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 flrnlamb

gmood1? What designs out there, that you can name off the top of your head are either "crossover-less" or have a "minimal" crossover, of some sort? I for one would appreciated a list.
I used to have Sonus Faber Electa/Minima Amators, which used a very simplistic crossover, and THEY WERE VERY VERY DYNAMIC for two way monitors! Infact, it really made me notice how much more "dynamically right" and exciting speaker sound can be. Infact, my Sonus speaker STOMPED my Thiel 2.3's into the dust, dynamcally! (Only thing with those speakers was that the sound "varied", depending on how the power fluxtuated at my home. The speakers sounded decidedly better durring the day, when power was low out of the wall, and sounded kinda dull at night, when power was high!...strange.)
I, to this day, tend to look for designs that offer this approach, maybe even "no crossover" at all.
Any considerations out there would be appreciated. I like to keep up on the stuff.