

Sure are, had the MW170's and the MDT33's in the car at one stage, although the MDT33's aren't really car friendly... 66mm mounting depth and 110mm face plate... fun fun fun

Pics can be found here:
http://www.stereo.ne...ighlight=mordyn

More to come once i give them a clean tomorrow

good work fury

[proftournesol]

as many already now, I've got some ADAM Tensor Deltas, an active 3 way standmount. Great speakers:)

[Drizt]

I've hung on to a pair of Meridian M20's, the last incarnation with over and under mid/bass drivers, that I can't imagine ever getting rid of. They fill my room with dynamically wide and tonally fleshed out music. I pre amp them with an Audio Research LS7. Actives can be time aligned in the crossover which in actives is before the amps rather than after. They stage miraculously, too, depending on the recording.

as many already now, I've got some ADAM Tensor Deltas, an active 3 way standmount. Great speakers:)

Thanks guys for adding to the list.

[Cloth Ears]

Currently an active/passive set-up, using Elac 510s over home-built Lambda PB12 boxes at 120Hz. The picture is very important for the system - having your ears boxed, for removing the photo, definitely impairs sound quality!

Attached Files

•  In Use.jpg   76.8K   101 downloads

[Drizt]

Currently an active/passive set-up, using Elac 510s over home-built Lambda PB12 boxes at 120Hz. The picture is very important for the system - having your ears boxed, for removing the photo, definitely impairs sound quality!

Thanks for the picture mate, looks like a nice setup. Bet it sounds nice too.

[andyr]

I have Maggie IIIas (made 20 years ago). Stock, they are 3-way passive ... I've run them 3-way active for the last 10 years. As the drivers are basically resistive (little inductance), the XOs are just filters - so it's a relatively simple task to replicate the slopes actively. I use Rod Elliott's P09 XOs.

Regards,

Andy

[Cloth Ears]

Thanks for the picture mate, looks like a nice setup. Bet it sounds nice too.

Picture of amp stack (EQ is for HT duties) attached. New couch coming in the next few weeks, so I may be able to put a long, thin subwoofer behind it. Maybe...

[edit] Amps are stock Behringer A500 (for the bass) and massaged Sansui AU-X1 (as pre-amp and power amp). Behringer CX2310 xover (although there's a CX3400 left over from before I got the 2-way) and Behringer 31-band EQ.[/edit]

Attached Files

•  stack.jpg   57.63K   84 downloads

Edited by Cloth Ears, 03 May 2009 - 09:06 PM.

[Young Skywalker]

SGR Audio MT3A here.

[Drizt]

Picture of amp stack (EQ is for HT duties) attached. New couch coming in the next few weeks, so I may be able to put a long, thin subwoofer behind it. Maybe...

Very impressive mate. Looks like you have put a lot of effort into extracting as much extra performance as you can out of your setup. Great stuff. I had thought of using subs as stands for stand mount speakers at one stage, still think its a great idea. Thanks for sharing.

[Drizt]

I have Maggie IIIas (made 20 years ago). Stock, they are 3-way passive ... I've run them 3-way active for the last 10 years. As the drivers are basically resistive (little inductance), the XOs are just filters - so it's a relatively simple task to replicate the slopes actively. I use Rod Elliott's P09 XOs.

Regards,

Andy

Id love to hear maggies one day, ive never had the privilege. I bet going active was a massive upgrade too.

[ozmillsy]

I have a problem with my actives. They are ruthlessly transparent.

I've discovered my favourite chill album has a fair amount of distortion in the recording. I find it far too distracting on the actives, and can only listen to it on my 2nd (passive) system.

Anyone else have this problem?

[Drizt]

There are some albums that are just rubbish unfortunately. But I have been enjoying more and more albums on my new speakers not less. It was the same with my Osborn Interludes. In passive form they were very fatiguing after a while and poorly recorded things sounded awful due to the over emphasis of some frequencies over others. After I had them converted to active I actually found them to be more forgiving due to them being more accurate. Hard to explain really, but thats what I found. I also hear much more detail with the actives, win win for me.

Can you give us an example of what CD's you are talking about, and we might be able to give our opinions on our own systems.

Have you taken any measurements in your room? Do you know if the midrange or treble has any push in your room? If so might be worth talking to Stuart and he could do something for you?

[Aslan]

Ummm, do my R1's count?
What about TerryJ's Frankenspeakers, they should also be included.

[Drizt]

Of course. Just waiting for people to reply in the thread before adding them to the list.

[JohnA]

Ummm, do my R1's count?
What about TerryJ's Frankenspeakers, they should also be included.

sure do, if they are active they belong on the list as far as i can tell.
It is interesting to see how many people have gone active.
I never considered active at first.
heck, i never considered an aussie manufaturer....seriously, you want me to purchase a no name brand, a non trophy item....READ MY SIG!!!!!

damn how things change

[Aslan]

sure do, if they are active they belong on the list as far as i can tell.
It is interesting to see how many people have gone active.
I never considered active at first.
heck, i never considered an aussie manufaturer....seriously, you want me to purchase a no name brand, a non trophy item....READ MY SIG!!!!!

damn how things change

Damn tooting John..............Trophy Schmophy. Mind you there's every chance they will be considered trophy items in the future

[Aslan]

Double Post

[JohnA]

Andrew

i am glad we have great Aussie manufacturers.
SGR, yourself or anyone else....i hope they all become trophy brands
but what i hope does not happen, is that they do not become out of reach for the average Joe

[Cloth Ears]

There are some albums that are just rubbish unfortunately. But I have been enjoying more and more albums on my new speakers not less.

I've found that if I enjoy the music, the quality of reproduction matters less than if it isn't may favourite tunes. I sometimes get disappointed listening to Dark Side of the Moon (for example), but then Us and Them starts up and I forget about the quality and just listen to the ideas :D

[mrporcelain]

Altec Lansing 221 for me. I threw the passive SGRs in the bin. 1.6kgs over 160kgs any day (that you have to get them up the stairs).

[ozmillsy]

Ummm, do my R1's count?

You mean Gino's R1's, or will you be building a 2nd pair?

[ozmillsy]

It's not a freq resp thing. 99% of my titles are Superior in everyway on the actives, just mesmerising.

But they are very revealing, and on some titles distortion becomes noticable. The same title on my passives, and if I turn the volume way up, I can hear that same distortion.

More detail, means flaws in the recording come to the foreground, well, on my system anyway.

I doubt you'd know my chillout album, it's rare -> http://www.cdunivers...nds La Roca.htm

Awesome tracks, great music, there is just some distortion coming to the fore on the actives.

There are some albums that are just rubbish unfortunately. But I have been enjoying more and more albums on my new speakers not less. It was the same with my Osborn Interludes. In passive form they were very fatiguing after a while and poorly recorded things sounded awful due to the over emphasis of some frequencies over others. After I had them converted to active I actually found them to be more forgiving due to them being more accurate. Hard to explain really, but thats what I found. I also hear much more detail with the actives, win win for me.

Can you give us an example of what CD's you are talking about, and we might be able to give our opinions on our own systems.

Have you taken any measurements in your room? Do you know if the midrange or treble has any push in your room? If so might be worth talking to Stuart and he could do something for you?

[Aslan]

You mean Gino's R1's, or will you be building a 2nd pair?

There mine until he takes delivery in September
And yes, a second pair are coming

[Mr_Gimlet]

I have actives all round - three Meridian DSP5200s L/C/R and a pair of Meridian DSP3100 rears.

[Drizt]

Fair enough mate. Just the price you pay for ultimate transparency I guess.

It's not a freq resp thing. 99% of my titles are Superior in everyway on the actives, just mesmerising.

But they are very revealing, and on some titles distortion becomes noticable. The same title on my passives, and if I turn the volume way up, I can hear that same distortion.

More detail, means flaws in the recording come to the foreground, well, on my system anyway.

I doubt you'd know my chillout album, it's rare -> http://www.cdunivers...nds La Roca.htm

Awesome tracks, great music, there is just some distortion coming to the fore on the actives.

[Drizt]

I have actives all round - three Meridian DSP5200s L/C/R and a pair of Meridian DSP3100 rears.

Thats a very impressive system mate, must be heaven.

[damohpi]

Emerald Physics CS2

[Drizt]

Any others out there ?

Active Speakers (L&R):

• SGR MT3SL - Drizt
  
• Audioengine A5 -Keith_W
  
• SGR-TAG Beechies (Altered) - ozmillsy
  
• ADAM A5 -glenn20
  
• MorDyn's (DIY)- fury
  
• SGR Octagon's - JohnA
  
• Meridian M20's - jimgoulding
  
• ADAM Tensor Delta - proftournesol
  
• Elac 510 / Lambda PB12 (active crossover between sub and speakers) - Cloth ears
  
• Maggie IIIas (Altered) - andyr
  
• SGR MT3a's - Young Skywalker
  
• Aslan R1 - Aslan
  
• Frank's (DIY) - terry j
  
• Meridian DSP5200 - Mr Gimlet
  
• Emerald Physics CS2 - Damohpi

[proftournesol]

I'm a sucker for active, I've also got some Audioengine A5s and hoping to soon not have Avantgarde Solos

[Drizt]

I'm a sucker for active, I've also got some Audioengine A5s and hoping to soon not have Avantgarde Solos

hehe, good man. You assembling a nice array of active speakers there.

[56oval]

I have box's & box's of parts so its in-active at the moment .The tweeter OPT's are being wound as we speak .
Cheers

[proftournesol]

hehe, good man. You assembling a nice array of active speakers there.

someone else has a chance to get their name on the list by buying my Avantgardes.

[joz]

Hi Prof are they still connected up??

I'm not actually in the market but would love a listen to both your sets of speakers before the Avantgardes go..