Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion The Water Cooler Active LFR1100s vs Full Immersive system

No question. But I also know Ian ironed out non-linearities using the digital fabric that were impossible to iron out using the analog fabric. I am sure some of those were cabinet-related which is something you won't be able to do unless you take lots of measurements. The most you can do is implement the analog cross-over in the digital domain.

Trevor ... part of the issue is the elimination of the passive crossovers, yes. A passive crossover can only attenuate the signal in order to achieve a relatively flat response curve (think family of curves - I urge you to look at the curves for the passive front firing speakers, then the passive LFR series, then the active LFR-1100 - you will see a lot of improvement with each evolution of speaker). The passive crossover - from ANY speaker - will "bleed off" power while performing its function.

The LFR-1100 active has these benefits:

1. The DSP handles all crossover duties - no bleed off in terms of power. The following statement is an "educated guess" on my part - but I am fairly certain a pair of Active LFR-1100's with dual ADA-1000-5 amps will outperform a pair of passive LFR-1100's with an ADA-1500-2 for each speaker. And the price difference is under $1000.

2. The DSP optimizes the response curve for each driver set - the three 6.5 inch woofers are set 1, the front 5.25 inch drivers are set 2, the rear 5.25 inch drivers are set three, the front firing tweeters are set 4 and the rear firing tweeters are set 5. Ian/Andrew and team can measure each set of drivers separately, then as a unit, and after 100's of hours of testing, have a unit with an amazingly flat curve both on axis and the sound power curve.

3. Limit the bandwidth to each set of drivers. A heavy bass drum that drives the amp to near its limits won't have any effect on the midranges and tweeters.

There are other benefits - but these are the "macro" issues that are settled with the active speaker set up.

Sounds like active is the answer.

Eyeing DSP units now.....

Trevor - The actives come with the DSP ... which looks a lot like a pre-amp. Did you think you needed a DSP? Or are you looking at preamps?

No, just trying to learn as much from you guys that went from a passive to active setup and get your subjective impressions. I’m not in the market for Active LFRs (way out of budget).

I have a major house improvement coming up that will sap my funds for the next bit (to the tune of an LFR setup.... lol). Full house HVAC.

But, I am interested in the prospect of converting my DIY 3way towers to active at some point. Usually I research for a year or so before I actually do or build audio stuff. Right now it is looking like a hypex arrangement with a dsp front end for active filtering.

I am way past starting over with an Axiom setup. Too much time/funds invested in the towers I built. I am, for better or worse, a perpetual DIYer. Learn so much that way. Super fun.

Trevor, are you thinking of running a spinorama?

Trevor,
I guess if your building your own actives you know about options like miniDSP ... which would be the easiest way to get an active x-over for a conventional speaker.

If your thinking of building an omni direction one your are getting into DSP programming and duplicating Axioms work ... an interesting project if you have the desire and time.

I recently unpacked Floyd Toole’s book “Sound Reproduction loudspeakers and rooms”. Started reading it again (realized that when I read it the first time I skimmed large sections ... but think it’s probably worth reading fully) ... it’s a great starting point if you haven’t read it yet and have an interest.

He's read that book and a few others.

Tex, I might do the spinorama. I would have to drag one outside from the basement for a couple afternoons. (175lbs)

Yes, I’m aware of minidsp and have a 2x4 here somewhere. I’m a fan of them for what they are, but they are kind of a gateway product moreso than end game in my opinion. I had noise floor issues with mine and lost 7db of headroom with the 2x4.... No doubt the new generation products are better, but I’m eyeing an all in one solution from hypex. They have plate amps now for three way actives with 500w/500w100w that are perfect for mine. DSP onboard already for the purpose. $750/ch. Much more confidence in hypex. Pretty much state of the art right now at fair pricing. I can remote locate them in my rack for easy PC tuning.

Yes, I’ve read a book or two. Saw a new edition is out of Floyd Tooles book. Of the ones I’ve read I wouldn’t rank his first place, but still really good. He repeats himself a bunch, but in fairness, he warns you in the prologue. A really good one is this I thought.

https://www.amazon.ca/Acoustics-Psychoacoustics-David-Howard/dp/0240521757

Been a while since I cracked a cover on them. Think I’m up to 6 or so. Gave up on Leo Beranek for now. Lol. Not enough midi-chlorians in me yet.

The bottleneck in my setup is amplification. See: funds. Going active kills many birds with a single stone.