Active vs. Passive Loudspeakers for Live Sound

A video that I should have made a long time ago! What are the differences between active and passive speakers? What are their advantages and disadvantages in the context of live sound? And which is right for you?

Bookmarks for video:
00:00 Intro
00:50 Definitions
01:37 How do you tell the difference?
06:42 Bi-amplification in active and passive speakers.
09:08 Advantages and Disadvantages
09:29 Passive Speakers - Advantages
13:22 Passive Speakers - Disadvantages
16:36 Active Speakers - Advantages
21:56 Active Speakers - Disadvantages
26:16 So which is better?
26:46 Situations in which to use passive loudspeakers.
29:36 Situations in which to use active loudspeakers.

Ways to get in touch - I love hearing from my viewers!

[uweeoncbmd]

Have you ever heard people mentioning active and passive loudspeakers being defined by their internal crossover being respectively active or passive, rather than the existence of an amplifier within the loudspeaker? I have already heard audio engineers say that it's a common misconception to define active and passive loudspeakers by the existence of amplifiers rather than their type of crossover. What do you think about this concept?

[scottrobinson]

I own a small sound company. My inventory is mostly passive. There are a few reasons why I use passive speakers.

1 - I do a lot of jobs where I have to distribute speakers over great distances. It is not always ideal or possible to run a bunch of power cabling and signal cabling all over an event space. I use a lot of speaker distribution cabling that I make myself. Things such as a 8 conductor cable that fans out to 4 NL4 connectors. This allows me to run one cable, and hit 4 speakers, that I can then chain to 4 more speakers. So that one cable will ultimately run 8 speakers.

2 - Powered speaker manufacturers tend to discontinue models fairly regularly. So after a couple years, it can become difficult to buy more of the same model, or get replacement parts. I use stuff that I have been able to get parts for, for 20 years or more sometimes.

I have learned to repair the passive crossovers that are in my cabinets. So if they go bad, I can fix them very cheaply. I have a stock of spare parts for those, that will last me the rest of my career (and those parts are not expensive at all). I have also learned to recone speakers, and repair compression drivers. So of the three things that go wrong, I am able to fix them. The majority of powered speakers do not offer recone kits for their drivers, so you are forced to replace the whole speaker 🔊... if you can even get one.

3 - I use the same type of amplifier across the whole range of my inventory (QSC PLX II 3602s). I have never had one fail in over 20 years of using the PLX line. And I dont have to think about which amps go where...its all the same.

My gear makes money, and has for years. And it will continue to make money until I decide to retire someday.

I dont get caught in the trap of buying the latest greatest thing, every time something new comes out. My clients appreciate that they get the same thing at every gig. And I have had some clients for well over 20 years. They dont like change for the most part. I do stay current with things like mixers and wireless microphones though.

I do keep a few powered speakers around. I use them mostly as backstage hot spots for corporate events, DJ monitors, and as a shout speaker for a band talkback to the engineer.

I have a couple friends who also own small sound companies, and they use powered speakers exclusively. The services they are able to offer are very limited because of that.

[vickymurder]

best audio engineering Teacher ever... with all my respect.. ive also downloaded many of your tutorial videos.. thank you much for your Informations and valuable lessons... Sir.. 🤗

[Soundofmusic]

Thank you! Clear, consistent, pleasant. This is how a good lecture on a topic should be.

[frankwilson]

Many thanks for this video, it has been a great help. We are in Bali Indonesia and do a variety of shows, from soft and classical music to larger dialogue events with 50 or so souls sitting in a double circle. We have lots and lots of equipment including passive and active speakers. Our biggest discussion is what to use where, your video has clarified that. We will now revise all our equipment including cables and fuses. Thanks a million.

[jefffuhr]

*5 Years Later...* This video has definitely stood the test of time.

[thnqolo]

This is the best video that made me understand the difference between the two. Thank You so much Sir for this good work.

[richardevans]

Excellent general overview, which is exactly what I needed! Thanks so much!

[bahnundansagen]

The binding posts are nowerdays found on home audio speakers so if you see them on domestic speakers or Hi-Fi it’s a passive speaker. It might be active but only if it has other inputs like RCA. The speaker terminals on active Hi-Fi speakers are to add a slave speaker for right or left audio.

[Bertdevries]

I love your topics. Everything explained very well. Greetings and love from the Netherlands. Bert de Vries

[heamorhoid]

Sorry but I don´t understand one thing. Why you don´t have 1M subscribers? So many things I learned from your videos. Sound bless you.

[uk]

Sir you are the bees Been watching your vids for years now. Very

[relaxt]

Good video. There are ac&xlr cables on the market for active speakers that are combined. So you have just one cable that split at the end. Makes it a little more clean on stage. that being said, passive still has its adventages on stage like you said. I like your videos, you know what you talking about, great work

[jamesrogers]

I had an entire sound system in my 2001 Chevy cavalier 5 sp coupe, plus my instruments and tools. Two main 15’s. One 18” sub, lights, road cases, two keyboards AND heavy duty stand. Where there’s a will there’s a way, and I didn’t have to sacrifice comfort for all of it.

[corner]

10:46 - love how you had to clip before and after you said "this" xD

[mattheww]

Brilliant video as always. Cleared up a lot of info and made it simple to understand!! ☺

[siralleycat]

Here is my experience with several working club bands. Active loud speakers have their own amplifier, so while you don't have to carry around a rack of power amps, they are heavy as hell and hard to mount on poles. Additionally, you have to run power cords to each of them, meaning you have high voltage wires running all around the stage. Also, I have seen the person running the sound forget to turn them on, making the audience scream at the singer "We can't hear you" until they figure it out. While it may save you a couple bucks up front, I would pass on them unless it is a permanent installation.

[malikamirshabazz]

Appreciate the content, helped allot school books are just blah lol

[wildflower]

Best Overview Between Passive & Active Speakers ..

[PaulMayeul]

quick tiip to recon active from passive, just see if there's an on of button lol ! great video othrwise