How to choose active and passive monitor speakers?

                         How to choose active and passive monitor speakers ?

If you're a professional sound engineer, DJ, musician or discerning audiophile, you definitely need speakers that can accurately reproduce all the textures of any sound source. Because any distortion will affect the quality of your work and listening experience. That's why you should choose the right monitor speakers to meet your needs.

Unlike "sugared" consumer home audio that sounds more impressive, studio monitors are designed to create a linear or flat frequency response. This means they are more accurate reproductions of the original sound and are better suited for proper mixing and mastering so that the balance is as consistent as possible in various playback devices such as headphones and car stereos.

While there are many different types of monitor speakers on the market, the first choice you need to make is whether you should buy active or passive speakers. On this topic, many people actually have some confusion or various misunderstandings. In this article, we'll explain in more detail the differences between active and passive speakers, their pros and cons, and how they actually work.

The difference between active speakers and passive speakers

In short, the biggest difference between the two is the power amplifier. Active speakers have built-in amplifiers, so all you need to do is plug them in. Some of the best monitor speakers even have dedicated amplifiers for each speaker driver, such as a subwoofer (often called a bi-amp or tri-amp). A passive speaker system, on the other hand, needs to be connected to an external power supply and power amplifier. That might sound like a small difference, but to the uninitiated, it can be a lot of annoyance if you don't know what you're doing. Therefore, on this basis, we need to discuss the difference between active speakers and passive speakers in more depth.

Active speakers (sometimes called active speakers) are often thought of as a convenient all-in-one sound system. Some speakers have built-in mixers, mic pres, and equalizers in addition to built-in amplifiers. These studio monitors are typically used in public address, PA systems, small entertainment venues such as bars or clubs, and of course home studios. However, active speakers also exist in some high-end consumer audio equipment, such as subwoofers, Bluetooth speakers, and consumer home audio, and why would we choose it, because it is indeed more cost-effective and very suitable for mixing.

Advantages of Active Speakers

1. Easier to match

One of the greatest advantages of powered loudspeakers is that the individual components (speaker drivers, crossover components, and amplifiers) have been carefully designed to work together and optimize sound quality. This saves you the trouble of figuring out how to build the best combination of speakers, amplifiers, power supplies, cables, and DACs. While some people prefer to build their own systems, it is possible to spend too much money on the wrong product and end up with underpowered or overpowered speakers. So, if you don’t have the time, patience, or technical background, it’s better to buy powered speakers to avoid the risk of damaging your equipment or draining your wallet due to inexperience.

2. Fewer wires

Since the amplifier is built into the speaker design, you can avoid the hassle of connecting cables. Cleaner, efficient internal connections prevent crosstalk and any noise that can cause distortion. This allows the audio signal to remain in digital form for as long as possible and improves sound clarity.

3. More convenient

There are active speakers that have more functions built in, such as amplifiers, mixers and can be connected to microphones, etc. When these functions are packaged in a single box, it is very useful for DJs, bands or owners of small clubs and bars. , is an ideal choice. They want good sound quality without a lot of bulky gear. While the sound will never be as precise as a professional recording studio or amphitheater, why not be able to play back live and record music while being conveniently installed on a small stage? Some music technologists have said that active speakers tend to have better low-frequency extension as well, and in the words of Megan Trainor, sometimes it's all about the low frequencies.

4. Better sound integration

In an active speaker system, the signal from the preamp is sent at line level (about 2V) rather than speaker level (15 to 35V). Each band is sent to a dedicated amplifier. According to pros, line level signals can be very accurate and provide a clean and well-integrated sound. If you don't have great room acoustics, an active monitor system is your best bet.

5. Good crossover network

Since the amplifier is built into the powered speakers, the crossover network is located in front of the amplifier, so it is able to filter the line level signals and amplify them separately (also known as active bi-amping). That means more power per driver for sound quality and your listening experience. The signal is sent to the tweeter, woofer and subwoofer simultaneously, also reducing the risk of phase shifting. This interference, which occurs when two similar signals amplify or cancel each other out, is why many audiophiles say powered speakers give them "better control over phase."

In contrast, the audio signal from a passive speaker is amplified before reaching the crossover component. As a result, there may be some dissipation or loss before reaching the driver. There is also a higher risk of phase shift and interference, not only due to the crossover network, but also due to losses in signal paths in external components or through cables.

6. Easy to install in large places

Many event organizers prefer powered studio monitors because of their wider coverage. This includes rallies, marathons, car shows, school or trade fairs, and more. They can daisy-chain speakers with cables, and even hook them up to a wireless network or in-ears. This provides a stable speaker level signal for the entire speaker system, even if the coverage area needs to span several kilometers.

Disadvantages of Active Speakers

Relatively speaking, active speakers are generally more expensive and tend to "lock" you into the configuration. If your budget is limited, you may have to choose a less powerful active speaker. Remember, better performance and more accurate sound all depend on the quality of the internal parts and crossover components. And if you don't choose an excellent brand or model, you may be plagued by a speaker with extremely mediocre performance that does not meet your needs. Unfortunately, you can't take it apart to upgrade the amp or any other components individually, so the only solution is to invest in a new active speaker.

You should choose active speakers if:

Simple and convenient is very important to you, you don't have to worry about choosing and matching different parts

You want fewer wires, or even a wireless connection

You don't have much room for equipment in your home studio or on stage

You are willing to pay more for a good make and model

You don't plan to upgrade your device in the near future

You need to connect multiple speakers for large events

Advantages of passive speakers

Unlike active speakers, passive speakers split the audio signal and send each frequency band to the driver of the speaker. A typical passive audio system includes preamplifiers, power amplifiers, crossovers, and speakers. It may have several speakers driven, so the crossover will split the signal according to frequency. In a passive speaker, you might find three speakers for bass, midrange, and treble.

1. Fewer power supplies and extension cords

Unlike powered speakers, which require power cords for each of them (and usually lots of extension cords if you don't have an outlet or power supply nearby), passive speakers only require a single speaker cord that runs through your The amplifier is powered. Typically, passive speakers use half as much cable as active speakers.

2. Cheaper price

If you're on a tight budget and still want to build a top-notch sound system, it makes more sense to invest in high-quality passive speakers first. You can buy more powerful equipment and have the flexibility to buy a better amp or other components when you have more money.

3. Amplifiers can be upgraded or replaced

Most amplifiers are designed to work with all types of speakers. So once you're ready to upgrade your equipment, you have plenty of options for every need and budget. This helps you customize your sound system and take advantage of new technologies and features from top-of-the-line amplifiers to achieve the best possible sound. It's future-proof, as the tech world says.

The benefits are obvious for audiophiles with special needs, professionals and those who prefer a custom hi-fi system. But remember, you will have to do a lot of research first to find the right "match". Some people love this research, while others find it a hassle. So whether it's a bonus or a burden is entirely up to your personal preference.

4. Lighter weight

It's also definitely a factor to consider if you want to mount the speakers on the wall. Some powered speakers are too heavy for even the sturdiest wall mounts, so be prepared to give up floor space.

Disadvantages of passive speakers

According to some sound engineers, the components of a passive sound system tend to heat up, and when this happens it can also affect power and performance. While it really depends on your setup and environment, you can lose as much as 30 percent of your amp power, with a noticeable impact on sound quality over time.

While passive speakers are cheaper in price, high-quality power amplifiers are not. Industry insiders say that many of these external amps are overbuilt so they can be used with many types of cabinets. Not only does this increase the price, it may also result in higher power consumption. Also, upgrading your PA system does come with some risks. If you buy the wrong product, the matching power is insufficient or too large, which may lead to the complete scrapping of the equipment.

You should choose passive speakers if:

You prefer to build your own sound system

Do you have the technical knowledge to choose the right speaker + amp combo, or prefer to do more research

You're on a tight budget, prefer to invest in high-quality hi-fi gear, and plan to upgrade your system later

You want smaller, lighter speakers for wall mounting

final answer

We've weighed the pros and cons and listed all the differences. Should you choose active or passive? Now is the time to give the final answer. Unfortunately, you don't have a single option that works for all scenarios. It really depends on your budget, preference, and how you use your speakers.

If you want to build your own system for the best sound quality, then you'll be more likely to opt for passive speakers. You just need to make sure the speakers and amplifier are compatible enough, and be prepared to do a lot of research on the technical background of the equipment model. If you want to save hassle and make sure everything works well together, go for powered speakers. But you can't upgrade if you don't want to pay more for a new device. While the best systems can deliver stunning high-fidelity sound, some systems simply don't live up to their standards.

If you're buying speakers for running a business, powered speakers are usually the choice for bars, restaurants and other small venues. However, active speakers are also a good choice for broadcast-style activities that need to be carried out in large venues. Passive speakers, on the other hand, are generally best suited for venues that require professional precision, such as theaters, concert halls, or concert venues, where professional sound engineers are available to build the system and allow for greater control over the sound.