Active Speakers vs. Passive Speakers: What Are the Benefits of Each?

                Active Speakers vs. Passive Speakers: What Are the Benefits of Each?

Maybe when you buy speakers, the first thing you consider is "passive speakers ", because you have a player, an amp, and a complete system. However, for friends who are new to audio and start playing from "zero", in fact, "active" speakers have their advantages. Although "passive" speakers are the mainstream, "active" speakers also have many loyal fans. What is the reason? If the differences in materials and design of high-end and low-end equipment are excluded, what are the advantages and disadvantages of "active" and "passive" designs? The following is a brief analysis with everyone.

"Active Speaker" means that the speaker has a built-in crossover and amplification circuit. It only needs to be connected to the power supply and input the music signal to produce sound. Many listening speakers in recording studios and professional speakers for engineering are active speakers, but don’t think that Active Speaker is synonymous with your profession, because the common and commonly used computer speakers, Bluetooth speakers, etc. are actually "active speakers". 

Advantage 1: no post-stage, simple system

One of the biggest advantages of active speakers is that there is no need to connect the post-stage driver, and the audio can be input to play songs. It is most suitable for friends who want a simple audio system. Only the "player" and "speaker" can form a complete system. .

Advantage 2: Save space

In addition, active speakers do not need to be connected to amplifiers, so a lot of space for placing equipment can be saved, which is quite suitable for the popular CAS system or desktop audio system in recent years.

Advantage 3: Complete package, sound quality "guaranteed"

Since the speaker itself already has a complete drive circuit and is equipped with decoding and crossover, and if it is input through a digital interface, the sound bottom of the active speaker will be more "stable", unlike the passive speaker that is more affected by wires and amplifiers.

Disadvantage 1: The speakers need to adjust the volume independently

For the design of some active speakers, the output of the left and right channel speakers needs to be adjusted independently, so it will be a little troublesome to adjust the volume, and the left and right speakers need to cooperate with each other before fine-tuning.

Disadvantage 2: Need to connect power line and signal line

Although active speakers require one less Amp, in addition to the signal cable, each side speaker needs to be connected with an additional power cable for power supply. If the speakers are placed far away, connecting the cables will be more troublesome.

passive speakers

The more common two-channel speakers you see are "passive speakers. Contrary to "active speakers, there is no built-in amplifier circuit, and the output of the post-stage or combining machine is needed to drive the sound. Compared with traditional active speakers, most of them are bookshelf designs, passive speakers come in a variety of styles, such as floor stands, bookshelves, satellites, etc.

Advantage 1: More flexibility in tuning

Due to the need to be connected to the amplifier driver, the sound of passive speakers will be greatly affected by the connected equipment and wires. Sometimes the same set of speakers may sound completely different when heard by others and by yourself. However, in a disguised form, there is more flexibility in tuning, and the characteristics of signal cables and amplifiers can be used to supplement or improve the performance of speakers.

Advantage 2: Only the speaker wires need to be connected

Although it needs to be connected to an amplifier, in contrast, passive speakers do not need to be connected to an additional power line. They only need to be connected to the amplifier with a signal cable, and the latter can be directly driven to produce sound.

Advantage 3: Diversified connection combinations of Bi-Amp and Bi-Wire

Some passive speakers can support Bi-Amp and Bi-Wire connection methods, and the performance of the speakers can be improved through cable connection and additional power amplifiers.

Disadvantages: Requires post-stage push

Because passive speakers are too diverse, the specifications, designs and materials are different. If there is a common disadvantage, it needs to be connected to an amplifier driver, which requires additional equipment and space.

Summarize

Many friends of the author have switched to active speakers in recent years, mainly because they are convenient enough to simplify the desktop audio system, and they are suitable for connecting to a computer to play CAS. However, the playful combination of passive speakers is indeed unique and attractive, and it is more suitable for traditional audio systems. It would be great if there is a set of both.