Active Speakers

Here you will find our large selection of Active PA Speakers in all price ranges.

What is an Active Speaker?

An Active Speaker differentiates itself from Passive Speakers by having a built-in power amplifier. (Bonus info: We have often experienced that "built-in amplifier" has been referred to as "baked-in amplifier". Despite it making some sense, the correct term is "built-in amplifier" :)

The main difference between Active Speakers and Passive Speakers is the presence or absence of an amplifier. When purchasing speakers, you should consider what you can sacrifice, money or convenience, when deciding between speaker types.

Active Speakers

At SoundStoreXL.com, we offer a wide range of Active Speakers for both private customers and professionals who need good sound in, for example, the recording studio or nightclub. We have both Active and Passive PA Speakers, but before we delve into the two types, we will first take a closer look at what PA means and where the PA concept originates from.

What is an Active Speaker?

PA stands for Public Address, and it essentially means addressing the public (or an audience) with it. Previously, the term PA system was used for, for example, an old-fashioned megaphone, which could be used to provide information to large crowds simultaneously.

A modern PA system can be used to play music when you add a mixer, and today when we talk about a PA system, we mean a collection of electronic sound equipment such as speakers, microphones, mixers, amplifiers, and other equipment that amplifies the natural volume of music or a voice so it can be heard by more people and over a greater distance.

Today, PA systems are used for a wide range of different large events where, for example, a singer or speaker needs to be heard by large crowds. This can be at a stadium, on a train, a plane, a shopping center, and at concerts. Smaller PA systems are also used in, for example, auditoriums, churches, bingo clubs, and small bars.

In this article, we use the term PA Speakers as a collective term for modern and professional speakers that can be used in a variety of situations where the sound needs to reach many people at the same time.

Active and Passive Speakers for Professionals

When purchasing a new speaker, you can choose between Active and Passive models.

Active PA Speakers have a built-in amplifier from the factory. When you buy an Active model, you get an amplifier that perfectly matches the speaker included in the purchase. If you perform at many different jobs and therefore often transport your equipment, mobile equipment is a great advantage. Here, Active PA Speakers are a solid and good solution, as they generally take up less space and weight, require fewer cables, and are therefore easier to transport and quicker to set up.

Most PA Speakers, however, are Passive, meaning they do not have a built-in amplifier. You will need to connect a separate amplifier if you choose a Passive PA Speaker. An advantage can be that you do not have to replace all speakers if there should be problems with your amplifier, which would be the case with the Active model. With a Passive PA Speaker, you also have greater opportunity to experiment with combinations of different equipment.

Active PA Speakers are generally more expensive than the Passive models, as the amplifier is included.

Which Active Speaker Should I Choose?

Above, we described the differences between Active and Passive PA Speakers, and as you can see, there are both pros and cons to both types. It cannot be generally said that one type of PA Speaker is preferable over the other. The choice entirely depends on what need the speaker should cover, how large it should be, and what price range you want to stay within.

At SoundStoreXL.com, you will find a large selection of both Active and Passive PA Speakers. We also offer complete speaker sets for, for example, trade show booths, bars, restaurants, offices, and private homes that need to be able to play well with a first-class sound experience.

If you need help with the purchase of your new PA Speakers, feel free to contact our customer service, and we will help you find the solution that suits you best.

Buy your new PA Speakers with Nice Price at SoundStoreXL.com!

Advantages of Active Speakers

The biggest advantage of Active Speakers is mobility. Compared to having to transport both speakers and amplifier and connect them each time, it is incredibly easy to just set up two Active PA Speakers, connect the power and signal, and then start the music/speech - plug and play.

Furthermore, the amplifier of Active Speakers is optimized for the units the speaker is equipped with and typically has built-in both electronic crossover and equalizer, so the sound is just right. Another advantage is that you don't have to adjust the sound, as it is done from the factory.

Active Speakers are also often called powered speakers or powered højttalere.

See also our active PA systems and headphones

Intelligibility Over Quality

Characteristic of the electronics behind Active Speakers is that they often have a frequency range of around 300 Hz to 3000 Hz, because the sound should primarily be characterized by intelligibility rather than quality. A PA Speaker can either be Active, where the amplifier is built into the unit, or Passive where the amplifier is placed externally.

Amplifier is Built into Active Speakers

Active PA Speakers, also just called Active Speakers, have built-in amplifiers. Passive Speakers do not have amplifiers and must be connected to an external amplifier, such as a digital amplifier

Active Speakers require their own power source. Trying to find a power source for all equipment can cause some hassle when you are out on gigs, so make sure to have a long extension cord with you. PA Active Speakers typically only have a power cord of one meter. Active Speakers connect directly to the output signal on your mixer or sound source.

Considerations When Buying an Active Speaker System

Something to consider when deciding on speaker types would be costs and ease of transport. Passive Speakers are typically cheaper than Active Speakers. They are also easier to carry around because they usually do not weigh as much as Active Speakers, but since the digital amplifier modules found in most Active subwoofers and top cabinets today, it is not a problem. Especially, one should know that setup and teardown only take a fraction of the time it takes to rig a Passive system.