Audio Speaker Systems 101: Active vs Passive
Worcester | 2022
Say what? You’re looking for audio speakers, but don’t know exactly how to navigate the sound system map? Speakers can vary greatly in terms of how loud they can amplify sound, and to what degree of area they can cover. Another important difference in speakers is the way they are powered and what that means for your system set-up! That’s what we’re discussing here… power!
The main difference between an active and a passive audio speaker system is how they are powered. Active speakers are self-contained units that provide their own, built-in amplifiers, and so, they require power to run the amplifier. Passive speakers, on the other hand, do not require power to function directly, but they do require an external amplifier (which would require its own power source.)
Active Speakers:
• Consolidated Design – Active speakers are self-contained and include their own drivers, crossovers, and amplifiers.
• Amplifier Matching – The included amplifier is pre-matched for the speaker to be the appropriate amount of power.
• Adjustable Sound – Active speakers usually come with their own equalizer controls.
• Weight – Because active speakers are self-contained, they typically weigh more than their passive counterparts.
• Cost – Active speakers are usually more pricey that passives due to their functionality.
• Repairs – Fixing an active speaker may be complicated, as it requires the unit to be taken apart, and sometimes sent out to a professional.
• Balanced Cabling – These speakers usually connect via TRS or XLR balanced cables that don’t fall short to signal loss.
For more information on the QSC KW153, Active 3-Way Loudspeaker, click here
Passive Speakers:
• Upgradable – Passive speakers are easily upgradable and swapped out without disrupting the rest of the sound system.
• Weight – These speakers typically weigh less than active speakers because they do not contain the amplifier components.
• Ease of Control – Passive speakers are easily controlled from the audio mixing console as opposed to powering on and adjusting levels from each active speaker.
• Amplifier Matching – Care must be taken to match the correct amplifier with the speakers to avoid damage to the equipment and for optimal performance.
• Gear – Passive speakers require more gear, such as amplifiers and cables.
• Unbalanced Audio – Passive speakers normally use unbalanced speaker cable which may experience signal loss after about 18 feet of length.
• Repairs – Passive speakers are usually easier to perform repairs without dismantling any other part of the system.
For more information on the EAW MKD1200, Passive 3-Way Loudspeaker, click here
Powered Speakers:
So what is a “powered speaker”? You may have seen that term while browsing through speakers. Essentially, a powered speaker is a passive speaker box with the the amplifier built in. But, it differs from an active speaker in that it does not have an active crossover network or individual amplifiers. Often times, these configurations feature a ‘master’ box from which other passive speakers branch off of, similar to computer speakers, or low-end stereo speakers.
A Note on Crossovers:
In all of the diagrams above, you can see that one of the speaker’s main components is the crossover. To explain what’s going on in the speaker simply, the crossover is the component that directs different frequencies where to go. In a three-way speaker, as in the diagrams, high frequencies are directed to the tweeter driver, the mid-range frequencies are directed to the mid-range driver, and the low frequencies are directed to the woofer driver. This splitting of frequencies allows for an efficient system, and avoids damage to the drivers that are built to handle only a certain range of frequencies. Because active crossovers send signals to multiple amplifiers before reaching the drivers, there is a greater control over each band volume, whereas the passive crossover takes place after the amplification, allowing for no control over the volume of each band.
Hopefully that gives you a basic understanding of the differences in audio speakers… But if you’re still confused, an AV Integrator will be able to help you choose the best gear for your needs! As mentioned before, speakers come in all kinds of varieties, shapes, sizes, and output levels. Some, like the passive speakers, require other gear to function, and that gear must be matched up properly to avoid system overload. When in doubt, ask the professionals!