Reading · Cookie’s Corner

We support acoustic musicians playing live in the studio, at events and recorded to the highest fidelity possible. Are you looking for audio guidance, coaching or consultation? Send me an email - support@bluecoastmusic.com

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If you buy two albums at Blue Coast Music, you can get a 3rd one free. Here’s how it works… first buy two downloads. After purchase, send us an email with your invoice, choice of the 3rd album and format you’d like us to put into your online account. Send an email to support@bluecoastmusic.com

https://bluecoastmusic.com/jack-perla/swimming-lessons-for-the-dead

Jack Perla is an award winning composer, arranger and pianist. Have a listen to The Pearl, the second song on the album. The downloads are now on sale. You won’t find this album streaming (sadly). It’s now on sale and time to splurge!

Remember, MQD Gold CDs are moving fast and we maybe out of them by the end of this year. You’ll know the CD can play while you drive down the coast!

The quick difference between active and passive speakers is this…. Passive speakers require an amplifier to power the sound. The amp you buy colors the sound of the speakers. For instance, tube and solid state amps will give the speakers a different sound. That means the consumer can get an amp that suits their taste and budget. The speakers still work if there is any need to repair or replace the amp for an upgrade.

Active speakers come with amplifiers built into the speaker or an external amp is provided in the system. These are also called “powered speakers”. The manufacturer has determined what the power will sound like. Often there’s a digital component that adjusts the sound specifically to the taste of the developer. The good news is the total price includes the power so either you like the speaker/amp sound or not. The bad news is you have to replace the entire system if the amp/power stops working. If the company stops supporting the product (which seems to happen every 5-10 years) you may not find a way to repair the system.

We don’t often think about the cost of replacing our listening systems. Some audiophiles enjoy changing their listening environment often. As a music producer, much of my job is listening and comparing sounds. Consistency of the playback sound is important to me. Once I get a listening system in place, I don’t change it. In the control room, I add to it… as you can see by the photo above.

My studio opened in 1982 and I’m still using (and loving) my passive speakers I bought back then. Those are the Tannoys and the Auratones in the photo and still reliable. I now power them with a vintage Mcintosh amp, which sounds amazing. More than 40 years and still sounding great!

The large active speakers in the back I’ve had for 30 years. They are the Meyers 833. Actually, they’re kind of half powered and half passive. They require a manufacturer supplied pre-amp stage before the amp. Like active speakers, the preamp stage was to color the sound. These were terrific when you wanted a loud playback. Unfortunately, the preamp stopped working after 10 years so they currently act as diffusers for the room sound (joking not joking).

Twenty years ago I was introduced to the JMR Offrandes and paired them with a Nelson Pass amp. Still one of my favorite systems to listen to and never a problem through out those years. Their European sound offers incredible midrange that doesn’t overwhelm but provides a ‘real life’ sound.

The unusually shaped speakers are NHT M-60s, which were a gift from NHT when they won an award for “Best Sound at CES” using our music (Blue Coast Records). They became my near field go-to system and lasted for 10 years. When the “active” died earlier this year I was heartbroken. It has an outboard active amp with proprietary digital sound built in and custom cable ends. The company was sold and speakers are no longer made. My tech couldn’t fix the proprietary amp and I can’t just buy another amp. After a little cry for help in social media, an old friend who worked there might have an inside track to getting it fixed. So, for the time being I have another pair of diffusers for the room.

Throughout my home and studio I have another 5 pair of various speakers to monitor mixes including the Sony AR-1 powered with a Nelson Pass amp. These are perfect audiophile speakers for our artists to sit on a couch outside the control room to listen (and gives me space in the control room to think).

I know I’ve been guilty of being mezmerized by the sound of a system, but when I think of value… the passive speaker systems win out. When I think of craving a sound, it’s been active speakers… when they die and I’m heartbroken.

That’s my story with speakers and amps. Do you have a story? Leave it in the comments below or write to me directly at support@bluecoastmusic.com

Not all, but what I could easily find on playlists. No AI used!

Qobuz -
https://open.qobuz.com/playlist/24982748

Tidal -
https://tidal.com/playlist/40012258-926a-4130-9364-5cc7b3ed2661

Youtube -
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiWDrjNeis2Wb5DNSwFkESHFCCEV64gKm

Thanks for reading and
Enjoy your listening!

Cookie Marenco
Founder and Producer Blue Coast Records and Music

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