Powered Speakers Suck (because of class D)

[GUTB]

With the coming of the KEF LSX being pushed relentlessly by the mid-fi / tech / lifestyle media outlets we have to deal with this issue once again: powered speakers suck. They suck because of class D, because no one wants to add 50 lbs of quality amplification into a speaker. We're not talking about high-end class D such as nCore, Pascal, etc, either. We're talking about ICEPower and little chip amp boards. Insipid, low-resolution, harmonically dead, and fatiguing. Likely sucks at sound stage, but that's not a major problem as customers of these products probably don't care about sound stage to begin with.

 

Meanwhile, high-performance speakers with high-quality amps remain the domain of middle-aged audiophiles who don't have a part in the next audio-lifestyle wave.

[wgscott]

This on-the-spectrum thread needs some similarly well-reasoned musical accompaniment:

 

 

[Panelhead]

I have four pair of powered speakers that have Class A-B amplifiers. 

Quad 12 Active - mid quality

Blue Sky System One - 2 Ways with sub.

Mid Blue Blue Sky - 3 Ways with sub

KRK Expose - the originals, made in the USA, US electronics and Focal drivers.

  With the Blue Sky systems the subs are Class AB also. I have one sub with a Class D amplifier.

  There are plenty of others that use quality electronics. Most of the UK monitors for sure. 

  The active speakers do not have to play through a passive crossover. This is big.

[rickca]

I have a pair of Focal CMS50 with class A/B amps on my desktop system.  Do they suck?

[firedog]

Active speakers are superior to the equivalent non active model, even if Class D. Basically every company that makes an active and non-active version of the same speaker will tell you that. Having perfect match between drivers and speakers, and eliminating crossovers makes all the difference. Traditional passive design is simply inferior. 

[Shadders]

8 hours ago, GUTB said:

With the coming of the KEF LSX being pushed relentlessly by the mid-fi / tech / lifestyle media outlets we have to deal with this issue once again: powered speakers suck. They suck because of class D, because no one wants to add 50 lbs of quality amplification into a speaker. We're not talking about high-end class D such as nCore, Pascal, etc, either. We're talking about ICEPower and little chip amp boards. Insipid, low-resolution, harmonically dead, and fatiguing. Likely sucks at sound stage, but that's not a major problem as customers of these products probably don't care about sound stage to begin with.

 

Meanwhile, high-performance speakers with high-quality amps remain the domain of middle-aged audiophiles who don't have a part in the next audio-lifestyle wave.

Hi,

I think you are missing a good point besides your opinion of Class D.

 

If the little Kef speakers gain publicity with the younger generation, despite your opinion, it may get the younger generation interested in Hifi, which is good for all enthusiasts.

 

Maybe it will go full circle - the crepe radiograms from the 50's were exceeded by hifi popularity in the 60's onwards, so it may just take these speakers to generate interest in hifi again.

 

Regards,

Shadders.

[jabbr]

Kii 3?

[mfsoa]

If one is not intimately familiar with the proprietary Class D designs by The Digital Amplifier Company, there is no validity to one's claims of across-the-board inferiority of Class D.

 

Truly, your arguments are not only tiresome but completely uniformed and incorrect. 

[kumakuma]

12 hours ago, GUTB said:

With the coming of the KEF LSX being pushed relentlessly by the mid-fi / tech / lifestyle media outlets we have to deal with this issue once again: powered speakers suck. They suck because of class D, because no one wants to add 50 lbs of quality amplification into a speaker. We're not talking about high-end class D such as nCore, Pascal, etc, either. We're talking about ICEPower and little chip amp boards. Insipid, low-resolution, harmonically dead, and fatiguing. Likely sucks at sound stage, but that's not a major problem as customers of these products probably don't care about sound stage to begin with.

 

Meanwhile, high-performance speakers with high-quality amps remain the domain of middle-aged audiophiles who don't have a part in the next audio-lifestyle wave.

 

Get a new schtick

[christopher3393]

17 hours ago, GUTB said:

With the coming of the KEF LSX being pushed relentlessly by the mid-fi / tech / lifestyle media outlets we have to deal with this issue once again: powered speakers suck. They suck because of class D, because no one wants to add 50 lbs of quality amplification into a speaker. We're not talking about high-end class D such as nCore, Pascal, etc, either. We're talking about ICEPower and little chip amp boards. Insipid, low-resolution, harmonically dead, and fatiguing. Likely sucks at sound stage, but that's not a major problem as customers of these products probably don't care about sound stage to begin with.

 

Meanwhile, high-performance speakers with high-quality amps remain the domain of middle-aged audiophiles who don't have a part in the next audio-lifestyle wave.

 

IDK. you could just step up to the KEF LS50 Wireless, especially the Nocturne Edition, and you're in a whole different league! Here's a video that provides all the info you'll need. Very cool!

 

 

 

[Ajax]

18 hours ago, GUTB said:

With the coming of the KEF LSX being pushed relentlessly by the mid-fi / tech / lifestyle media outlets we have to deal with this issue once again: powered speakers suck. They suck because of class D, because no one wants to add 50 lbs of quality amplification into a speaker. We're not talking about high-end class D such as nCore, Pascal, etc, either. We're talking about ICEPower and little chip amp boards. Insipid, low-resolution, harmonically dead, and fatiguing. Likely sucks at sound stage, but that's not a major problem as customers of these products probably don't care about sound stage to begin with.

 

Meanwhile, high-performance speakers with high-quality amps remain the domain of middle-aged audiophiles who don't have a part in the next audio-lifestyle wave.

GUTB,

 

I frequent the CA Forums to learn and to enjoy the comerarderie among members.

 

You provide neither of those attributes.

 

Worst you are becoming repetitive and boring.

[AudioDoctor]

Oh good, GUTB is back...

[Ralf11]

2 minutes ago, AudioDoctor said:

Oh good, GUTB is back...

 

you need no longer settle for oddiyo_doc or stc...

[[email protected]]

I have been enjoying my KEF LS50W powered speakers for 18 months.  Sold all my tube amps and tower speakers... abandoned my expensive quest to be an audiophile. Now call myself a music-o-phile.

 

KEF have done a great job with class D amps and their DSP crossovers.  Pinpoint accuracy and soundstage.  Room correction is a welcome plus.

 

see Darko’s review of the LSX little brother.

[lucretius]

7 minutes ago, [email protected] said:

see Darko’s review of the LSX little brother.

 

Now that you mention it, Darko wrote this: "Rarely has a DAR-KO Award been so easy to give."  I nearly fell on the floor laughing.

[mansr]

52 minutes ago, Ajax said:

GUTB,

 

I frequent the CA Forums to learn and to enjoy the comerarderie among members.

 

You provide neither of those attributes.

 

Worst you are becoming repetitive and boring.

We should lock him in a room with Frank and see what happens.

[GUTB]

1 hour ago, Ajax said:

GUTB,

 

I frequent the CA Forums to learn and to enjoy the comerarderie among members.

 

You provide neither of those attributes.

 

Worst you are becoming repetitive and boring.

 

*looks at your system in your sig

 

I’m sorry.

[sandyk]

31 minutes ago, mansr said:

We should lock him in a room with Frank and see what happens.

 

 

 

[Fluffytime]

1 hour ago, GUTB said:

 

*looks at your system in your sig

 

I’m sorry.

 

GUTB, you are just adorable.

[wgscott]

47 minutes ago, Fluffytime said:

 

GUTB, you are just adorable.

 

And neuro-typical.

[Fluffytime]

2 minutes ago, wgscott said:

 

And neuro-typical.

 

Very much so, yes. At least that's what he keeps telling us.

[wgscott]

That's very common for someone on the spectrum.  That, and the inability to pick up on social cues and appreciate Class D amplification.

[sandyk]

9 minutes ago, wgscott said:

social queues

 

 Social Queues, or Social Cues ?

[AudioDoctor]

17 minutes ago, wgscott said:

That's very common for someone on the spectrum.  That, and the inability to pick up on social queues and appreciate Class D amplification.

 

I deal with kids all the time that are on the spectrum, they are all much, much nicer than GUTB, and more fun to talk to and be around as well.

[Fluffytime]

10 minutes ago, sandyk said:

 

 Social Queues, or Social Cues ?

 

Social Quaaludes?