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 satch

I've worked with both active and passive loudspeakers, and both can sound great. Or terrible... design and execution are, as always, the keywords.
For myself I'm considering going more or less active. I'd like to purchase a second (Threshold) poweramp, have them matched and remove the crossover in my Apogees. Filtering would be done by a modified Behringer active crossover placed between the pre- and poweramps. But since that will require some investments and I'm a little short (as always actually) on cash it'll probably won't be soon.