Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion What's New At Axiom LFR1100 Active

No, but we have a pretty good tent - only 3 holes in the roof.

Seriously - my first experience with active speakers was in 1979 - it was a pair of Powered Advents. They were the Advent Largers with two 80 watt amps - one for the woofer and one the tweeter. There was NOTHING like it for clarity.

This system is going to be a challenge. We have two pre-amps available: The Marantz 7703 and the PS Audio Stellar Gain Pre-amp DAC.

As we get to winter, I may add a tube preamp. These speakers will pretty much be my winter audio product. They will get no special treatment. They are promising a lot, and better deliver.

Here is a link to the PS Audio Stellar Gain DAC / Pre-amp.

What is great about this unit is it brings an incredible amount of 2 channel performance for under $2000. It also elevates the OPPO players with its built in DAC (for CDs).

https://positive-feedback.com/reviews/hardware-reviews/ps-audio-stellar-gain-cell-dacpreamplifier/

The Advents did not have a digital cross-over. Why/how will this system be a challenge?

The challenge will be in comparing these speakers to live music. We do a lot of "live band" stuff in fall/winter. Jazz, college performances for our son and daughter... the LFR-1100's as active speakers have some pretty lofty goals.

Here are some quotes from the product page:

"The most realistic-sounding speakers ever? Indulge your wildest audio fantasies with these hear-it-all wonders.


Voices are crystal-clear. Cymbals shimmer and bass can be felt, not just heard."

The initial testing will be done with the PS Audio pre-amp and the LFR-1100 actives. Will the bass be felt? Can they reproduce my daughter's opera voice accurately?

"...have both a wide-open 3D soundstage and pinpoint detail. They provide the most immersive, transporting musical experience you have ever experienced."

Ian has said there is a very noticeable difference between the active and passive LFRs. This could be it, Craig. It could be the panacea you've been searching for.

Craig, I'd really like to know if there is an audible difference between your Marantz and PS Audio. BTW, do you know why Paul McGowan can't ever give straight answers to the simple questions his viewers ask?

Mojo - Not sure about Paul - I got my stuff from him in March, 2018, and was active on their forum for a while. It's an odd place - sometimes with posts getting deleted for no apparent reason. I haven't posted there in over a year.

The pre-amps will be swapped out, and a lot of other things done. This includes using the passive LFR-1100's as the rear channel in a 4.2 channel system.

I had mentioned to Ian that I preferred the LFR's without a center channel (ours is matched to the M100's) and he's planning on trying this out at his place with his actives. There are a LOT of ideas to pursue this winter.

Sounds like you need a sabbatical.

I find this idea particularly interesting. I'd love to get rid of my center.

My VP180 takes up valuable room under the screen. An LFR virtual center would free up that room and has the added benefit of raising the center image height to be the same as the LFRs.

Craig, have you created an active LFR1100 test plan yet?