Powered remote speakers - help me decide!

Raphaz

Raphaz

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I struggle with deciding which compact, powered remote speakers to get. I was hoping to get some advice here.

The remote speaker pair will replace four Minimus 7s far away from the mains and the sub, and elevated, on the other end of the same large, open space (high ceiling). They’ll be connected to and fed by a WiiM Mini that picks up the wireless signal from a WiiM Pro Plus that is also sourcing everything for the mains and remotes.

I listen to a broad range of music, mainly via music services, vinyl and CDs.

Ideally the remotes are on the smaller side, compact, and still produce clear, well articulated, accurate, balanced sound in all frequencies, even at lower volumes. Some of the sub that is with the mains is still audible where the remotes will be so they can support the low ends a little bit, meaning the remotes don’t have to go super low (although it wouldn’t hurt if they can go a little below 55 Hz). A bit of a wider dispersion wouldn’t hurt either I guess.

Below is a list of my current contenders.

I read tons of reviews and looked at all the specs. Still not sure what’s best for my setup/situation.

Maybe some of you here have some real life experience with some of the listed models, or/and have an idea how they’d compare in my setup.


Dynaudio Xeo 2

Dynaudio LYD7

Dynaudio BM5A

Vanatoo T0

Fluance ai61

Tannoy Gold 7

Klipsch R-51PM

SVS Prime Wireless Pro

Q Acoustics M20

Airmotiv 6

Focal Shape 65

Adam T7V

Elac Connex

Some of them are above my budget ($650 max), in which case I’d try to find a good deal in the used or refurbished markets.


Thank you!
 
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I have the Q M20's so a bit of bias here, but I think they are the best of your list. Most places online that sell them have a good return policy. They are quite deep in size, though, if space is a concern.
 
The Dynaudio bm5 and Adam TV7 are widely used in recording studios down here, the Dynaudio playing in another league than those Adam, wich I think are the entry level. Price should be different too. But the AMT tweeter shouldn't disappoint you. Some Adam models had quality issues. I fix studio monitors down here and have seen a few Adam A7x and A8x here for repair. Cheap capacitors and corrosive glue on the PCB. So, check the internet about your model.
 
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elnaldo said:
The Dynaudio bm5 and Adam TV7 are widely used in recording studios down here, the Dynaudio playing in another league than those Adam, wich I think are the entry level. Price should be different too. But the AMT tweeter shouldn't disappoint you. Some Adam models had quality issues. I fix studio monitors down here and have seen a few Adam A7x and A8x here for repair. Cheap capacitors and corrosive glue on the PCB. So, check the internet about your model.
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So you’re saying the Dynaudios sound better and are better build quality?
 
Raphaz said:
So you’re saying the Dynaudios sound better and are better build quality?
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IMHO, better made speakers than that line of Adam. The retail price should show you the difference. But, you are comparing a 5" vs a 7" woofer. The BM5 is a small speaker, the T7V not so small. I can't warranty you will prefer the sound of the Dynaudio over the Adam T7V, and that the Dynaudio won't fail (you are buying made in china disposable electronics). To my taste, the AMT tweeter used by Adam is hard to beat, but those Dynaudio tweeters are also very nice. The Dynaudio woofer is really a piece of art, beautifully made, all aluminum cast with a HUGE voice coil. Check picts on the internet. One recording engineer complained that the woofer wasn't "fast enough" to reveal some fails in the mixes, but it was just one person among thousands of happy users. Anyway you won't be producing music, but listening to it.
 
elnaldo said:
IMHO, better made speakers than that line of Adam. The retail price should show you the difference. But, you are comparing a 5" vs a 7" woofer. The BM5 is a small speaker, the T7V not so small. I can't warranty you will prefer the sound of the Dynaudio over the Adam T7V, and that the Dynaudio won't fail (you are buying made in china disposable electronics). To my taste, the AMT tweeter used by Adam is hard to beat, but those Dynaudio tweeters are also very nice. The Dynaudio woofer is really a piece of art, beautifully made, all aluminum cast with a HUGE voice coil. Check picts on the internet. One recording engineer complained that the woofer wasn't "fast enough" to reveal some fails in the mixes, but it was just one person among thousands of happy users. Anyway you won't be producing music, but listening to it.
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I should probably compare the smaller Adam like the T5V with the BM5. But it seems they’d both be good choices.

I listen, that’s correct. And I like crisp, clear sound, I like hearing details and when it’s balanced and somewhat “accurate” presentation, but lively. I sometimes wonder if studio monitors (usually meant for near field) will give me enough dispersion (if that’s the right word). But with active or powered at that size I may have limited choices if I skip the monitors. And what’s intriguing about them is accuracy. Are they really that focused on a fixed close listening spot or can they be used in a more open situation (as rear/seconds like I will use them)?

Like you hinted on, the thing with some of the more competitive priced speakers is that, while they may sound great, they are probably produced with cheaper labor and have some cheaper parts plus and maybe less rigid quality control. Hit or miss I guess. It’s like buying a Squier over a Fender - sometimes they’re really good, sometimes you get a dud. But how much do I want to spend for remotes/rears? Warranty matters!

Did you have any listening time with some of the other Dynaudios on the list?
 
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I’m pulling information in all these forums. I’m thankful for everyone listening to my first world problems of having too many choices and for being patient with my limited technical knowledge. Thank you all!
I will report back and share my gained wisdom for others once I have a halfway decent solution. I’m obviously not the only one.
 
Tromatic said:
I have the Q M20's so a bit of bias here, but I think they are the best of your list. Most places online that sell them have a good return policy. They are quite deep in size, though, if space is a concern.
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I want to limit width and height. Depth is the least concerning dimensional factor for where they will go.
I’ll move them up a notch on my list.
 
I don't have experience with other Dynaudio on your list, neither "home" or large Dynaudio speakers. I fix professional audio gear, and powered studio monitors are part of my daily work. I've visited and auditioned many recording studios, small and not so small. The only thing I could tell you about "studio monitors", is that it's a pleasure to listen to music in a good quality monitor, one of the most accurate ways to hear the music as it was recorded. You crank up the volume on any good quality monitor, even a small one, and you say "wow, I like this"! . You should hear them by yourself. Everybody has different standards.
 
I ended up getting a pair of Q Acoustics M20. The next challenge is about setting everything up properly - as it will quite different from my current setup.
So far the M20s look and feel well designed and built. Promising.
 
Tromatic said:
I have the Q M20's so a bit of bias here, but I think they are the best of your list. Most places online that sell them have a good return policy. They are quite deep in size, though, if space is a concern.
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Tromatic, since you use the M20, did you run into issues with auto standby? Any advice?
I posted this separately in another thread: 'Minimus 7 but powered/active'
https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/minimus-7-but-powered-active.1060072/post-17272513
 
Actually, the powered remote speakers chosen might depend on what one desires. But, if seeking something relatively less problematic to install, I would highly recommend one to go for the better-known brand reviews. Currently, I have tried using a system with icom walkie talkies around my rooms, and it has been serving me well. They're super helpful, mainly if you're not around the speakers and want to change stuff remotely. It's just a matter of finding out which one will suit your needs. Consider the range, the quality of the sound, and how easy it's going to be to use.
 
I re-sold the M20s.
They seem well designed and they sounded great.
The problem for me was that they don’t wake up out of (auto-)standby automatically when sound is played, and since I use them as remotes on an elevated platform they don’t work for me. Bummer.

I ordered the Fluance a61. I hope that will work and sound decent.
 
Tromatic said:
No, not that I know of. I use the USB input and I don't think they have ever gone into standby. I'll pay closer attention. What are yours doing?
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That’s because USB from computer to speaker is the only way the auto standby can be bypassed. So you won’t have that issue.
Unfortunately I can’t do that in my setup. I use them wirelessly with a Wiim Mini.
And, according to Q Accoustics support, even if I were to find a way to use that printer-like USB port on the M20 coming from the Mini it wouldn’t work - it apparently needs to come from a computer or an amp for the speakers to stay on.

I sold the M20s.
 
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