Does anyone use active studio monitors for multichannel 5.1 SACD-music playback? I was thinking of adding that, currently I only use passive speakers. Is it worth the trouble in Studio Monitor Setup to use them for 5.1 SACD playback over(instead of) passive speakers? Any expertise into how to best accomplish this would be appreciated, or if I should just go with passive speaker setup. Below are some of how I foresee my setup being accomplished in this particular room.
I'd likely get something like the JBL Professional 305/306/308P MkII (perhaps these won't work because I might need something with front-ports, please suggest better for SACD MCh playback, for use somewhat near field(?), 6 feet from front plane, rears are only 2-feet plane behind ears. Budget would be $500 - $1,000 for the studio monitor speakers.
Now, the Studio Monitor Speakers I'd only get if they'd sound significantly better than my current 2 passive speaker options for this room:
Option 1: JBL Studio 570 fronts, 530 rears, 520c center (I know these sound great in my SACD listening, but I haven't hear Studio Monitors to compare it to.)
Option 2: 4x Pioneer SP-BS22A-LR(atmos) Andrew Jones w/matching center channel speaker.
The issue beyond choosing speakers will be method to get the DSD stream to the speakers.
I foresee doing it this way if using Active Studio Monitors:
1. SACD-player (like Sony UBP X800M2, to-get).
2. HDMI-out to AVR that has RCA-pre-amp-outs (already own this).
3. Convert RCA to XLR balanced: something like the (to get):
$180 ART T8 8-channel Hum Eliminator / Isolation Rack
$149 Behringer Ultra-DI Pro DI800v2 8-channel Active Instrument Direct Box
www.sweetwater.com
4. Studio Monitor Speakers (to get).
Now, I could just use passive speakers, in which case they'd be, 2 options:
Option 1: JBL Studio 570 fronts, 530 rears, 520c center.
Option 2: 4x Pioneer SP-BS22A-LR(atmos) Andrew Jones w/matching center channel speaker.
Now, ideally, #2 & #3 above would be replaced with a pre-amp with XLR-outs like the Yamaha CX-A5200; or Marantz AV7703 - AV7706, or AV8805 (which will range in price used/refurb from $1,000 to $3,000)
Another option might be for me to convert my SACDs to images/DSD files, then play directly from digital--not sure of the best way to output those digital files to 5.1 studio monitors (x.1 potential sub.) It'd probably have to be some expensive $1,000 - $3,000 XLR-enabled pre-amp like mentioned above, or a cheaper 5.1 AVR capable of DSD file playback from network or front USB.
Room setup:
It's basically a setup surrounding a bed in a basement bedroom, of size 15.5'L x 10.5'w x 7'-8.5" ceiling(popcorn), carpeted(concrete floor), all sheet rocked walls.
I foresee having the 3 front speakers at the foot of the bed, and 2 rear speakers on the natural-shelf made by the lower concrete-block core-wall, basically sitting in front of the window.
Core wall types:
Front's: 2x4's(closet space full wall-width except for bedroom door.)
Left: concrete block
Right: 2x4's
Back: window & lower-wall concrete blocks, upper-wall 2x6's.
I'd likely get something like the JBL Professional 305/306/308P MkII (perhaps these won't work because I might need something with front-ports, please suggest better for SACD MCh playback, for use somewhat near field(?), 6 feet from front plane, rears are only 2-feet plane behind ears. Budget would be $500 - $1,000 for the studio monitor speakers.
Now, the Studio Monitor Speakers I'd only get if they'd sound significantly better than my current 2 passive speaker options for this room:
Option 1: JBL Studio 570 fronts, 530 rears, 520c center (I know these sound great in my SACD listening, but I haven't hear Studio Monitors to compare it to.)
Option 2: 4x Pioneer SP-BS22A-LR(atmos) Andrew Jones w/matching center channel speaker.
The issue beyond choosing speakers will be method to get the DSD stream to the speakers.
I foresee doing it this way if using Active Studio Monitors:
1. SACD-player (like Sony UBP X800M2, to-get).
2. HDMI-out to AVR that has RCA-pre-amp-outs (already own this).
3. Convert RCA to XLR balanced: something like the (to get):
$180 ART T8 8-channel Hum Eliminator / Isolation Rack
$149 Behringer Ultra-DI Pro DI800v2 8-channel Active Instrument Direct Box
Behringer Ultra-DI Pro DI800v2 8-channel Active Instrument Direct Box
Active Phantom Powered 8-channel DI Box, with +20db Gain Switch and Switchable Input Attenuation
www.sweetwater.com
4. Studio Monitor Speakers (to get).
Now, I could just use passive speakers, in which case they'd be, 2 options:
Option 1: JBL Studio 570 fronts, 530 rears, 520c center.
Option 2: 4x Pioneer SP-BS22A-LR(atmos) Andrew Jones w/matching center channel speaker.
Now, ideally, #2 & #3 above would be replaced with a pre-amp with XLR-outs like the Yamaha CX-A5200; or Marantz AV7703 - AV7706, or AV8805 (which will range in price used/refurb from $1,000 to $3,000)
Another option might be for me to convert my SACDs to images/DSD files, then play directly from digital--not sure of the best way to output those digital files to 5.1 studio monitors (x.1 potential sub.) It'd probably have to be some expensive $1,000 - $3,000 XLR-enabled pre-amp like mentioned above, or a cheaper 5.1 AVR capable of DSD file playback from network or front USB.
Room setup:
It's basically a setup surrounding a bed in a basement bedroom, of size 15.5'L x 10.5'w x 7'-8.5" ceiling(popcorn), carpeted(concrete floor), all sheet rocked walls.
I foresee having the 3 front speakers at the foot of the bed, and 2 rear speakers on the natural-shelf made by the lower concrete-block core-wall, basically sitting in front of the window.
Core wall types:
Front's: 2x4's(closet space full wall-width except for bedroom door.)
Left: concrete block
Right: 2x4's
Back: window & lower-wall concrete blocks, upper-wall 2x6's.
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