All about active speakers

Choosing acoustics for home, many consumers are lost in the choice, not knowing which option to give preference to. Each of the types has its own scope. To determine which option is most suitable for you specifically, you need to understand what exactly the equipment will be used for.

In this article we will look at active columns - their features, types and parameters.

The difference between active and passive acoustics is that the first version has a built-in amplifier. This makes it more convenient for home use, since even a beginner can cope with such equipment. In addition, there are other nuances.

Consider the pros and cons of active speakers in the next paragraph.

• It - compactness and low weight... Manufacturers are increasingly using class D digital power amplifiers in the production of active speakers. Compared to class A, they are much lighter - 2 kg versus 20 kg.
• Few audio connections... They can connect directly to your audio player. In turn, the speakers of the acoustics are directly connected to the amplifier, which means that no power is lost.
• High efficiency... The amplifier uses the corresponding speaker, and if there are two of them, then the sound power is even higher. An active crossover works more efficiently, while in passive systems this part is the weak link due to possible overheating.

• Possible malfunctions due to power surges... Digital amplifiers with switching power supplies can suffer from power surges. The reason is that foreign manufacturers create products without taking into account such moments.
• For each active acoustics device power supply must be supplied.
• For each column there must be grounding.
• Do not listen to speakers without waterproofing on the street in bad weather, due to moisture, breakdowns are possible, and for listeners this can threaten with an electric shock.

Despite the growing popularity of active speakers, passive models are still on sale. They assume that the user will have at least a little knowledge of technology and will be able to correctly connect equipment, including amplifiers. This option is for more professional use, as it allows you to choose all the components of the audio system to your taste and needs.

Powered loudspeakers typically require a ground connection to the electrical outlet they are powered from, and it is very important to use a high quality card. In the case of passive acoustics, grounding is not needed, and the card can be average.

Active speaker systems are popular with PC users, widely used for small parties, in studios, on the street, and models with a microphone also allow you to hear your vocals. Of course, the concert and street models have higher specifications.

Such columns are divided into the following classes:

• for computer;
• for laptops, tablets, smartphones, players, phones and other devices;
• for home theater, while the best option would be a set of different channels: central, front, rear;
• for clubs - the strongest systems with the best characteristics;
• hi fi for home makes it possible to play multimedia in the best quality, for example, by connecting a bluray player + AV receiver + multi-channel set of speakers;
• hi end - a system that is distinguished by the highest manufacturability and price, moreover, it is made by hand.

A multi-lane speaker has several heads that differ in emission in frequency. To obtain a clear surround sound of an audio system, a single-way acoustics is enough.

The following are distinguished:

• Shelving... The name of the columns does not mean that they must be on the shelves. They are installed on special stands. Usually they are equipped with one or a pair of speakers. They fit best into the interior of standard apartments. Moreover, in some cases, this type of acoustics can create a stereo picture better than floor systems.
• Floor standing... They are large, so they can be placed directly on the floor. They need a spacious room because the bass resonates too much in a small room. Such systems are more expensive than bookshelf systems, have 1 to 7 speakers, and are more expensive to manufacture.
• Center channel speaker system usually goes to home theaters. The horizontal, elongated speaker is located under the TV display and reproduces the main speech and music.
• Front speaker system represents the columns on the sides of the screen. There are variations of both shelf and floor plan.
• Rear speaker system set behind home theater viewers. Most often it looks like wall-mounted pendant speakers of small size.
• Subwoofer designed for the propagation of low sound frequencies and bass. Often installed in cars, but can also complement home theater acoustics when you need to improve the sound quality of the specified range.

This criterion determines not so much the loudness as the reliability of the acoustics. This indicator is also important for the quality of the reproduced. If the power is measured in the range of 60-80 W, then it is intended for a standard room, and a unit of 100-150 W, respectively, is suitable for 40-meter rooms.... For sites designed for a larger audience, more powerful acoustics of 500 watts are better suited; there are also systems of 1500 watts, 2000 watts, etc.

For floor-standing speakers, large sizes are typical, for shelf speakers, respectively, smaller. Also, many wall-mounted speakers and, of course, portable Bluetooth and USB devices have small dimensions. You can easily take them with you to any place, the main thing is to pre-charge the device. For example, JBL speakers can be only 15 inches long and still have a very loud sound of 80 dB.

Acoustics with bluetooth assumes a digital signal and a wireless port. It is convenient for listening to media from a smartphone, while it has a good battery that can work for 10 hours or more. Speakers with a usb connector allow you to connect to devices via a cable. The subwoofer and speaker give good sound. With all the small dimensions of such systems, high-quality products of this type can be used even for professional purposes.

They are equipped with connectors for connecting with various music sources. Battery powered devices are highly mobile and easily transported to the desired location.They can also be accompanied by a microphone, allowing you to sing your favorite song at a picnic or at a party.

We bring to your attention a brief overview of active speaker systems in different price categories.

It is a two-way speaker system. The shape of the device is trapezoidal, that is, with corners, narrowed upwards. The material is good quality plastic, which guarantees a long service life of the device. The price of the column fluctuates around 30 thousand rubles. It is possible to connect other amplifiers and other devices through the connectors.

The sound of the speaker is of the highest level, however, over time it may become less pronounced... The kit also includes carrying handles, a protective grill, and "legs" that allow you to install the system on a rack. Stands allow the speaker to be positioned optimally for the best sound. Subject to the requirements for operation, the device works for a long time and reliably.

With a very compact size, the model is equipped with fuses, connectors, a protection system, a crossover, and can be connected to other amplifiers. With a price of about 12 thousand rubles, this is a great purchase.

The design of the device is not particularly attractive, but for such a budget device, this drawback is not decisive. Also sound power may not suit very loud music loversif you plan to use the equipment in a large car or spacious room.

Allows you to set the bass level to your liking, without disrupting the sound of the track as a whole. The volume is so high that the speaker can be used in a small cafe or nightclub. The wooden body, covered with black paint, and the parallelepiped shape make the device look quite attractive and not cheap. Equipped with legs that allow it to be stably positioned where it is placed. Do not place the model on a slippery surface.

To make the best choice of active loudspeaker system, follow the recommendations of the experts.

• Material... The speakers are made from wood, plastic or chipboard. Wood is the preferred but not cheap option. Due to the high price, it is often replaced with a second one. Plastic, in turn, allows you to create unusual and beautiful designs. Since it loses some sound quality, it is not recommended for large floor systems.
• Stripes... The SSB models are good enough, but they don't provide audio separation. For a home theater, for example, multi-band models with separation of sound sources are more suitable: voices, noises, music.
• Power... As mentioned above, it determines the reliability of the speaker and the sound quality. The maximum volume of the device depends on the other - the sensitivity (measured in decibels). For a standard apartment, 85 dB is enough. As for the frequency, a home theater, for example, needs 20,000 Hz, and for the soundtrack of celebrations - up to 35,000 Hz.

Simple compact speakers like JBL are as easy to use as possible. They can be easily paired with an audio source such as a computer or smartphone via Bluetooth. With USB models, everything is also quite easy. They are connected via a suitable cable and are easy to turn on and off. Since the amplifier is already built into the structure of this acoustics, it is not required to connect it. Though some prefer to complement their speakers with additional amplifiers.Someone recommends removing the built-in amplifier for this, while someone thinks that it is enough to connect an external amplifier.

The connection types can be different. Multi-piece systems for DVD or other devices have all the inputs and plugs you need. Speakers can be connected to the connectors on the back of the subwoofer. It is connected through a wire to the device for which the speaker system is intended. In the case of a home theater, all speakers must stand according to the diagram indicated in the instructions. Rear - behind the audience, central under the TV, front - on the sides of it.

So, when choosing an active speaker system, you need to decide on its purpose. The recommended characteristics of the device will depend on this. We hope this article is helpful in helping you get the best model for your needs.

You will learn how to choose the right active speakers in the next video.