[tonyptony]

I'd like to set the limit at $500 for a stereo pair. I know the C&C guidelines say $350 for an individual component, but I'm hoping since the subject is powered speakers that $500 is okay.

So here's the challenge: what is the closest, best thing in a powered speaker that can take its place on a stand, for actual "hifi" listening? IOW, a small music room. I know we'll get neither subterranian bass nor room filling volume, but I am looking for something beyond the "computer desktop" realm. I had a pair of Swans M200 (original version), but the built in amp bit the dust and Swans has been less than responsive (these speakers, BTW, were not pushed very hard at all). I'm not inclined to replace these with another pair of the current version. Is there anything meeting the price point than can step up to the plate as a speaker that can be looked at as a "high end" (given its price point) speaker, and not simply a "computer monitor"?

[srb]

For the price range, I would recommend the Kanto Yumi, ($400) based on my ownership of its predecessor, the Kanto iPair 5, which I have had in near 24/7 service for 4+ years.
 
The other choice in that price range would probably be the Audioengine 5+ , also $400.
 
To get closer to true "high-end" I think you would have to go well outside of the C&C range for around ~ $1K with something like the Dynaudio BM5A MKII or DBM50 or Quad 11L Active.
 
Steve

[jackman]

Emotive was having a big sale on their powered speakers.   I think the small ones are $399.  These were highly regarded by Jason at the rmaf.

[dwk]

I have only had a relatively brief listen at RMAF, but the EmotivePro Airmotiv powered speakers sounded pretty darn good, and the 5" version is well under your limit. The 6" exceeds it by a bit.

[Ericus Rex]

I got my wife a pair of the Audio engine 5 a while back.  We've used them for parties and for casual listening in our living room (my system is in my basement Mancave).  They sound really great.  Much better than they should for the price.  I haven't heard other brands of powered speaker but I can't imagine them being any better than the audio engines.

[srb]

Whatever you decide to get, if there is a choice I would be personally inclined to choose the model with a 5" LF driver (if you won't be using a subwoofer).  I have a pair of 4" 2-ways in the office, but they are near-field and relatively low volume.
 
Steve

[tonyptony]

Wow. What a set of great responses already. I had looked at the Yumi, but felt part of the cost would be going for stuff that I don't need or won't use (Bluetooth, USB). I was considering the Audioengine 5+ but wasn't sure if reports of amplifier failure from the 5 (older) version had been addressed.

EmotivePro is still having their sale! jackman, dwk, can you give me a bit more on any experiences you had with them?

Wouldn't you know, that was one of the few rooms I didn't get to at RMAF!

[srb]

Wow. What a set of great responses already. I had looked at the Yumi, but felt part of the cost would be going for stuff that I don't need or won't use (Bluetooth, USB).

I hear you, but Kanto says that they think the sound of the new Yumi is slightly improved over my older iPair 5, which were also $400 when I bought them and don't have Bluetooth, digital inputs or bass/treble adjustments.
 

I was considering the Audioengine 5  but wasn't sure if reports of amplifier failure from the 5 (older) version had been addressed.

Apparently the older A5 had some potential overheating issues which were addressed on the A5 with the addition of an external finned heatsink.
 
Steve

[JLM]

I'd start with a visit to soundonsound.com (a professional review site).  They have reviews on dozens of studio monitors.

As with any studio monitor (or those professional reviewers), the goal is accuracy above all else (even enjoyment).  I've auditioned a few studio monitors (not the Evotiva) and don't really care for them.

OTOH in keeping with the C&C guidelines of $1,000 total (and assuming you have a computer), nearly the whole budget could be spent on monitors if you snag a cheapy DAC like NuForce airDAC or one of the inline USB DAC's.

[jimdgoulding]

I use powered or active speakers for my main system.  Just curious, why do you want powered speakers?

[silver_strings]

The audioengines and swans use passive crossovers so there is basiczlly no difference from a passive set other than that the amps are built in, look at studio monitors, most have active crossovers youll getter better sound for your money.

[Pchelac]

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?partnumber=248-640
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?partnumber=248-6462

[srb]

The audioengines and swans use passive crossovers so there is basiczlly no difference from a passive set other than that the amps are built in, look at studio monitors, most have active crossovers youll getter better sound for your money.

It all depends on the implementation and quality, so in the case of good active monitors you will usually get better sound for more money.  Case in point was the KRK Rockit 5 with 2 amplifiers/active crossover per speaker that were simply just not as good sounding as some other single amplifier/passive crossover monitors that I have owned.
 
Steve

[tonyptony]

I'd start with a visit to soundonsound.com (a professional review site).  They have reviews on dozens of studio monitors.

As with any studio monitor (or those professional reviewers), the goal is accuracy above all else (even enjoyment).  I've auditioned a few studio monitors (not the Evotiva) and don't really care for them.

OTOH in keeping with the C&C guidelines of $1,000 total (and assuming you have a computer), nearly the whole budget could be spent on monitors if you snag a cheapy DAC like NuForce airDAC or one of the inline USB DAC's.

Thanks JLM. I'd visited the soundonsound site a few times over the past months and looked at the reviews. I was hesitant to go for speakers that were only and purposefully designed as studio monitors because I won't be using them that way. My goal is to find something that could work well on stands, in a room about 12x18 feet. I was worried that (for true studio monitors) this sort of not quite near field use might not be ideal. To jimdgoulding, the reason I'm looking at powered speakers is because this room is being fed from a spare pair of FWD line level outputs from my MC preamp; it's just easier to work powered speakers in this room.

In the meantime, I got drawn in to the positive reviews of the EmotivaPro speakers (some of the reviews were in stand mounted arragements like my setup). With the sale going on right now I figured I'd give them a try (didn't want to decide to get them and then find the sale was over - that's my normal sort of luck!). Bought the Airmotive 5. Keeping my fingers crossed.

[jackman]

Hi Tony,

I have not auditioned the Emotiva speakers but I'm thinking about getting a pair for my office system.  I trust Jason and he had very positive comments.  Plus, they have an audition period and if you don't like them, you can always ship them back for a refund.  Good luck and please keep us posted.  Emotiva has a good reputation for customer service.  I look forward to your comments.

Jack

[jtwrace]

I trust Jason and he had very positive comments.
Jack

I know you're not talking about me but I'll agree with the other Jason.   

[JLM]

Please do report back.

I'm finally moving to a music server, but the casual listening living room system (receiver just died) so the replacement could be as simple as an $179 NuForce airDAC with active speakers.  So I'm curious to find out what you think of the Emotivas.

BTW my main rig is active (single driver speakers).  Many theoretical benefits of going (truly) active.  As always you can find good and bad examples of active or passive. 

[funkmonkey]

I'll throw in another vote for AudioEngine A5+.  I was an early adopter of the A5 and cranked them at work for 10 hours/day 5-6 days/week for the first three months of their lives, and the protection circuitry shut them down when they got hot.  After a few days with about five shut downs (playing at near max volume... and filling a hollywood soundstage with sound) I put a small fan blowing on the back of the cabinet with the amp in it.  Not even one shutdown after that.  That was 6(?) years ago, and they are now serving duty as overkill computer speakers and playing at much more moderate volumes...  no fan, no problem.  AND they sound fantastic!  With the addition of the cooling fins (and what ever other tweeks they did) I am sure the A5+ will perform even better.  I have considered upgrading myself, but there is absolutely nothing wrong with my A5s.  I have considered getting a sub and DAC from Audioengine at various times and you may want to consider them as well.

I have no other powered speakers to compare these to, but they also come with a free audition period (I think you are responsible for shipping costs, though).

Cheers,
Greg

[tonyptony]

I will report back once they arrive and have been given enough time to loosen up.

I really did like my Swans, but was a little surprised when they cr@apped out on me. They'll still accept a signal and play, but there is this contsant loud buzzing that is independent of volume - or even whether cables are plugged in. I suspect they can be repaired, but when I got no response from Swans after multiple emails and even a couple of phone calls I figured they must not put too much behind customer service. Since they were out of warranty I was only going to give it so many tries. I wanted the next pair of speakers to be good and have good service if needed. EmotivaPro and Audioengine both do well in that area from what I've read.

[jackman]

I know you're not talking about me but I'll agree with the other Jason.   

These speakers seem to be popular with everyone named Jason!