What is the difference between active speakers and passive speakers?

                What is the difference between active speakers and passive speakers?

We know what audio is, what is the difference between active audio and passive audio, and what is the difference between them?

Active speakers

Active speakers are also called active speakers, and active speakers are also called "active speakers". Usually refers to speakers with power amplifiers, such as multimedia computer speakers, active subwoofers, and some new home theater active speakers. The so-called active speaker refers to the speaker with the power amplifier inside the speaker, which can be directly connected to the audio source and work normally.

If you are worried that the sound reduction degree of active monitor speakers is too high, and you like more modified sound, many traditional HI-FI speaker brands have launched active speakers, such as DALI, KEF, etc.; Dynaudio has not only active monitors, but also multimedia The XEO series and more HI-FI XD series.

In the audio system, the speaker is the most distorted part, and it is also the most abundant tone change. If you want to adjust the sound performance as you like, then the passive speaker is more suitable. A delight! However, the choice of speakers and the matching of amplifiers are also very troublesome, and the quarrel on the forum has never ceased.

Active speakers, especially suitable active monitor speakers, manufacturers have optimized the combination of speaker units and amplifier modules, and their performance meets the expectations of the design team. As consumers, if the purpose is to listen to music rather than "playing audio" ”, then choosing active speakers will save you much worry and trouble.

The era of JBL was the world of passive monitor speakers. Since the 1980s, active monitor speakers began to dominate the world. After all, the consistent adjustment of manufacturers can achieve better performance. "Digital broadcast + active" is based on the pursuit of music appreciation. There are excellent active monitor speakers such as Genelec and ADAM to choose from, and there are also brands familiar to traditional audiophiles such as Dynaudio, FOCAL, ATC, PMC, etc. The face is still very wide.

passive speakers

Passive is in the active device of no power amplifier in the speaker, which is generally integrated with an operational amplifier, so it needs power supply and passive transmission of signals. Although passive speakers do not have amplifiers, they often have frequency division networks and impedance compensation circuits. Active speakers are usually marked with parameters such as the output power, input impedance and input signal level of the built-in amplifier.

Active subwoofers also indicate the frequency characteristics of the input signal (such as full-band signal or low-frequency signal), low-pass filter characteristics and other parameters. Passive speakers are generally marked with parameters such as impedance, power, and frequency range. Since the speaker itself already has a complete drive circuit and is equipped with decoding and sound division, and if it is input through a digital interface, the sound of an active speaker will be more "stable", unlike passive speakers that are more affected by wires and amplifiers.

Since it needs to be driven by an amplifier, the sound of passive speakers will be greatly affected by equipment and wires. However, this means that there is a lot of flexibility in tuning, and the characteristics of signal lines and amplifiers can be used to complement or enhance the performance of speakers. Although it needs to be connected to the amplifier, on the other hand, passive speakers do not need to be connected to an additional power cord. Just connect the signal line to the amplifier, and the latter can be used to directly drive the sound.

Active and passive have their own strengths. To put it simply, the active speaker needs to be plugged in and has a power amplifier inside. Just give it an audio signal and it can sound, while the passive speaker has no built-in power amplifier and does not need to be connected to a power supply. It must be driven by external amplification. Which one you choose in the end will vary from person to person.