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What is the best passive bookshelf to convert to active - under US$800 a pair

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Music1969

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Hi all

As per thread title, that is the best passive bookshelf to convert to active - under US$800 a pair ?

I want to experiment with DSP active crossovers but I want to start with a quality speaker. Not try to convert a crap speaker into a good speaker with heaps and heaps of EQ.

Elac DBR-62 is obviously one great option:

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...-debut-reference-dbr-62-speaker-review.12232/

Any other great options?
 
Look at the reviews paying attention to dispersion. That can't be fixed. I agree you don't want to start out with a jagged frequency response, but when you remove the crossover, the FR around the crossover area will change. Used LS50's are pretty cheap these days.
 
KEF Q100 and Q300 are two-way, bi-wire speakers. All you have to do is remove the actual crossover and you are good to go. I have no experience in this area, but I own both of these and have thought about playing around with them in this way. However, you have to be careful you don't blow the tweeter, and I have no idea whether there will be hiss once the cross-over is removed.
 
Klipsch Rp-600m
Klipsch RP-600M Bookshelf Speaker Spinorma CEA-2034 Audio Measurements.png
 
HooStat said:
All you have to do is remove the actual crossover and you are good to go.
Click to expand...

Yep I'm fine with the physical process. I've done this with really crappy old speakers.

I want to now move to better quality/performing speakers to try this.

So just after suggestions of models that fit the price mentioned and good performance.
 
Problem with used passive L50 is I need to do a bit of drilling into cabinet to get another pair of banana plug terminals there

Elacs have what looks like standard sized mounting plates


1614699037023.png
 
Music1969 said:
This is not objectively as good the Elac DBR-62 I linked though right?
Click to expand...
Directivity on the Klispch is far better. But "objectively better" could be so much. Power handling, distortion, resonances, energi storage etc.

I would go for the speaker with the best directivity potential to start with if the goal is a "simple to fix" project.
 
JBL Stage A130, as it has very low distortion and good overall performance.
 
I am a believer in thinking the first time I try something, while I should learn a lot, I also may screw something up.

The Infinity R162 are back on sale for $160 pair:
https://www.harmanaudio.com/loudspeakers/REFERENCE+162.html

I have toyed with the idea of converting, with the objective to minimize it's distortion via DSP and a more optimal active crossover arrangement.

Amir also mentioned the woofer had good physical extension and did not bottom out. Sounds like a good starting point..

Why not as a first experiment?

https://audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/infinity-r162-bookshelf-speaker-review.12333/
 
Absolute said:
Directivity on the Klispch is far better. But "objectively better" could be so much. Power handling, distortion, resonances, energi storage etc.

I would go for the speaker with the best directivity potential to start with if the goal is a "simple to fix" project.
Click to expand...
Directivity of the Klipsch is good and is has a biwire terminal. But the enclosure is a cheap and resonating nightmare (I owned a pair for a few weeks). So in order to justify the effort of activation you should take care of the resonances at higher volume.

If it was my project I would choose the Klipsch....
 
Maybe NHT C3. Would be curious to see if you could make a "perfect speaker" through equalization, or if you just messed up the tonality. It would be hard with a 2 way but easier with a 3-way I think.
 
jonfitch said:
Would be curious to see if you could make a "perfect speaker" through equalization, or if you just messed up the tonality. It would be hard with a 2 way but easier with a 3-way I think.
Click to expand...

Not trying to make the perfect speaker and not saying I can make a DSP crossover better than Andrew Jones passive.

Just experimenting for some fun and learning, which is why I want to keep budget low.

And this is not only about DSP crossover alone - it's incorporating room correction/EQ too.
 
I have been wanting to do this with a set of Paradigm studio 40's. There are many on the used market for relatively cheap and in their day had an active twin.
 
jonfitch said:
Maybe NHT C3. Would be curious to see if you could make a "perfect speaker" through equalization, or if you just messed up the tonality. It would be hard with a 2 way but easier with a 3-way I think.
Click to expand...

This is more expensive than the 3-way Elac though. I'll wait to see what the re-measurement of Elacs looks like. It's a developing story lol
 
Cahudson42 said:
I am a believer in thinking the first time I try something, while I should learn a lot, I also may screw something up.

The Infinity R162 are back on sale for $160 pair:
https://www.harmanaudio.com/loudspeakers/REFERENCE+162.html

I have toyed with the idea of converting, with the objective to minimize it's distortion via DSP and a more optimal active crossover arrangement.

Amir also mentioned the woofer had good physical extension and did not bottom out. Sounds like a good starting point..

Why not as a first experiment?

https://audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/infinity-r162-bookshelf-speaker-review.12333/
Click to expand...

This is nice and cheap and good horizontal+vertical directivity. And should be able to get 4 banana plug plate on the back easily.

This isn't my first time though, I mentioned above I've done this with dirt cheap and crap speakers. With good results.

I want to start with a better speaker this time.
 
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