Do active speakers for hifi listening (not monitoring/pro use) make sense anymore?

[tokyo_blues]

Actually, I would ask:

Do passive speakers for hifi listening make sense anymore? ​

Well let's hear your point of view. Please expand.

No need for the boldface by the way, and the default font size is fine!

 

[Draki]

You might also consider DIY active design, possibly with subcontracted carpentry work - at least that's what I did : no crazy prices, lots of fun and knowledge gained, and if you learn and manage decently, a very satisfactory experience in the end.

Is that Scan D7608 mid dome?
AT bass?....
Nice! Both sets.

 

[Audionaut]

Nice! Both sets.

Yes, they are great, although I would prefer the speaker with the Nero in the bass and the B&C in the midrange. Very nice chassis selection, and I can easily imagine how they sound and how they reproduce sound.

I'm not a fan of such two-part enclosures because I don't find them visually harmonious (and there are edge diffractions), but everything else is top notch in my opinion.

 

[Fledermaus]

Is that Scan D7608 mid dome?
AT bass?....
Nice! Both sets.

Thank you !
Yes 12" Flexunits for the lows, mid dome is SB Satori MD60-something. In retrospect, might have achieved a nicer directivity pattern around fx using some 10" woofer but no regrets, I find comfort in those gorgeous low frequencies

 

[Fledermaus]

Very nice chassis selection, and I can easily imagine how they sound and how they reproduce sound.

Thanks !

I'm not a fan of such two-part enclosures because I don't find them visually harmonious (and there are edge diffractions), but everything else is top notch in my opinion.

As for two-box enclosure it's in part a matter of weight (needs to be movable by one guy alone !) in part sentimental (was so enamored, as a young man, with my first speakers), and in part a requirement regarding the shape and dimensions of the horn's mandatory roundover...
Sorry for hijacking your thread, @tokyo_blues

 

[tokyo_blues]

Thanks !

As for two-box enclosure it's in part a matter of weight (needs to be movable by one guy alone !) in part sentimental (was so enamored, as a young man, with my first speakers), and in part a requirement regarding the shape and dimensions of the horn's mandatory roundover...
Sorry for hijacking your thread, @tokyo_blues

Quite the contrary, please go ahead. And if you could share some pointers on how to get started with designing and making your own speakers that would be interesting. I think you said somewhere above that you subcontracted chassis construction?

 

[Fledermaus]

Welcome to DIYworld !
To each his own journey but, from the top of my head : you might get acquainted, at least superficially, with the fundamentals of speaker conception and what makes them good sounding (Dr Toole's book is a must read! Amir's tutorials on speaker measurements shouldn't be missed either), same for different drivers and enclosure type properties , and how to assemble them.
You might also contemplate your needs - or wants - as for size, frequency range and SPL to be achieved, and get to know the compromises to be made...
You may also get familiar with the pieces of software we have the fortune to have at our disposal (REW, VituixCAD, WinISD.. .) which are of a great help in designing and measuring loudspeakers.
At some point after studying all this and cultivating your DIY mindset, your mind should be made up regarding the kind of speaker you'd like.
About subcontracting : yes, I did the drivers choice, enclosure design, simulations in silico, measurements and tuning, but woodwork - for which I'm neither equipped nor particularly gifted - was entrusted to a carpenter friend of mine. But no need to be friends, once you have your box designed, you can have the corresponding panels cut an even assembled by a trusted local craftsman - whom you can eventually befriend, no problem with that.

 

[kma100]

Thank you. I see you're located in NRW, Germany. I live in Aachen. Do you sell your speakers? Do you know of any local custom speakers makers where I could go for a listen and discuss design/buy direct? Else, do you have any recommendations for great hifi shops in NRW or the Netherlands/Belgium area where to look for advice and perhaps guide my choice with some listening?

Talk to @sigbergaudio

 

[JohnnyNG]

You might also consider DIY active design, possibly with subcontracted carpentry work - at least that's what I did : no crazy prices, lots of fun and knowledge gained, and if you learn and manage decently, a very satisfactory experience in the end.

Love this! Really awesome. I also had lots of fun with my 4-way (counting single nearfield sub) active project but I didn't subcontract the "carpentry" so have to hide it with DuraTex.

I did have the sense to conceal the sub under my seat.

 

[Fledermaus]

I admit I took the easy way out—unlike you! This spherical coaxial head is really cool, both in terms of design and execution, and your amp rack is so cute - what do you use as Xover ?

 

[JohnnyNG]

I admit I took the easy way out—unlike you! This spherical coaxial head is really cool, both in terms of design and execution, and your amp rack is so cute - what do you use as Xover ?

Member @ppataki has done a bunch of fantastic projects including this Sica 5.5C1.5CP coax in a sphere. His is 3d-printed and much cooler.

I'm using two crossovers, actually; a Sublime Acoustic K231 splits to mid/tweeter at 2.5kHz and also at 500Hz below which goes to a miniDSP Flex balanced which crosses at 80Hz between sub and midbass speakers and applies Dirac Live. All enclosures are sealed to make things a bit simpler and more predictable. A bit cobbled together from what I had on hand and shouldn't really work but sounds really good.

 

[CJH]

Cool. Can you do the same for the ATC speakers?

Spinorama only has a couple of passives to compare.