should i opt for passive or active monitors?

[derzai]

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jan06/a ... 0106_7.htm

What do you say?

And how do I connect from my computer to the amplifier?

Point is i would like to have tl design speakers. The only active i found were PMC's, but they are too expensive.

There is company (remo electronics) they sell DIY tl loudspeaker building kits. Then I could combine with a Luxman amp. Thats the idea.

Here's an article on (pmc) transmission line speakers.

http://www.pmc-speakers.de/PMC-Transmis ... y%20PT.pdf

[8O]

In the middle and upper parts of the monitor market there is no doubt that active models offer significant advantages over passive designs, such as optimised power amps for each driver, optimised driver-protection circuitry, short and direct connections between amps and drivers, more complex and precise line-level crossovers, and so on.

I wonder why this seems to be conventional thinking for studio monitors, whereas in the hi-fi world it's all about separate (passive) speakers and amps. Wonder why that is...?

And how do I connect from my computer to the amplifier?

Just into line-in or aux inputs of the amp, like any other source like CD, etc...

[TomViolenz]

In the middle and upper parts of the monitor market there is no doubt that active models offer significant advantages over passive designs, such as optimised power amps for each driver, optimised driver-protection circuitry, short and direct connections between amps and drivers, more complex and precise line-level crossovers, and so on.

I wonder why this seems to be conventional thinking for studio monitors, whereas in the hi-fi world it's all about separate (passive) speakers and amps. Wonder why that is...?

Isn't that pretty clear?! In the HiFi world it's not about the most linear response curve, but about what to boost in the frequency range and how. That's why you want different combinations: to give more choice.

While in the studio world, you would want the amp to drive your speaker in such a way that it will produce the most linear response with the driver you have. That's best to achieve, if you know exactly which driver you are driving. Hence the fixed combination. No?!

[Samuel L. Jizzle]

I think it's more a question of easy of use. Hifi speakers often get installed in weird places, which makes getting access to their controls unpractical for day to day operations like switching them on and off or changing volume.

[8O]

In the middle and upper parts of the monitor market there is no doubt that active models offer significant advantages over passive designs, such as optimised power amps for each driver, optimised driver-protection circuitry, short and direct connections between amps and drivers, more complex and precise line-level crossovers, and so on.

I wonder why this seems to be conventional thinking for studio monitors, whereas in the hi-fi world it's all about separate (passive) speakers and amps. Wonder why that is...?

Isn't that pretty clear?! In the HiFi world it's not about the most linear response curve, but about what to boost in the frequency range and how. That's why you want different combinations: to give more choice.

While in the studio world, you would want the amp to drive your speaker in such a way that it will produce the most linear response with the driver you have. That's best to achieve, if you know exactly which driver you are driving. Hence the fixed combination. No?!

Well, not really - at least the advertising blurb's aims are accuracy, transparency and no colouration - exactly the same as studio monitors. That's what High Fidelity literally means. Though reality and money doesn't necessarily follow marketing slogans

Moreover, the more you spend on hifi, the fewer controls you get.

I suspect it's closer to the well-named Samuel L. Jizzle's suggestion.

Anyway, let's not derail derzai's thread too much...

[102455]

how do I connect from my computer to the amplifier?

The same way you connect anything else to an amplifier. Use a cable.

[derzai]

Anyway, let's not derail derzai's thread too much...

Oh no. I get myself a pair of entry level active speakers.

[derzai]

how do I connect from my computer to the amplifier?

The same way you connect anything else to an amplifier. Use a cable.

Yeh thanks.

[derzai]

I think it's more a question of easy of use. Hifi speakers often get installed in weird places, which makes getting access to their controls unpractical for day to day operations like switching them on and off or changing volume.

I'll put one downstairs and one upstairs.

[Samuel L. Jizzle]

Nice!

[TomViolenz]

Yeah, should do wonders for the stereo field...

[andydes]

Yeah, should do wonders for the stereo field...

Speaking of which, when I move to the fatherland, I'll probably be getting new monitors to not use on Sundays.

Thing is, I'm nearly completely deaf on the left (maybe 10% of what I can hear on right). Think I should just sack off the two monitors thing and just buy one really good one?

I can just pick up enough on left to perceive stereo, but it's no use for proper imaging at all.

Seems wrong to just have the one though.

Thoughts?

[TomViolenz]

Wow! Sorry to hear that (no pun intended).
In your case, yes one monitor is plenty, and you shouldn't even attempt to do work on the stereofield. Let someone else do that. Maybe a mastering guy?!

[derzai]

Seems wrong to just have the one though.

Thoughts?

Take care you get the one for your right ear.

[derzai]

would like to have this one, timeless design.