There are several types of speakers available based on the location of their use. However, this is not the real thing that can distinguish them. The speakers are divided into two types; it’s either an active speaker or a passive speaker. Now it’s up to the person, either he is going to buy a powered bookshelf speaker or in-wall speaker.
This is where the real confusion begins for most people because they don’t bear a clear idea about it, and it gets difficult for them to identify these types and their differences.
To understand the differences between active and passive speakers, it is essential to know about the underlying meaning of both speakers.
Active Speaker
The active speaker comes with a built-in amplifier; it means that there is no need to connect the speaker to an additional microphone for sound boosting. Although the sound level is low, the amplifier amplifies it and improves the quality.
However, it is crucial to know that Active speakers are not that diverse. Subwoofers are also a type of active speaker. In most sound systems, there is only one dynamic speaker and a higher chance that it’ll be a subwoofer.
Passive Speaker
This speaker doesn’t come with a built-in amplifier. The passive speaker has to connect with an independent microphone for sound boosting. However, there is no amplifier installed inside. The speaker is engineered to produce a decent amount of high-level audio. Most of the speakers that we see are passive speakers as they are pocket-friendly.
Key Differences between Active and Passive Speakers
If you are looking to buy a speaker, then it is essential to get to know-how about the differences between both active and passive speakers
Amplifier
The amplifier is considered as one of the big gaps since these speaker types are mainly based on the presence of a microphone.
Passive speakers do not have their own amplifier, so you have to link it with a separate microphone. As it is clear that active speaker already includes one, so there is no need for an additional amplifier setup.
Power
Continuous power handling is necessary for active speakers because of the presence of an amplifier inside. It would help if you always kept the energy going. This is the reason that active speakers have to be placed near a power outlet.
However, if we talk about the second type, keeping it near the power outlet is not a mandatory option for passive speakers. These speakers don’t require power all the time since there’s no amplifier inside. You can place them anywhere but make sure that they’re connected somewhere to a speaker cable.
Capacity
The capacity of Active speakers is higher as compared to the passive speaker’s role in many aspects.
It not only includes a built-in amplifier, but it also comes with the most power options., passive speakers are constructed to produce frequencies, whereas, the active speakers feature multiple specs for speaker control.
However, there are exceptions as well because some passive speakers are constructed for stand-alone usage.
The Price
As it is clear that active speakers feature a built-in amplifier and packed with all controlling options, so they’re more expensive than passive speakers.
Setup
Setting an active speaker up is much easier than setting up a passive speaker because active speakers are already packed with almost every necessary thing.
On the other hand, you have to attach the passive speaker with several things. It takes time and can be complicated for the perfect audio performance.
Upgrade
The upgrade is also the main thing that makes a massive difference between these two speakers.
The active speakers come with a built-in amplifier and already bestowed with all the control. There isn’t much left for an upgrade. Sometimes you can’t even upgrade it at all since that will mean replacing everything of the speaker, which is, in other words, not possible.
Conclusion
Which speaker will be best for you depends on what you will be using it for as well as your specific needs. But it is essential to check the specifications of the speaker before buying it. On the other hand, the budget is also essential as active speakers are more expensive than passive speakers.
But if you want a speaker and amplifier according to your choice, then passive speakers are the best option.
