How should I choose between active speakers and passive speakers?

                How should I choose between active speakers and passive speakers?

When you buy speakers, you will always be troubled by the type of speakers, that is, what are "active speakers" and "passive speakers"? Today, I will come to solve your doubts for you, so that you can adapt to local conditions and reduce unnecessary troubles and losses during the selection process.

What is an "active speaker"? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each?

"Active speaker", the English name is Active Speaker, also known as "active speaker". Its major feature is that it has a built-in electronic crossover system and its own power amplifier. "Active speaker" is usually marked with a built-in amplifier. Parameters such as output power, input impedance and input signal level, so all you have to do is connect the power supply and audio cable to make sound.

At present, monitor speakers in recording studios, engineering speakers, or speakers for dance halls are basically "active speakers". Of course, they are now used in multimedia, such as desktop speakers, Bluetooth speakers, etc. speakers".

advantage

1. Self-contained power amplifier, no need to connect to the post-stage amplifier, the whole system is simple and clear, easy to use. Just connect a computer, Blu-ray/Audio player, DAP, etc. to play. You don't need to consider professional issues such as power size and impedance matching, just plug and play.

2. In addition to the built-in amplifier, the "active speaker" also has an electronic frequency division system and a decoding system, which can systematically restore the original appearance of the sound, with less distortion and a stable sound floor, and will not be affected by factors such as wires and power amplifiers. influenced by changes.

3. The space is more flexible. Because of the built-in amplification system and electronic frequency divider, you don't need to place power amplifiers and other equipment, making your space more concise.

shortcoming

1. Since each speaker has an independent amplifier and electronic distributor, each speaker needs an independent power supply. In other words, if you want to form a 5.1.2 or 7.1.4 speaker system, you must have 8 or 12 independent power supplies make it work, and the requirements for the stability of the power supply are relatively high. Of course, if it is only for desktop use, the 2.0 system only needs 2 power supplies.

2. You need to turn on the power of each speaker separately. Some "active speakers" even need to adjust the volume of each speaker. It is a little troublesome to adjust the volume with multiple speakers, but not all "active speakers" This is required, so be careful when choosing.

What is a "passive speaker"? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each?

"Passive speaker", the English name is Passive Speaker, also known as "passive speaker", without any internal amplifier circuit, but there will be a frequency division network and impedance compensation circuit.

It cannot be plug-and-play, and it needs a post-amplifier or a combined power amplifier to promote it. The whole system is relatively more complicated.

Compared with "active speakers", "passive speakers" include not only bookshelf speakers, but also floor-standing speakers and satellite speakers.

advantage

1. No power supply is required, only the audio cable needs to be connected, but the power amplifier needs to be connected.

2. The flexibility of tuning is increased. Since a power amplifier needs to be connected, it has a greater impact on equipment such as power amplifiers, tube amplifiers, and cables, but this allows you to match equipment differently from person to person. Some people like this kind of sound , Some people like that kind of tone, and the tuning effect is determined according to the power amplifier and the wire material.

shortcoming

1. The system is relatively complicated, unlike the plug-and-play "active speaker", you need to have more professional knowledge reserves to make a match that suits you.

2. It takes up more space, and the volume will be relatively larger, which is not suitable for some scenarios, such as computer desktops.

"Passive speakers" cost more money?

"Passive speakers" need to be supported by a post-stage or an integrated power amplifier, and the influence of wires is also quite large, so everyone thinks that the cost will be higher than that of "active speakers", but in fact, "with The cost of "source speakers" is not low. Some monitor-level or professional-level "active speakers" also need better preamplifiers or better preamplifiers to play their role. At this time The cost is not low. Therefore, there is no question of who burns more money and who costs more. Of course, in comparison, the choice of power amplifiers and wires for different scenarios has a great impact on "passive speakers". The cost of constant tossing and investment is indeed quite high.

In the opening scene of "Infernal Affairs", Tony Leung and Andy Lau met. Andy Lau wanted to buy a Hi-Fi system. During the audition process, he changed the line for the whole system. The effect of Cai Qin's voice was completely different, and Tony Leung was dumbfounded. The scene must have left a deep impression on everyone. This is true. Each cable corresponds to different equipment and produces completely different effects, and the effects it can produce are also different. The key depends on how you match them. What you need at this time is the knowledge reserve in audio and video.

Does speaker volume affect sound quality?

Someone asked, desktop speakers or bookshelf speakers only have two frequency divisions of high frequency and low frequency. In other words, the low frequency is combined together. As for the floor-standing box, the high, low and high frequencies are divided into three positions, and the cavity is also larger, and the effect is more shocking.

This sentence is actually not entirely correct. Back to the title, it refers to sound quality. In fact, the sound quality mainly depends on the adjustment of high, middle and low frequencies by the tuner during the design process, and the use of materials also has a key influence.

Although the sparrow is small and has all the internal organs, wouldn't the small speakers have great power? In fact, you can look at the "Bose" speakers, and then look at the "GENELEC" speakers. They are also small speakers, which are as shocking as the big speakers. That's why these two brands The reason why the speaker is more expensive, the material, tuning, detail design and other aspects affect the performance of the speaker. Some manufacturers use large-volume cabinets but the tuning can't keep up, and the effect is actually unsatisfactory.

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Therefore, don't be fooled by the volume of the speaker, listen more and feel more.

How should I choose?

Knowing a lot of basic stuff, finally back to our original question. "Active speakers" and "passive speakers", how should I choose?

1. Look at the application scenario, whether it is a computer desktop, a living room, or an independent audio-visual room.

If it is a computer desktop, you can only choose "active speakers". Basically, no one chooses "passive speakers" to put on the desktop. Desktop, this kind of configuration not only makes your desktop not simple, but also takes up a lot of space, affecting the effect of office and entertainment.

If it is a living room and an independent audio-visual room, you can choose "active speakers" and "passive speakers" for both scenarios, it depends on personal preference. If you don't like to toss, you can choose "active speakers". In addition to laying out audio cables, "active speakers" also provide additional power positions for multiple speakers. The choice of power is also very important, but the reduced It is the choice of the post-stage power amplifier, and only the pre-stage power amplifier is needed. Of course, it is not a problem to directly connect the output of the player, but the effect is different. If you like to toss, "passive speakers" are suitable for you. You can toss around speakers, cables, even front and rear amplifiers or combined amplifiers, and choose the combination that best suits your taste. Of course, the time cost or capital cost may need to be weighed , but it should be noted that "passive speakers" do not have requirements for wires like "active speakers". If you think about changing the cables, it’s unlikely. However, the cable requirements for the center, rear, and sky speakers are not as high as those for the main box and the center speaker. There are more wires for speakers.

2. It depends on whether you like tossing or not. If you don’t like tossing, then the active box that is in place in one step is definitely the best. If you like tossing and trying to match different styles of equipment, the passive box is your first choice.