What is an active speaker?

                                 What is an active speaker?

1. Low cost, the price is easily accepted

The casing of an independent external power amplifier should have sufficient mechanical strength and good shielding performance. The cost of some well-made casings often reaches 15-20% of the total cost. The power amplifier of the active speaker is set inside the speaker, and there is one less case than the power amplifier, so the cost can be greatly reduced. In terms of power amplifier circuit, the external power amplifier generally adopts discrete components, the sound quality is better but the cost is higher, and the installation and debugging are complicated, and the production is difficult. Active speakers generally use power integrated circuits, which are low in price, simple in design, generally do not need to be debugged, and have complete protection functions and are easy to mass produce. This keeps the cost of powered speakers down even further. In terms of wire, the price of high-quality audio wire is quite expensive. Active speakers only need one speaker cable, while ordinary speakers need at least one pair, which reduces the cost of active speakers a lot.

2. Simple connection and convenient use

The active speaker greatly simplifies the links of the audio system, so the connection is simple. Only a Walkman and a pair of active speakers are needed to form the simplest audio system, and there are only two cables.

3. Save the trouble of matching

The matching of audio equipment is very important, especially the matching of power amplifiers and speakers. There are many manufacturers of audio equipment with different styles. If they are properly matched, the styles of each equipment can complement each other and produce a satisfactory sound. If it is not matched properly, it will be either hard and harsh or soft as mud. It is very difficult for ordinary consumers to be familiar with the characteristics of equipment from many manufacturers. The power amplifier and speakers of active speakers are produced by the same manufacturer, sometimes even designed by the same person. The problem of matching can be solved before leaving the factory, saving users from troubles.

★The composition of active speakers

The composition of active speakers can be divided into active and passive parts. The active part is mainly composed of power amplifier components and power transformers. The power amplifier component is used to amplify the music signal and realize various control functions, while the power transformer provides power for the power amplifier component. The passive part mainly includes speakers, frequency dividers and speaker cabinets.

The loudspeaker is the final sounding device of the entire audio system. At present, most active speakers use a dynamic design, which has a simple structure, low cost and good performance. There are two units for treble and bass, which not only provide good sound quality, but also ensure the integrity of the frequency band. The playback frequency of the woofer is generally between 20 and 6000Hz, and most of the calibers are between 3 and 8 inches. The tweeter is generally small in size, the playback frequency is 1500-25000 Hz, and the diameter of the diaphragm is between 12-25 mm.

The function of the frequency divider is to distribute the signal to the tweeter and woofer respectively according to the frequency, and a high-level designer can also use the frequency divider to adjust the timbre of the sound. Another function of the frequency divider is to prevent high-power low-frequency signals from damaging the tweeter. Generally, low-end active speakers only use the simplest single-capacitor frequency divider, which is low in cost but poor in effect, while high-end speakers are equipped with a real frequency divider composed of multiple components that has been carefully designed and adjusted.

The function of the cabinet is mainly to prevent the phenomenon of "acoustic short circuit". The phenomenon of "acoustic short circuit" refers to the cancellation of the sound waves emitted by the front and back of the speaker due to the similar phase, mainly in the low frequency band. If the speaker is not installed on the speaker, there will be no bass. The function of the box is to isolate the sound waves on both sides of the speaker to avoid the phenomenon of "acoustic short circuit".

The combination of loudspeaker, frequency divider and cabinet is the top priority of active speakers and the decisive factor for the sound quality of active speakers. For multimedia active speakers, this combination determines more than 70% of the sound quality of speakers.