|
|
Post by Kadsura on Jan 25, 2017 13:12:47 GMT -5
Hi ,
I am considering the Airmotiv 6S powered monitors for a very simple audio-only system in a modestly sized room (~15x20').
I listen mostly to classical and jazz and moderate levels--sometimes loud, but not at extreme levels.
I have my main system (Vandersteen 2Ce speakers, Oracle Delphi Mk. IV table, etc) in another room, and Sennheisers for late night listening.
Anyway, I don't want to mess with amp, preamp, extra cables, etc for this second system--hence, I am comparing powered speakers. I simply want something I can easily plug a laptop w/DAC or portable player (Fiio X-1) into. This will obviously require an adaptor (3.5mm to RCA or XLR).
Here are my questions:
Aside from that, will there be anything else I need? Do I need a preamp? (The Fiio actually has a pretty good output level that can be selected for plugging into powered speakers.)
Does each speaker need to be plugged directly into the wall, or can they be plugged into a heavy-duty power strip?
Are the 6s's right for my needs, or should I look at something else?
Recommended stands??
Thanks!
|
|
|
|
Post by Loop 7 on Jan 25, 2017 13:38:12 GMT -5
6s should be good for this system. If you were going to invest a great deal on the DAC/preamp, it might warrant something else but I bet it will sound great.
|
|
KeithL
Administrator 
Posts: 10,276
|
Post by KeithL on Jan 25, 2017 14:15:03 GMT -5
The Airmotiv 6s's will work great for that application. You can plug them both into a power strip (they only draw a few amps each - at most). Anything that has a headphone output will deliver plenty of voltage to drive the Airmotivs quite well - as long as it has a volume control. (So you don't need a separate preamp.) If you were to get a DAC without a volume control, you can use the computer for volume control. Of course I'm going to suggest that you check out one of our Ego DACs to go with them  . Hi , I am considering the Airmotiv 6S powered monitors for a very simple audio-only system in a modestly sized room (~15x20'). I listen mostly to classical and jazz and moderate levels--sometimes loud, but not at extreme levels. I have my main system (Vandersteen 2Ce speakers, Oracle Delphi Mk. IV table, etc) in another room, and Sennheisers for late night listening. Anyway, I don't want to mess with amp, preamp, extra cables, etc for this second system--hence, I am comparing powered speakers. I simply want something I can easily plug a laptop w/DAC or portable player (Fiio X-1) into. This will obviously require an adaptor (3.5mm to RCA or XLR). Here are my questions: Aside from that, will there be anything else I need? Do I need a preamp? (The Fiio actually has a pretty good output level that can be selected for plugging into powered speakers.) Does each speaker need to be plugged directly into the wall, or can they be plugged into a heavy-duty power strip? Are the 6s's right for my needs, or should I look at something else? Recommended stands?? Thanks! |
|
|
|
Post by creimes on Jan 25, 2017 14:19:27 GMT -5
I have owned the Stealth 6 and really liked them, have never heard the AM6's but have heard nothing but good things from people who do own them, you could try and find a used Emotiva Control Freak volume control for between your source or Schiit Audio also has a Sys preamp for $49, and as for stands I owned the decently priced Sanus SF26 stands which you can also get in a 30" model as well. And yes as Keith mentioned the EGO DACs are great, I have the Little EGO at my desktop for my headphones and really enjoy it, my Logitech keyboard has a volume control on it which is handy as the EGO DAC itself has no physical volume control, Schiit Audio also has their little USB DAC's called the Fulla on clearout for $59 that does have a physical volume knob Chad |
|
|
|
Post by creimes on Jan 25, 2017 14:21:06 GMT -5
Keith, do you guys still sell the Control Freak ?? The Airmotiv 6s's will work great for that application. You can plug them both into a power strip (they only draw a few amps each - at most). Anything that has a headphone output will deliver plenty of voltage to drive the Airmotivs quite well - as long as it has a volume control. (So you don't need a separate preamp.) If you were to get a DAC without a volume control, you can use the computer for volume control. Of course I'm going to suggest that you check out one of our Ego DACs to go with them . Hi , I am considering the Airmotiv 6S powered monitors for a very simple audio-only system in a modestly sized room (~15x20'). I listen mostly to classical and jazz and moderate levels--sometimes loud, but not at extreme levels. I have my main system (Vandersteen 2Ce speakers, Oracle Delphi Mk. IV table, etc) in another room, and Sennheisers for late night listening. Anyway, I don't want to mess with amp, preamp, extra cables, etc for this second system--hence, I am comparing powered speakers. I simply want something I can easily plug a laptop w/DAC or portable player (Fiio X-1) into. This will obviously require an adaptor (3.5mm to RCA or XLR). Here are my questions: Aside from that, will there be anything else I need? Do I need a preamp? (The Fiio actually has a pretty good output level that can be selected for plugging into powered speakers.) Does each speaker need to be plugged directly into the wall, or can they be plugged into a heavy-duty power strip? Are the 6s's right for my needs, or should I look at something else? Recommended stands?? Thanks! |
|
|
|
Post by brutiarti on Jan 25, 2017 14:32:13 GMT -5
The Airmotiv 6's will do the job without all the messy wiring from components. Actually it would be nice if Emotiva start selling wi-fi speakers like sonos or sonica from oppo. I have several rooms to fill. |
|
|
|
Post by chaosrv on Jan 25, 2017 17:08:31 GMT -5
Only if they have decent DACs built in. Even a great speaker can be limited by a less than ideal DAC. The Airmotiv 6's will do the job without all the messy wiring from components. Actually it would be nice if Emotiva start selling wi-fi speakers like sonos or sonica from oppo. I have several rooms to fill. |
|
|
|
Post by Gary Cook on Jan 25, 2017 17:10:14 GMT -5
The Airmotiv 6's will do the job without all the messy wiring from components. Actually it would be nice if Emotiva start selling wi-fi speakers like sonos or sonica from oppo. I have several rooms to fill. Having tried many, there is a noticeable loss in sound quality from wireless speakers. So not really Emotiva's thing. That said if anyone just has to have wireless speakers, the Paradigm Premium range is by far the best sounding that I have heard. Cheers Gary |
|
|
|
Post by Loop 7 on Jan 25, 2017 18:44:35 GMT -5
Keith, do you guys still sell the Control Freak ?? I bought a Control Freak (unbalanced) here on the Lounge; one of the best investments I've ever made and I truly wish Emotiva still manufactured them. |
|
|
|
Post by brutiarti on Jan 25, 2017 19:29:03 GMT -5
The Airmotiv 6's will do the job without all the messy wiring from components. Actually it would be nice if Emotiva start selling wi-fi speakers like sonos or sonica from oppo. I have several rooms to fill. Having tried many, there is a noticeable loss in sound quality from wireless speakers. So not really Emotiva's thing. That said if anyone just has to have wireless speakers, the Paradigm Premium range is by far the best sounding that I have heard. Cheers Gary Not if emotiva builds them  |
|
|
|
Post by vcautokid on Jan 25, 2017 19:47:30 GMT -5
Another Vote for the Airmotiv 6s. You could do so much with this speaker. Off a computer, your smartphone, or tablet, or a Preamplifier or Mixer of your choosing. Really the hardest thing to figure out is.
What do you play first?
I love the Airmotiv 6s for the ease of everything. I would say, a pair in your listening room, and your favorite way to get the music to them, and you are golden.
|
|
|
|
Post by Kadsura on Jan 26, 2017 3:09:45 GMT -5
Sounds great, thanks for the comments? What about adjustable stands? Any recommendations?
|
|
|
|
Post by jamco on Jan 26, 2017 22:09:43 GMT -5
My simple audio system started similar to what you described and it sounded amazing!
Later... I slowly made some changes like replaced a Hegel USB DAC with the DC-1 DAC and then added a preamplifier. The only things that haven’t changed are the Airmotiv 6s’ and my workstation (w/SPDIF out).
My 6s’ sit on top of two bookshelves in my office. If I was to purchase speaker stands today, I’d recommend something that could handle the 6s’ weight with a top plate that supports the 6s’ unique form factor. For example, I have some StudioTech steel pillar speaker stands (discontinued, not for sale) that have a 3” diameter pillars can be filled with lead shot for stability, come with brass carpet spikes and support up to 50 pounds each. I see that Parts Express (no, I don’t work there) has a few different speaker stands that are similar in design. It also appears that they carry the Sanus SF26, which creimes suggested.
I stream all types of music and am very satisfied with my 6s purchase.
Best of luck!
|
|
|
|
Post by Scythe1 on Feb 8, 2017 1:02:49 GMT -5
Did the Airmotiv 6s' get a price increase?
|
|
|
|
Post by yeahwicked on Feb 8, 2017 1:26:19 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by beardedalbatross on Feb 8, 2017 1:57:24 GMT -5
Yes they received a pretty big price increase along with a few other products. There was a one-off post about it somewhere.
|
|
.
