Active Vs Passive Speaker Systems

[Tom]

I'm currently doing a some research in what people prefer when it comes down to looking at or buying a sound system for mobile DJ work.

If you get a spare minutes or 2, could you please write down if you prefer an Active or Passive setup sound system and why, giving pros and cons to why you prefer either one, or both, totally up to you.

The more detail the better really. :)

[Excalibur]

Passive all the way for me, but I'm not convinced that I can make a case for it.

Less wires running round the room, and they're not carrying mains electricity. All the controls are under my left knee, not twenty yards away, and six feet up in the air. The amps stabilise my deckstand nicely, and I can carry a spare or two with me. My subs are user friendly, I can carry one up or down stairs safely, and they aren't attacking the amps like a jackhammer every gig.

Perhaps not a cast iron case, but I'm inclined to stay passive, simply because of the subs argument.

[Tom]

Thanks for the input Peter. Any input people have really helps me out. :)

Also thanks to the people who have voted also. :)

[yourdj]

Less wires running round the room, and they're not carrying mains electricity

I never wanted an active system for this reason until someone suggested this approach (thanks to you). :D

LD DAVE sub with 100 watt satellite outs (ALTHOUGH HK would be better) and passive RCF art tops.
The tops can then go anywhere as a power supply is not needed.

Very efficient and easy to set up although if you only have one amp technically so a back up unit is preferable.
i have since bought an LD 10 inch system with one top and pole - this is used remotely on the other
side of the room so in event of failure will suffice but has brilliant sound too.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_044PTfUkGaA/TQqySq1HtEI/AAAAAAAAC2g/rPAlfHExUvk/s1600/IMG_2237.jpg

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_044PTfUkGaA/TMm03T857CI/AAAAAAAACzY/BGxQCPDwhmQ/s320/IMG_0730.jpg

[TONYTIGER]

I use both,active for portability and ease of use,but passive if you want a top quality sound system that will outperform any plastic active system.

[hammy]

In a previous post i did say passive all the way, I now have some active JBL 315`s and I really have to change my mind now I have been using them a few weeks

[TONYTIGER]

After a bit of thought re the original post it really is all subjective as there are some rubbish active and passive systems around example RCF active is better than Soundlab passive or a turbosound passive is better than a RCF active if that makes any sense.:daft:

[yourdj]

Its very subjective i think.

I would imagine most mobile DJ's would love a 5000 watt Nexo rig etc. but have to weigh
up the financial fators and practicalities of setting up, transport, simplicity & reliability.

The rig I choose (above) is not the best but sounds good (for the average civilian) is easy compact and reliable.
I would like to buy a 2k rig but cannot justify the purchase vs how many gigs it will take to pay it back. :)

[Megamix]

I just got the best performance for the money, size, weight, convenience and it happened to be active this time- don't think the punters really care as long as it sounds 'good', they are not usually audiophiles.

[TONYTIGER]

Its very subjective i think.

I would imagine most mobile DJ's would love a 5000 watt Nexo rig etc. but have to weigh
up the financial fators and practicalities of setting up, transport, simplicity & reliability.

The rig I choose (above) is not the best but sounds good (for the average civilian) is easy compact and reliable.
I would like to buy a 2k rig but cannot justify the purchase vs how many gigs it will take to pay it back. :)

If your referring to my Nexo rig very quick to set up one of the lightest and smallest rigs around and very reliable i will agree very costly.But there again i have just sold a old Nexo rig that was 10 years old and got 75% of the original price i paid for it all those years ago so really a good investment.

[Tom]

I never wanted an active system for this reason until someone suggested this approach (thanks to you). :D

LD DAVE sub with 100 watt satellite outs (ALTHOUGH HK would be better) and passive RCF art tops.
The tops can then go anywhere as a power supply is not needed.

Very efficient and easy to set up although if you only have one amp technically so a back up unit is preferable.
i have since bought an LD 10 inch system with one top and pole - this is used remotely on the other
side of the room so in event of failure will suffice but has brilliant sound too.


Nice little setup. Thanks for the input. :)


After a bit of thought re the original post it really is all subjective as there are some rubbish active and passive systems around example RCF active is better than Soundlab passive or a turbosound passive is better than a RCF active if that makes any sense.:daft:

True and have to agree. Just looking on what people prefer as a system, regardless of SQ, although it should play a big part when looking at systems.


I just got the best performance for the money, size, weight, convenience and it happened to be active this time- don't think the punters really care as long as it sounds 'good', they are not usually audiophiles.

Just the sort of info I was looking for. Should of really posted this but never mind. :o



Results are quite interesting. Near enough a 50/50 split with a few who like both. Interesting. :)

[Happy Jack]

The quote from Megamix really sums it up.

Just a note in the absence of Tony, 'active' and 'passive' refer to the crossover network not whether a cabinet is 'powered' or 'unpowered'; from where I sit, it is important to make the distinction.

Not wanting to risk a telling off, nor wishing to saturate this thread with 'unnecessary' technical jargon, once you leave the world of the 'mobile DJ' and enter the world of 'pro audio', something you'll hear time and time again is this -

With a passive system, you have complete flexibility to choose amplifiers which are at their very best within a defined frequency range.

However, as Megamix rightly puts, this rarely manifests itself on the mobile circuit as the difference from the punters POV is negligible and entirely subjective, and so the additional cost of a dedicated LMS and multiple amplifiers cannot always be justified. Those with the inclination and background will probably opt. for an unpowered system that provides this flexibility. Those who would select a powered system that is simply factory-set 'plug & play', then you replace the flexibility in favour of convenience and user friendliness. A better candidate for dry hires, if that is your game.

Each has it's place, although I would rarely spec a powered system if there is any chance of it being exposed to the elements.

[Alchemy]

Passive all the way for me, but I'm not convinced that I can make a case for it.

Less wires running round the room, -see photo- and they're not carrying mains electricity - can't argue with that ;) -. All the controls are under my left knee, not twenty yards away, and six feet up in the air - once setup I never touch the actives, all done from mixer -. The amps stabilise my deckstand nicely - paving slab would be cheaper :D - , and I can carry a spare or two with me - not really necessary with actives -. My subs are user friendly, I can carry one up or down stairs safely - I'll give you that one :) -, and they aren't attacking the amps like a jackhammer every gig - don't follow? -.

Perhaps not a cast iron case, but I'm inclined to stay passive, simply because of the subs argument.

..

[Excalibur]

Blimey, but it's hard enough explaining myself to the Southerners in this country, never mind the Southerners abroad!


What's one of the best ways you can think of to test how well constructed an amp is? Strap it into a box, with an 18" transducer leaping up and down like a demented navvy with a jackhammer, intent on destroying everything within range. Geddit?

Like I said, my case isn't cast iron, but being able to carry a sub in one hand swings it for me. John regards ( probably quite rightly ) his RCF active subs as a two person lift. I can't be doing with that.

[axeman]

active subs as a two person lift. I can't be doing with that.

Agreed, i've used both over the years and active Subs and speakers hurt my back ! this is very important to me.

[TONYTIGER]

Agreed, i've used both over the years and active Subs and speakers hurt my back ! this is very important to me.

My missus can carry both my subs in one trip ,one in each hand,as she said size is not important.;)

[Alchemy]

Geddit?



Goddit :D

[Excalibur]

Goddit :D

Good. ;)

[axeman]

My missus can carry both my subs in one trip ,one in each hand,as she said size is not important.;)

those db tec subs in your gallery picture, wow !!

I have a stage opera db tec active sub, and it's heavy.

[TONYTIGER]

those db tec subs in your gallery picture, wow !!

I have a stage opera db tec active sub, and it's heavy.

No they are Nexo LS 400 around 14 kgs. if you mean the ones on the forum gallery ?

[axeman]

No they are Nexo LS 400 around 14 kgs. if you mean the ones on the forum gallery ?

your equipment gallery in your home page shows db tec subs, anyhoo the point is, passives are lighter than their equivelant active counterpart and thats a big issue to anyone with a bad back.

[Tom]

Thanks to everyone who submitted their views in the tread, and also taking part in the poll. Will have a few more questions coming up shortly. :)

[Excalibur]

Thanks to everyone who submitted their views in the tread, and also taking part in the poll. Will have a few more questions coming up shortly. :)

42.

[funkymook]

42.

We're not going down ALL those roads are we?

[Excalibur]

We're not going down ALL those roads are we?

Don't panic! ;) :D

[Andy Goodtimes]

I voted both.

For about 150 folk at a Weddikng its powered RCFs for me. My tops are 750wRMS and 11kg, the bins are 1k and can't remember what they weigh but they are much lighter than my unpowered bins by MA, Ohm and turbo Sound.

I do prefer unpowered for larger functions and feel the quality is slightly better due to the extra flexability.

[Digital Jack]

In order to understand the answer , you must first understand the question........





I'm so depressed................

[Tom]

42.

:eek: Not that many questions, no. lol.

Enough info for what I need and nothing more. lol.


I voted both.

For about 150 folk at a Weddikng its powered RCFs for me. My tops are 750wRMS and 11kg, the bins are 1k and can't remember what they weigh but they are much lighter than my unpowered bins by MA, Ohm and turbo Sound.

I do prefer unpowered for larger functions and feel the quality is slightly better due to the extra flexability.

Thanks for your input. :)


In order to understand the answer , you must first understand the question........





I'm so depressed................

???

[Corabar Entertainment]

:eek: Not that many questions, no. lol.



???Not familiar with 'Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy', eh Tom? :)

[Excalibur]

42.


:eek: Not that many questions, no. lol.

Oh no, dear boy. ;) 42 is the answer to life, the universe, and everything. ;) ;) :D :D :D :D :D

Edit: Oops, I missed Angela's post. Sorry.:o :o Quite right of course.

[chrisj]

Most of the gigs I use RCF 725 actives and if I need subs then Tannoy T40 passives loaded with 600w @ 8 ohm drivers ( I blew the 300w that were fitted).
This is fine for up to around 150 people however if I want quality with mid-top punch I use Tannoy V15 400w @ 8 ohm dual concentric passives and Tannoy B475 18" passive subs.
I am only impressed with the active RCF 725's because they are under(just) 20kg.

[Tom]

Not familiar with 'Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy', eh Tom? :)

Guess not. lol.


Oh no, dear boy. ;) 42 is the answer to life, the universe, and everything. ;) ;) :D :D :D :D :D

Edit: Oops, I missed Angela's post. Sorry.:o :o Quite right of course.

:(. Show me a car engine and I'm sorted. lol



Most of the gigs I use RCF 725 actives and if I need subs then Tannoy T40 passives loaded with 600w @ 8 ohm drivers ( I blew the 300w that were fitted).
This is fine for up to around 150 people however if I want quality with mid-top punch I use Tannoy V15 400w @ 8 ohm dual concentric passives and Tannoy B475 18" passive subs.
I am only impressed with the active RCF 725's because they are under(just) 20kg.

Thanks for the input.

[goldensounds83]

Has to be passive for me for the simple reason that its a lot easier to carry spare amps and if the amp fail then chances are you will not have to repair or replace the whole system

[Takeiteasy]

Has to be passive for me for the simple reason that its a lot easier to carry spare amps and if the amp fail then chances are you will not have to repair or replace the whole system

What ?

If you use an active system you have 2 speaker & 2 amps to go wrong which is never going to happen unless your very unlucky....

The Mackie SRM450v2 is around 18kg which isn't heavy & some o the newer JBL kit is silly light.

[Megamix]

My Opera 405Ds are 14.5kg each, and I'm happy with the sound to weight ratio - if there is such a thing!

[Takeiteasy]

Wow i didn't know the Opera kit was that light... ummmm might be worth a look :)