Thank you for all the useful replies guys - sorry it's taken a while to respond, I've been away from technology for a couple of days!
What is the reason you don't want a sub? Is it too hard to set up? Is it the space it takes? Bass emanating from a loudspeaker that can't be moved to minimize room issues is not the path to the best sound.
I'm keen to get back the space taken up by the sub. Plus, I feel an all-in-one loudspeaker should be inherently more coherent than a separate sub (from a different manufacturer).
I'd say the KH420, Genelec's 1237/8A (GLM being a nice thing) or 8361A or D&D's 8C. If you can wait, maybe Buchardt's new active stuff or GGNTKT's M2 could also do.
Yes, the KH420 is high on my list, but I will look at these others - thank you.
Passive loudspeakers are much better as a "final" solution - it is very unlikely that you'll fry a driver, electronics failures are more common.
You can buy something like JBL M2 with a slight stretch of budget, or find a used one.
You can measure/find its DSP settings and then use amplifier of your choice.
Using something as convoluted inside as Kii or D&D (web server for volume control, excuse me?), or even genelec/neumann would be really strange if you seek reliability.
Everything fails, what matters is percentage of failures and ease of replacement.
While you can't know percentage of failures (or MTBF figure), you sure know that replacing separates is easy.
Mmm, I can't say I agree here. I have found active speakers to be inherently better in sound terms that passive ones (as clarifed by
q3cpma above. Plus, the space saving and reduced clutter is a godsend. I do understand your point RE reliability, hence my interest in established proven manufacturers with a history of being able to service their equipment. Kii and D&D (for me) do not fall into this category and, as I said, I feel they are overpriced.
Thanks, yes I have (and took part in it!).
There is also Geithain speakers. They might also be ugly though (depending on your taste and the model).
Thanks, yes, I need to look at them as well.
Do you plan to always stay in a room similar in size?
Good question. For the time being yes, but a slightly oversize speaker (EQ'd to behave itself) that can fill a bigger room is my thinking. Of course whilst I suspect this will be a 'final speaker' I may have to revise this is things change dramatically.
I dont know about the sound pressures you need to achieve, but but since your room isn't that large, I would reconsider the sub and try a Genelec 8331A, 7350 sub and GLM combo. Small, elegant and lovely-sounding. Regarding reliability and serviceabilty, Genelec should be hard to beat. They are stubborn and proud Finns ;-) I'm Swedish but I sure trust them!
This is really interesting! I have dealer close by who has a used pair of Genelec 8351As and a pair of 7370A subs for £6k. Whilst this would see me using the plug-ugly 8351As and TWO subs (contradicting everything I want!) I suspect it is a great sounding combo!
Doug