Active stand mounted speakers

[HeadDoc12]

I have the KEF LS50 Wireless IIs on the KEF S2 stands (and also 2 KC62 subs), and I LOVE them. Wife is happy with sound and looks, too. If I were looking today, I might start with the Dynaudio Focus 10. The look is more traditional (a plus or minus depending on taste, but they also afford a decent variety of finish options), the sound is probably comparable, but the kicker is the optional DIRAC Live license. Adding DIRAC to these speakers makes DSP very simple and HIGHLY effective. You can put them as close to the wall as you like, and let the DSP work it out for you. I REALLY wish KEF offered something comparable.

 

[Mal]

Take a look at the new Sonus Faber Duetto. SF speakers usually have a high wife acceptance factor.

"So if you want the HDMI input, you have to push the remote’s input button repeatedly until you see the top strip going orange, a tedious process, and from low seats you may not be able to see the speaker’s top light changing colour, so you’ll have to stand up [and throw the remote at hubbie...]"

Sonus Faber Duetto review

Wireless active speakers that combine the company's Italian design flair with fully modern streaming – including an early appearance of consumer Ultra WideBand technology

www.whathifi.com

(Actually this is similar to my kef lsx! Except the lights are on the front, so you don't have to stand up. But you need to remember that green means Spotify connect, and blue means Bluetooth, or whatever...)

 

[roog]

I have the KEF LS50 Wireless IIs on the KEF S2 stands (and also 2 KC62 subs), and I LOVE them. Wife is happy with sound and looks, too. If I were looking today, I might start with the Dynaudio Focus 10. The look is more traditional (a plus or minus depending on taste, but they also afford a decent variety of finish options), the sound is probably comparable, but the kicker is the optional DIRAC Live license. Adding DIRAC to these speakers makes DSP very simple and HIGHLY effective. You can put them as close to the wall as you like, and let the DSP work it out for you. I REALLY wish KEF offered something comparable.

Yes its a shame re: DIRAC, I asked about the DSP on the Kef LS 60s a while back and was disappointed at the response.

 

[roog]

"So if you want the HDMI input, you have to push the remote’s input button repeatedly until you see the top strip going orange, a tedious process, and from low seats you may not be able to see the speaker’s top light changing colour, so you’ll have to stand up [and throw the remote at hubbie...]"

Sonus Faber Duetto review

Wireless active speakers that combine the company's Italian design flair with fully modern streaming – including an early appearance of consumer Ultra WideBand technology

www.whathifi.com

(Actually this is similar to my kef lsx! Except the lights are on the front, so you don't have to stand up. But you need to remember that green means Spotify connect, and blue means Bluetooth, or whatever...)

HDMI connection is a nice to have for me, my need is for Stereo audio only although it could be good for the BBC proms once a year!

 

[JiiPee]

"So if you want the HDMI input, you have to push the remote’s input button repeatedly until you see the top strip going orange, a tedious process, and from low seats you may not be able to see the speaker’s top light changing colour, so you’ll have to stand up [and throw the remote at hubbie...]"

Sonus Faber Duetto review

Wireless active speakers that combine the company's Italian design flair with fully modern streaming – including an early appearance of consumer Ultra WideBand technology

www.whathifi.com

(Actually this is similar to my kef lsx! Except the lights are on the front, so you don't have to stand up. But you need to remember that green means Spotify connect, and blue means Bluetooth, or whatever.

I don't think that selecting an input by toggling is such a huge chore. After all, it is quite normal way of operation with many of modern audio devices. Also, You can use the Apple/Android app for operating the system.

 

[somebodyelse]

I imagine the Devialet Phantom would be love or hate on the appearance.

 

[Doenerkunde]

I don't know if the classic look would be to your wives liking, but the active Klipsch bookshelfs measure surprisingly well. Take for example the Klipsch The Nines (with an 8 Inch woofer and a DSP crossover):

Erins Review: https://www.erinsaudiocorner.com/loudspeakers/klipsch_the_nines/

 

[Count Arthur]

What's your budget?:

 

[Marc v E]

How about lyngdorf?

They do speakers and amp/dsp that are easy to place in a room. Haven't heard them, but the concept is intriguing.

KEF ls60 could be a good option. Or ls50.

Personally, I would consider an avr because it is 1 box that does it all, and let your wife decide on speaker colour/looks from a preselection you made. Tbh I would go for a tower speaker over a standmount because else I'd need a subwoofer which the wife doesn't approve of.

 

[roog]

How about lyngdorf?

They do speakers and amp/dsp that are easy to place in a room. Haven't heard them, but the concept is intriguing.

KEF ls60 could be a good option. Or ls50.

Personally, I would consider an avr because it is 1 box that does it all, and let your wife decide on speaker colour/looks from a preselection you made. Tbh I would go for a tower speaker over a standmount because else I'd need a subwoofer which the wife doesn't approve of.

Need to check lyngdorf, I have noted the some studio monitors come in white so I haven’t written them off yet.

I was interested in Amir’s test of the Genelec 8341 but surprised that he didn’t think it went loud.

 

[roog]

What's your budget?:

View attachment 407743

I already have ATC speakers and apparently they are too big! :0)

 

[Axo1989]

... Ideally she wants a small bluetooth speaker that sounds like my current large floor standing speakers.

Who wouldn't? I mean I would buy a couple of those.

If you weren't budget-constrained I'd suggest this one from B&O:

Especially as they have a limited run of special covers to choose from.

Maybe you could get away with the size on that basis.

 

[Axo1989]

I already have ATC speakers and they are too big! :0)

You are just going to need another room to keep those in. Easy.

 

[kyuu]

Have you considered using in-wall speakers? Hard to get less visually obtrusive than just a grill on the wall (which can usually be painted). There are certainly very good architectural speaker options on the market.

For 5k, I might start by looking at the KEF Ci3160RLM-THX.

 

[roog]

Have you considered using in-wall speakers? Hard to get less visually obtrusive than just a grill on the wall (which can usually be painted). There are certainly very good architectural speaker options on the market.

For 5k, I might start by looking at the KEF Ci3160RLM-THX.

I would struggle to accommodate built in speakers, but yes I have seen them used to great effect in rich peoples homes that I have the ‘dubious pleasure’ of visiting in carrying out my work. For balance I should say that I also visit nhs hospitals, factories, warehouses, affordable housing, water pumping stations etc. you get the idea but they don’t have fancy AV systems or grand pianos :0)

 

[Kal Rubinson]

I will support the earlier suggestion of the KEF LS60. They are really quite slim and sleek and they come in a range of colors. Outstanding sound (objectively and subjectively) and they can adeptly support a wide range of wireless, wired, analog or digital sources.

 

[roog]

I will support the earlier suggestion of the KEF LS60. They are really quite slim and sleek and they come in a range of colors. Outstanding sound (objectively and subjectively) and they can adeptly support a wide range of wireless, wired, analog or digital sources.

That’s interesting @Kal Rubinson i have heard them for myself, and I liked them, but I’ve not seen objective evidence in support. Can you say were this is reported please?

 

[thon]

Yes its a shame re: DIRAC, I asked about the DSP on the Kef LS 60s a while back and was disappointed at the response.

Since you‘ve already mentioned Buchardt…
The active „A10“ have built in room correction and can also be connected wirelessly (WiSA).
They also go really deep so depending on your needs you don‘t need a sub.
Or a passive Buchardt in conjunction with their new Sub. Due to its dimensions placement is more or less a non-issue (could also be hidden). The Sub as well has built in room connection that you can also use for passive mains if the Sub is connected between Pre-Amp (or source with volume control) and power amp.

 

[kyuu]

That’s interesting @Kal Rubinson i have heard them for myself, and I liked them, but I’ve not seen objective evidence in support. Can you say were this is reported please?

Erin's Audio Corner has objective data for them.

 

[Count Arthur]

That’s interesting @Kal Rubinson i have heard them for myself, and I liked them, but I’ve not seen objective evidence in support. Can you say were this is reported please?

Erin has measured them: https://www.erinsaudiocorner.com/loudspeakers/kef_ls60/

Edit: Snap!