Powered Active Speakers
Powered speakers in audio parlance are also known as active speakers and are differentiated from passive speakers by the presence of amplification circuitry housed within the speaker’s cabinet. With active or passive crossovers built into them, they offer direct connectivity to an audio playing sound source or a mixing console. Powered speakers offer the advantages of eliminating complex ancillary gadgetry such as amplifiers and the need to mix and match the configurations of separate amplifier and speaker units. Thus, they reduce shelf space and are available at potentially less expense. The shortened cable length from the amplifier to the speaker’s driver is also said to affect the maximum slew rate (reduces loss of signal and power). Powered speakers should not be construed as meaning self powered, but need to be connected to an external power (AC) source to run the built in amplifier. Powered speakers are a little heavier due to the presence of additional circuit boards, components and a power transformer which steps down the input AC current to work with the electronics within.
A passive speaker on the other hand does not have its own source of amplification. They need to use power from the external amplifiers, with lengths of wires connecting the two.
This variety of speakers is largely used by professionals in recording studios, mastering labs and the like. Powered speakers however act as a limitation in the path of upgrading existing speaker systems and amplifiers and therefore lack the inducement to buy for those who have already set up elaborate amplification systems which need matching and configured speakers and the rest.
Especially for the first time buyer, powered speakers offer an extremely good value proposition in terms of good sound output, lower cost and an easier set up (there is always less pain in hooking up individual units). Powered speakers that are available today are well designed both for looks and easy configuration and are available to suit a wide range of applications, from home music automation to theaters and are capable of reproducing a live sound experience – ask the pros who play at Juilliard in New York if you don’t believe me.
Powered speakers are available for all varieties, for use with computers to home audio to larger P.A speaker applications. There are even solar powered power speakers available which effectively solar energy into electricity to power the built in amplifiers. An example of the above are the Gramo Speakers (with in built battery) or Tom Pritchard’s solar powered iPod dock. Pritchard’s otherwise passive speaker becomes powered when sufficient sunlight falls on the solar cells to activate the built in amplifier.
There are many brands of powered speakers available and can be found on Amazon. Examples of some of them are the Meridian, Genelec, Meyer sound, Linn, Definitive Technology, Martin Logan Loudspeaker Systems hooked up to decent studio or stage monitors with a powered subwoofer in tow would make for quite the setup. For the home user, the JBL Creature III Self-Powered Multimedia satellite and subwoofer system as well as the Polk Audio PSW10 10-Inch Monitor Series Powered Subwoofer in black are both amazing speaker though you might want to look at the Harman Kardon SoundSticks II 2.1 Plug and Play Multimedia Speaker System if you’re looking for something that is lighter on the wallet.
Specialty Speakers - Check out more specialty speakers. This Section features speakers from the famous ORB Speakers to Marine Speakers, to Rock Speakers and many specialty speaker types in between! Click below to see more on the specialty speaker that interests you.
