Remember that you are comparing a well-designed passive crossover with fully automatic digital compensation. You can probably still get something out of the digital setup with manual tweaking. However, if the images of the passive crossover are the real ones, the passive crossover can probably also be improved. Please also bear in mind that the passive crossover was developed for a different listening room, while the active version was developed precisely for your listening room.
Agreed on the passive being relatively poor quality. This unit came from Great Plains Audio, they specialize in parts and supplies for Altec speakers. They basically copy the original Model 19 crossover using modern parts. But the parts are relatively low quality - the pair of XO's retailed for $390 from GPA so clearly they were built for people just looking to replace 50 year old parts. There's a lot to be had from the Valencias, either via passive or active gear...good speakers that work well in a home environment, unlike the bigger A7 :)
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Good review. Always interesting to hear and understand older equipment.
Remember that you are comparing a well-designed passive crossover with fully automatic digital compensation. You can probably still get something out of the digital setup with manual tweaking.
However, if the images of the passive crossover are the real ones, the passive crossover can probably also be improved. Please also bear in mind that the passive crossover was developed for a different listening room, while the active version was developed precisely for your listening room.
Agreed on the passive being relatively poor quality. This unit came from Great Plains Audio, they specialize in parts and supplies for Altec speakers. They basically copy the original Model 19 crossover using modern parts. But the parts are relatively low quality - the pair of XO's retailed for $390 from GPA so clearly they were built for people just looking to replace 50 year old parts.
There's a lot to be had from the Valencias, either via passive or active gear...good speakers that work well in a home environment, unlike the bigger A7 :)