In the vast world of audio equipment, terminology can often become a tangled web of similar sounding phrases and overlapping definitions.
Among these, the terms “powered speakers,” “active monitors,” and any other combination of those words often come up, sometimes interchangeably, leading to a fair bit of confusion.
Let’s start off by answering the question about monitors: What is a powered monitor?
A powered monitor, also known as an active monitor, is a loudspeaker with a built-in amplifier designed to provide an accurate and uncolored representation of audio signals, commonly used in music production and audio engineering for critical listening and precise adjustments.
Unlike passive speakers, powered monitors simplify setup as they do not require an external amplifier to produce sound.
This article aims to clear the fog and provide a comprehensive understanding of these two concepts. We’ll dive into what these terms mean, talk a little about the inner workings of powered monitors and active speakers, and discuss their uses in different audio applications.
Whether you’re an audio professional, an aspiring music producer, or a home audio enthusiast, this guide aims to deepen your understanding of powered monitors, a fundamental piece of audio equipment that can greatly enhance your sound setup to help you make informed decisions for your specific audio needs.
What is a Powered Monitor?
As I mentioned, a powered monitor, aka active monitor, is a type of loudspeaker that includes built-in amplification. This is in contrast to passive monitors, which require an external amplifier to produce sound.
In audio production and music, monitors are used as reference speakers to help mix or master music. They aim to provide a flat frequency response, which means they don’t artificially boost or cut certain frequencies. This allows the engineer to hear a true representation of the audio.
The key advantage of powered monitors is convenience. Since the amplifier is built in, you don’t need to worry about matching the speaker to an appropriate amplifier, which can be a process in itself. Additionally, powered monitors often include additional features like volume control and equalization settings on the speaker itself.
However, powered monitors are generally more expensive than passive ones, and if the built-in amplifier fails, it can be more difficult to repair. In contrast, with passive monitors, you can easily replace a failing external amplifier.
How Do Powered Monitors Work?
Powered monitors are speakers with built-in amplifiers that process audio signals through stages of pre-amplification, crossover filtering, and final amplification before driving the speaker components to produce sound.
The entire process, which occurs within a single piece of equipment, simplifies setup and calibration, making powered monitors a convenient solution for various audio applications.
Here’s a basic signal chain showing how powered monitors work.
Sound Source
The process begins with an audio signal, which might come from a microphone, a musical instrument, a computer, a mixer, or any other sound-producing source. This signal is typically a low-level signal, which means it needs to be amplified before it can drive a speaker.
Pre-Amplification
The audio signal is first sent to a preamplifier, which boosts the signal to line level. This is a standard signal strength that most audio equipment is designed to handle. The preamplifier is built into the powered monitor.
Crossover
The signal then passes through a crossover, which splits it into different frequency bands. Each band is intended for a different driver in the speaker: low frequencies for the woofer, high frequencies for the tweeter, and possibly mid frequencies for a midrange driver.
In a powered monitor, this crossover is typically active, which means it comes before the amplification stage. This allows each driver to have its own dedicated amplifier.
Amplification
The signals for each frequency band are sent to their respective amplifiers. These amplifiers boost the signal to a level that can drive the speakers.
Speaker Drivers
Each amplified signal is sent to the appropriate driver in the speaker. The driver vibrates in response to the signal, producing sound waves.
Sound Waves
The sound waves produced by the different drivers combine into a single sound wave that represents the original audio signal but much louder.
The advantage of powered monitors is that all of this happens within a single piece of equipment, which can simplify setup and calibration.
What Is The Difference Between Active And Powered Speakers?
The terms “active speakers” and “powered speakers” are often used interchangeably, but there can be a subtle difference in meaning depending on the context.
In general, the terms “active speakers” and “powered speakers” refer to speakers with built-in amplifiers, which means they don’t require an external amplifier to produce sound. This can make setup simpler, as you don’t need to worry about matching the speaker to an appropriate amplifier.
However, in some contexts, “active speakers” refers specifically to speakers with active crossover components. A crossover is a device that directs different frequency ranges to different drivers (e.g., low frequencies to the woofer and high frequencies to the tweeter).
In an active speaker, the crossover comes before the amplifier, which means each driver (the tweeter, woofer, etc.) can have its own dedicated amplifier.
“Powered speakers,” on the other hand, might use either active or passive crossovers. If the crossover is passive, it comes after the amplifier, which means there is a single amplifier driving all the components.
In practice, many people use the terms interchangeably, and the difference won’t matter for most applications. But if you’re working in a professional audio context, it might be worth clarifying what is meant by “active” versus “powered” speakers.
What Is The Difference Between Active Monitors And Powered Speakers?
The terms “active monitors” and “powered speakers” are often used interchangeably, but there can be a slight difference in their usage and meaning, especially in professional audio settings.
- Active Monitors:
Active monitor is a term that is typically used in recording studios and music production environments. Active monitors are designed for critical listening, with the goal of producing a very accurate, uncolored representation of the audio signal.
They generally have built-in amplifiers for each driver (the tweeter, woofer, etc.) and an active crossover circuit that separates the audio signal into different frequency bands before it’s amplified. This allows each driver to operate within its optimal frequency range, which can improve the overall sound quality.
- Powered Speakers:
A powered speaker is a more general term that can apply to any speaker with a built-in amplifier. Powered speakers can be used in a variety of settings, including home audio, live sound, and studio monitoring.
They may have either active or passive crossovers. If the crossover is passive, it separates the audio signal into different frequency bands after it’s been amplified.
In essence, all active monitors are a type of powered speaker since they have built-in amplification. However, not all powered speakers are active monitors, as they might not have the specific features (like active crossovers and multiple built-in amplifiers) that are typically found in active monitors.
But again, in practice, many people use the terms interchangeably, and the distinction may not matter for most applications. If you’re buying speakers for a specific purpose, like studio monitoring, it’s more important to focus on the speakers’ specifications and performance than on whether they’re labeled as “active monitors” or “powered speakers.”
What Are Active Speakers Used For?
Active speakers, also known as powered speakers, are used in a variety of audio applications, both professional and consumer. Here are some common uses:
Studio Monitors
In music production and audio engineering, active speakers are often used as studio monitors. These are designed to provide a flat frequency response, which gives an accurate representation of the audio without artificially boosting or cutting certain frequencies. This allows engineers to make precise adjustments when mixing and mastering music.
Live Sound
Active speakers are also commonly used in live sound applications, such as concerts and events. They are convenient for these settings because they don’t require separate amplifiers, which can make setup easier and more portable.
Home Audio
Many home audio systems use active speakers. For example, they might be used for a home theater system, a hi-fi stereo, or a computer speaker system.
Public Address Systems
Active speakers are often used in PA systems, for example in schools, businesses, or public events. Again, the built-in amplification simplifies setup and operation.
DJ Equipment
Active speakers are popular in DJ setups due to their ease of use, portability, and generally high output levels.
Multimedia and Gaming
Active speakers are often used as part of multimedia or gaming setups, where they can provide high-quality sound for movies, games, and other media.
In general, the key advantage of active speakers is convenience. The built-in amplification simplifies setup and operation and often includes additional features like volume control and equalization settings on the speaker itself.
In the above image of PreSonus Eris E3.5 Studio Monitors the speaker on the left is powered and the speaker on the right is passive.
How Do I Know If My Speakers Are Active or Passive?
There are a few ways to determine whether your speakers are active (powered) or passive:
- Power Cord: Active speakers have a built-in amplifier, which requires a power source. Therefore, if your speakers have a power cord that plugs into a power outlet, they are likely active. Passive speakers, on the other hand, do not require power and therefore do not have a power cord.
- Volume Control: Many active speakers have volume controls or other audio adjustments directly on the speaker, while passive speakers usually do not.
- Inputs: Active speakers typically have line-level inputs (such as RCA, XLR, or 1/4″ TRS inputs) because the amplifier is built in. Passive speakers, on the other hand, usually have speaker-level inputs (often binding posts or speaker wire clips).
- Manufacturer’s Specifications: If you’re still not sure, you can check the manufacturer’s specifications for your speakers. The specifications should clearly state whether the speakers are active or passive.
Remember, active speakers contain built-in amplifiers and require a power source, while passive speakers require an external amplifier to power them.
Conclusion
Understanding the nuances between powered speakers and active monitors can give you a clearer perspective when navigating the world of audio equipment.
While these terms are often used interchangeably, the subtle differences between them, such as the presence of active crossovers and dedicated amplifiers for each driver in active monitors, can have a significant impact on their performance in different applications.
From the recording studio to the concert stage, from the home theater to the gaming arena, selecting the right audio equipment is crucial.
We hope this article has provided valuable insights to help you choose the most suitable speakers for your needs, be they powered speakers or active monitors.
