searching for good active speakers...

Status
Not open for further replies.
Hello,

I am currently searching for a pair of "monitor speakers", 8 or 10 inch, that can double as a portable discotheque, maybe with the addition of a subwoofer what is not intended for the PC speaker setup. The idea is to put them on 2 tripods next to my desk.

Priorities in the order of importance:
-> Ability to survive PC / Audio interface turn on /off pops without issue at least if the input gain is set to as low as possible during domestic listening - will definitely not be set to full gain
-> high sound quality / neutral reproduction, plus low background noise or "hiss" for use as a high end PC speaker setup at 1 m distance
-> Tight, punchy sound, I consider 65Hz ability low enough for "my" listening, since I have become just too sensitive to stand bass resonances / room modes, endless mudded boomy sound etc. For disco listening, I love tons of chest-punch at around 100Hz, but despise mood / boomyness etc.
-> speaker's ability to "store" value as an investment over many years and give good $$ when sold to the used marked years down the road - no "junk speaker"
That said, I 'd put the absolute cost limit at less than EUR 4K / pair.
-> size (less is better)
-> weight (less is better)

Currently I am considering

RCF 4Pro 1031-A
RCF TT 08-A
RCF TT 1-A
(RCF is affordable here in Europe since there is no duty within the EU)
Lambda-Labs TX-1A - one of my favourite since it has dual-range ADC
(EV ETX-10P - quite a decent decent speaker overall but has an issue with noise in the treble region)
KS audio CPD 8
KS Audio C1 / C10

Any ideas?
 
So to explain the budget: I am happy to live with cheaper speakers if they are good, but I have no issue investing more $$ instead of putting it into some other investment based on the assumption that this decision will have a high chance to pay back when speakers are sold again.
 
Nexo doesn't seem to have active (self-powered) speakers in that size range at all.

"Peavey do not manufacture High End, nor do RCF for that matter. "
I am not too familiar with Peavey stuff , but I was considering at least RCF's TT series as high end (based on what I read about it in the different forums).
 
JBL's only product in that size I could find is PRX710 - I don't like the plastic-like look of the case. Look-wise, I prefer the EV ETX-10P, but this one is a little hissy, I heard it at a shop, and I don't know how loud /disruptive that hiss would be in an almost silent listening environment at 1m.
 
I'd suggest the EV ZXa1 components, that is an 8+1 top and 12" sub. This is on the small side for PA use but it's also overkill for a computer sound system.. but it could work. I think you're going to have to compromise on some things.. like the amount of residual noise(hiss) a system has to use any PA speaker at home, yes some are better than others in this regard but I don't think I have seen any that are as dead quiet as a home audio system, and that is simply because of the higher sensitivity of PA components.
 
I have an older pair of tannoy reveals - unexpectedly good sound - studio monitors however they don't sound "flat" (ie: lifeless). A bit boomy with the ported bass but that's probably only as Im used to open baffle bass. I like them a lot. Not sure if the modern equivalents are any good.
 
"I'd suggest the EV ZXa1 components, that is an 8+1 top and 12" sub. This is on the small side for PA use but it's also overkill for a computer sound system.. but it could work. I think you're going to have to compromise on some things.. like the amount of residual noise(hiss) a system has to use any PA speaker at home, yes some are better than others in this regard but I don't think I have seen any that are as dead quiet as a home audio system, and that is simply because of the higher sensitivity of PA components."

Thanks for the input. No idea how the ZXa1 is sounding, but the polymerized plastic housing is a knock-out factor for me.
Noise-wise you may be right in that professional equipment can't be as good as inefficient home systems. MAybe I am trying to pull 2 things together what don't fit. Maybe it is better to buy a pair of 8" studio monitors plus a pair of 10" pro speakers. I ve seen most active studio monitors are way cheaper than pro speakers....
 
Status
Not open for further replies.