What are the advantages and disadvantages of active speakers vs passive speakers?

What are the advantages and disadvantages of active speakers vs passive speakers?

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, there are also many loyal fans of "active" speakers. What is the reason? If the differences in materials and design of high-end and low-level equipment are excluded, what are the advantages and disadvantages of "active" and "passive" designs? The editor will briefly analyze it with you.

active speaker

"Active Speaker" means that the speaker has a built-in crossover and amplification circuit, and it can produce sound only by connecting a power supply and inputting a music signal. Many monitor speakers in recording studios and engineering speakers 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 a post-stage driver, and you can play songs after inputting audio. It is most suitable for friends who want a simpler 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. It is quite suitable for CAS systems or desktop audio systems that have been very popular 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 an audio 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 speaker needs to adjust the volume independently

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

picture

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

Because it needs to be connected to an amplifier driver, the sound floor 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 disguise, there is more flexibility in tuning, and the characteristics of signal lines and amplifiers can be used to supplement or improve the performance of speakers.

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 connect additional power cables, 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 combination 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 connections and additional power stages.

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.

picture

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 does have a special attraction, and it is more suitable for traditional audio systems. It would be better if there is a set of both.