Which one to choose: passive 2.2 system OR active full range floorstanders?

[bamhamer]

Hello forum members,

I have a tough decision to make.

I need to decide if I want to choose a

-traditional passive system consisting of 2 Focal Sopra 1 bookshelf speakers combined with 2 subwoofers (most likely 2 Elac sub 2070 closed cabinet push-push/pull-pull subs)

-or a pair of active Dynaudio Focus 60 XD floorstanding speakers.

I have a hard time to decide. what do you think would be the better choice and why?
Which one is going to be most likely the superior / better sounding system?


would be thankful for every input that could help me make the right decision here.


thanks,
Ben

 

[AudioStudies]

I have always been a fan of active systems. There is less harmful interaction among the drivers and they are more tweak able.

 

[Dimifoot]

Active 2.2

 

[hyperplanar]

May I ask why you're limited to these two choices of speakers in particular?

 

[bamhamer]

Active 2.2

this is a little bit out of my price range but assuming i would go with the focus 600 xd PLUS 2 subs it would be the best choice i guess.
But this would mean I would have to connect the actives to pre outs to include a pair of subs, or?

May I ask why you're limited to these two choices of speakers in particular?

Because I have VERY good offers for a pair of each of them.

 

[q3cpma]

The Dynaudio, no questions about it. The 8 year warranty is a very nice bonus, too. I'd rather have smaller Focus with subwoofer, though.

 

[Ron Texas]

$10,000 for a pair of stand mounts with 5" mid/low drivers. Sorry, that's way too much. Maybe there is a deal on them in Europe. I voted for the floor standers for that reason alone. For that kind of money you could get D&D 8c's.

 

[bamhamer]

The Dynaudio, no questions about it. The 8 year warranty is a very nice bonus, too. I'd rather have smaller Focus with subwoofer, though.

why the dynaudios?

$10,000 for a pair of stand mounts with 5" mid/low drivers. Sorry, that's way too much. Maybe there is a deal on them in Europe. I voted for the floor standers for that reason alone. For that kind of money you could get D&D 8c's.

both pair of speakers are offered to me around 4000€ so the price is no factor here.
In general the price should not be a deciding factor here, its all about the quality of sound for me with this decision.

 

[q3cpma]

why the dynaudios?

DSP based crossover is a good idea, in general.

both pair of speakers are offered to me around 4000€ so the price is no factor here.
In general the price should not be a deciding factor here, its all about the quality of sound for me with this decision.

Then I'll be obnoxious and say that you can get better than both by going Genelec. Something like 2x 8330A + 7360A or 2x 7350A is 3500€; leaves you enough for a GLM kit. Or 2x 8030C + 2x 7050C for 3000€ and you do the room correction yourself.

 

[bamhamer]

Then I'll be obnoxious and say that you can get better than both by going Genelec. Something like 2x 8330A + 7360A or 2x 7350A is 3500€; leaves you enough for a GLM kit. Or 2x 8030C + 2x 7050C for 3000€ and you do the room correction yourself.

its only between the focals and the dynaudios. but thanks for your tip!

 

[LTig]

I haven't heard any Focals or Dynaudios lately, but an active speaker has many advantages so with only these 2 choices left I'd go active. Let's hope Dynaudio didn't blew it ...

 

[bamhamer]

Let's hope Dynaudio didn't blew it ...

what do you mean by that?

 

[LTig]

what do you mean by that?

As long as @amirm has not measured the Dynaudios we don't know for sure how good they really are.

 

[bamhamer]

As long as @amirm has not measured the Dynaudios we don't know for sure how good they really are.

ahhhh. yeah thats true. haha. unfortunately the amount of tested speakers is rather small as of yet and i dont think hes going to test these high priced speakers anytime soon.

 

[Eurasian]

A lot of great info here: https://audiophilestyle.com/ca/reviews/dynaudio-focus-600-xd-loudspeaker-review/

 

[bamhamer]

A lot of great info here: https://audiophilestyle.com/ca/reviews/dynaudio-focus-600-xd-loudspeaker-review/

woaah thank you! that could help making a decision.
can you find an article like this for the sopra no1s too? hahaha

 

[Eurasian]

There is always very useful info in Mitch’s articles. Most of them are worth reading at least twice!

I should add my personal opinion: Get the 60XDs and the basic Audiolense software to tune to your room and taste.

 

[Ron Texas]

both pair of speakers are offered to me around 4000€ so the price is no factor here.
In general the price should not be a deciding factor here, its all about the quality of sound for me with this decision.

Perhaps you should have said that from the start instead of letting us peel layers off the onion.

 

[bamhamer]

Perhaps you should have said that from the start instead of letting us peel layers off the onion.

sorry but I intentionally didn't mention the price since I don't want to influence the decision by the pricing but since both of them are about the same price it doesn't matte i guess.

 

[bamhamer]

I bought the focus XD speakers with the option to upgrade it to a 2.2 system