Re: Yamaha NS10s

[Jim Coker <jcoker@magelang.com>]

> To further assist our friend with his buying decision, does anyone have
> an opinion on powered vs. unpowered monitors?  Many manufacturers are
> now making the same speakers in both versions.  Is using a separate amp
> still the best way to go?


I tend to lean towards powered monitors, though the ultimate
decision should be based on careful listening tests.  Most
powered monitors are biamped - there are separate amps
for each driver, this makes the crossover simpler and better
(since it can operate on a line level signal instead of an
amp-level signal) and there are many ways that each amp
can be tweaked for its specific driver.  For instance, the
woofer amp in the Mackie monitors uses a feedback loop with
the driver to improve bass response.

jim