That also applies to the more expensive Ruark's though (amp). Probably will do with any speakers that aren't yet more money, or £200+ studio monitor speakers. Anything not classed as a studio monitor speaker, is going to cost a fair bit more for them to have an amp in each speaker, I would have thought. As an example; KEF X300A are classed active hifi speakers and have an amp in each speaker, but they originally started out at around £600.
It's certain that cheaper speakers are built to a cost and why they have an active and passive speaker. That is almost certainly why there are cheap budget studio monitor speakers that have varying user reviews; most are good, but there are a few too many negative ones for my liking. The cheap M-Audio and Mackie speakers have a few too many negative comments to be a good choice in my opinion. Undoubtedly, too many corners were cut to meet a low price point. This is where Edifier have done very well. While they aren't classed as studio monitor speakers, they have one active and one passive speaker and are similarly priced; but if you look at the user comments, particularly on the US jungle site, they fare so much better.
3% of 1* reviews from a total of nearly 1800 for the Edifier R1280T. M Audio AV42 in comparison, have 11% 1* reviews from only a total of 282. Mackie CR4, 12% of 1* reviews from a total of nearly 1800.
Just to add; Mackie and M-Audio do make some good quality speakers. They are just a fair bit more than their low budget ranges.
For the cable, (in my opinion) any decent active speakers really should have binding posts so a cable of choice can be used. For the cost of the Ruark's, you only get a 3.5mm socket to the other speaker. Admittedly, that does still allow a cable of choice to be used, but unless it's a cable specific to the job of being used as a speaker cable, the copper in many 3.5mm cables will be thin. Even the hugely cheaper Steljes NS1 has binding posts.
Anyway; I think all this talk is just adding extra confusion for the OP. It's possibly only important if he were looking at the aforementioned budget Mackie's or M-Audio's.
Edifier R1800T III in black For £120.
Steljes NS1 in black for £130 from Richer Sounds, if smaller size speaker is preferred.
I notice there is a Bluetooth version of the Edifier R1280T; R1280DB in black for £120. Could be an alternative to the R1800T III if a Bluetooth connection is desired.
All those are good choices roughly close to budget, if the OP would rather not go down the route of passive speakers and a SMSL SA50 amp.
It's certain that cheaper speakers are built to a cost and why they have an active and passive speaker. That is almost certainly why there are cheap budget studio monitor speakers that have varying user reviews; most are good, but there are a few too many negative ones for my liking. The cheap M-Audio and Mackie speakers have a few too many negative comments to be a good choice in my opinion. Undoubtedly, too many corners were cut to meet a low price point. This is where Edifier have done very well. While they aren't classed as studio monitor speakers, they have one active and one passive speaker and are similarly priced; but if you look at the user comments, particularly on the US jungle site, they fare so much better.
3% of 1* reviews from a total of nearly 1800 for the Edifier R1280T. M Audio AV42 in comparison, have 11% 1* reviews from only a total of 282. Mackie CR4, 12% of 1* reviews from a total of nearly 1800.
Just to add; Mackie and M-Audio do make some good quality speakers. They are just a fair bit more than their low budget ranges.
For the cable, (in my opinion) any decent active speakers really should have binding posts so a cable of choice can be used. For the cost of the Ruark's, you only get a 3.5mm socket to the other speaker. Admittedly, that does still allow a cable of choice to be used, but unless it's a cable specific to the job of being used as a speaker cable, the copper in many 3.5mm cables will be thin. Even the hugely cheaper Steljes NS1 has binding posts.
Anyway; I think all this talk is just adding extra confusion for the OP. It's possibly only important if he were looking at the aforementioned budget Mackie's or M-Audio's.
Edifier R1800T III in black For £120.
Steljes NS1 in black for £130 from Richer Sounds, if smaller size speaker is preferred.
I notice there is a Bluetooth version of the Edifier R1280T; R1280DB in black for £120. Could be an alternative to the R1800T III if a Bluetooth connection is desired.
All those are good choices roughly close to budget, if the OP would rather not go down the route of passive speakers and a SMSL SA50 amp.
