Suitcaseable speakers worth owning?

Discussion in 'Speakers' started by Stuff Jones, Nov 4, 2016.

  1. Stuff Jones

    Stuff Jones Friend

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    I travel a lot for work, often for extended periods of time. Speakers would be nice break from IEMs.

    Are there any easily transportable ones that will not sound like total shit coming from the ZX2-Andros combo?

    I'd be running them out of my geekout 450.
     
  2. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

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    Driving around suitcase, or airplane carry-on suitcase? and I'm assuming you're going to want to look at self-powered options, unless you really want to lug around a small class D amp. And do you specifically need two speakers (stereo separation) or would a nice single unit box work for you?
     
  3. Stuff Jones

    Stuff Jones Friend

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    Check in suitcase, not carry on. But I can't kill half of my storage space on speakers either. Either two or single unit and self powered yes.
     
  4. Dr. Higgs

    Dr. Higgs Boson - Member

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    Have you looked at Bluetooth options like the Riva S or Riva X? They're not going to get you zx2/Andro levels of performance but would be superb for travel.
     
  5. Stuff Jones

    Stuff Jones Friend

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    I remember reading about the Riva X when it came out but thinking it might be too big. Riva S looks interesting though - I'll check it out. Thanks.

    The problem with all these bluetooth speakers is I feel like I pay for all this technology I don't want. I would just like the best small active speakers. That's it. No waterproofing, not BT, I don't even need battery power.
     
    Last edited: Nov 4, 2016
  6. GoodEnoughGear

    GoodEnoughGear Evil Dr. Shultz‎

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  7. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

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    Hoffman's Iron Law: Size, Efficiency and Bass, pick two out of three... and if you're really shrinking it down... you might not even get two.

    The TurboX is only 9.1x4.1x3.5"... if that's too big, you're going to be very limited in speaker choices.
     
  8. Zahn_Nen_Dah

    Zahn_Nen_Dah Friend

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    Don't take this as a strong endorsement, but Audioengine A2+ might work. They're at least decent, and how many hotel rooms are acoustically treated anyway?

    They market themselves as premium build-quality, with drivers and cabinet designed in-house, and so on, so take a grain of salt. I think someone spotted them at wholesale prices from a Chinese seller. I paid full retail because I'm a sucker.

    Front-ported, 2.75" mid-range, 0.75" tweeter. The master speaker has a class AB amp, built-in USB DAC, 3.5mm & RCA line-level inputs, RCA preamp output, and speaker output to the passive speaker.
     
  9. Thad E Ginathom

    Thad E Ginathom Friend

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    I remember hearing a pair of Genelecs that looked just like the archetypal computer speakers of a couple of decades ago, but they did not sound like them. Nor were they priced like them. 6100? 1600? Something like that. Looks like the G One is the new Genelec tiny speaker?

    (heard them without a subwoofer too. And the guy demo-ing them wasn't even expected at the meet: he just dropped in. Threw these tiny gems in his bag with all the other stuff. They did not take up much space.)
     
  10. Stuff Jones

    Stuff Jones Friend

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    Thanks all. Pulled the trigger on 2 Riva S on sale for 200. Let's see how they do. Will I lose much in SQ going bluetooth over wires? They can't link up in stereo mode via wires.

    Also, from a little research the Vifa Helsinki (and Oslo) seem to be a notch above the rest SQ wise.
     
  11. Thad E Ginathom

    Thad E Ginathom Friend

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    Oh great! And two, too!

    Looking forward to your reports :)
     
  12. Stuff Jones

    Stuff Jones Friend

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    So I got the Riva S and connected them wirelessly in stereo. It's a surprising room filling sound from such small speakers and balance is good. But tonality and transparency just seems off. Guitar strings don't have the snap, everything just sounds a little plastic and dull.

    Thinking of trying the Kanto YU2s even though they're a little big

    I would think there'd be a decent market for a pair of portable, wired good sounding speakers for the audiophile on the go. It wouldn't need a DAC as most of us have one anyway.

    I don't think such products exist, do they?
     
    Last edited: Nov 19, 2016
  13. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

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    Is it possible the tonality seems off because the Rivas are sending sound out in mono?
    Well again, you're trying to fight the laws of physics the smaller you go. Many small powered speakers will do dsp tricks to compensate; there's no way to do it "pure". Have anyone mentioned Vanatoo speakers yet? But that's getting big-ish.
     
  14. Stuff Jones

    Stuff Jones Friend

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    Anyone know anything about minirig? I like the idea - although adding a subwoofer undermines the portability.

    http://minirigs.co.uk/
     
  15. Huxleigh

    Huxleigh Almost "Made"

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    Uh, I like these. Could fit in a suitcase, lots of features, and they're a pleasant listen. Just don't expect a lot of dynamics or low end. But the balanced, smooth tonality compensates somewhat for the shortcomings. Good conversation piece, too.

    Otherwise, @Donald North's work at RIVA is a solid bet. Turbo X in its carry bag is exceedingly totable. Eagerly anticipating picking up a pair of battery-powered ARENA speakers for stereo use.
     
  16. Stuff Jones

    Stuff Jones Friend

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    Thanks - those look nice but a little large. I did get the Riva S. 2 in fact. They're solid but I feel you pay for multiple drivers (7?) and bluetooth and various other options rather than just for the best quality small drivers, amp and structure you can get at whatever price point.
     
  17. Huxleigh

    Huxleigh Almost "Made"

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    Ah, sorry, I see that. :oops: Not heard the RIVA S, but there's probably truth to your criticism. Of course, there's always going to compromises in where small, semi-portable speaker systems are concerned. Really boils down to what you feel is going to give you the best value for your money, and raw performance isn't always the ultimate goal.

    That said, it's surprising how remarkably bad other Bluetooth speakers sound when compared to the Turbo X. :confused: Seems more like a race to the bottom in this product space, more often than not. Standouts are few.

    Edit: One thing I will say about Serene Audio is that its staff seem very friendly. Was pleasantly surprised with the follow-up service I received after buying the Talisman. Same goes for RIVA, too. Upon discovering that it was malfunctioning, Don replaced my original Turbo X without any hassle whatsoever. Appreciated on both counts.
     
  18. Stuff Jones

    Stuff Jones Friend

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    If you listen to this, the Vifa Helsinki sounds light years ahead of the others IMO and the Oslo is better sounding in his video comparing all three Vifa speakers. Not sure how accurate such comparisons are though.

    If only they made them as two smaller separable units instead of one so you could get a better stereo image.

     
  19. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

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  20. Dino

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    That came to my mind, too. A Henry Kloss design. I have owned several Henry Kloss designed speakers and found them quite musical and enjoyable no matter how low of a price point he was aiming at. (Henry Kloss was remarkable in that regard.)

    I almost bought of these* when Cambridge Soundworks was blowing them out but decided that I didn't really have a use for them.

    *The link is to a Cambridge Soundworks Model 12. They also made a similar Model 11. I don't remember which I was tempted by.
     

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