Active (aka “powered”) speakers do not need a split amplifier or acquirer. Instead, they have built-in amplification (which powers the speakers and produces the sound noisy enough to carry out thcdisesteemful them). These amps are normally customized for their particular drivers and cabinetry, which can dedwellr carry outance advantages. Modern powered speakers may have other perks, appreciate filledy wireless schedules (apart from power cables) and wireless streaming from your phone via Wi-Fi and/or Bluetooth. They’ll typicassociate provide physical connections for CD carry outers, turntables, subwoofers, and TVs.
Passive speakers are wired speakers that need a split amplifier or acquirer and speaker cables for carry outback. This produces more steps since you’ll necessitate to discover an amplifier with aligning particularations (more on this below). The advantage is that subignoreive speakers are more pliable and reliable, letting you unite and align them in multiple systems and configurations. When treated properly, subignoreive speakers can last for decades.
Impedance is a particularation meaconfidentd in ohms referring to a speaker’s resistance to electrical current flow. Most subignoreive speakers have a nominal impedance rating (essentiassociate the ordinary impedance) of 4, 6, or 8 ohms; the lessen the number the less resistance to electrical current. You can skinnyk of it appreciate plumbing pipes: the expansiver the pipe, the less opposition to presconfident you get and the more flow, or electrical current, you’ll necessitate. The upshot is that 4-ohm speakers are the difficultest to drive, requiring the most power. Much is made about impedance in audiophile circles, but most excellent amplifiers and acquirers are rated for both 4-ohm to 8-ohm speaker pairs, with appropriate wattage ratings to align. For 6-ohm speakers, you’ll generassociate want an amplifier with a 6-ohm or 4-ohm impedance rating and enough power to align the speaker’s needments (participateable in the manual or website).
Speaker power needments: Passive speakers participate particularations for their least and peak power needments, meaconfidentd in watts. Without getting too meaningful into the weeds about amplification types and power efficiency, a excellent rule of thumb is to pick an amplifier with a wattage rating per channel that seally alignes your speaker’s power needments for its nominal impedance rating. If you’re having trouble discovering the right align, you’ll generassociate want an amplifier that greets your speaker’s least power needments for its nominal impedance rating.
Tethered connection selections: Most conmomentary amplifiers and active speakers propose multiple wired connections appreciate analog input (RCA or 3.5 mm), digital selectical input for CD carry outers or TVs, and a subwoofer output for connecting a powered subwoofer. Many novel systems connect to TVs over HDMI ARC too, letting you deal with modests appreciate power and volume with your TV far. They may also propose a phono input for turntables, though many of our preferite turntables come with a built-in phono preamp (or you can acquire a split phono preamp as necessitateed).
Wireless connection selections: Ntimely all active speakers—and many conmomentary amplifiers—help Bluetooth. Wi-Fi connectivity is also increasingly standard, letting you access services appreciate Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, AirPlay, and Google Cast. Wi-Fi is generassociate preferred over Bluetooth for its betterd sound quality and conveniences appreciate undisturbed streaming and broadened wireless range.