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DJ Mixers. DJ Effects. View All DJ Equipment. Some home audiophiles can spend vast amounts on putting together the perfect system, while others are happy to go for a more ready-made solution. DJs can have conflicting needs when it comes to speakers. If you are a DJ, you may be setting up and taking down your rig nightly, so want something quick and light to set up and move around. On the other hand, if you play a lot of bass-heavy music, you may need to go for something more complicated.
PA systems vary enormously. You may be giving a talk in your local hall, or performing live in your local battle of the bands. Or even performing at a major venue. The pros and cons of active vs. For a long time most studios used passive monitors, but as active monitors have improved in terms of cost-effectiveness and quality, it has become normal to find high-end sound studios using either.
Car audio has come a long way since drivers were happy with a radio and tape deck. Die-hard audiophiles will continue to argue over the merits of passive vs. The truth is, both passive and active speakers have their merits. The best active speakers are easily as good as the best passive speakers, the choice is down to personal preference or your needs.
The signal is sent through a preamp and then a crossover before going to a powered amplifier, which sends the signal to the speaker or one of the drivers in the speaker unit. The signal is sent directly from the preamp to the speaker, which has a crossover and powered amp built-in. The signal passes through the crossover, then the amp, and finally to the speaker or one of the drivers. Not really. To do so, you would have to disconnect the crossover and amp and then feed the signal from an external amp straight to the speaker.
Neither is actually better. It depends on your needs. Passive speakers tend to be cheaper and lighter. Active speakers tend to be more expensive and heavier. The difference is that a powered speaker has the same signal path as a passive set-up, but the amplification often both pre and power amp is hidden in one of the speaker enclosures.
There will also be a speaker cable link between the master speaker that has the amplification and the slave passive partner.
Most affordable powered models tend to use such a configuration. Such an approach has some of the neatness of truly active operation but few of the technical benefits. While active speakers have clear performance benefits, their conciseness also means they are attractive to users looking for a more discreet and compact way to listen to music.
Increasingly we are seeing active speakers that aim to pack in even more functionality into their cabinets — not just amplification but also streaming modules and physical connections — creating a complete 'all-in-one' system that minimises the need for extra boxes or cabling.
With features like preamp capabilities, digital and analogue inputs, Bluetooth and wi-fi streaming compatibility combined directly into active speakers or a small accompanying box that then communicates with them , they offer a neat, compact, minimal fuss alternative to a system of separates.
The cost can work out more favourably than buying everything separately, too although you shouldn't necessarily expect the same performance from them as you would a similarly priced collection of class-leading separates. After all, unlike speaker technology, streaming technology is anything but timeless. What Hi-Fi?
Our comprehensive tests help you buy the very best for your money, with our advice sections giving you step-by-step information on how to get even more from your music and movies. Everything is tested by our dedicated team of in-house reviewers in our custom-built test rooms in London and Bath. Our coveted five-star rating and Awards are recognised all over the world as the ultimate seal of approval, so you can buy with absolute confidence.
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