[JLM]

I've been keeping an eye on the current Quad active speaker, the 9AS.  Sometime in the past year they've dropped the US price from $1300 to $1000/pair but also eliminated the cheery finish option.  It seemingly has every feature you'd want, DAC and analog inputs, subwoofer output, front mounted controls, and remote control.  But the reviews are less than glowing of it's sound.

[maty]

May reviews!

[Review] Audioengine HD6 Powered Loudspeakers by Hans Wetzel

-> http://soundstagexperience.com/index.php/equipment-menu/721-audioengine-hd6-powered-loudspeakers

More expensive:

[Review] Dynaudio Xeo 2 Powered Loudspeakers by Hans Wetzel

-> http://www.goodsound.com/index.php/equipment-reviews/717-dynaudio-xeo-2-powered-loudspeakers

...I was also curious to hear how my passive KEF LS50s ($1499.99/pair) would fare against the Xeo 2s. The LS50’s sculpted cabinet allows it to “disappear” from a room more completely than the Dynaudio, provide more finely delineated imaging, and sound even more spacious. The LS50’s midrange and treble, while ultimately more detailed than the Xeo 2’s, has a slightly relaxed, laid-back quality that contrasts with the Xeo’s slightly forward sound. At low to medium volumes, the KEF’s bass was actually outshone by the Dynaudio’s. The Xeo 2 dug lower and maintained its composure while doing so; the KEF turns a bit loose and lush. As the volume rose, however, and the Xeo 2’s DSP-driven midrange-woofer began to buckle and flap, the LS50 went unflappably on.

For all of the Xeo 2’s strengths, the LS50 is superior -- it’s as good a two-way speaker as you can buy for $2000 or even $3000/pair. But how close to it the fully active Xeo 2 came for only $100/pair more -- which, remember, includes the power amps -- was remarkable.

[maty]

About the price, I think is better to buy a good second hand amplifier and the KEF Q100 speakers. Then you can CHEAP tweak both like me:

[Spanish] -> http://aficionados.foroactivo.com/t342-kef-q100-uni-q-bookshelf-speakers-5-25-coaxial-with-front-bass-reflex

to English -> https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=es&tl=en&js=y&prev=_t&hl=es&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Faficionados.foroactivo.com%2Ft342-kef-q100-uni-q-bookshelf-speakers-5-25-coaxial-with-front-bass-reflex&edit-text=&act=url

[Spanish] -> http://aficionados.foroactivo.com/t217-modificacion-del-bias-polarizacion-de-los-transistores-de-potencia-de-los-amplificadores-dc-offset

to English -> https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=es&sl=es&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Faficionados.foroactivo.com%2Ft217-modificacion-del-bias-polarizacion-de-los-transistores-de-potencia-de-los-amplificadores-dc-offset

[Russell Dawkins]

About the price, I think is better to buy a good second hand amplifier and the KEF Q100 speakers.

I agree, but I would not buy any bookshelf speaker in this price range before I heard the Elac UB5 at $500/pr, due out May 17.

[maty]

I love coaxial speakers. Well, with woofer <= 5.25". ELAC UB5 has 4" midrange woofer and... more electrolytics in the crossover!

Re: Elac speaker review

-> http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=140079.msg1515795#msg1515795  Amazon.com May 30

-> http://www.amazon.com/ELAC-Uni-fi-Bookshelf-Speaker-Black/dp/B01CRYWVG2

PS: KEF Q300 has 6.5" woofer and the sound is...

[maty]

Maybe the NEW Equator D5 2016 edition, aka MKII in Europe. The original edition had many problems of design and construction.

-> http://www.equatoraudio.com/default.asp

2016 Version Enhancements

    The port system has been redesigned to reduce chuffing and low-frequency distortion as well as improved servicability

    The front fascia has been redesigned. The back has a new sealing process to prevent air leakage. The external edges of the front port/fascia have a more gradual radius. The internal port has been rerouted

    The HF/LF transducer has been redesigned making it more sensitive and more efficient

    The gap between the tweeter and the woofer has been tightened to reduce air leakage, which reduces low-frequency distortion and air turbulence

    The HF tweeter wave guide has been re-seated to a more optimized position. This improves transparency by reducing high-frequency reflective artifacts

    Mechanical improvements to the electronics have been made to avoid internal sympathetic vibrations. This reduces distortion and improves serviceability

-> http://www.equatoraudio.com/New-Improved-D5-Studio-Monitors-Pair-p/d5.htm

PD: with cheap? class D amplifiers + DSP.

[Russell Dawkins]

I love coaxial speakers. Well, with woofer <= 5.25". ELAC UB5 has 4" midrange woofer and... more electrolytics in the crossover!

At least it has a midrange! And I'd rather hear midrange through a 4" driver than 5.25 or 6.5", given the choice. The 4" driver is a midrange, by the way, not a mid woofer.  It is high passed at 270Hz. This is a true mid range driver, not a mid/woofer like the KEFs you mention. The woofer for the UB5 is 5.25".

[JLM]

I briefly heard the UB5 at Axpona last month, the room was very full for the entire show, but it sounded very impressive compared to my friend's B6.  Much more body.

[Sonico]

Dear all, my friend came home last week to find a gift box from his wife. Inside, a pair of Ruark Audio MR1.
His wife saw these speakers on a shop and found them so appropriate for their purpose, that she decided to surprise the husband. And truth to be told, he was surprised in many ways - the sound is completely satisfactory and he's very happy with it.
Done. Ruark Audio...
No more comments from me. Thank you all!