Active Monitors + Receiver

Its rapidly looking at active monitors are the best 2.0 solution around (the Alesis M1 Active Mk. IIs look particularly sexy). Since they have an amplifier built in, they technically don't need a receiver. But I was thinking it might be still be beneficial to get one? I know alot of the good monitors don't have a headphone jack, and I'll to be able to hook up multiple sources to them. So I imagine a receiver would still be a good investment.

Based on that, since these things take a line-in, I would have to search out a receiver that has some kind of line-in, line-out passthrough? Is that rare or common? I looked at the instruction manual for the Panasonic SA-XR57 and that, at least, doesn't appear to have a line-out jack (or a line-in jack by the looks of it). Does anyone know of any receivers that have this capability?

If you're gonna get a receiver you're far better off getting passive speakers. I never really warmed up to the sound of most active monitors, my estimation the main reason being that the amplifiers in them just aren't very good.

Most receivers have a Tape/CD-R Out function that should serve your needs.

Well what you ideally want in that situation is a preamplifier or surround processor. Basically it is a receiver, minus the amplifier. The Rotel RSP-1068 would be an example of such a device.

However, you'll discover these usually cost more than most receivers. Reason is, they are generally high end gear. You get one if you have an awesome power amp and want to use all separate components.

If you want a receiver that isn't too expensive, have a look at Yamaha's HTR lineup. Quite reasonably priced and most of them feature "pre outs" which are line level outputs that mirror what is sent to the amplifier.

However, if you are just sticking in the 2.0 world, without plans to go to more channels, a simple preamp may be the best idea like the Rotel RC-1070. This will get you volume control, multiple inputs and so on. You may find you can get one for a similar price to a receiver. While it'll do less, of course, it'll have higher quality components. However if those actually translate in to better sound is questionable.

Your cheapest option is probably a Yamaha receiver. The HTR-6060 (or RX-V661 which is the same thing with a different style) would do the trick nicely. You should be able to find it for about $300. It's got loads of inputs, a pre out bank, and so on. It also, of course, has a full on signal processor, video switcher and multi-channel amp.

I'm quite satisfied with the quality of Yamaha's gear. I have an older Yamaha receiver (an HTR-5860) for my living room AV setup and it does a nice job. It's sound quality is nothing to complain about. You'd need pretty good gear before you'd really start to notice a difference.

Now of course if you do get a receiver, well then you don't have to get active speakers. It'll come with an amp, and the Yamaha's amp is nothing to complain about, so you could get passive speakers. That's not to say there aren't reasons to want active speakers, however if you get a receiver, passive becomes an option.

How about a budget, size constraints and usage? I can point you to a couple of elegant solutions from there.

Sycraft said:

Now of course if you do get a receiver, well then you don't have to get active speakers. It'll come with an amp, and the Yamaha's amp is nothing to complain about, so you could get passive speakers. That's not to say there aren't reasons to want active speakers, however if you get a receiver, passive becomes an option.

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I had previously asked for recommendations on 2.0 speakers, and active monitors came up as an option. Space (I may not necessarily have alot of it, I don't know yet) and cost (with active monitors, I don't need to buy additional equipment) are a concern, so it seemed like a really good suggestion. Reading up on some recent threads reinforced my confidence that this was the right approach. However, several of the sets I'd looked at don't have a headphone jack (and I'd like to be able to use headphones when I need to), and I don't want to use the front panel jack that comes from my sound card since it sucks. In that same recommendation thread, it was suggested that getting a receiver might make things easier. If I get active monitors, I don't need a receiver, but if I want a headphone jack (and the ability to hook up additional sources to the monitors), I might need to get a receiver. And if I get a receiver, I don't need active monitors.

So, you see the dilemma caused by that one annoying sticking point.

spaceman said:

How about a budget, size constraints and usage? I can point you to a couple of elegant solutions from there.

Click to expand...

I already got several nice recommendations from the previous thread...but I suppose getting more won't hurt.

The budget would between $150 and $200. I could push it up to $250 if the value is good.

As far as size constraints, I'm only interested in a 2.0 setup. My audio use is 70% music and 30% gaming, and since all music is made for stereo I don't see the point in anything beyond that (except for maybe 2.1).

The Alesis alone are more than your budget? How were you planning on getting a receiver too?

Anyway, the Zero would be a good buy too. The XR-57 would work fine but the Zero amp is better than the 57.

spaceman said:

The Alesis alone are more than your budget? How were you planning on getting a receiver too?

Anyway, the Zero would be a good buy too. The XR-57 would work fine but the Zero amp is better than the 57.

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Well, admittedly, I hadn't actually looked up the price of the Alesis up until I read this post. I had kind of assumed they were in roughly the same price bracket as the Swan D1080MkII.

~$190 + $250 (Panasonic XR57 as a reference) = ~$440.

Its $190 over the budget, but I can afford the speakers now and save up for the receiver later. Though, looking at the price for the Alesis ($350 by the looks of it), that might be a bit much...

Too tired atm

The Swan M10s are back in stock though. Those are killer for the $$. Very good sound but you need to improve the source. I suppose if you could find a Pioneer 518, Panasonic XR-55 used for around $150? Well, that would sound nice.

Out of curiousity...
If I were to get the Swan M10s... would I need a sound card to connect it to to get sound out of my music? Or could I just plug it straight into my onboard audio (abit ip35 pro)?

Now if I were to get the Behringer MS40... would I be able to connect it to my ip35 pro via optical or would I need a receiver + a sound card? I actually really like the look of these... but they look HUGE!

If a sound card is necessary... which sound card would you guys suggest?
I've been waiting for a deal on Logitechs (z5500s) but I keep reading that while they are good for games, they aren't that great for music/movies... any other opinions?

Thanks in advance and I apologize if it seems like I'm threadjacking or for asking rather silly questions..

Not silly but the ?s have been answered too many damn times lol

The M10s need a sound card to sound their best.

The Behringers have a built in sound card and will work fine with the onboard optical out. However, they have little bass and could use a subwoofer. They are not huge. pretty small really.

If you have Xp, then a X-FI Titanium, the $100 one, is a good one.

If you have Vista a sound card is not worth it. Better to get something like the Zero dac amp.

Either way, you have two $100-150 parts to buy for good sound. Each can be bought separate though.

ideviouz said:

Out of curiousity...
If I were to get the Swan M10s... would I need a sound card to connect it to to get sound out of my music? Or could I just plug it straight into my onboard audio (abit ip35 pro)?

Now if I were to get the Behringer MS40... would I be able to connect it to my ip35 pro via optical or would I need a receiver + a sound card? I actually really like the look of these... but they look HUGE!

If a sound card is necessary... which sound card would you guys suggest?
I've been waiting for a deal on Logitechs (z5500s) but I keep reading that while they are good for games, they aren't that great for music/movies... any other opinions?

Thanks in advance and I apologize if it seems like I'm threadjacking or for asking rather silly questions..

Click to expand...

1. The Swans will work out of your onboard audio.
2. The MS40's can be connected via optical, coaxial, or rca connections.

EDIT: Spacemanspiff...you beat me!

spaceman said:

If you have Vista a sound card is not worth it. Better to get something like the Zero dac amp.

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Can you please explain that statement further?

A sound card is generally made to do hardware acceleration. However, Vista does not support hardware accelerated sound. Therefore, it is almost pointless to get a sound card because you're paying for the premium on hardware acceleration. You DO also get a decent DAC and possibly an amp, but a receiver will generally be way better for price/performance ratio in these aspects.

I just purchased the swan m10's and with regular on board audio they sound quite good. Of course they will sound better with a new card, but you could always do that later on. I have several higher end setups in the house and feel for the price they are a very effective little setup.