Recommendations for affordable pair of active speakers?

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acetone

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#2782846 23-Sep-2021 15:16

I think to start off with just go with the active Audio Engine.

Yes later down the line you might want to split out into an amp and passive speakers.

If I was in your shoes I would want to spend more than $200 on an amp. I think trying to split out for your inital budget might give you a worse outcome.

Disclaimer: I am bias as I love my Audio Engine A5+ for my laptop/working setup. I also have separate amp/speakers in my main living area.

Handle9

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#2782853 23-Sep-2021 15:22

I'd expect to get far more impact from a better DAC than from passive speakers plus a cheap amp.

Doing A/B testing with the Eris 4.5 the Schiit DAC made a significant impact.

tieke

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#2782869 23-Sep-2021 15:41

jonathan18:

Looking at that amp (SMSL Q5 Pro), it's certainly pretty small (137x103x33mm), but one thing I came across was its power consumption in 'standby' - as it'll be tucked away out of easy reach I'll not be wanting to turn it off on the device itself (wonder if it would work with a wifi switch? That's how I turn the current amp on.) What's your experience with this, @tieke, and any other pros/cons you'd report?

I leave it on all the time so it's ready to play music via voice command (google mini/chromecast audio in that room) as its power use seemed pretty minimal when I originally checked. I can confirm that it has given no problems during the four or five years I've had it running, and my other SMSL amp has given me no issues over seven or eight years, so they've been a reliable brand in my experience.

I have just tested it with a wifi switch and can confirm that if it is completely powered off and on it will return to the previous mode and not start up in standby mode, so it should work fine with your existing power method, but I suspect that unless you suddenly find a great passive pair on trademe you will be going with the AudioEngines :)

jonathan18

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#2782946 23-Sep-2021 16:15

tieke:

I leave it on all the time so it's ready to play music via voice command (google mini/chromecast audio in that room) as its power use seemed pretty minimal when I originally checked. I can confirm that it has given no problems during the four or five years I've had it running, and my other SMSL amp has given me no issues over seven or eight years, so they've been a reliable brand in my experience.

I have just tested it with a wifi switch and can confirm that if it is completely powered off and on it will return to the previous mode and not start up in standby mode, so it should work fine with your existing power method, but I suspect that unless you suddenly find a great passive pair on trademe you will be going with the AudioEngines :)

Yep, you're too right... In the end, I've made a call to go with the Audioengines and have submitted an order via PB Tech; here's hoping they're able to fulfil it (email says they're 'not yet available from our Web Hub, and will need to be shipped from another branch or ordered in.')

But thanks, @tieke, for checking out your amp's powering on/off actions - appreciate the effort.

Similarly, thanks all for your ideas and input - even if the end result was to go with my initial thoughts of the A5+! (Having these recommended by so many current owners helped me reach the decision, even if the process of getting there was somewhat meandering!)

Fred99

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#2782966 23-Sep-2021 16:47

Handle9: I'd expect to get far more impact from a better DAC than from passive speakers plus a cheap amp.

Doing A/B testing with the Eris 4.5 the Schiit DAC made a significant impact.

Comparison no doubt depends on the quality and construction of the DAC/sound card in your source. For a while I used an Intel Nuc with a short unbalanced lead through a small mixer, with balanced outs to some active speakers, was actually okay. The same plugged into the laptop I had then - not very good.

The mixer was a bit of an eyesore, so that had to go, so I used a studio interface as a dac for a while, then bought a simple "hifi" DAC with balanced outputs and a separate passive volume control - which sits on top of a cabinet and is the only visible part of the system (apart from the speakers and display).

There's zero chance I'll revert to passive speaker/amp combination. Active speakers offer a long list of advantages.

Handle9

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#2782969 23-Sep-2021 16:56

Fred99:

Handle9: I'd expect to get far more impact from a better DAC than from passive speakers plus a cheap amp.

Doing A/B testing with the Eris 4.5 the Schiit DAC made a significant impact.

Comparison no doubt depends on the quality and construction of the DAC/sound card in your source. For a while I used an Intel Nuc with a short unbalanced lead through a small mixer, with balanced outs to some active speakers, was actually okay. The same plugged into the laptop I had then - not very good.

The mixer was a bit of an eyesore, so that had to go, so I used a studio interface as a dac for a while, then bought a simple "hifi" DAC with balanced outputs and a separate passive volume control - which sits on top of a cabinet and is the only visible part of the system (apart from the speakers and display).

Yip. Both the PC and CC Audio benefited from the DAC. Both were "fine" but I really noticed the difference having a better quality DAC.

Samsung

Shop now on Samsung phones, tablets, TVs and more (affiliate link).

jonathan18

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#2787573 1-Oct-2021 12:11

So the Audioengine A5+s arrived a couple of days ago (despite never having confirmation from PB Tech they were able to supply!), and colour me pleased with them. Most important things first (joke) - the aesthetics and finish are great. Working perfectly with the CC Audio and connected to a WiFi plug (hardware switches do come in so handy for this!).

While they do indicate it'll take a few hours (50sh I think they suggest) for the sound to bed in, I'm impressed with them out of the box, and a good step up from the old NAD/Marantz setup they replaced. Obviously, not much at the lower end: what's there is nicely defined, just drops off fairly quickly. (Have the sub connected and that helps nicely with filling in that very bottom end.)

Thanks for all the feedback and recommendations.

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