Another Active Vs Passive Thread , Do help

[antz123]

Hi All,

I use my PC primarily for Music, Movies/Animation and Games. Music is mostly older rock and few new age bands like Nin, RHCP, Foo Fighters, Daft Punk, Chemical Brothers etc.

I currently have Xonar ST and Klipsch 2.1 system. I love the sound of Klipsch 2.1, it has good range, however lower bass goes missing, plus richness isnt exactly there and is not aging too.

So I need to upgrade from my current system and my budget is approximately INR 20K(+-2K).

From my understanding and reading various threads out here, i can go for a good Active system or a decent Passive system.

Active options like AE, M - Audio, Swans and Passive is Wharfedale Diamond Norge 2060 sorts.

Am i on right track? and would you guys suggest an active given my budget and tastes or a Passive system.

Please suggest the options which are available in India.

Thanks

Anant Pandit

 

[musicbee]

Passive is always better unless you are talking Genelec and even there I'm sure many will argue of better separates at those Genelec prices.

Norge + Wharfedale is the popular choice at the budget level. Also, check out HiFiMart for Boston Acoustics A 25 Speaker. Have not heard them though.

But I'm not sure any of them will greatly improve lower bass seeing that's your primary requirement.

 

[jaudere]

Hi All,

I use my PC primarily for Music, Movies/Animation and Games. Music is mostly older rock and few new age bands like Nin, RHCP, Foo Fighters, Daft Punk, Chemical Brothers etc.

I currently have Xonar ST and Klipsch 2.1 system. I love the sound of Klipsch 2.1, it has good range, however lower bass goes missing, plus richness isnt exactly there and is not aging too.

So I need to upgrade from my current system and my budget is approximately INR 20K(+-2K).

From my understanding and reading various threads out here, i can go for a good Active system or a decent Passive system.

Active options like AE, M - Audio, Swans and Passive is Wharfedale Diamond Norge 2060 sorts.

Am i on right track? and would you guys suggest an active given my budget and tastes or a Passive system.

Please suggest the options which are available in India.

Thanks

Anant Pandit

Well, your termionology is bit confusing for me (and may be so for few others also.)

Norge+Wharf is more commonly called as Separates.
Active and passive is used more commonly for monitors or crossovers rather than regular home speaker systems.

Anyway, which Klipsch model you are using? can you point us to URL giving its specifications?

Most of the times, music hardly contains any information below 45Hz. If your Klipsch do go that low then they should be enough. Why do you exactly say that the bass is missing? have you heard same bass in a better way on some other speakers?If yes, then which was teh other speaker?


Since you are using a computer based system, it is easy to find whether your speakers are really at fault or no. Download some tests notes (1 note for 1 frequency) . Play them on your speakers and find out which frequencies are very loud and which are less. Once you find it, try to compensate it by using equalizers. If that does not work, then think of upgrade.

You can go with either speakers with built in amp (Audio engine/Swan etc) or you can go for separates. However a budget of 20-25k is too low to go for separates and get good bass too.

Is there any possibility of adding just a subwoofer in your set up? A decent active sub may come inthat budget of 20-25K.

 

[antz123]

@ Musicbee - from what i read on forums here Genelec would be sort of out of budget.

@ jaudere

sorry for confusing things up.

What i meant was passive with an amp. so likes in "Separates" you mentioned speaker with an amp.

ProMedia GMX A - 2.1 Computer Speaker System | Klipsch

This is my current system. In India earlier when i bought like 5-6 yrs ago only GMX was available so ended up taking that one instead of simpler Pro-Media. They look atrocious for my taste but have served well.

Music richness if i may add is somewhere missing. I know its a very layman terminology, and since you asked that what is the relative benchmark for me to understand the missing part. I have two in-ears 1) Brainwavz M2 and 2) Sony XBA-3.

Sony XBA lack the power of bass however the clarity and the range of music I heard on Sony was more than I was aware off in many live albums. I had been listening to those tracks for long time but on an XBA-3 they sounded very rich. Similarly, some songs recently I had heard in a someone's house and then same song at my home i found the intro missing which I realized was low bass rumble which was missing from my system.

From your suggestions I understand an Bookshelf set is much better option. Then could you suggest in that budget what could be best buy.

As for Active sub-woofer, can it marry with my present system. as in like just replace my sub-woofer with an option you might suggest ?

Also one more question can I look at a book shelf like AE A2 which is around 8K and then look at a sub-woofer along with it? Or a 2.1 set up of Swans would be much better. Except Swans I couldnt find any other 2.1 though which is available in India and is having good reviews.

Thanks Again

Anant

 

[antz123]

anyone with any feedback would be great.

Thanks

 

[GeorgeO]

Antz

You may benefit from reading up a little bit and then get a better understanding of things, and posting your queries after that.

 

[musicbee]

my budget is approximately INR 20K(+-2K).

anyone with any feedback would be great.

Stating the obvious choice at that budget. Wharfedale + Norge combo. Boston Acoustics A 25 also available on HifiMart but I've not heard them.

 

[antz123]

@GeorgeO

If i had known better i would be doing self research that's why i came to you guys, but shall dug up more .

Just that I got X amount to spend so was asking advice. many people said A2 is awesome since it was 2.0 was wondering if A2 + a sub-woofer would be perfect combo or something else if you guys could guide in.

@musicbee
Wharfedale + Norge is seems to be the choice, Are you suggesting Boston along with Norge "might" be a better choice?

however just wanted to ask if the combo is better than a swan 2.1 or something similar of that budget.

Thank you anyways...

 

[musicbee]

@musicbee
Wharfedale + Norge is seems to be the choice, Are you suggesting Boston along with Norge "might" be a better choice?

however just wanted to ask if the combo is better than a swan 2.1 or something similar of that budget.

Thank you anyways...

Have not heard Boston so no I'm not recommending it unless you can have a listen and like what you hear.

I've heard Wharfedale + Norge and its great VFM. Wharfedale Diamond 10.1 is actually very good and nothing in that budget comes close to it.

I've not heard Swan so again the recommendation is no unless you can audition and decide for yourself. I do have Audioegine A5 and they rock. Cost $400 from US (if you have a relative who can carry them) but otherwise will cost more locally. Check Bajaao.com for details.

PS - Always listen for yourself and decide.

 

[iaudio]

Well, your termionology is bit confusing for me (and may be so for few others also.)

Norge+Wharf is more commonly called as Separates.
Active and passive is used more commonly for monitors or crossovers rather than regular home speaker systems.



Anyway, which Klipsch model you are using? can you point us to URL giving its specifications?

Most of the times, music hardly contains any information below 45Hz. If your Klipsch do go that low then they should be enough. Why do you exactly say that the bass is missing? have you heard same bass in a better way on some other speakers?If yes, then which was teh other speaker?



Since you are using a computer based system, it is easy to find whether your speakers are really at fault or no. Download some tests notes (1 note for 1 frequency) . Play them on your speakers and find out which frequencies are very loud and which are less. Once you find it, try to compensate it by using equalizers. If that does not work, then think of upgrade.

You can go with either speakers with built in amp (Audio engine/Swan etc) or you can go for separates. However a budget of 20-25k is too low to go for separates and get good bass too.

Is there any possibility of adding just a subwoofer in your set up? A decent active sub may come inthat budget of 20-25K.

Jaudere, I think what antz123 is referring to (and I agree with) is the use of active and passive in terms of whether the speakers need an external amp like Wharfedale 9.1(passive, not powered) or have a built in amp and are powered like Audio Engine A5.

antz, Swan seems to have rave reviews though not exactly common and now they have an Indian presence thru hifinage. However, very few members on this forum seem to have actually auditioned them.

Dr. Bass on this forum used to recommend a pair of Sonondyne active speakers. Please search for the same.

 

[jaudere]

Norge 2060-Warf 10.1 combo (Norge 2060 can also be combined with Norge millenium MK2 bookshelves with good results) and Audiogenine A5 are both reputed systems but I am not sure whether they will satisfy your bass needs. You will have to audition them with your usual music.

 

[antz123]

@musicbee Thank you for advice. I checked Bajaao, and nah no US relative ... seriously thanks anyways.
\and i know should listen first hand. All have different tastes in music.

Have not heard Boston so no I'm not recommending it unless you can have a listen and like what you hear.

I've heard Wharfedale + Norge and its great VFM. Wharfedale Diamond 10.1 is actually very good and nothing in that budget comes close to it.

I've not heard Swan so again the recommendation is no unless you can audition and decide for yourself. I do have Audioegine A5 and they rock. Cost $400 from US (if you have a relative who can carry them) but otherwise will cost more locally. Check Bajaao.com for details.

PS - Always listen for yourself and decide.

 

[hemantwaghe]

Are you from Mumbai?

Have got M-AUDIO BX8a -can audition at my place.
In process of making stands for them

i like slight bass heavy music - i found bass is very good for its size - BTW these are heavy and deep active stuio monitors with 8 inch woofer..

 

[antz123]

@iaudio

Thank you for getting head n tails of what i said . I meant Active as in preamped(powered amps) speakers and passive as (external amps, not powered)

Thus a Swan is an active system in my mind like also AE A5, and Passive are Wharfedale 9.1 or AE P4.

Swans sure has great reviews my confusion thus was to hear from someone who has similar tastes to mine if an Active set up is better than Passive.

If Active is better 2.0 is it good (like AE A2) or 2.1 is more complete sound (Swans MK 2.1). Or Passive better Norge + Wharfedale is better.
One friend suggested to take even AE A2 + AE Sub and make a 2.1 system.

So in my mind battle was between these 3 set-ups. I dont have many friends rather hardly anyone in my circle who is audiophile and i could listen to their system. Somewhere "reviews" on site i dont trust much. Thus i joined the site to get peoples first hand thoughts on this matter.


Thanks again.

Anant

Jaudere, I think what antz123 is referring to (and I agree with) is the use of active and passive in terms of whether the speakers need an external amp like Wharfedale 9.1(passive, not powered) or have a built in amp and are powered like Audio Engine A5.

antz, Swan seems to have rave reviews though not exactly common and now they have an Indian presence thru hifinage. However, very few members on this forum seem to have actually auditioned them.

Dr. Bass on this forum used to recommend a pair of Sonondyne active speakers. Please search for the same.

 

[antz123]

@jaudere

Thanks man shall try and figure out if i can audition this combo somewhere..

Norge 2060-Warf 10.1 combo (Norge 2060 can also be combined with Norge millenium MK2 bookshelves with good results) and Audiogenine A5 are both reputed systems but I am not sure whether they will satisfy your bass needs. You will have to audition them with your usual music.

 

[antz123]

@hemantwaghe

Thanks a lot man, i live in Dadar, Mumbai. However from what am aware of BX8a is on higher side liek 30K plus.

Are you from Mumbai?

Have got M-AUDIO BX8a -can audition at my place.
In process of making stands for them

i like slight bass heavy music - i found bass is very good for its size - BTW these are heavy and deep active stuio monitors with 8 inch woofer..

 

[iaudio]

Antz123, try not to make multiple posts in succession. Use the multi quote feature to quote different posts in one single reply.

You can also look at the Edirol ma150d active speakers that hemantwaghe has. These are around 12k and have pretty good bass.

 

[abhi_jollyguy]

One HFV member has bought Swans M200MKII model from us and you can see his review on our website under this product. Swans M50W is the best 2.1 channel speaker currently available under 30k IMHO.

I am not able to see any other 2.1 which can surpass Swans M50W as an overall complete package.

 

[musicbee]

One HFV member has bought Swans M200MKII model from us and you can see his review on our website under this product. Swans M50W is the best 2.1 channel speaker currently available under 30k IMHO.

I am not able to see any other 2.1 which can surpass Swans M50W as an overall complete package.

Seriously mate... it is unlikely you or anyone else has heard all the 2.1 systems that exist to even make such broad all encompassing statements about a product you are promoting as a dealer.

Seriously, add some value to the discussion and help people instead of only singing the Swan song.

No offense to you personally...

 

[abhi_jollyguy]

Seriously mate... it is unlikely you or anyone else has heard all the 2.1 systems that exist to even make such broad all encompassing statements about a product you are promoting as a dealer.

Seriously, add some value to the discussion and help people instead of only singing the Swan song.

No offense to you personally...

I have not heard all the 2.1 system but at the same time - I am not seeing any 2.1 system in the market which is as good as Swans M50W as a complete package at the budget of 20k - if you have seen such so kindly enlighten me which got rave reviews and opinions across head-fi and many more forums. I am not clamoring here as being a dealer of Swans, nope, not at all. I am saying which has been said by many guys in different forums.

It's just that you know that I am dealer of Swans so you said that to me.

One HFV member has bought M200 model from us and We just told OP that you can read his review on our website so what is wrong in this? We have not forced or told him that "you just buy Swans M200MK2" model from us that's it.

Do not take it as a "Swans Singing" please. When I started a thread on TE so one user have commented there:

"I am a happy owner of 2 active spks from Swan (M200 MKII and D 1080 MKII) for over 4 years. I bought them from Hong Kong, perhaps the cheapest location (after mainland China) to buy Swan spks. I had owned a whole range of active spks (from AE2 to Roland M15D and many more) but none could come closer to Swans both in sound and build quality."

So now please do not say that I am clamoring here about Swans.