Read the full review: Wilson Benesch Precision P2. What Hi-Fi? Our comprehensive tests help you buy the very best for your money, with our advice sections giving you step-by-step information on how to get even more from your music and movies.
Everything is tested by our dedicated team of in-house reviewers in our custom-built test rooms in London and Bath. Our coveted five-star rating and Awards are recognised all over the world as the ultimate seal of approval, so you can buy with absolute confidence. Read more about how we test. Included in this guide: 1.
Specifications Max power: dB. Sensitivity: 85dB. Frequency response: 79Hz - 28kHz. Impedance: 8ohms. Dimensions: Weight: 7. Reasons to avoid - Nothing at this price. Wharfedale Diamond These Award-winning floorstanders are entertaining and affordable.
Specifications Speaker terminals: 2. Tweeter: 2. Dimensions: 98 x 18 x 32cm H x W x D. Elac Debut B5. Specifications Speaker terminals: Single. Tweeter: 25mm. Dimensions: 34 x 18 x 23cm HxWxD. Reasons to avoid - Tough competition. Specifications Type: 2-way bookshelf speakers. Impedance: 8ohm. Sensitivity: 88dB. Frequency response: 52Hz to 28kHz. Dimensions hwd : 35 x 19 x 30cm. Weight: 6. Fyne Audio Fi. Impedance: 8 ohms. Type: Two-way, rear ported. Frequency response: 36HzkHz.
Max power handling: W. Dimensions hwd : x x mm Reasons to avoid - Not much at this price. Dali Oberon 1 C. Specifications Bluetooth: aptX HD. Power: 4 x 50W Class D amps. Finishes : 4. Dimensions: 27 x 16 x 23cm. Weight: 4. Reasons to avoid - Not the last word in authority - Slight lack of bass depth.
Max power: W. Frequency response: 65Hz to 20kHz. Dimensions hwd : 31 x 18 x 28cm. Ruark Audio MR1 Mk2. Fantastic desktop speakers blessed with a gorgeous design and superb audio. Specifications aptX Bluetooth: Yes. Inputs: Optical, line in. Output: Subwoofer.
Reasons to avoid - No USB input. Dali Spektor 2. Specifications Impedance: 6ohms. Speaker terminals: Single wire. Dimensions: 29 x 17 x 24cm HxWcD. Tweeter: 25mm soft dome. Woofer: 13cm wood fibre. Reasons to avoid - Nothing of note. Triangle Borea BR Specifications Impedance: 8ohms.
Speaker terminals: Single. Dimensions: x Tweeter: 25mm silk dome. Midrange: 16cm paper cone. Bass: 2 x 16cm fibreglass cones. Reasons to avoid - Requires care in partnering - Needs a larger room to shine. Dynaudio Contour 20i. Specifications Impedance: 4ohms. Sensitivity: 86dB. Dimensions: 44 x Tweeter: Esotar 28mm fabric dome. Reasons to avoid - Needs care in positioning - Amp must have some grunt. It could even be used for public speaking engagements. Dedicated vocal amps or personal PAs are still somewhat rare, but there are plenty of acoustic amps out there, and they can also help you push your voice out into the audience.
But if you take your sound seriously, you should check out what this amp can do. The Passport Mini is a lot like an acoustic amp in the sense that it has an instrument channel and a vocal channel, which makes it perfect for self-accompaniment or singer-songwriter types. As you can guess, this is a lightweight and portable amp, which makes it easy to bring to gigs.
It can even be powered via battery or AC. As for quality, despite being small, this amp sounds great. Fender has earned their spot on this list. Sound is probably the most important consideration here. You should invest in a quality monitor that has a clear sound with plenty of headroom. You need an amp that can provide enough volume to cut through other instruments. Durability seems like an important element to me, because anything sitting on a floor is prone to getting kicked.
You might end up dropping things on it too. You may play in rooms that are relatively dead, so having reverb or delay is nice. Keep in mind that you should always tweak your sound to match the room. Sometimes even the best sound techs forget to do that and wonder why the sound changes from one day to the next. The venue plays a big part, but there are other factors, like atmospheric pressure, too. You may not need much in terms of effects in the practice room.
Vocal amps and personal PAs are relatively close in terms of functionality and operation. The Powerwerks is the personal PA. But they are all the same in that you can plug them in, mount them on a stand a speaker stand if not a mic stand , adjust your EQ and levels, and fill the environment with sound.
Speakers like these tend to be directional, so you will want to point them in the direction you want the sound to carry. And, of course, there are also acoustic amps. Acoustic amps are generally best for singer-songwriters or self-accompanists looking to sing and play acoustic guitar at the same time. The Fender and the AER are both examples of this. Since the Fender is quite affordable, you could use it exclusively for vocals. There are no rules against it. Pros Great sounding and easy to setup are two phrases that nicely summarize market response.
Many reviewers are impressed with its full sound, and others are happy with the clarity of lower frequencies. When it comes to setting up, mounting and picking a preset is all there is to it - making this a favorite plug-and-play powered PA speaker. There are also plenty of positive comments about the EKXP's wooden cabinet design. Cons It's only normal for speakers with 15" woofers to be bulky and heavy, but this did not stop some users from complaining.
Some users also expressed their concern with regard to the frailty of the EKXP's power cables. Overall With its 15" speaker, W rating and wooden baffle cabinet - the Electro-Voice EKXP is steal in its price range, even more so when you factor in its reputation for sound and build quality.
When you think Line Array systems, large open air festivals usually come to mind. Line arrays were designed to favor dispersion over volume. A single driver that's pushed with a lot of power will still experience volume drops the further you are from the source. Bose has taken line array principles and applied them to a portable powered speaker.
The Bose F1 Model is a compact, line array system with directional flexibility. The speaker array consists of 8 x 2. Pros Users note that each speaker might not be loud on its own but this is where line arrays shines: dispersion. Having an even dispersion keeps the front row from being deaf, one user noted. And their problem with having regular speakers was an uneven distribution of sound and the compromise of using either additional delayed speakers less portable or cranking the mains potentially annoying for people closest to the speaker.
The Bose F1 Model gets praise for being able to disperse sound evenly even in longer halls. Cons The lack of a dedicated HF driver saps some of the "airy" highs according to one user.
Overall If dispersion is your primary goal with a portable setup, the Bose F1 Model is a standout pick that solves that problem. Additional controls are accessible via a Wi-Fi app for tweakability, even when you're in the mixing booth. Pros The headroom and clarity were noted to be top of the class by a majority of the users.
A few found the Wi-Fi connectivity to be very useful especially with larger venues with mixing booths that are a good distance away from the speakers. Cons The size and weight makes it one of the least portable speakers in this guide.
Many users note that the speaker sits in an odd space between portable speakers and larger and heavier semi-permanent speakers. Overall If you're looking for a speaker for a larger venue, the PRXW will save you a lot of time going back and forth between stage and mixer with its Wi-Fi capability. The KW is another one of QSC's top rated products, enjoying perfect ratings at almost all major retailers. This particular model comes with a three-way speaker design that can go really loud, sporting a 15" LF driver, a 6.
Since the frequencies are divided to three speakers, work load on them is less even at higher volumes, resulting in fewer sound detail losses. All these speakers are driven by a DSP equipped W built-in amplifier, which produces the clean and detailed sound that is expected from QSC speakers.
Impressed owners range from sound technicians, musicians, event organizers and even DJs, all of whom describe it to be much better than their previous speakers. Some even commend its handling of orchestra and classical style music, pointing to how the KW is able to reproduce sonic nuances that otherwise would be lost. Cons Given its bulk and weight, this speaker is not meant for as a personal portable speaker. It also requires quite an investment, but those who did invest are pleased with what they got for the money.
Overall If you're looking for a premium quality 3-way speaker for permanent installation or large venues, then this is your best bet. The three speakers built-into this unit are powered by dedicated Crown amps, all of which have a power rating that adds up to watts. This configuration allows for better handling of lows, mids and highs even at high volume levels.
It also features Ethercon connection that lets you get the benefit of HiQnet networking software, and is compatible with different mounting types. Pros Achieving almost perfect rating across multiple retailers is no mean feat, but the SRX gets it done, and may continue to do so for a long time, judging by its ever growing number of 5-star ratings.
It impresses users with how it balances projection, frequency handling and sound clarity, a trait that works well with all PA system applications - from music performances to speeches. Experienced users also commend its reliability and how it sounds great even when used for long periods. Overall There's a reason why so many users are giving the JBL SRXP 5-star ratings - should be at the top of your list if you're looking for a solid fixed speaker for a medium to big size venue.
As part of a flown array, the KLA12's 1. Pros Users who want a compact line array system chose the KLA12 for its great modularity and mounting options. It was noted to be easy to transport and set up. Soundwise, they synergize well with most subwoofer systems and have a clear, precise sound with great dispersion.
Cons Some users had their units fail after rigorous touring. The KLA12 is best for static and semi-permanent installations. Generally, smaller woofers tend to emphasize the mids, while bigger ones offer more bass. Compact 8" loudspeakers work particularly well with sound sources that are not bass heavy, like vocals and guitars.
As you add more bass heavy instruments into the signal chain, like keyboards, bass guitars and drums, you'll need bigger speaker sizes. On the other hand DJs and Electronic Music enthusiasts prefer bigger 15" speakers for the extra low end they provide.
If you are looking for more low end, you can consider getting a PA subwoofer. Since powered speakers have built-in amplifiers, you don't have to worry about properly matching the speaker to the amp like you would if you opted for passive speakers. So what we have to focus on is output power, which is a numerical representation of the speaker's headroom and projection. There are two types of power output ratings that are commonly listed by manufacturers and retailers: Continuous RMS and Peak Dynamic.
Continuous sometimes interchanged with RMS is the better representation of how powerful a speaker really is, because it specifies the wattage in which it can operate safely for long periods.
It points to the upper limit of what speakers can do and as such is not a good standard to use. The general rule is that higher the max SPL rating, the more space is covered by the speaker. Note that you can implement multiple speakers in strategic positions for covering larger venues.
The built-in amplifier found inside powered speakers add weight and some bulk, as such they are generally heavier than passive speakers. So it's important to consider weight and portability features, especially when you change venues regularly. Important features like handle location and size should be taken into consideration, you don't want to end up buying a great sounding speaker that you can't carry around, or you can't fit inside your vehicle.
Some even use DSP to tweak the sound to match the acoustics of rooms, allowing for more versatile placements. While it's better to do EQ adjustments on the mixing console , making adjustments at the speakers can be handy in certain situations and venues.
These speakers can double as a basic PA system for solo performers and singer songwriters who play in smaller venues.
The more components a device has, the risks of having problems increases, and in that sense, Passive Speakers are more durable. Still, modern build quality continues to improve, so much so that reliability is not much of a concern when it comes to powered speakers.
Still, regardless of how solid the exterior is, there's no substitute for careful handling and transport. The first edition was published in and the latest edition was published on May 20, For this edition, we conducted an initial survey of major retailers in the USA and placed 96 active speakers on our short-list for closer examination - you can see them in the Music Gear Database. Next we gathered relevant store ratings, written reviews, video reviews and forum discussions about each one - including the latest market feedback up to mid May We processed over 17, of these data sources using the Gearank Algorithm which gave us the rating scores out of that we used to rank the speakers appropriately.
As always, we've included detailed descriptions and specifications for each powered speaker, along with their strengths and weaknesses as reported by actual users. For more information about our methods see How Gearank Works.
Here are the key people and sources involved in this guide's production - click on linked names for information about their music industry backgrounds.
He is primarily influenced by guitarists like Kurt Ballou and Paul Gilbert. Alden Acosta : Product research. The alternative is to use a b preamp like the Supratek Cabernet. Wilson Benesch ACT speakers.
Current model. You won't be disappointed. Shahinian www. I know for sure if I could had the money their top of the line products would grace my house.
I used the Cary monoblocks. This is the best vocal reproduction I've ever acheived and I've owned or still own a bunch of the speakers listed on this thread including the Verity, Maggies 3. Another interesting way to go is to choose one speaker for overall performance and add a second, limited bandwith pair for vocals.
Some of the single driver or minimalist crossover designs e. On the theory that no single design does all things best, your budget would put ca. Vocals actually sound better than on their bigger brothers. Piega C Limiteds with a Mcintosh Amp will put you in "lolla land. Like electrostatis, secret lies in crossover, or lack of.
Most 2 or 3 way speakers cross at vocal range and we all know what crossover can do to sound. Both speakers use midrange dome which covers vocal range without nasty crossover, the whole range is covered by one driver.
Both speakers deliver real world bass unlike electrostatic. But penalty of either speaker is efficiency, sogood51 Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 2, posts. I think the best vocal reproduction I've heard were from a pair of Apogee Stage speakers They are wonderfull with tube amplifier. Although the speakers, for vocals you must use Tube amplifier. Electrostatic and Planar speakers are great for vocals but you need big and good listening room.
Semi,What you say about dome mids is true tonally. Unfortunately this does not translate to really good imaging though. I have used many domes and none of them have well focussed imaging. Cones and stats are much better in this regard.
The Edgar Mid horn uses a Dynaudio D54 and this changes dispersion patterns[not to mention sensitivity],which improves imaging.
These have negligable"horn" colourations if the horn is sand damped. Jean-Marie Reynaud. I've heard everything else available in N. Nothing compares. Reynauds are warm, emotional, immediate, tonally accurate and wonderful with vocals and acoustic instruments.
Thanks everyone I am looking forward to hopefully auditioning all of these. Unfortunately, some like the Wilson Benesch are not readily avaiable in my area I have heard the Sonus Faber and they do sound very nice, warm and relaxed. Based on all of the responses here, I will give the electrostats especially the ML Summits another thorough listening. Thanks again. Keep the recommendations coming. I'll chime in to support those who have suggested Spendor and Harbeth speakers.
Both are well known for their ability to bring life to female vocal recordings. That is one of the things that I love about my Spendors. I have listened to electrostats and I never really liked them, although perhaps my opinion would change were I to live with a pair for a while.
I am not bashing 'stats by any means, it's just that to my ears they are missing some sort of warmth that dynamic speakers possess.
I got the Reynaud Orfeo and you are right, Reynauds are warm, emotional, immediate, tonally accurate and wonderful with vocals and acoustic instruments.
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