Tannoy Reveal 6 passives vs Alesis Monitor One Mk II passives

[skiltrip]

I don't see a lot of threads on passive monitors, it's mostly talk of the usual active models.

I currently have an Alesis setup. RA150 amp, and Monitor One Mk II.

Considering a monitor upgrade in the future, and the Tannoy Reveal 6 passives look to be a good fit if I decided to keep using my RA150 and stay passive.

Is there any inherent down side to passives vs actives?

Would the Tannoy Reveal 6 be a significant upgrade from the Alesis Monitor One Mk II's?

[Whitecat]

With active speakers the amp is designed for the cab/speaker, so they *should* be well-matched and thus better-sounding. Of course, great top-notch passives with a great top-notch amp could kick the a** of the best actives, but in the low to midrange the former is probably true more often than not.

I would have the Tannoys any day, they're nice monitors and definitely a step up from the Alesis. That said, Tannoy have just announced new Reveal monitors for Musikmesse that may or may not be worth waiting for.

If you can afford to go up to the Precision series you'll be doing even better, these benefit from the dual-concentric design which means the monitors have a HUGE sweet spot.

[brockorama]

Originally Posted by psalad

My Drawmer bm5a's are even easier to mix on, better low end... but that's out of yer budget.

Is that dynaudio bm5a?

[guitarsfrommars]

Originally Posted by skiltrip

I don't see a lot of threads on passive monitors, it's mostly talk of the usual active models.

I currently have an Alesis setup. RA150 amp, and Monitor One Mk II.

Considering a monitor upgrade in the future, and the Tannoy Reveal 6 passives look to be a good fit if I decided to keep using my RA150 and stay passive.

Is there any inherent down side to passives vs actives?

Would the Tannoy Reveal 6 be a significant upgrade from the Alesis Monitor One Mk II's?

I have 2 older sets of 2-way Tannoy passive monitors:

A set of SBM.

A set of PBM 6.5 series II.

I like both sets.

The SBM's are a more typical studio set with a touch more vocal focus than the PBM's (also front ported). The PBM's sound more home stereo (still very good, a touch less mids, rear ported).

I use a Yamaha (75 watts a side) to drive both pairs.

I have yet to have a moment's issue with either set. I may finish my entire ride with these speakers. I have yet to find better for less coin. I have compared them to several brands, and still find them translating mixes well, and never causing me fatigue. I suspect the Reveals are a nice inexpensive buy.