That's a new one on me. If I'm hearing you right, "active speaker" really means "active crossover," and "active" speakers are not considered to be "powered" speakers, even though they are powered, and they are speakers. And "powered speakers" aren't considered to be "active speakers" even though they are speakers that contain active circuitry. I'll bet there's some marketing history behind all that."Active" is used in a sense of biamped after an active crossover, not active as in powered. Just like the difference between "powered" speakers and "Active" speakers. Active speakers feature two amps and an active crossover, while powered speakers are single amped with a passive crossover, like the Kustoms that were so popular last year.
Aye, but there's talk of an active/passive switch, which suggests that the speaker may be capable of both, in which case a Speakon could still be there. As you say, there's no mention of XLRs or quarter-inchers, which suggests a lack of active or powered capabilities...which suggests that the active/passive crossover switch is misnamed, or at least named by the marketing team.Speakons are speakons. As soon as you see those in the spec sheet, they are automatically passive speakers. There's no mention of XLR's or 1/4" inputs.
I've never heard that distinction between active and powered speakers. I hope it's correct because it does make sense.
That's a new one on me. If I'm hearing you right, "active speaker" really means "active crossover," and "active" speakers are not considered to be "powered" speakers, even though they are powered, and they are speakers. And "powered speakers" aren't considered to be "active speakers" even though they are speakers that contain active circuitry. I'll bet there's some marketing history behind all that.
I found that article, and a Wikipedia article that cites it. Other than that, I've been a couple of pages deep into a couple of search engines, and I haven't found anything else that differentiates "powered" from "active" when it comes to speakers.According to Sound on Sound magazine way back, maybe 2002-2003, that's the distinction.
Wow, that's even more confusing. If a speaker has an active crossover built in, but it's not powered, then you'd have an active crossover working with full speaker power. That's something I've never seen before—an active crossover that's being fed from a power amp. To be honest, I'm not sure that's doable.In the PA world, Active means having an active crossover built in and are almost certainly not powered.
Wow, that's even more confusing. If a speaker has an active crossover built in, but it's not powered, then you'd have an active crossover working with full speaker power. That's something I've never seen before—an active crossover that's being fed from a power amp. To be honest, I'm not sure that's doable.
Active circuitry requires a power source, and is therefore "powered." If there's an active crossover built into a speaker, it's feeding a power amp that's also built into the speaker, and the speaker is "powered" by definition.
Yes, but they all have active amplifiers and are therefore active speakers. If the differentiating element is an active crossover, then the phrase "active crossover" is sufficient (technically, those speakers are bi-amped or tri-amped).Yes yes! But there are powered speakers that do NOT have an active crossover, just a passive crossover after the amp, or NO crossover at all and just piezo tweeters.
Yes again, but both names are marketing choices, not technical ones.It's like Stratocasters and Stratocaster Pluses. Both are strats, but a regular strat is not a strat plus!
Only in the phrase "active crossover."The word Active refers to the crossover!
Nor have I. That was the point of my previus post.I have never seen a passive wedge with an active crossover though.
One of those links makes the claim; the other doesn't.here's a few links from page 1 of my google search: Slideshows: Active vs Passive Speakers: Which to Use?, by Ben Hardy - Electronic House
Live Sound International | Amped Up: Powered Speakers
You'd expect that it would be, and that's what I suspected as well, but because of the ambiguity in the text and the lack of panel pics, I needed a look at the schematic to make sure.Sorry for bringing it up, just wanted to note that the simple fact that it has speakons shows that it is passive. If it was both passive and active, that would be a big marketing point and be discussed heavily.
I've never seen that. But there are a lot of things I've never seen, so that doesn't prove they don't exist.As I understand it, some high end stuff have active crossovers but no amps. The amps are external - but are dedicated (that is you HAVE to use the designers particular amp).
I have 2 C4's on order to try out, should be here next week,
I wont be able to give a proper review because Im not an expert, but I do know what sounds good to me and what doesnt.
So I will post my opinion once I have giving them a good workout.
There in
Going to pick them up tonight I have them for a week hopefully the sound great.
and they dont go back!
I've never seen that. But there are a lot of things I've never seen, so that doesn't prove they don't exist.
They have an active crossover built into the wedge, but external power amps? (Sorry, I've had zero luck googling "DB Teknik.")the DB Teknik stuff is like this ... awesome 15" wedges, with a custom outboard 2U rack amp to power them ... don't even ask the price though, it makes the EAW's look cheap ...
They have an active crossover built into the wedge, but external power amps? (Sorry, I've had zero luck googling "DB Teknik.")
Thanks, Matt. I found the site. But they have no product that has a built-in active crossover but has external power amps. In fact, nothing they list has a built-in active crossover at all.Try it with an &
"d&b audiotechnik"
Best regards
Matt