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New JBL Summit Speakers

Pearljam5000 said:
Why didn't they make them active?
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"Audiophiles" seem to prefer separates, otherwise they can't spend a car's worth on amps and a boat's worth on cables.

I'm being facetious but I think that's really why, the target market seems to be the aging megabuck crowd that is willing to spend $$$$$ but also leans away from DSP crossovers and that kind of thing.

ta240 said:
There is also a very valid possibility that sites like this are shaking up the low end products more than the high end.
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I would bet that's true to an extent.

If you're able to spend $30-50K on speakers, you do not need to conduct research to find out what the very best bang-for-buck speakers are. You can walk into the showroom, find something you like, or something the salesperson recommends, and just buy it.

But If you are a home studio person trying to make good recordings with an $800 budget, you'd better believe you're reading reviews and seeking out the best deals.
 
sigbergaudio said:
Are you sure? It seems to me 90% of all speakers are already made in China, including many of the expensive ones. And China isn't that much cheaper any more. High quality work isn't free in China either.
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The problem is the brand is not Chinese and I don't think they have developed independent IP with the parts either. Hopefully bigger companies like Edifier moves into the hifi speaker market.
 
If a speaker is inexpensive it is no longer high end as that the primary distinction of a high end audio product.
 
kemmler3D said:
"Audiophiles" seem to prefer separates, otherwise they can't spend a car's worth on amps and a boat's worth on cables.

I'm being facetious but I think that's really why, the target market seems to be the aging megabuck crowd that is willing to spend $$$$$ but also leans away from DSP crossovers and that kind of thing.

I would bet that's true to an extent.
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That is probably a big part of it.

I would also think that many of them would already have amplifiers they like, and the idea of selling those to switch isn't that appealing.

Plus, it seems like powered speakers are handier for those that are streaming their music. If you have multiple sources or want to play movies through them they often aren't as slick.

Finally, with the 'aging' market as you say, there tends to be a preference for knobs and buttons for controls over phone apps.
It reminds me of 'smart' light bulbs. When I walk into the room I have to get my phone out, open the app, find the right spot and 'just that easy' the light is on; flipping a switch would be so old fashioned.
 
ta240 said:
Plus, it seems like powered speakers are handier for those that are streaming their music. If you have multiple sources or want to play movies through them they often aren't as slick.
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Eh? In what way is that different from passive speakers with an amp? Input options on amps are broadly similar to what you'll find on active speakers. If you're using them for a home theater, you'll need an audio/video switcher/decoder just the same either way. The real problem is that removing the amplifiers from an AVR to get an AVP somehow always makes them more expensive rather than less for otherwise the same feature set.
 
@ta240
I agree, I think that the affordable marketplace is far more affected by sites like ASR. People with true wealth and who can afford such extravagant gear are going to gravitate to the luxury and rarefied trimmings that only they and their friends can afford.

I suspect a significant appeal will be the bragging rights and the exclusive club that they will be in. They will trust the golden ear reviewers and gilded builds and designs. That is what I feel so yes, sites like ASR are not likely to affect the purchasing decisions of the affluent.
 
kyuu said:
Eh? In what way is that different from passive speakers with an amp? Input options on amps are broadly similar to what you'll find on active speakers. If you're using them for a home theater, you'll need an audio/video switcher/decoder just the same either way. The real problem is that removing the amplifiers from an AVR to get an AVP somehow always makes them more expensive rather than less for otherwise the same feature set.
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I guess it varies from brand to brand on the speakers as to what sort of inputs they have. Some have phono, some don't some have only one analog input. The number of inputs on a typical full sized amp is way more than on powered speakers.
It circles back to the buttons and knobs thing, walking up and starting a source but then having to get out a phone and open the app, and select the source, and oops, turn the volume down. The eco system just isn't as friendly.

If you are going full surround then you need a decoder, but for just playing stereo off a TV you don't, but it needs enough inputs to have all the analog items connected.
If you are connecting them to the more expensive surround decoder, where do you set the volume on the speakers for the analog input from the receiver?
 
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ta240 said:
If you are connecting them to the more expensive surround decoder, where do you set the volume on the speakers for the analog input from the receiver?
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All the way up, set to a level where max volume from the receiver gets you to the loudest you'd ever want it to go, or set to bypass if there is such an option. Everyday volume control will be have to be done from the receiver of course. We're probably straying a bit off-topic here though.
 
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