Why are we so passive?


In high-end audio the passive speaker is the norm. Active speakers may not be rare, but are definitely uncommon. What's the buzz on active?

Is active just another marketing scheme?
Is there really any difference between active and passive?
Why don't more audiophiles go active?
Why don't more manufacturers produce active speakers?
At what price point, if any, would you consider going active?
ojgalli

Showing 1 response by emailists

Why do some high end speaker manufacturers insist on external crossovers?

Vibration!!!

They want it out of the box, and the same goes for amps as well.

Many of us like tube amps. They would not work well inside a speaker.

I own small Genelec powered monitors (and powered sub) for my video and audio mix suite. Genelecs (especially the new 8000 series) are considered some of the better powered pro monitors.

Their waveguide tweeter sounds very good and for a metal box the entire speaker is very coherent.

Do they compare with my Cerious Ceramic speakers and Atma-sphere OTL tube amps? No.

I'm not saying Active speakers are bad in any way, and I think for an all digital system, delivering signal digitally to speakers is a fantastic idea, where the D/A and amp is all inegral and has very short analog runs inside. Of course what do you do when D/A's become better or we get a new standard?