Semi-Active Speakers

[Elitzur–Vaidman]

What are everyone's opinions on semi-active loudspeakers? I was at my friend's house over new year and they had a pair of GoldenEar Triton T2s which had surprising bass extension for their size. I found these old Sterophile measurements and they match up with what I heard.

Given their size, I don't know any other speakers that compare.

 

[Scrappy]

Semi-active as in bi-wire, or line-level xover and processing for lows or mid HI’s? Wonder if they had to throw a bunch of filters at the lows.

 

[Kachda]

Semi-active as in bi-wire, or line-level xover and processing for lows or mid HI’s? Wonder if they had to throw a bunch of filters at the lows.

These speakers have a built in sub, but need an amp for all other frequencies

 

[Scrappy]

Interesting. Does it give outputs for the standalone amp?

I can RTFM of course… ha

 

[Bmoze]

I’ve had these speakers (Triton 2+) for a few years. I auditioned them and a set of Revels in my home, music-only system. Both we’re great, I thought, but the bass extension of the Tritons won me over. I use a 40W Decware tube amp with it, and a Sabaj Dac. (Tubes..acquired before I discovered ASR, but they match well with the Tritons). Adjusted with REW through Roon, they sound great. I have a 2.1 system (actives/sub) in my study, and a sub in a separate 5.1 HT system. The Triton’s bass is not as impactful as a separate sub, but to me, for music, it sounds balanced and natural.

 

[Elitzur–Vaidman]

Interesting. Does it give outputs for the standalone amp?

I can RTFM of course… ha

I didn't have the chance to pull out my buddy's pair to inspect the back, but I don't think so. I'm really intrigued about the DIY potential for similar applications.

 

[Kachda]

I heard them at a dealer. Didn't really like them too much except for the bass extension. The dealer had the PSB Imagine T3 which I much preferred over this.

T3 Freq response as published by stereophile.

 

[Rick Sykora]

Have not hear them but Definitive Technology has several models with built-in subwoofers. Vandersteen also does a few.

Due to the nature of electrostats, Martin Logan also takes this approach.

It is a valid design approach (notably for those who cannot or will not do separate subwoofers).

 

[Punter16]

Here's a review we did a while back on Def Tech's bipolar technology. There are pros and cons to be sure.