nathan0001

Again, I am not doubting that they are loud or powerful, I just want to know I'm comparing like with like, that is why I so want to understand. Active set-ups do appear to have many advantages. From Ashley's reply I think I can draw the following: 1. The distortion is very low at all frequencies. 2. It is an RMS power rating ( though I have read this comes out a little higher than when a manufacturer states "continuous music power output" ) 3. They are measured into the resistance presented by the driver they are driving ( in the bass drivers case, 5.7ohms I believe - this will of course produce a higher figure than an 8 ohm load )

Hi, I know I have touched on this issue before, but I'm still struggling after a lot of reading to get my head round something, and whilst this post is on the subject of ADM 9.1 analogue performance I'd like to go back to the amps ! I have no doubt they are very powerful, and more than powerful enough to control their own drivers, but, for example, they have power output figures higher than most Krell amps! Ashley said to me once, "power is simply volts multiplied by current". The only way I can see that being the case in relation to amplifier power output is if the figure being quoted is the peak power output or "pmpo". Otherwise that is not true, as many manufacturers quote with different distortion levels, different resistance levels and continuous power output. I assume the 250 / 75 watts are into the load presented by the ADM's drive units and not the standard 8 ohms most amp manufactures quote (this giving a lower figure). To summarise, I guess I just want to know: Are the quoted figures continuous or peak? What resistance are they measured into? What is the distortion at these max power levels ? If anyone else knows a little more about power outputs and how they are measured, I'd like know !! Nathan

I am not disputing that the ADM's are powerful enough or that they go loud ( I rarely listen that loud anyway! ). I am just saying that I feel the stated figures are perhaps a little mis-leading as there simply isn't as much detail given as you get with most other manufacturers as to how the figure is produced. I am hoping to get a listen to a pair in the very near future, hopefully alongside a friend's Proac Response 1SC's which so impressed me before, paired with a Primare I30 Amp as before. This is of course a more costly combination than the ADM's, and so should they even approach the same level of performance I would be very impressed..........

Ashley, Many thanks for such a detailed response. I am not the most technical of people but I still believe that power output is more than just volts multiplied by amps for amplifiers. For example, most mini systems / car hifi systems seem to quote power outputs at 1khz, and rather high distortion levels, and not at the 20-20000hz that most "top" hifi manufacturers tend to. How are the ADM 9.1's measured ?? What frequency range ?? Is there anyone else out there that has the knowledge to comment on how amplifier outputs are measured? I have also been lucky enough to hear a pair of Proac Response 1SC's ( that is why I mention those in my earlier post ) and they sounded simply amazing. I am sure that Stewart Tyler ( he was Proac's designer, though may not be now ) could come up with an equally convincing argument for the design of their speakers, and so I guess I will just need to hear a pair of ADM 9.1s myself.......... I just can't help but be a little suspicious because of those amplifier output figures not looking quite right to me. And I have always read that high current is what amps need, not low current !!? I hope you can shed some more light on this for myself and others . Regards, Nathan

Hi all, I have heard and read a lot of good things about the ADM 9.1's, but can't help thinking that the AVI website is just pushing things a little too far ! For example, "The ADM9s change everything because they improve on any two-way passive loudspeaker made ". This is quite a bold claim !! I have read a few reviewers refer to the Proac Response 1SC's as their new "reference" small speaker. Could the AVI possibly better these stunning little speakers? Or how about some Sonus Faber Guarneri Memento? AVI imply that being active means being better, but there is a lot more to it than that according to most manufacturers. The engineering of the enclosure and the drive units clearly being a major factor. And why do AVI quote power output figures for the amps in these speakers but don't state how it's measured?? Most manufacturers quote figures in the region 20 - 20,000hz - I am guessing the reason that AVI don't state the frequency range is because it is measures at 1khz only ?? What is the real 20-20000hz output figure ?? Or perhaps I'm just being difficult !! Many thanks! Nathan.