Active Loudspeaker

Kennym_27

Hey, what do you guys think of this speaker? Also, would I be able to connect it straight to my ipod?
Thanks

http://www.thomann.de/ie/db_technologies_k_162.htm

unclebill98

Yep, with the right connections you'd be able to. Not heard the speaker so no comment on that part.

Kennym_27

Cheers man. Anyone else heard this speaker?

studiorat

What do you want to use it for?

Hard to tell with the spec that's published. Thomann are usually crap for publishing specifications, it's usually just a bunch of buzz words to make the thing look good. Not that they don't sell quality stuff though.
Strictly speaking this is not an active loudspeaker, it's a "powered speaker".
A true active speaker will have an amplifier for each driver in the enclosure, one for the tweeter and a slightly bigger one for the Woofter. Look out for a bi-amped model, for any kind of PA work.
I'd look for at least 100W rms, 65W is not powerful enough in my opinion, not if you want them to last .

I wouldn't if I were you. At nearly €340 a pair I think you could get better value than that.

Kennym_27

Thanks for the advice man. Well i mainly just want to play music through it like when i'm playing my drums. I'm not really looking for a pair and my budget really exceed 200 euro:( But would you recommend this speaker for that or would i be better looking for a different type of speaker?

studiorat

Kennym_27 wrote: »

Thanks for the advice man. Well i mainly just want to play music through it like when i'm playing my drums. I'm not really looking for a pair and my budget really exceed 200 euro:( But would you recommend this speaker for that or would i be better looking for a different type of speaker?

Playing along with a kit? Maybe a set of in ear monitors or the Vic Firth Headphones? Or a set of Studio monitors, not as loud but would sound a lot better. I'd go for a pair of something though for the stereo vibe y'understand

Kennym_27

studiorat wrote: »

Playing along with a kit? Maybe a set of in ear monitors or the Vic Firth Headphones? Or a set of Studio monitors, not as loud but would sound a lot better. I'd go for a pair of something though for the stereo vibe y'understand

Yea true man i do have headphones but not only do i want the speaker for playin along 2 drums but also 2 listen 2 in my room? Ya dig?LOL Thanks again.

Savman

studiorat wrote: »

Strictly speaking this is not an active loudspeaker, it's a "powered speaker".

Tom-ayto/Tom-aato

It's a speaker with a plug that powers itself. Calling it "active" isn't 100% correct but it's not incorrect either, in fact that discussion has become something of a moot point recently.

Active/Self-Powered/Powered - whatever you're having yourself.

A true active speaker will have an amplifier for each driver in the enclosure,

Not entirely true, that'd just be a "Biamped Active Loudspeaker".

Personally, I think those speakers would be fine for bedroom use but not for acoustic drums unless you're a very light hitter. I defo think you'd need a pair of whatever you buy.

Kennym_27

Savman wrote: »

Tom-ayto/Tom-aato

Personally, I think those speakers would be fine for bedroom use but not for acoustic drums unless you're a very light hitter. I defo think you'd need a pair of whatever you buy.

Hey man you replied 2 my other post aswell! Yeah i dont hit light in fact i hit very very hard!LOL But cheers for the advice. I really dont know what to buy now.

studiorat

Savman wrote: »

Tom-ayto/Tom-aato

It's a speaker with a plug that powers itself. Calling it "active" isn't 100% correct but it's not incorrect either, in fact that discussion has become something of a moot point recently.

I didn't know that. Where did you hear about this?

Savman wrote: »

Not entirely true, that'd just be a "Biamped Active Loudspeaker".

Silly me, I forgot to mention active crossovers too.

Savman wrote: »

Personally, I think those speakers would be fine for bedroom use but not for acoustic drums unless you're a very light hitter. I defo think you'd need a pair of whatever you buy.

+1. but they are butt ugly though.


I think the designation "active" is incorrect. My point being, what then is to prevent a manufacturer or dealer from giving the purchaser a bum steer, especially for the inexperienced and especially online. How then can someone who may think they are getting one thing, actually be getting something else.

Personally, I think a lot of discount gear sites hype average gear by picking buzz word type specifications. Stating frequency responses with no mention of the actual slope, mention SPL levels, wattage etc. without saying if it's peak or rms. I see this all the time for Microphones, Speakers, all the kit. And don't get me started on valves!!!

It may be irrelevant when discussing the items in general, but when making decisions about buying equipment it's relevant.

Savman

studiorat wrote: »

Personally, I think a lot of discount gear sites hype average gear by picking buzz word type specifications. Stating frequency responses with no mention of the actual slope, mention SPL levels, wattage etc. without saying if it's peak or rms. I see this all the time for Microphones, Speakers, all the kit.

I'd go along with that, just wish more people would wise up to what is basically a lot of marketing BS. To the educated buyer, some of the specs they pull out of the air are absolute comical. To those not in the know, they don't know any better than to take the manufacturer's word for it.

Example being on that other thread one guy thought a Behringer speaker was 800w when in fact that was just the "program" power rating. I actually use 800w speakers and adequately powering them is probably the most expensive part of my rig, so if anyone here can benefit from the extra knowledge then all well and good. In a nutshell, if Behringer could make that kinda spec gear at that price they'd be the world leader in concert PA's. But they don't and they're not.

I wouldn't get hung up about what the right term for self powered speakers is but I just know that "active" isn't right or wrong. Across the pond they would say "self powered" whereas in the UK and Germany everything is just "active" so the lingo is very much dependent on where you are in the world.

studiorat

Agreed!
Self Powered doesn't sound as sexy as Active though!
Come to think of it I'm using Active shower gel...

Soundman

studiorat wrote: »

Agreed!
Self Powered doesn't sound as sexy as Active though!
Come to think of it I'm using Active shower gel...

No no no! Shower Gel is one of those things that is Self Powered. You can't be describing it as Active. You'll have all the Pro-Audio heads wetting themselves at you if you get that one wrong.

PaulBrewer

StudioRat.... wha you using shower gel for? .... you don't wash?

Kennym_27

HAHAHA!! U guys are arguing away on MY thread!! Only joking....but back to the point what should i buy to play along with my drums?

Savman

Shower gel?

Kennym_27

Haha ur so funny...u should become a comedian.

PaulBrewer

A Bass?

Kennym_27

Wat are u talkin about? A bass?