Finally decided to get an my upgrade for my speakers & I bought Hivi/Swan T200B today
Previously using speakers made from china, chap ayam brand for past 3yrs.

This purchase is unexpected, just 1 fine day i bump into Hivi authorize shop then feel itchy & tryout few speakers model, then other is history.
I had auditioned M200MKII, M200MKIII & T200B at that shop.
Of course MKIII SQ is much better than MKII, much more solid & tighter.
When i compare MKIII with T200B, T200B shine outstandingly.
MKIII soundstage is wider but sound is "loose", bass is great but again like IE8 sunken the mid/high. 1 thing good about this model, bass/treble can be adjusted.
Meanwhile T200B bass is so impactful, mid is so sweet, treble is just nice w/out sibilance.

Setup:
Macbook Pro>Optical>Compass DAC>RCA>Swans T200B Dual Mono Amp+Speakers

Cosmetically, so far T200B is 1 of the nicest speaker i had never seen. It has really 3D shape, not like normal boring box speakers look. It is black piano high gloss paint finish at the front with Triangle Aluminum Brushed Silver Plate attached. Rear side is made from injected fiber insert with some nice paint/ tears drop finish or made from wood with powder coat/tears drop finish.

Furthermore it has remote control to control individual speakers volume & also master volume control. In fact there is also manual volume adjuster at each speakers.
What i like best built in dual mono amp so i dont need to spend another $$$$ on desktop amp, plus in offered RCA output (unbalance) & XLR 3pins output (balanced)>which i am yet to try on this output. I will get another Balance DAC in the future (maybe Gamma1+2 maxxed out or Matrix Mini-I, or if budget allowed Buffalo ESS Saber DAC). Each speakers having its own power source. So u can imagine how powerful is this speakers.

Actually i am looking for other SQ iem/cans or speakers> more neutral soundings actually. Thus i found T200B suit my taste.
Its vocal sound is so great, mellow & sweet, music listening has brought me to another level which i had been listening custom iem or cans previously.
Most obvious is the soundstage is so wide compare to iem/cans.

Initial bass is a bit overwhelming, so i used the 4 sponged which come with the T200B, & fill into the 2 bass hole at each speaker which tamed its bass substantially

It also come with 2 RCA which i found it is very soft & flexible. Its jack is awesome has some kind of twist & lock mechanism. More happening than my "good" RCA-3.5mm which i bought recently. Another nice things, these speakers are 100% QC SQ tested before leaving the factory so the SQ graphs of both speakers are provided. Overall it is quite neutral SQ with slightly warm.

Anyway advise from the seller, this speakers also need to burn for a couple days to loosen up the mechanism & the SQ will improve somemore.

Here is the more details info regarding T200B:-

Swan T200b active dual-mono desktop loudspeaker system

2.0 channel; dual mono configuration
Self-powered
Balanced XLR and single-ended RCA inputs
Swan's best drivers in an active system
Connects to any portable or line-output music source
Individual level controls

FEATURES:
Magnetically shielded
28mm soft dome, Danish-style tweeter
Advanced 5.25 alloy midwoofer
Internally amplified
Dual mono configuration (Left and right speakers are identical)
Includes RCA input per speaker
Includes blanced XLR inputs
Individual input level controls
120vac / 60Hz only; includes dual power cables
Gloss piano black lacquer and champagne anodized aluminum
Removable black fabric grilles with stainless steel pins
Priced, packed, and shipped in pairs
Manufacturer's warranty included
Includes The Audio Insider's 30-day in-home satisfaction guaranteed

SPECIFICATIONS:
Frequency Response: 50Hz-20kHz
Voltage Sensitivity: 500mv
Input Impedance: 47kohms
Internal Power: 65w per channel
Dimensions: 217 x 272 x 383mm
Dimensions: 8.6 x 10.7 x 15in
Net Weight: 16kg / 35lbs pair

http://www.theaudioinsider.com/product_inf.../products_id/78

This post has been edited by jkleejk: Oct 1 2009, 06:13 PM


Attached thumbnail(s)

where to buy this hivi speaker?as i know ,no one bring in this stuff for sell in malaysia.

i am located in china now, so i bought this speakers in china.
maybe u can start bulk purchase on this items. not sure if the freight cost is worth it or not.

WAW!! KEWL!!!

how much u buy it?

about RM1200 region.
u can opt for M200MK3 about RM700+ which is also pretty awesome IMO.

is it.last time .this mk3 is about rmb1900 about rm900.now ,drop until rm700 only ah.but this t200b is much more better than mk3.
last year, i went shenzhen ,i saw the mk2 & thinking want to buy it but consider the weight is 15kg & i need go other place too(how to carry it ah?)so.at last ,i didn't buy it.

seriously Mk3 (~RMB1600) is much better than Mk2 (~RMB900) when u compare side by side, it is days & nites different.
when u compare T200B & MK3 although T200B wins in many aspect but sometimes i felt Mk3 suit more music variety like rock especially & it has the treble/bass control adjuster so u can custom the SQ u want quite a bit. Meanwhile T200B SQ is fix, it will depending on your DAC, CDP & etc. U can amp it another time, i tried with my Compass, somehow it doesnt seems have the synergy due to double amping. Anyway i am looking some good vocal speakers anyway different from what my iem setup is.

So i recommend to check MK3 & T200B again next time u visit china again. It is worth the effort to bring back. In fact, I had tested with many good logitech, microlabs, edifiers, qinpu side by side, no way compare with MK3 & T200B. So it is worth the price IMO.
So i convinced to get T200B due the individual mono built in amp, balance/unbalance input, it is good looking anyway with remote control too. So

This post has been edited by jkleejk: Oct 2 2009, 10:43 PM

mmmmm.just thinking is there any best way to courier the 15kg speaker with lowest cost!!!!!if not more than rm150 transport fee,sure i will bring in the mk3.

maybe i will bring this bak on my nxt visit to China

is it taxable ? maybe pay a bit more to AirAsia for check in luggage

This post has been edited by kumanosuke: Oct 3 2009, 12:20 AM

i rather get a cheap airasia ticket come here for vacation then bring the speaker back. latest airasia promotion price is seductive, my friend coming to china with only rm400 2ways ticket. it is darn cheap.

Would be nice if can compare to S2000...

This S2000V model is pretty awesome for those guy who didnt own Speaker DAC/AMP. but at this moment I am not having a chance comparing side by side with T200B To be frank initially i am considering this model too.
As for me i already owned Audio GD DAC/AMP so i doesnt need extra dac anyway; T200B having individual power source & mono amp built in with balance/unbalance input. Most importantly i just trust my ears
anyway i think S2000V is a good contender & so do Audioengine E5 which is great if u having ipod & macbook.
i also saw Edifier E20 out there anyone auditioned it b4?

This post has been edited by jkleejk: Oct 3 2009, 08:40 PM

http://sgforums.com/forums/3168/topics/352197

I for one truly believe that Edifier has begun their decent from a good product to being flashy, just like what Altec Lansing did few years earlier.

I havent seen anything decent from them ever since I bought the S2000 few years ago. There were talks about S3000 but it never materialise.

But, the near field monitor speakers, are not for everyone. For those who like a 'natural' and color-less sound, the monitor speakers will be the answer. But to those who like the 'loud' and boomy sound, then just grab the typical PC speakers. Because sometime the monitor speakers sound is quite boring and 'less' kick or fun

Reference.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Studio_monitor

i had to agreed with bro bahathir here.
my audiophile journey started with boom boom sound preference so i opt for IE8 iem. then i upgrade to UM Quad Driver Custom. It is all fine & i was very happy with this upgrade.
then i manage to have a chance to audition JH13Pro, then my sound signature preference has changed. Now i know what is like a good neutral monitor sound like.

So for speakers i chosen T200B active 2.0 speakers base on the above sound preference. I do like monitor speakers or sound now
Most Edifiers i can only can say it is PC speakers & it will never be consider monitor speakers.

For Hivi Brand, M200MKII, M200MKIII & T200B i can consider these are monitor active speakers with affordable price. All is 2.0 speakers. No need any subwoofer.

When listening to hip hop,rap, rock & metal may not sound so nice with monitor speakers, these setting need to have subwoofer or pc speaker will more appropriate.
So it is depend on what u like

just my 0.02cents i might be wrong

This post has been edited by jkleejk: Oct 5 2009, 06:25 PM

///.jkleejk
A good audio need to have clarity in broad spectrum, not just concentrated in just certain section only.

Yes, most nearfiled monitor speaker can handle bass quite marvellously, compared to it's size. Yes, not need subwoofer. But, a good home theater sub-woofer is a good companion.

Also you crank-up the volume, and you will amazed how low the distortion, comparted to typical PC speakers.

Because of the sound properties and durto ability and less quantity, typical nearfield monitor speakers are expensive. My friend bought a small monitors (I forgot the brand), in Lowyat at a shop selling musical equipments (level 4, I think) at around RM1500. And yes, it sound, niceee!!!. I am so jealous because you can get cheaper. You are really in audio 'heaven'. Enjoy yourself and please do share something with us over here.

Thank you/

Thanks for the info

Me is just nookie in monitor speakers. Has been checking taobao with 2nd hand speakers, somemore can get ancient famous Yamaha NS10 with ok price.
U also can make trip to china to pack something back, no need jealous on me, since air ticket is v affordable (everyone can fly). Then i can show u more place to audition audio thing.

http://search1.taobao.com/browse/0/n-g,w37...&at_topsearch=1

Yup, the Yamaha NS-10Ms are very popular among recording studion in late 80's and 90's. That time, most of pictures in professional audio magazines will showed the NS-10M on the studio mixer console. Later, the NS-40M (http://www.yamaha.com/yamahavgn/CDA/ContentDetail/ModelSeriesDetail.html?CNTID=60&CTID=229400) also had the popularity, but, today, most of the monitor speakers are powered speakers, and you may not see the black box with white diaphgram speakers (NS-10M) on top of the console anymore .

Used NS-10M mmmm. they are too old, more than 20 years old and . I am not interested because, of the wear and tear.

Someday, I might visit the 'heave', and I hope the 'guardian angel' can show me around.

Thank you...

Hmm, I remember lusting for these speakers... 3 years ago. Nothing good ever comes to Malaysia

i think your is the T200A model right?
it is good active speakers for reasonable budget.
i wonder y till now no distributor in china. i think Hivi/Swan is a good brand.

You mean you remember something I randomly posted 3 years ago, or did you think I own those speaker? (and no, I don't)

Today so free as it is still holiday for us in china (60th national day/moon cake festival), take a bullet train to shanghai to check out 1 of the 2nd hand speakers shop.
This is a good 1st experience for me to audition a couple of imported brand like B&W, Klipsy, Snell Acoustics & etc.

I start to reliase, speakers can't perform the sounds separation that i am looking for as i to used to custom iem. I had to reset my mind for speakers regions but still looking for JH13P SQ wannabe.

I had autioned (all speakers are powered by whooping 2nd hand price of rmb30K > KW250S CD/AMP http://item.taobao.com/auction/item_detail...9d9cb3498c.htm)

1. KLIPSCH K2.5 speakers (quite close to what i am looking for, suite many genre of music but still lacks of transparency, bass is a bit rattling at certain track)
http://item.taobao.com/auction/item_detail...d7ce479338c.htm

2. KEF Q30 speakers (good in vocal presentation but when come to other music like rock, metal, hip hop > just could not click with it)
http://item.taobao.com/auction/item_detail...ff48056d400.htm

3.B&W DW309 floor speakers (sound like HD650, warm, vocal is still good, music separation is so so, i feel it is a bit artificial sound has been added flavor>not my type )http://item.taobao.com/auction/item_detail-0db1-92a32922b2808e643882644446b7eec8.htm

4. Snell Acoustics Type Q (my fave so far v v close to what i am looking for, v good separations, good mid/high/bass v balance, having additional high pitch tweeter at the back of the speakers with on/off option) > so far i am very tempted to get this, just only i gotten T200B if not i will definitely get this on the spot.)
http://item.taobao.com/auction/item_detail...7fb3418a976.htm

From this audition session i realise there are hifi speakers & monitor speakers> very clear cut sound signature actually. Now I know what type of speakers i am looking for. It is monitor speakers without doubt. Hehe if thing goes well, might get the Snell Acoustic Type Q speakers end of this year. At this period i will try to audition more speakers, but i heard it is hard to find monitor speakers for audition, mostly are Hifi speakers. Sigh Now i know many hifi speakers fanz out there. Maybe i come from different background
From IEM convert to speakers if i am still like Senn IE8 i think i am sure i will like hifi speakers, but now my taste has changed since the day i gotten my custom iem & auditioned JH13P

---

Added on October 6, 2009, 11:49 pmhehe 3yrs ago i havent join LYN, so i thought u auditioned T200A speakers b4 in china

This post has been edited by jkleejk: Oct 6 2009, 11:49 PM

I think the market for high end computer speaker is pretty small. How many can pay >RM1000 for a set of speaker?

Anyway, what really matters here is the perception of Made in China as far as Im concerned. Just take a look at Edifier S2000. Piano finish on the outside, but if you really take it apart and have a look, its really nothing to shout about.

Just little bit info of my current speaker systems.
I also have very cheap China made home theater speakers, cap ayam or to be accurate, "Master" brand. I bought it 6 years ago for RM299 + stereo amp. Not bad, for the price. Last year, I replaced the stereo amp with 'true' home theater amp, the Yamaha RX-V361, and I changed the main speaker's dome tweeters with car audio's piezoelectric tweeter for more balanced sound. As usual I listened to my speakers system without any EQ too . The sound, mmm.. IMHO, match for DVD/movie watching, with enough bass for explosion and just OK for treble to hear the smashing glasses or dropping bulltets casing on the floor (The Matrix scene ). Vocal? no .... I need to brain EQ for it... In other word, my current speakers system is lack of mids, and clarity in much wider spectrum. I don't care and I don't mind all these already, just enjoy them dispite of imperfections.

But, I rarely use the speakers system, because most of the time, the TV, DVD, ... are being conquered by my children. Asyik, asyik cerita Pingu, Tom and jerry, ....


Thank you...

Yup putting too good AV system at home might be heartache with it is use to view those cartoon only. anyway good info on the upgrade.
So when u want to DIY ur speakers?

---

Added on October 7, 2009, 11:53 amHivi still have low end speakers which suit to majority market just like Edifiers too.
So it depend on the user on what they looking for & how much they willing to spend.
BTW it is depend on the manufacturer, most product made in china now, include famous Apple product. It is still good isn't it.
I bet many speakers internally isnt that pleasant too, except u paid much more than that with other better brand like B&W, Sonus faber, Snell Acoustic, Harbeth & etc.

This post has been edited by jkleejk: Oct 7 2009, 11:53 AM

DIY? Mmmm.. not now. No time, no talent and not good in artwork/carpentry. So I like modding stock/current speakers, but, mmm... not this time, because I already have a good sound source and an accurate sound reproduction system, the IEMs. Let my children use them.

Hmmm, found this:
http://www.loveweige.com/index.php?main_pa...products_id=178

Price seems low even if its from China. I checked Taobao and the price was more than 2x that.

cheapest i found in taobao is RMB2K but with freight cost it is about rmb2100+
i opted to get it from the shop so i can do real audition & check the speakers condition onsite. So paying extra for this reason (RMB2.3K)
Your link, the price wont be able to get in china anyway. Dont ask why, many times price here is more expensive although it is made in china!

What I'm worried about is that this site isn't legit, actually.

Just bought cone base today
1. Pure ebony wood with brass tip (better isolation, tame the bass, thinner sound)
2. Pure ebony wood (just make sound fuller a bit)

So i installed the brass tip version to my speakers> yup it really can tame the bass to some level so clarity has improved too. i am quite happy with this upgrade
Then got extra cone bass for my compass



This post has been edited by jkleejk: Oct 10 2009, 08:29 PM

Hate to say it but I think its all in your head. How is that suppose to improve on anything?

my speakers are located on my desk table, so whenever the bass is pumping strongly, the table has the vibration which affect my listening & my work. so this cone base help to reduce the vibration....anyway it is not expensive here, so i get it to try out so i am satisfied. i am not lost in mind ..still have judgement investment vs. improvement

This post has been edited by jkleejk: Oct 11 2009, 10:12 AM

Thank you so very much jkleejk for taking the time to post a detailed review of the Swan T200B active desktop speakers! It has been hard to find much info on these (and even the M200MKIII) on the internet, but fortunately, what little I have heard has been nothing but good. I live in the US and am looking to replace my old Cambridge Sound Works 210D 2.1 computer speaker system with something MUCH MUCH better, since I basically only use my computer to listen to music AND watch movies. I was wondering how much they are selling for in China right now, since they are actually quite expensive here in the US – USD 699 for the T200B and USD 399 for the M200MKIII. I wonder if there is any way to order factory direct from China for a lower cost?!
Finally, I wanted to ask if it would be possible to use a Sub with these speakers. I listen to a fair amount of electronic/trance music and I’m wondering if 53Hz is low enough to cover the spectrum. Currently my CS 210D sub is rated at 32Hz, although it can sound muddy often times. Thanks for your help, Logan!

if u can try your luck in taobao if the seller willing to ship oversea. the cost v expensive.
Or u can direct ask Swans, but since US has distributor>i dont think they will entertain u.
If u want add in subwoofer then u need AV amp for that good SQ, or your default Subwoofer having the speaker input channel so u dont need extra AV amp.

Here is my T200B updates:-
1. Add on Subwoofer
2. Add on Behringer SRC2496
3. Add on DIY Tube buffer

SQ is up 50% IMO, much solid bass with extreme clarity, with tube flavor (lustful & harmonic distortions, cant really increase the volume of my tube buffer though).

This post has been edited by jkleejk: Jan 3 2010, 04:11 PM