Active vs Passive Systems/Speakers
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Passive for me.
Active generally requires two outlets. There's also more things to break. Murphy's Law, the more things you have that can break, the more they will.
Carry two amps in your rack (I sometimes run bi-amped). If one amp goes down, I switch the cables to full range on the remaining amp.
Active generally requires two outlets. There's also more things to break. Murphy's Law, the more things you have that can break, the more they will.
Carry two amps in your rack (I sometimes run bi-amped). If one amp goes down, I switch the cables to full range on the remaining amp.
That's the way I see it also. Passive let's me do outdoor events without worrying about rain. In my rack I have 2 amps and can switch over quickly in case of a failure.
We currently have two passive sets and two active sets (with number 3 on its way). Our passive JBL SF-15s are the main ones we use and even though they're old they still work great. One of the best features of them is their wood cabinets which sound wise, hands down beats any plastic/composite cabinet.
Our ceremony and satelitte speakers are Berhinger Eurolive 212D. We got these for the fact there's no external amp, they don't sound too bad and with their plastic shells, if they get a little mud or water on them, they're easy to wipe clean; price point was also a factor when they were purchased.
I will say after hearing some of QSC's powered speakers, they will most likely be our speaker upgrade next year. They have a beautiful set of powered speakers in Birch plywood cabinets. I almost needed to change my shorts after the QSC guys unleashed them in their test room.
Active or passive, there's still electronics on the inside of speakers that can be damaged by rain/moisture.
Our ceremony and satelitte speakers are Berhinger Eurolive 212D. We got these for the fact there's no external amp, they don't sound too bad and with their plastic shells, if they get a little mud or water on them, they're easy to wipe clean; price point was also a factor when they were purchased.
I will say after hearing some of QSC's powered speakers, they will most likely be our speaker upgrade next year. They have a beautiful set of powered speakers in Birch plywood cabinets. I almost needed to change my shorts after the QSC guys unleashed them in their test room.
Active or passive, there's still electronics on the inside of speakers that can be damaged by rain/moisture.
Passive just gives you so much more options.
Active is great for remote use (ceremonies)
Passive is easier to scale.
Active is usually easier for the novice user to set up.
Passive actually can be quicker to set up.
Active cost more money to be redundant.
Passive cost less to be redundant.
Active cost more to upgrade.
Passive cost less to upgrade.
Active is great for remote use (ceremonies)
Passive is easier to scale.
Active is usually easier for the novice user to set up.
Passive actually can be quicker to set up.
Active cost more money to be redundant.
Passive cost less to be redundant.
Active cost more to upgrade.
Passive cost less to upgrade.
Not true. There are no Electronics inside my Bose 802s or JBL Scoops. They are designed to reproduce only the signal/amplification sent to them. Electronic Crossover to amps to Speakers. That is why the clarity is better rather than using full range speaker systems for tops. In other words if you choose the tops just for the frequencies it will receive, then you will get better sound than full range systems that includes a woofer since those are not designed for Mids and vocals.
There are still electrical contacts inside which can be damaged by moisture...unless your speaker cable plugs directly into the magnet and voice coil, even then the wires in the voice coil can be damaged if exposed.
Actives can be passively managed.
Passives need to be actively managed.
The benefit of actives is a designer can manage all the parts of the final reproduction chain as a whole .. amp, crossover, limiters, eq, and speaker .. presumably being able to select the right components for the designed sound. Because a price point is usually a target, there are some situations where one might be able to squeeze out a little more from the raw components ... thus the passives ...
With a passive system, YOU have to do that. Some can do it .. some can't. So, yes, you can theoretically get a better sound out of a passive set, as YOU can make the trade-off decisions they way you want, but they need to be made. Pick the wrong amp and you can over or under power the speakers. The wrong DSP/crossover and you can fry a driver by sending the wrong or distorted signals to it.
Passives are lighter (usually) and can usually handle weather better (though I have run actives in sun and rain without issue). Actives can be counted on giving the designer's ideal without much thought.
I have both.
Passives need to be actively managed.
The benefit of actives is a designer can manage all the parts of the final reproduction chain as a whole .. amp, crossover, limiters, eq, and speaker .. presumably being able to select the right components for the designed sound. Because a price point is usually a target, there are some situations where one might be able to squeeze out a little more from the raw components ... thus the passives ...
With a passive system, YOU have to do that. Some can do it .. some can't. So, yes, you can theoretically get a better sound out of a passive set, as YOU can make the trade-off decisions they way you want, but they need to be made. Pick the wrong amp and you can over or under power the speakers. The wrong DSP/crossover and you can fry a driver by sending the wrong or distorted signals to it.
Passives are lighter (usually) and can usually handle weather better (though I have run actives in sun and rain without issue). Actives can be counted on giving the designer's ideal without much thought.
I have both.
Actives
Pros:
1. Amplifier and Speakers are matched for that cabinet:
2.Lessen the need for more components in a Rack.
3.Great for Simple setups.
Cons:
1.Less versatility:
2.Additional outlets needed for each speaker (There are some cabinets with pass through AC.)
3.With 2 components in one cabinet, if one goes the other is useless at that point.
4.It is not as versatile for making custom configurations such as using the cabinet solely for a specific range of frequencies.
5.Combining transducers to arrive at a specific resistance is almost null and void. For example, I can run two passive 8 ohm cabinets in parallel with a jumper cable to get a 4 Ohm Load.
6. When deployed away from the operator, clipping, controls are harder to monitor.
7. You have to physically walk over to each speaker if you want to make control adjustments (depending on the manufacturers design).
9. They are usually heavier.
Passives
Pros:
1.Easier to configure.
2. More versatility.
3. If a speaker or amp goes out the system can be easily reconfigured to continue the performance.
4. One cable per side for Full Range, two cables for Two Way (Biamp) and three for Threeway (Triamp) (Using External Electronic crossovers)
5. Speakers, Amps and Controls can be controlled from a central source.
6. You can custom select dedicated frequencies to go to each speaker.
7. Speakers tend to be lighter (Depending on Manufacturer)
Cons:
1. Require design setup.
2.Separate Amps are needed for Rack Space.
3. you have to be more careful matching amps to speakers.
Pros:
1. Amplifier and Speakers are matched for that cabinet:
2.Lessen the need for more components in a Rack.
3.Great for Simple setups.
Cons:
1.Less versatility:
2.Additional outlets needed for each speaker (There are some cabinets with pass through AC.)
3.With 2 components in one cabinet, if one goes the other is useless at that point.
4.It is not as versatile for making custom configurations such as using the cabinet solely for a specific range of frequencies.
5.Combining transducers to arrive at a specific resistance is almost null and void. For example, I can run two passive 8 ohm cabinets in parallel with a jumper cable to get a 4 Ohm Load.
6. When deployed away from the operator, clipping, controls are harder to monitor.
7. You have to physically walk over to each speaker if you want to make control adjustments (depending on the manufacturers design).
9. They are usually heavier.
Passives
Pros:
1.Easier to configure.
2. More versatility.
3. If a speaker or amp goes out the system can be easily reconfigured to continue the performance.
4. One cable per side for Full Range, two cables for Two Way (Biamp) and three for Threeway (Triamp) (Using External Electronic crossovers)
5. Speakers, Amps and Controls can be controlled from a central source.
6. You can custom select dedicated frequencies to go to each speaker.
7. Speakers tend to be lighter (Depending on Manufacturer)
Cons:
1. Require design setup.
2.Separate Amps are needed for Rack Space.
3. you have to be more careful matching amps to speakers.
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I think what Rick Ryan meant was that it is safer to have a Passive speaker operate in the rain versus an Active. I know that my Bose 802s are designed to operate in any type of weather, including snow.
Speaking of cabling on the actives, anybody using Ben's dual cables yet (power and signal wrapped together in a sleeve)?
I have both active and passive systems but use passive for my main rig. I'm probably looking at moving the subs to actives late this year (Yorkville LS801p). Can't wait to see the first person poop themselves.
I have both active and passive systems but use passive for my main rig. I'm probably looking at moving the subs to actives late this year (Yorkville LS801p). Can't wait to see the first person poop themselves.
My beefs against active boxes - the lack of amp headroom (they're woefully underpowered) and lack of sufficient cooling airflow for the amps. Use 'em out in the sun on a hot day and you're rolling the dice. Unless they've been seriously reengineered lately, the internal amps are not of the same quality that you'd have with a passive rig.
Add to that the "mystery meat" drivers that many inexpensive active boxes come loaded with. Aluminum voice coils are common as are failures.
With active boxes there's no way to control your tone or level from the console. The operator can raise or lower the signal level to the boxes... but it can only go so high before it's overmodulated and clips.
And like Bro Rick says, active boxes require two cables, power and signal input. There may not be an AC outlet where your actives will be so you've got to find outlets and run extension cords to them. Unnecessary work, in this ol' dog's opinion.
Actives have their place; primarily installs or permanent location uses where the system is designed for the venue. I don't recommend them for mobile use.
Add to that the "mystery meat" drivers that many inexpensive active boxes come loaded with. Aluminum voice coils are common as are failures.
With active boxes there's no way to control your tone or level from the console. The operator can raise or lower the signal level to the boxes... but it can only go so high before it's overmodulated and clips.
And like Bro Rick says, active boxes require two cables, power and signal input. There may not be an AC outlet where your actives will be so you've got to find outlets and run extension cords to them. Unnecessary work, in this ol' dog's opinion.
Actives have their place; primarily installs or permanent location uses where the system is designed for the venue. I don't recommend them for mobile use.
I use dual cables .. have for the past year+. I got them from Amazon though. They're ADJ cales (Accu-cable brand): http://www.amazon.com/Accu-Cable-3-...905077&sr=8-15&keywords=xlr+power+combo+cable
If you stick to the low end, then yes .. but most high end boxes, including most line arrays, are or have moved to being active. There is too much power being lost in the speaker cables on long runs.
I use duo cables (power and signal), so the cable comes back to my setup, where I plug in the power to my conditioner. I have never run out of room on my JBL PRX boxes, though I had on my old Mackie SRMs, so again, it depends where in the line you are buying.
Actives
Pros:
1. Amplifier and Speakers are matched for that cabinet:
2.Lessen the need for more components in a Rack.
3.Great for Simple setups.
Cons:
1.Less versatility:
2.Additional outlets needed for each speaker (There are some cabinets with pass through AC.) Most of the better units have AC in and out. I did say that,
3.With 2 components in one cabinet, if one goes the other is useless at that point. If you lose a passive, you're still down to 1 top .. and if you lose the amp .. you are out both tops. You can carry backup actives too. Not many people carry a spare Active Speaker, an extra Amp is easier to carry because it can replace several other amps.
4.It is not as versatile for making custom configurations such as using the cabinet solely for a specific range of frequencies.
5.Combining transducers to arrive at a specific resistance is almost null and void. For example, I can run two passive 8 ohm cabinets in parallel with a jumper cable to get a 4 Ohm Load. You can combine 10 actives and not worry about impedance, so not sure that's a con. That means ten cables and maybe ten AC Connections
6. When deployed away from the operator, clipping, controls are harder to monitor.
7. You have to physically walk over to each speaker if you want to make control adjustments (depending on the manufacturers design). True, but after setting the appropriate sensitivity, one shouldn't need to go to the speaker for anything. Acoustics in the room can change as more people come in. Also, some songs may require a quick adjustment of EQ on the fly.
9. They are usually heavier.
Passives
Pros:
1.Easier to configure. Not sure how it can be harder than turn on an active and set the sensitivity .. especially if you use eq, limiting, crossovers, etc. It depends on what you are designing.
2. More versatility.
3. If a speaker or amp goes out the system can be easily reconfigured to continue the performance. .Not if you don't have a second amp. Debatable
4. One cable per side for Full Range, two cables for Two Way (Biamp) and three for Threeway (Triamp) (Using External Electronic crossovers) That's easier than a single cable for an active 2-way, 3-way or more??? In the case of powered you will have to run the same amount of cables plus AC for each.
5. Speakers, Amps and Controls can be controlled from a central source.
6. You can custom select dedicated frequencies to go to each speaker. You can do that with a DriveRack or similar to an active as well. Active speakers already have built in crossovers. Passives can be designed to have no crossovers just the drivers
7. Speakers tend to be lighter (Depending on Manufacturer)
Cons:
1. Require design setup.
2.Separate Amps are needed for Rack Space.
3. you have to be more careful matching amps to speakers.
Some areas where I differ in opinion."
I just don't see the benefit of Actives outweighing Passives.
Did someone say something about 'outweighing'? I thought this was a 'pros & cons' of each system? If so, we're not looking for an 'outweighing'. I believe each has their own pro's and cons.
Also, I'd LOVE to hear how you think not having a backup passive amp is debate-able. You can't amp anything without an amplifier.
How is carrying spare passive amp/speakers any different than carrying spare active speakers? I mean I love that some of you continuously point this out, but seriously what is the difference?
Also, I'd LOVE to hear how you think not having a backup passive amp is debate-able. You can't amp anything without an amplifier.
How is carrying spare passive amp/speakers any different than carrying spare active speakers? I mean I love that some of you continuously point this out, but seriously what is the difference?
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For me, what I have in my Rack and for what I use. With a three way system (Tweeters, Mids and Bass + 3 way Crossover + 3 amps.) If an amp fails I can easily reconfigure to a two way system.
This is MY system that I am talking about and also MY reason for going Passive instead of active. Comprende? Capiche?
Originally Posted by ahoustondj
Actives
Pros:
1. Amplifier and Speakers are matched for that cabinet:
2.Lessen the need for more components in a Rack.
3.Great for Simple setups.
Cons:
1.Less versatility:
2.Additional outlets needed for each speaker (There are some cabinets with pass through AC.) Most of the better units have AC in and out. I did say that,
3.With 2 components in one cabinet, if one goes the other is useless at that point. If you lose a passive, you're still down to 1 top .. and if you lose the amp .. you are out both tops. You can carry backup actives too. Not many people carry a spare Active Speaker, an extra Amp is easier to carry because it can replace several other amps.
And as Tig mentioned, a backup active takes the same space as a backup passive, and much less than a backup passive and it's amp and a backup set of eq/xover/etc.
4.It is not as versatile for making custom configurations such as using the cabinet solely for a specific range of frequencies.
5.Combining transducers to arrive at a specific resistance is almost null and void. For example, I can run two passive 8 ohm cabinets in parallel with a jumper cable to get a 4 Ohm Load. You can combine 10 actives and not worry about impedance, so not sure that's a con. That means ten cables and maybe ten AC Connections
They can be daisy chained like the passives "without regard to impedance". The Ac can be jumpered to a point as well .. at least to 2-3 speakers as in your example.
6. When deployed away from the operator, clipping, controls are harder to monitor.
7. You have to physically walk over to each speaker if you want to make control adjustments (depending on the manufacturers design). True, but after setting the appropriate sensitivity, one shouldn't need to go to the speaker for anything. Acoustics in the room can change as more people come in. Also, some songs may require a quick adjustment of EQ on the fly.
EQ adjustment can be done on the mixer or DSP (one doesn't change EQ on an amp either). And as for gain, you do that on the mixer as well (again, one doesn't change the sensitivity knobs on an amp mid party either).
9. They are usually heavier.
Passives
Pros:
1.Easier to configure. Not sure how it can be harder than turn on an active and set the sensitivity .. especially if you use eq, limiting, crossovers, etc. It depends on what you are designing.
Agree .. the more complex, the EASIER it is with actives.
2. More versatility.
3. If a speaker or amp goes out the system can be easily reconfigured to continue the performance. .Not if you don't have a second amp. Debatable
4. One cable per side for Full Range, two cables for Two Way (Biamp) and three for Threeway (Triamp) (Using External Electronic crossovers) That's easier than a single cable for an active 2-way, 3-way or more??? In the case of powered you will have to run the same amount of cables plus AC for each.
One duo (power/signal) to the sub .. and a jumper to the 2-way or 3-way top. Nothing as complex as a passive.
5. Speakers, Amps and Controls can be controlled from a central source.
6. You can custom select dedicated frequencies to go to each speaker. You can do that with a DriveRack or similar to an active as well. Active speakers already have built in crossovers. Passives can be designed to have no crossovers just the drivers
So .. your statement was you can select dedicated frequencies to the speaker .. I can easily do that in my Driverack so the tops only get what I want.
7. Speakers tend to be lighter (Depending on Manufacturer)
Cons:
1. Require design setup.
2.Separate Amps are needed for Rack Space.
3. you have to be more careful matching amps to speakers.
Some areas where I differ in opinion."
I just don't see the benefit of Actives outweighing Passives.
There are times when a passive makes more sense .. but I would venture, for the MAJORITY here, actives are the better choice.