Short answer: the Aalto Speakers Aalto 9. It ranks #4 of 15 powered floorstanding speakers by sound quality (rated 4.7/5); the Grimm Audio LS1c + SB1 ranks #9 (rated 4.4/5).
The Aalto Speakers Aalto 9 is the more accurate, deeper-bass choice. Huge active speakers with extremely accurate sound and bass flat to 20Hz, so they never need a subwoofer. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 8.24 against 5.73 for the Grimm Audio LS1c + SB1. Its bass reaches about 20Hz before falling 10dB, against 28.9Hz for the Grimm Audio LS1c + SB1. Watch for: The data is the manufacturer’s own and spinorama rates its quality as low, so the scores lack independent confirmation.
Why pick the Grimm Audio LS1c + SB1: A complete active monitor system with matching subwoofers, very wide dispersion, accurate sound and low distortion. Watch for: The standard preference score is only 5.73, rising to 7.54 with an ideal subwoofer, because spinorama puts the system’s -6dB point at 45.4Hz despite the subwoofers.
Buy the Aalto Speakers Aalto 9. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Grimm Audio LS1c + SB1.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Aalto Speakers Aalto 9 | Grimm Audio LS1c + SB1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | €29,990 per pair | $43,440 per pair |
| Ranked | #4 of 15 in Large Size Powered Floorstanding Speakers | #9 of 15 in Large Size Powered Floorstanding Speakers |
| Enclosure | 3-way active, bass reflex | Active 2-way monitor on stand with integrated SB1 sealed subwoofer (3-way system) |
| Drivers | 21” paper-cone woofer, 10” paper-cone midrange, 1” compression driver on horn | TPCD carbon composite tweeter (Seas); 8” Seas midrange-woofer; 10” up-firing SB1 subwoofer |
| Amplifier Power | 1500W total per speaker | 240W woofer and 100W tweeter per speaker (Hypex NCore); 400W per SB1 subwoofer |
| Crossover Frequency | 220Hz and 1.45kHz | - |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz-24kHz (manufacturer) | 20Hz-27kHz +0.5/-3dB with SB1 (manufacturer) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 20.3Hz (measured, manufacturer data on spinorama.org) | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | below 20Hz (measured, manufacturer data on spinorama.org) | approximately 28.9Hz (measured, spinorama.org ASR data) |
| Inputs | Analogue XLR, AES/EBU XLR, USB, optional Dante | Analog XLR, 3x AES/EBU, USB |
| DSP | FourAudio room correction software (Windows/Mac), touchscreen control | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 8.24 | 5.73 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.84 | 7.54 |
| XLR Input | Yes | Yes |
| RCA Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | Yes | Yes |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Country | Made in Finland | Made in the Netherlands |
| Maximum SPL | - | 105dB (measured by ASR) |
| Dimensions | - | 45.3”H x 20.5”W x 6.3”D (1150 x 521 x 160 mm) |
| Weight | - | 119 lbs (54 kg) each with SB1 |
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