Are active SPEAKERS always better?

[@Roof_Pizza]

Unless I moved and started fresh I would never even consider an active speaker.

[@Woot-Zee]

Active speakers with "external amplifiers" would be the best compromise. :)

[@Audfile]

Except the amps still cost the same?

[@Roof_Pizza]

@@Audfile You might already own the amp of your dreams and you can upgrade as you wish with the same speakers. Passive speakers tend to never fail with normal use.

[@ropeburn6684]

Active speakers with external amplifiers... so, passive speakers? 😂

[@Woot-Zee]

@@ropeburn6684 no, you laugh because you have no examples? Look at genelec top of the line. Amps and processors custom made for those transducers and enclosures with no internal crossovers.

[@Woot-Zee]

​@@ropeburn6684 Even if you think that an active speaker means that they have "inside amplifiers" it is not that... "Taylored" amplifiers can be outside too. It is better in many ways to be outside of the enclosure. (But it is more expensive, and get people confused, as we can see.) Genelec 8381A

[@BobbyBass-x6i]

My issue with active speakers is having to deal with the issues that arise if the amps need to be repaired or replaced. I like the sound but have found them to be unreliable long term so it’s separate passive speakers and amps for me.

[@paulgyro]

The solution to that is to use external electrics, (external from speakers)

[@Artcore103]

Hypex now sells 2 and 3 channel plate amplifiers at various power ratings. There's the 2ch icepower plate amps too that aren't expensive and I believe those are quiet (maybe not as dead quiet as the hypex/purifi stuff, i'm not sure... those are incredible). If you look at companies like Buckeye, if you're looking at the lower power versions of hypex modules (which are still pretty powerful), you can get 8 amplifier channels, 150w @ 8 ohms, for as little as 1600 bucks, and 350w for 2250. So I'm not sure it's as difficult to pull off as you think, I think there are other factors involved as well. And 8 channels of DSP from miniDSP isn't too expensive either, I don't know if they have options with more than 8, I don't think so that I'm aware of, so you might have to stack those, but for basic PEQ / active crossing / dirac live / phase+time correction, you can get 8 channels for like 600 bucks. It would certainly get complicated. That (and money) is why I'm not into surround sound or home theater, I'm into 2 channel audio. Very easy to go active+dsp there, even if you add one or more subs, it's simple and can be affordable. You could even take your favorite non-active speaker and rip out the crossover (which most of the time they didn't spend that much on anyways) and make it active and improve it.

[@BobFrostV]

Love these videos.

[@brucermarino]

Thanks for more audio sanity!

[@xaviersreview1827]

Have you listened to Meyer Sound in a home theater? They are active speakers.

[@FOH3663]

Agreed. If I were spec'ing a high performance multi-channel space with active boxes, top to bottom, w/subs, ... there's no question; Meyer Sound. This is the way. I don't believe any platform would compete with Meyer's characteristics of unparalleled sonics, quality and reliability. Their Bluehorn mains, high performance point source boxes, all supported by the finest bass and sub-bass systems w/13hz capability. Meyer Active, top to bottom.

[@martinmares8998]

Another great video for home theater enthusiasts. Thank you Matt!

[@PoesAcoustics]

More to come!

[@NykoLUniko]

Pro-Audio Live Sound Speakers way more bang for the buck

[@njrumenos]

Putting speakers in the wall kills imaging…

[@hipidipi20157max]

Active speakers are ALWAYS worse. Passive speakers with separate amp is better. I hate home theaters, speakers are for music and not movies or TV. You only need two speakers, not 2.2 or 2.5 or 5 etc. You dont need subwoofers.