Re: [ARSCLIST] Cables- was Can 78s sound better than LPs?

[Scott Phillips <scottp@xxxxxxxxx>]

UREI studio monitors and amplifiers used to have a set of return lines
from the speaker back to the amps as well as the actual speaker cables.
This was to allow active feedback to the amplifier so the amp could
better control the damping factor (dampening.. ?  <grin>).

There are so many variables between the powered vs. externally powered
speakers to account for. IMHO only, powered speakers CAN have a leg up
on unpowered speakers, since the manufacturer can control all the
variables. Doesn't mean they will though. Since the impedance curves (at
the very least) of unpowered speakers changes with frequency, every amp
is going to drive a given speaker a bit differently. In a powered
speaker, the manufacturer can control all of it. As Steve points out,
the length of the cable can make the cable as reactive as the speaker
voice coil is, further complicating the amplifier's job. Heavy cable is
a BIG help, but short is also very important...

-----Original Message-----
From: Association for Recorded Sound Discussion List
[mailto:ARSCLIST@xxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Lou Judson
Sent: Monday, August 28, 2006 9:37 AM
To: ARSCLIST@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [ARSCLIST] Cables- was Can 78s sound better than LPs?

I have to challenge this. I have no idea if a similar model of speaker
has the same components inside of powered vs unpowered versions. It is
entirely possible they put in a cheap crossover in order to sell more
powered versions.

While I have never done any tests - I don't use powered speakers as they
are too heavy, and I do live sound all the time - It would take a
careful matching of amps and crossovers to eliminate the variables... 
Who knows, maybe having the amps built in the back of a speaker with
inches instead of feet of wire IS the ideal design. In my experience,
Mackie HR studio speakers sound great, while Mackie and JBL PA speakers
sound better to me in externally powered versions. But then, it is hard
to compare because of the material other people play on their systems,
as I like my kind of music better and have never been able to set them
up side by side. So shut my mouth, I dunno...

Lou Judson * Intuitive Audio
415-883-2689

On Aug 28, 2006, at 5:29 AM, Steven Smolian wrote:

> I expect cable length has more to do with it than thickness.  All 
> other things being equal, I've found powered speakers sound better- 
> more open- than the same speakers with external amplification.