Amp Help

[franczola]

Hi

Had some great advise on these forums, so thought i'd trouble you again with another quick question..

What are the main benefits of Powered Speakers verses the use of a seperate Amp to power them? Less plugs??

Thanks,

Franc'

[franczola]

S'pose.

An Amp's just another very heavy thing to carry though isn't it!?

[rob1963]

Trouble is, you will have TWO leads going to each speaker instead of just one!

[wensleydale]

powered are easier to carry and less gear, but less flexible than passive.
i've always preferred passive.

[DMX Will]

S'pose.

An Amp's just another very heavy thing to carry though isn't it!?

But your speakers become heavier if they have an amp built in....:rolleyes:

[franczola]

Yes, there is that I suppose.

Blimey. Didn't think I'd get this many replies! Isn't anyone working tonight?

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Actives can be very efficient too as the amp is built especially for the speaker and is tuned and ported to sound the best it can.

Mackie SRM450s for example are 23Kg, which is no heavier than other passive cabs. In fact the 450 is the same weight as the Mackie 300z, so that's Will's theory out the window...!

Flexibility? I would say they were more flexible than passives as all you do is link them with XLRs, not having to worry about impedence and other amps if you need to run more speakers.

You do have two leads going to each cabinet and I suppose that is an awful drawback, having to route one more cable...

[franczola]

I Hired some Mackie 450's a while ago, and they were fantastic!

Think I'll go for these.

Dont mind routing a few extra yards of cable, for the benefit of great sound and easy set-ups.

Thanks all. Again!

Franc'

[rob1963]

Woohoo...another member about to join the Mackie club!

[spin mobile disco]

The c300z's are pretty heavy for a passive. Have you looked inside them though? Never seen such a complicated crossover and protection curcuit.

[flatliners]

try the rcf 310a active speakers 350w rms
most powered speakers use class d amps that are heavy but the rcf uses a new digital amp thats very light around 12 kg so 2 rcf about the same wait as 1 of my jbl eon 15g2 they are the next speaker i am gonna buy but you will need a sub

[kilmeedyman]

Mmmm. Are you looking to buy new 450's? If not, I will have a pair of used, but very well looked after, 450's for sale very shortly.

Phil

[rob1963]

The c300z's are pretty heavy for a passive. Have you looked inside them though? Never seen such a complicated crossover and protection curcuit.

They are indeed heavy...much heavier than my old warriors, but I don't really understand why.

They are probably just as heavy as the average pair of actives.

[franczola]

Ok. PLease let me know when you get round to selling them, and where I'll find them advertised.

Thanks.

[TONYTIGER]

Actives can be very efficient too as the amp is built especially for the speaker and is tuned and ported to sound the best it can.

Mackie SRM450s for example are 23Kg, which is no heavier than other passive cabs. In fact the 450 is the same weight as the Mackie 300z, so that's Will's theory out the window...!

Flexibility? I would say they were more flexible than passives as all you do is link them with XLRs, not having to worry about impedence and other amps if you need to run more speakers.

You do have two leads going to each cabinet and I suppose that is an awful drawback, having to route one more cable...

I fine the neatest way to run your actives is to use a combined signal and power cable ,you can buy them or make them up your self, or if you have money to burn i saw a mobile using a wireless system but a bit over the top

[Corabar Steve]

Mmmm. Are you looking to buy new 450's? If not, I will have a pair of used, but very well looked after, 450's for sale very shortly.

Phil


Ok. PLease let me know when you get round to selling them, and where I'll find them advertised.

Thanks.

DJ Bids (http://www.djbids.co.uk/)hopefully. I don't want to have to start deleting posts :sj:

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

I fine the neatest way to run your actives is to use a combined signal and power cable ,you can buy them or make them up your self, or if you have money to burn i saw a mobile using a wireless system but a bit over the top

Wouldn't a combined cable be getting mains interference?

[TONYTIGER]

Wouldn't a combined cable be getting mains interference?
Signal/power cables been around for years if you use the right type of cable there is no chance of interference thats gospel, another cheaper option is to buy a good quality signal cable and make up a power lead and bind them together with nice cable ties i think CPC sell them like this but crazy price.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Wouldn't a combined cable be getting mains interference?
Signal/power cables been around for years if you use the right type of cable there is no chance of interference thats gospel, another cheaper option is to buy a good quality signal cable and make up a power lead and bind them together with nice cable ties i think CPC sell them like this but crazy price.

I'll have a look - thanks for the info.

[rob1963]

Interesting stuff.

I hadn't heard of combined power & signal cables either, but what a good idea!

I assume they are something like this from our friends at Terralec:

http://www.terralec.co.uk/power_cable/power_and_signal_cable/18175_p.html

What's the betting Darren's already ordered some? :p

[BeerFunk]

There is no relatively no chance of mains interference to your signal leads so long as you don't have the cables running in parallel for long lengths.