New DJ Needs Help Selecting Speakers...

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Lets get back on track here. The op wants to know witch speakers give the less trouble. I will say passive because they are the simplest part.
The next question was amplification. Again I would go with power amps, because they are easy to change and you can get a variety of types of amps, from class A to class D. With powered speakers your stuck with what ever comes with the speaker, witch is generally a class D amp.
The last question was the mixer/controller part, and there are a vast options here as well.
So start with what provides the best signal, the mixer/controller, then work your way down the signal chain to how your going to control that signal. From ther you have the option of going passive or powered speakers. Th simplest being passive because you have more options between what types of xovers, amps you use and the last being the speakers themselves. How long will they last and how easy they are to replace. You can blow up any system no mater what they cost, that comes down to the discretion of the operator. Know what your system is capable of and don't exceed it.

I think suggesting anything above a class D for DJ work could be dangerous especially to someone new to this. Class A are going to sound real sweet but to run 2 speakers on sticks they are very inefficient. You're also looking at some pretty big cash outlay if you want a good class A

I also disagree with passive being better. I prefer passive myself but I run powered most nights simply for weight. I think they both have their upsides and downsides but comparing apples to apples neither is really better than the other
 
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Lets get back on track here. The op wants to know witch speakers give the less trouble. I will say passive because they are the simplest part, because there are lost of options, and because your only buying the speaker and not a speaker amp combination.
The next question was amplification. Again I would go with power amps, because they are easy to change and you can get a variety of types of amps, from class A to class D. With powered speakers your stuck with what ever comes with the speaker, witch is generally a class D amp.
The last question was the mixer/controller part, and there are a vast options here as well.
So start with what provides the best signal, the mixer/controller, then work your way down the signal chain to how your going to control that signal. From there you have the option of going passive or powered speakers. Th simplest being passive because you have more options between what types of xovers, amps you use and the last being the speakers themselves. How long will they last and how easy they are to replace. You can blow up any system no mater what they cost, that comes down to the discretion of the operator. Know what your system is capable of and don't exceed it.
Most if not all systems have warning lights that are like traffic signal lights. Green mean go, it's safe, yellow means caution, and red means stop it's not safe.
I think you glossed over much of the conversation above ....

There are FAR more active speaker options than passive these days. For less trouble, again, active (at least quality active) will manage the internal components AND system variables like no external components can .. timing, limiting, etc..

Unless you HAVE the passive gear already, or have the very specific limited band of problems that passive might be a better fit for, active speakers are a FAR better solution for MOST uses.
 
I think suggesting anything above a class D for DJ work could be dangerous especially to someone new to this. Class A are going to sound real sweet but to run 2 speakers on sticks they are very inefficient. You're also looking at some pretty big cash outlay if you want a good class A

I also disagree with passive being better. I prefer passive myself but I run powered most nights simply for weight. I think they both have their upsides and downsides but comparing apples to apples neither is really better than the other

I have said it many times on this thread alone that there are pro's and con's to ether one.

The simplest are powered because one would assume the speaker/amp builder matched the components to work there best together. The down side is the warning lights that are typically located on the back of a powered speaker. So from FOH you can't see them. But If your behind the speakers then you can.
 
If simple is your aim, just know that is your role and act accordingly.

1579622657425.png
 
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I have said it many times on this thread alone that there are pro's and con's to ether one.

The simplest are powered because one would assume the speaker/amp builder matched the components to work there best together. The down side is the warning lights that are typically located on the back of a powered speaker. So from FOH you can't see them. But If your behind the speakers then you can.
That's where you should know what you're doing when using active speakers. What to buy and what to stay away from. Some think having speakers blasting is the way to impress a crowd. Totally wrong. The volume should be at a good level and things shouldn't be screaming.
 
I think you glossed over much of the conversation above ....

There are FAR more active speaker options than passive these days. For less trouble, again, active (at least quality active) will manage the internal components AND system variables like no external components can .. timing, limiting, etc..

Unless you HAVE the passive gear already, or have the very specific limited band of problems that passive might be a better fit for, active speakers are a FAR better solution for MOST uses.
Yeah powered speakers are like speakers for dummies. Kinda like ABS breaks on a car, most people don't know when to get on or off the breaks.
 
Yeah powered speakers are like speakers for dummies. Kinda like ABS breaks on a car, most people don't know when to get on or off the breaks.
I suppose you've held onto that "classic" cell phone as well ..

1579623237253.png
 
That's where you should know what you're doing when using active speakers. What to buy and what to stay away from. Some think having speakers blasting is the way to impress a crowd. Totally wrong. The volume should be at a good level and things shouldn't be screaming.


That called ear fatigue. You can be loud and clean and it sounds like you can use more power, or you can have it lower and nasty and people will get tired of it and leave.
 
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Seems like the problem with these questions are people are subjective. Everyone has an opinion on what works and what they like the best. Your never going to get a strait answer.:salute:
 
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Seems like the problem with these questions are people are subjective. Everyone has an opinion on what works and what they like the best. Your never going to get a strait answer.:salute:
It shouldn't be what one likes best .. it SHOULD be, based on reasoned and educated knowledge, what would be recommended for someone else's needs.
 
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It shouldn't be what one likes best .. it SHOULD be, based on reasoned and educated knowledge, what would be recommended for someone else's needs.
But needs change depending on the venue and what you are trying to achieve. Your system should be matched to what your needs are. If they stay the same then one system is fine, but if your needs change then you need more gear and use what is appropriate for what you are doing. The old right tool for the right job, saying.
 
That called ear fatigue. You can be loud and clean and it sounds like you can use more power, or you can have it lower and nasty and people will get tired of it and leave.
I'm not talking loud. I'm talking about a DJ pushing speakers so hard that they sound distorted. I was at the DJ Expo in Atlantic City and saw the room that was loaded with Bassboss speakers. I didn't get to hear how they sounded. I just knew looking at them they cost some big bucks.
 
But needs change depending on the venue and what you are trying to achieve. Your system should be matched to what your needs are. If they stay the same then one system is fine, but if your needs change then you need more gear and use what is appropriate for what you are doing. The old right tool for the right job, saying.
No one has said a DJ needs only 1 system, but that's a different discussion than active vs passive, which the market has already settled.
 
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No one has said a DJ needs only 1 system, but that's a different discussion than active vs passive, which the market has already settled.


The market didn't settle it, the manufacturer just chose to push one or the other. They took away choice.
 
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I suppose you've held onto that "classic" cell phone as well ..

View attachment 50191
Probably not but I am still using the "classic" fork and steak knife to enjoy a rare cut of beef from my favorite steakhouse.

And still pouring wine into a "classic" stemmed wine glass.

And returning to my "classic" brick & mortar home in my vehicle that uses a "classic" combustion engine.

Change is not always an improvement.
1579624817355.png
 
Probably not but I am still using the "classic" fork and steak knife to enjoy a rare cut of beef from my favorite steakhouse.

And still pouring wine into a "classic" stemmed wine glass.

And returning to my "classic" brick & mortar home in my vehicle that uses a "classic" combustion engine.

Change is not always an improvement.
View attachment 50196
As I said .. if you got 'em .. run 'em .. just going to be tough when they "do" break ... :)
 
As I said .. if you got 'em .. run 'em .. just going to be tough when they "do" break ... :)
So far, nearing 15 years and with proper care, maintenance and handling, never had an issue.

Only repair ever required was due to mishandling...carelessly staged and toppled in heavy wind, absolutely my fault.

However, I'd likely replace with current passive and equally high quality speakers in the exact same line.
 
So far, nearing 15 years and with proper care, maintenance and handling, never had an issue.

Only repair ever required was due to mishandling...carelessly staged and toppled in heavy wind, absolutely my fault.

However, I'd likely replace with current passive and equally high quality speakers in the exact same line.
Seems they're one of the few remaining options ...
 
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