The difference between active speakers

                                           The difference between active speakers

When we buy a home theater, speakers are essential equipment. When choosing speakers, the salesperson will ask us whether we need passive speakers or active speakers. So what is a passive speaker and an active speaker? What is the difference between these two speakers? Today, the author will introduce to you what is a passive speaker and an active speaker, and analyze the difference between the two speakers.

What is a passive speaker?

Passive speakers are also called "passive speakers". That is, the speakers we usually see. There is no power amplification circuit inside the speaker, and an external power amplifier is required. Although passive speakers do not have amplifiers, they often have crossover networks and impedance compensation circuits. At the same time, we can also regard it as "wooden box + horn", which has the advantage 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.

What are active speakers?

The active speaker has a built-in power amplifier circuit, and it can work when it is connected to the power supply and signal input. Active means that there is a set of circuits inside, which has the function of power amplification. For example, most of the speakers used on computers are active speakers, that is to say, they can be used directly by connecting them to the sound card of the computer. Instead of going through a dedicated power amplifier. Such speakers are usually marked with parameters such as the output power, input impedance and input signal level of the built-in amplifier.

The difference between passive speakers and active speakers

Difference 1: In terms of power amplification (the essential difference between passive speakers and active speakers)

Passive speakers do not have a built-in power amplifier circuit and must be connected to an external power amplifier to work. Active speakers are externally connected to a built-in power amplifier circuit powered by a power supply. The power is sufficient, and it can work when the power supply and signal input are connected, without the need for a power amplifier.

Difference 2: In terms of output sound effects

There is nothing to talk about the output of the integrated sound card for ordinary users. The integrated sound card mainly relies on the software debugging of the driver to output sound effects, while the independent sound card is purchased only if there is a requirement for special sound effects, or it is a higher-end one. It has hardware level debugging function. Therefore, the integrated sound card can also meet the requirements of most users. If there is no special requirement, don't buy a separate sound card, it's a waste of money.

Difference 3: In terms of box sound

Mid-range and low-end speakers all have a box sound, and good speakers can’t feel the speakers. Passive speakers have more or less sound-absorbing cotton. For cost considerations, active speakers either have no sound-absorbing cotton or very little. Another reason is that there is too much sound-absorbing cotton, and the heat dissipation of the power components in the box becomes a problem. In addition, there is an amplifier circuit in the speaker, so the volume of the left and right speakers will be different, and the sound will also be different.

Commonly used sound engineer playback software

With the rapid development of computer technology, most of the equipment in today's audio industry has begun to enter the digital age. The CD players and hard drives used to play live music in the past have been replaced by today's computer-based audio workstations. , Such a digital transformation not only brings about an improvement in sound quality, but also brings more speed and convenience to sound engineers.

1. For audio workstations with computers as the main body, the main components are divided into three parts:

1. A computer system that combines an operating system and hardware. This is a device that we are familiar with and often used. The operating systems generally include Windows, MAC OS X, and Linux, etc., while the hardware generally uses Intel as the processing core. The hardware architecture combined in this way is called a computer system.

2. An audio interface based on AD/DA (analog-digital/digital-analog) and DSP chips. It converts the external analog signal into a digital signal and sends it to the computer, and then converts the digital signal processed by the computer into an analog signal output. To external equipment, the audio interface with DSP chip also has the function of processing internal digital signals.

3. The audio workstation software constructed by using computer language and mathematical physical modeling method through virtual circuits, more professional representatives include Pro Tools, Cubase and Audition, etc. Of course, professional audio players are also one of them.

2. The above three parts are combined to form a complete audio workstation. For audio workstations composed of different software and hardware, their functional characteristics and processing capabilities are also different. The following is for Windows and MAC Two commonly used platforms, and relatively convenient live music player software.