Anyone using BlueSky Sat 6.5's without sub?

[marcz]

hey guys, i like the idea of a non-ported active monitor but really don't like working with subs.

the blue sky sat 6.5 is the only active, sealed monitor i know of that is reasonably priced (yes wish i could afford the klein + hummel...).

is anyone using these as full range monitors?

and what's the bass response like...is it limited to the 80hZ crossover point that is indicated when used with its matching sub?

ta!

[Pascal Sijen]

Originally Posted by marcz

hey guys, i like the idea of a non-ported active monitor but really don't like working with subs.

the blue sky sat 6.5 is the only active, sealed monitor i know of that is reasonably priced (yes wish i could afford the klein + hummel...).

is anyone using these as full range monitors?

and what's the bass response like...is it limited to the 80hZ crossover point that is indicated when used with its matching sub?

ta!

Hello Marcz:

Blue Sky's SAT 6.5, like all of our nearfield monitors, is designed to be used with a SUB. The sub is an integral part of the system and not an optional add-on. Because of its sealed box design, and because it is designed to seamlessly sum with our SUB 12 and SUB 15 Universal, the SAT 6.5 only goes down to 80Hz (-3dB). Using it without a sub and the requisite high pass / low pass filters, will increase the intermodulation distortion, increase driver excursion and reduces maximum output.

For more information, please follow this link.

If you have any additional questions, please don't hesitate to contact me: pascal@abluesky.com

Cheers!

[marcz]

Originally Posted by Pascal Sijen

Hello Marcz:

The sub is an integral part of the system and not an optional add-on. Because of its sealed box design, and because it is designed to seamlessly sum with our SUB 12 and SUB 15 Universal, the SAT 6.5 only goes down to 80Hz (-3dB). Using it without a sub and the requisite high pass / low pass filters, will increase the intermodulation distortion, increase driver excursion and reduces maximum output.

Cheers!

Maybe so..but I listened to a pair today and they sounded great. Sounded like I heard lower than 80Hz! Does the response below 80Hz fall away sharply? Didn't sound like it if so...The bottom end sounded tight and focussed and clear...not hyped in any way.

Ok, so even if I'm not hearing anything 80Hz and down, at least the low end I am getting is true without the typical "peak before the fall" you get in a ported design. Is that a fair comment?

And how do these issues you mentioned translate in the real world for me:

*Intermodulation distortion....will I hear that?

*Increase driver excursion....fine with me.

*Reduces maximum output...I only listen at low volumes.

I do understand and respect the design philosophy behind your speakers but I really don't have the space or inclination to integrate a sub into my room.

Thanks Pascal

[Pascal Sijen]

Originally Posted by marcz

Maybe so..but I listened to a pair today and they sounded great. Sounded like I heard lower than 80Hz! Does the response below 80Hz fall away sharply? Didn't sound like it if so...The bottom end sounded tight and focussed and clear...not hyped in any way.

Ok, so even if I'm not hearing anything 80Hz and down, at least the low end I am getting is true without the typical "peak before the fall" you get in a ported design. Is that a fair comment?

And how do these issues you mentioned translate in the real world for me:

*Intermodulation distortion....will I hear that?

*Increase driver excursion....fine with me.

*Reduces maximum output...I only listen at low volumes.

I do understand and respect the design philosophy behind your speakers but I really don't have the space or inclination to integrate a sub into my room.

Thanks Pascal

Hello Marcz:

The SAT 6.5 MK II is -3dB @ 80Hz and rolls off at 12dB per octave below this point. Measurement data is provided in the manual, which can be downloaded by following this link to our website.

With regard to intermodulation distortion; if you are sending the monitor a lot of LF content below 80Hz, then you may perceive some distortion, especially at higher output levels. Also, because driver excursion will be increasing as you go lower in frequency, you do risk possibly damaging the 6.5" woofer (although driver protection is provided in the MK II).

Again, feel free to email me directly if you have any additional questions: pascal@abluesky.com

Cheers!

[James Lehmann]

Originally Posted by marcz

I like the idea of a non-ported active monitor but really don't like working with subs... I really don't have the space or inclination to integrate a sub into my room.

Well, there are subs and there are Blue Sky system subs. The former are nearly always 'bolt-on' optional extras for stand-alone 2-way systems, the rather 'mix & match' approach of which gives variable results at best and seems to permanently prejudice people's perceptions of the whole sub issue. The latter are designed from the ground up to work seamlessly as part of a whole and do exactly what it says on the tin extremely well indeed - I don't 'hear' the sub at all and completely forget I have one, I just get on with mixing, grateful that I can actually hear that last octave, and so smoothly too! In fact, if you need/want anything approaching full-range monitoring on a budget (like <$2k), it's the only way to go IMHO.

I'd strongly suggest you at least demo a Blue Sky system before dismissing the concept of working with a sub absolutely (notwithstanding the space issue). For less than the cost of an incomplete, ill-advised and sonically compromised set-up of 2 x SAT6.5's alone, you could get a complete, no compromise ProDesk MkII system of 2 x SAT 5's and a Sub8 that works really well. Read my review of the MkI of that system here.

My $0.02!