Listening to the System Audio Legend 40.2 Silverback speakers
Contents
System Audio speakers are laid-back. They are not the most on-point, fast speakers when it comes to the pacing of the music. This is, of course, a deliberate choice of character. It makes them all-round, enjoyable speakers for the whole family, even if you are not an audio fanatic.
The highs sound somewhat rounded, but mainly lack some depth. This is audible in cymbals, for instance. Placement of instruments in the stereo image is identifiable, but not carved out. This again is a design choice, because your position on the couch while listening should not matter, System Audio wants to give everyone a good stereo experience.
Queen’s “Innuendo” sounds full and bombastic, just the way you want to hear it. These System Audio Legend 40.2 Silverback speakers are not that fussy when it comes to the mastering quality of music. It makes them likeable, it is easy to listen to what they produce, while the overall sound quality level is high. For the price tag, you would expect that though and System Audio delivers, along with the Primare amplifier.
These speakers can produce powerful, deep bass with lots of control, as proven by “A Caged Bird / Imitations of Life” by The Cinematic Orchestra. Still, you hear a lot of nuance in Roots Manuva’s delivery of the vocals and the all-encompassing stereo image is founded like a brick house. With active speakers, this tricky track often plays very well, precisely because there is so much control over the reproduction.
Thank you for your time, I really appreciate it. I was under the impression that the reduced sound quality was due to these being active speakers with built-in power supplies not reacting well with the Audes power conditioner. I now understand there is no connection between the two in general but only for the specific psu in the Silverback (unless it has to do with the Primare?)
Hoi Martijn,
Bedankt voor je review, heel duidelijk. Wat betreft jouw opmerking hieronder, dit review is begrijp ik, toch MET de Audes gedaan. Terwijl zonder de 40.2 dus beter klinkt ? Waar en wat hoor je (niet?) precies en geldt dit ook voor andere actives in jouw ervaring (beter zonder conditioner)?
Quote (Audes ST-900 review)
June 3, 2024 at 6:09 pm #202362 REPLY
Martijn (redacteur)
Participant
Private Message
“Niet alle apparaten met een switch mode power supply aan boord gaan goed. De System Audio Legend 40A actieve speakers, die ik net gereviewed heb, gaan bijvoorbeeld niet goed samen met de Audes.”
As stated on the second page of the review, the Audes was not used with these speakers.
Thanks, but my curiosity and question really is about what you heard with and without the power conditioner in combination with actives and if this can be generalised if known yet?
You cannot generalise if a hifi component will respond well, so it is always trial and error.
When I review, I always compare with and without.
The Primare amplifier responded well.
I did not make notes about how it sounded, but if my memory serves me correctly the overall character of the sound became unpleasant. Like the sounds did get hard edges. It was just not pleasant to listen to.