funny_polymath
Fractal Fanatic
These are the questions I have and I admit I have done ZERO research on the topic. Take either the Matrix or the Atomic future offerings. If I were to purchase the amp and two passives is it the same as purchasing two powered? Obviously there is a form factor and the amp part of the powered speaker but are there any other differences? Are they configured specifically for that speaker where a seperate amp might have differences so as to be more general and accomidating other brands? Or is the amp part of the powered speaker a clone of the solo amps one channel output?
I can see where on one hand you have a seperate amp that would give you the versatility to use with other equiptment and on the other powered speakers would give you the flexibility to plug them in to any non amplified rig.
Am I being too newbieish here? I guess the ultimate questions is, does the Matrix and Atomic powered monitors sound and behave exactly as the passives used with thier amp counterpart? If so then it 's just a matter of form factor and pricing no?
My head hurts!
For me, it boils down to 2 things:
1) Sound: I find active speaker enclosures are more prone to rattle at the resonant frequency for the metalwork associated with the amp (cooling fins, input panel etc.)
2) There is no way that an amp connected directly to a viciously vibrating speaker at high volumes can be as robust a solution, in the long run, than decoupling as many electrical components and connections as possible from the source of vibration. Yes, guitar amps have been around a long, long time, but for me, the Axe and the amp both go in a rack a few feet away (on top of a piece of neoprene, actually). I also think that besides this being a more robust setup, it probably sounds better at high volume.