[Active speakers]The difference between active speakers and passive speakers How to choose active speakers and passive speakers
Active speakers and passive speakers The difference
1. Active Speaker
Also known as “active speaker”. Usually refers to speakers with power amplifiers, such as multimedia computer speakers, active subwoofers, and some new home theater active speakers. Since the active speaker has a built-in power amplifier circuit, users do not have to consider the problem of matching with the amplifier, and it is also easy to directly drive with a lower level audio signal.
Second, passive speakers (Passive Speaker)
Also known as “passive speakers”. Passive speakers are ordinary speakers that we usually use without a power amplifier circuit inside. Although passive speakers do not have amplifiers, they often have crossover 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.
Which is better, active speakers or passive speakers?
The main difference between active speakers and passive speakers is whether the speakers have a power amplifier. The summary is as follows:
1. In terms of power amplification
Passive speakers do not have a built-in power amplifier circuit and must be connected to an external power amplifier to work. The active speaker is connected to a built-in power amplifier circuit powered by a power supply. It has sufficient power and can work when the power supply and signal input are connected, without the need for a power amplifier.
2. In terms of output sound effects
There is nothing to talk about in the output of the integrated sound card for ordinary users. The integrated sound card mainly depends on the driver Software debugging is used to output sound effects, and independent sound cards are only purchased if they have requirements for special sound effects, or higher-end ones have hardware-level debugging functions. Therefore, the integrated sound card can also meet the requirements of the vast majority of users. If you don’t have special requirements, don’t buy a dedicated sound card, it’s a waste of money.
3.Market positioning and consumer groups
Active speakers are now mostly used in the field of computer multimedia, and some occasions with special needs (such as electronic organ speakers) ), this type of speaker generally has a low output power, the volume cannot be turned very large, and the circuit of the power amplifier is not too particular, it is a simple audio system; passive speakers are formal audio, with high power and good sound quality. But the product is bulky and bulky.
In addition, passive speakers are much more expensive than active speakers. In terms of effect, passive speakers are also better, but passive speakers have more use conditions, which are a bit troublesome. Active speakers can be used as long as the audio cable, data cable, and power supply are correctly connected, and for ordinary users, active speakers for listening to music and watching movies are completely OK.
How to choose active speakers and passive speakers:
I. Circuit
Active Speakers mainly use integrated circuits as power amplifiers. The amplification methods are mainly Class A, Class B, Class B, Class C, Class D (B, C, D, the higher the efficiency, but the greater the distortion, in terms of efficiency, generally speaking, Class A Less than 50% of Class B, less than 70% of Class B, more than 85% of Class C, and more than 90% of Class D. For example, a Class A power amplifier with an output power of 50W consumes more than 100W of power. Not much to say, it belongs to the radio category.. ….), the advantage is that the circuit is simple, there are few peripheral components, and basically no debugging is required. The disadvantage is that the sound is dry and hard, especially when it is connected to a computer or CD source, the digital bits are heavy.
Passive speakers + power amplifiers usually used by enthusiasts, usually use transistors, field effect transistors, and electronic tubes as power amplification components. There is only one advantage: less distortion, warm sound, and good power amplifiers are better-looking and stylish. , is also an advantage. There are more disadvantages.
1. Because of the pursuit of sound quality, attack and amplifier power tubes are usually set in the undistorted area, and the efficiency is very low. Usually, good transistor power amplifiers are usually pure class A attack amplifiers, a few work in class A and B, and the tubes are not used. Having said that, after lighting so many incandescent light bulbs, it is not energy-saving.
2. It generates a lot of heat. Each power amplifier over 50W is a small electric heater. Usually, the small heat sinks of multimedia speakers cannot meet such a large amount of heat.
3. The circuit is complicated. Usually the circuit of the attack and amplifier is much more complicated than that of the active speaker, just look at the size. ? It not only includes amplifier circuit, feedback circuit, protection circuit, but also uses relays, large transformers, large capacity capacitors, and various compensation circuits for sound source switching in order to ensure sound quality.
4. Debugging is cumbersome. All the power amplifier tubes of the attack and amplifier must be strictly matched, including the left and right channels, so as to reduce the distortion and the difference between the left and right channels.
2. Personality
Active speakers use integrated circuits as amplification components, so the only way to adjust the listening experience is to rely on box design and speaker units.
Because of the use of different pipe fittings, the manufacturer’s design ideas for the circuit, and the sound of the amplifier, the sound of the attack and amplifier designed by different manufacturers has its own characteristics, such as Japanese hard, British The warmth of the North, the rigor of the Nordics, the gentleness of Italy, and the roughness of the United States.
Three, box sound
The medium and low-end speakers all have box sound, and good speakers let you feel the speakers, passive speakers or There are more or less sound-absorbing cotton. For cost reasons, active speakers either have no sound-absorbing cotton, or there are very few. Another reason is that there is too much sound-absorbing cotton, and the heat dissipation of the power components in the box is a problem. In addition, there is an amplifier circuit in the speaker, so the volume of the left and right speakers will be different, and the sound will also be different.
