Is there such a difference between active speakers and passive speakers?

             Is there such a difference between active speakers and passive speakers?

When choosing speakers, we often encounter such a question, should we have active speakers or passive speakers? For Xiaobai, although he often hears or mentions passive speakers and active speakers, he may not know the difference between them, so I will popularize them with you today.

Active speakers are also called "active speakers". Usually refers to speakers with power amplifiers, such as multimedia computer speakers, active subwoofer speakers, and some new home theater active speakers, etc.

The active speaker has a built-in crossover and amplification circuit, and it can work when it is connected to the power supply and signal input. Most of the active speakers adopt bookshelf design. Our commonly used computer speakers and bluetooth speakers are all active speakers. If you have an active speaker for your computer, you only need to connect it to the sound card of the computer and it will work. through a dedicated power amplifier.

In addition, there are some professional recording monitor speakers with built-in power amplifier circuits and electronic crossover speakers with built-in electronic crossover circuits and amplifiers, which can also be classified into the category of active speakers.

Passive speakers are also called "passive speakers". There is no power amplifier circuit inside, and it needs to be driven by the output of the rear stage or the combiner to drive the sound. We can regard it as "wooden box + speaker", the advantage of this is that the sound can reach the best state and will not be disturbed by the external environment. Since the sound card of the playback device does not have a power amplifier, it only outputs the sound analog signal, so when using this kind of speaker, a dedicated power amplifier should be connected. There are various styles of passive speakers, such as floor, bookshelf, satellite and so on.

Advantages and disadvantages of active speakers:

Advantage 1: no post-stage, simple system

There is no need to connect the post-stage driver, just input the audio and you can play songs. It is most suitable for friends who want a simpler audio system. Just "player" and "speaker" can form a complete system.

Advantage 2: Save space

Since there is no need to connect an amplifier, it can save a lot of space for placing equipment. It is quite suitable for the CAS system or desktop audio system that has been quite popular in recent years.

Advantage 3: Complete package, sound quality "guaranteed"

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

Disadvantage 1: The speakers need to adjust the volume independently

The output of the left and right channel speakers of some active 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. However, if your preamp has a volume adjustment function, you don't have this trouble.

Disadvantage 2: Need to connect power line and signal line

Although there is one less amplifier connected to the active speakers, in addition to the signal cable, each speaker needs to be connected to an additional power cable for power supply. If the speakers are placed far away, the wiring will be more troublesome.

Advantages and disadvantages of passive speakers:

Advantage 1: More flexibility in tuning

Because it needs to be driven by an amplifier, the sound of passive speakers will be greatly affected by the equipment and wires. In turn, this also means that the sound tuning can be much more flexible, and the characteristics of the signal cable and amplifier can be used to supplement or enhance the speaker. Performance.

Advantage 2: Only need to connect the speaker wire

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 line, and the latter can be used to directly drive the sound.

Advantage 3: Diversified playing methods such as bi-amp drive and bi-wire crossover

Some passive speakers can support Bi-Amp and Bi-Wire wiring to improve the performance of the speakers.

Disadvantages: Requires post-stage push

There are too many types of passive speakers, with different specifications, designs, and materials. If there is a common disadvantage, it needs to be connected to an amplifier to drive, requiring additional equipment and space.