What’s higher: 1) Placing a DAC, streaming performance, MM phono staging, subwoofer output and HDMI ARC into an lively loudspeaker; or 2) Operating a pair of passive loudspeakers and farming out that DAC, streaming, MM phono, subwoofer output and HDMI ARC to an outboard built-in amplifier?
We not too long ago lined choice 1 with the PSB Alpha iQ whose inside DACs and amplifiers come after the crossover within the sign path. That’s the very definition of lively audio system.
Choice 2 solely got here collectively after the Marantz Stereo 70s supplied the lightbulb second. It’s a stereo A/V receiver that gives 75wpc of Class A/B energy into 8 Ohms with HDMI ARC, HEOS streaming, DAC, subwoofer outputs and MM phono staging all on board.
That’s just about the identical connectivity suite because the Alpha iQ the place the Marantz will sit earlier than the loudspeaker’s passive crossover within the sign path.
And if I constructed out the Marantz amplifier with a pair of passive loudspeakers, I may learn the way the extra separated system in comparison with these PSB actives. The end result could be a side-by-side system comparability. However as a result of the Marantz amplifier had already eaten up €1000, any partnering passive audio system would want to come back in at €400 (or much less) if I had been to match the Alpha iQ’s €1400/pair asking value.
Nevertheless, after I stumbled upon the Professional-Ject Speaker Field 5 S2 – additionally out there in a yellow end – I selected to look previous their €649/pair asking value to prioritise colour-matching over money. So that you’re going to have to present me slightly latitude right here. Particularly as we’re not factoring in the price of speaker cabling both.
Just like the yellow PSB streaming lively, the Professional-Ject passive is a 2-way design: a 1” silk dome tweeter meets a 5” fibreglass mid/bass driver that’s augmented by a rear-firing bass reflex port. That’s another mid-bass driver inch than the PSB with the Professional-Ject rated right down to 55Hz by the producer.
These drivers are wrapped in an MDF cupboard full with inside bracing however unusually for a speaker at this value level, it’s made in Europe. The Professional-Ject’s yellow end isn’t gloss however a extra understated matte. And I choose its mustard tone to the extra in-your-face tangerine yellow of the PSB.
It was solely later that I seen that the unique Speaker Field 5 (€420/pair) was nonetheless listed on Professional-Ject’s web site. So I requested the Austrian producer, “What’s new within the S2?”. Professional-Ject advised me through return e mail that they didn’t intend the S2 as a “Mark 2” mannequin however one that gives better efficiency than the unique.
In comparison with the OG mannequin, the Speaker Field 5 S2 gives:
• Particular inside bracing
• Barely totally different dimensions
• Particular eco-friendly glue
• Heavier building
• A barely totally different tuning
I lassoed the Field 5 S2 to the Marantz amplifier to set the scene for a passive vs. lively standoff the place system performance is near-identical. Count on the outcomes to spill as a video someday in December.
Additional data: Professional-Ject
