Passive speakers are traditional speakers that rely on an external amplifier to power the speakers and drive the sound. They do not have any built-in amplification or processing electronics.
Pros:
1. Cost-effective: Passive speakers are typically less expensive than active speakers, as they do not include built-in amplification.
2. Flexibility: Passive speakers can be paired with a variety of different amplifiers, allowing for more customization of sound quality and volume.
3. Upgrade options: The separate components in a passive speaker system can be upgraded or replaced as needed, providing more flexibility over the lifetime of the system.
Cons:
1. Complexity: Setting up a passive speaker system can be more complex and require additional components, such as an amplifier and speaker cables.
2. Performance variability: The performance of a passive speaker system can be impacted by the quality of the external amplifier and the accuracy of the setup.
Active speakers, on the other hand, contain built-in amplification and processing electronics, making them a self-contained speaker system.
Pros:
1. Simplicity: Active speakers are easy to set up and use, as they do not require any external components or complicated setup.
2. Consistent performance: Active speakers are designed to work optimally together, providing a more consistent and predictable performance.
3. Portability: Active speakers are often smaller and more portable, making them a convenient choice for mobile audio applications.
Cons:
1. Cost: Active speakers are typically more expensive than passive speakers, due to the built-in amplification and processing electronics.
2. Limited upgradability: The internal components in an active speaker system are not easily replaceable or upgradeable, so the system performance is limited by the original design.
3. Performance variability: The performance of an active speaker system can still be impacted by the quality of the internal electronics and processing, which may not be replaceable if they degrade over time.