Balanced Line

flatpopely said:
Heard some NEXO speakers on the end of my deck 20 years ago. The difference between active and passive was huge. The only question to answer was cost. Active setup was bigger and more costly. But wow, it was worth it.

Richard, most PA rigs are active.
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Here comes the crap again.

Definition of active speaker = one with the amp built in.

PA rigs never have the amps built in because the roadies and the PA 'leccy would never stand for it as crashed and fried amps have to be replaced quickly. Amps are in mobile flight cased racks normally.

I know there is another description for active speakers and that is the use of an active crossover even if all components are separate - I don't buy it, that is just a Linn / Naim marketing bullshit copying a PA rig just to give maximum upgradability. Anyway that can be called an active system for want of a better term not active loudspeaker.
 
Richard Dunn said:
The need for it is for the marketing men to find a new bullshit to foist on the hi-fi buying public. And then you get a few people to write about it and recommend it on forums as they wish to increase their on-line profile, and before you know it we have another fad. The fad before this that led into this one is active speakers, without even realising why studios (especially the modern trend to home studios) and radio / tv stations need active speakers - answer space!

Answer this why don't PA rigs include active speakers? And why have back line PA amps (guitar amps / combos) mainly, always even back to the 60's, been active speakers - ergonomic needs!
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Richard Dunn said:
Your opinion on that is meaningless per usual.
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In your opinion.

Do you have any arguments not based on your hatred of Linn and Naim?

You are becoming a one trick pony.
 
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cooky1257 said:
They do, lots and lots of them use active xovers/amp/speakers.

For the amp/speaker in a box(and to be flown in an array) try some of the JBL Vertec range

http://www.soundslive.co.uk/product~name~JBL-VRX-932LA-P~ID~8906.asp
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They do now, they didn't in the past because they weren't reliable enough and making them part of a speaker was impractical with regards to running repairs. Today with compact amplification, modular construction and especially the advent of digital amplification it is a very different matter.
 
Richard Dunn said:
The need for it is for the marketing men to find a new bullshit to foist on the hi-fi buying public. And then you get a few people to write about it and recommend it on forums as they wish to increase their on-line profile, and before you know it we have another fad. The fad before this that led into this one is active speakers, without even realising why studios (especially the modern trend to home studios) and radio / tv stations need active speakers - answer space!

Answer this why don't PA rigs include active speakers? And why have back line PA amps (guitar amps / combos) mainly, always even back to the 60's, been active speakers - ergonomic needs!
Click to expand...



Fully agree, and to answer your question, could you imagine the extra weight of the buggers, like you say ergonomics and ease of use.
 
Class D amps are light, they are becoming popular in PA rigs in Arrayable active boxes.
JBL, NEXO to name but 2 already make them.

So conforming to the 'narrow'definition posted earlier.

The broader and more widely understood notion of 'active' ie electronic xover before the power amps is the conventional and more widely used way to drive a PA.
 
cooky1257 said:
Class D amps are light, they are becoming popular in PA rigs in Arrayable active boxes.
JBL, NEXO to name but 2 already make them.

So conforming to the 'narrow'definition posted earlier.

The broader and more widely understood notion of 'active' ie electronic xover before the power amps is the conventional and more widely used way to drive a PA.
Click to expand...

In the real world (meaning what i see week-end to week-end, almost all are still passive speakers driven by external amps in racks), proberbly due to the fact that alot of venue's and night-clubs have not changed their set-ups in the last 10 years. I am not disagreeing that the more esoteric designs and the new way is moving in the active direction.
 
conisby said:
In the real world (meaning what i see week-end to week-end, almost all are still passive speakers driven by external amps in racks), proberbly due to the fact that alot of venue's and night-clubs have not changed their set-ups in the last 10 years. I am not disagreeing that the more esoteric designs and the new way is moving in the active direction.
Click to expand...

I don't think we are in disagreement other than an artificially tight definition of what constitutes an active speaker(s).
Once we accept the dividing network has gain stages(ie is active) the issue is only the length of the wire from the power amp to the speaker:)
 

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