For monitoring, definately active. the match the amps perfectly with the speakers. if they were passive, you rely too much on the amp to be suitable, when it never will be perfectly matched.

for small club systems, i think its just preference. for big clubs, seperates would be better, at least i think so.

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For a small club system you usually need more power than what the built in amp of an active speaker supplies. I would go with passive for such a setup.

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From what I understand, Active is superior at a lower price range, and passive will do you better in the higher end.

i got active eons... i simply dont trust myself at this stage to set my own levels

quote:

..by CosmoKid For monitoring, definately active. the match the amps perfectly with the speakers. if they were passive, you rely too much on the amp to be suitable, when it never will be perfectly matched. for small club systems, i think its just preference. for big clubs, seperates would be better, at least i think so.

I'd think so too. One reason based on this same idea: In the venue you'll probably need equalization to deal with acoustics, resonance, outside noise, ...
Actives + external eq wouldn't be much better than passive + amps + eq

yet as mentioned, it does deppend on $$

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It really depends also on much you're willing to move equipment because if you are with an amp and speakers that's more time to move. It's not a lot but when you do it continuously it can get really annoying.

Both sides have their pros and cons tough

Active:
Easier but less flexible control
Easier transport
One component goes out you're out a whole system

Passive:
More control options
Harder transport
One component goes out it can easily be replaced


For permanent installs Passive may be better for travel installs active. But these are not set in stone rules. It's all about your own personal preference.

I personaly would never use active apart from monitoring purposes or maybe small bar installations.

you know, people talk about active speakers having "matched" amps.. lol.. on all except for the best actives, this is a marketing ploy at best.

besides, matched to the speaker or not, it doesmt matter... you need to match the cabinet's response to ITS ENVIRONMENT, not its driver. that requires an external EQ and either a damn good ear or a tool meant for that job.. or simply a spectrum analyzer.

in all reality, the amps in most "active" speakers are scaled down cheaped out versions of a real rackmount amp.

thats why active speakers so often fail.. the amps give out, and you cant just swap the amp with a backup unit.. so for anything that matters (installation system, mobile rig, whatever) actives can be a real nightmare.

a failed amp that is internal to a speaker, during a live performance, generally means that cabinet is dead in the water. a failed external amp, if you are smart enough to keep a backup amp on hand, is a < 10 min job.

Wow...

the techincalities in this thread... have absolutley confused the hell out of me...

I jsut wanted to say, I think half of the speakers being active, and half being passive...

sounds, fooking , AWEOSOME...

Wow.... the technicaltie sin this thread have confused the hell out of me...

please explain this like I"m a 4 year old.....


I just wanted to say, I think having half the speakrs passive, adn the other hald active, SOUNDS AWESOME

quote:

Originally posted by DjJade i am in the market for some monitors. i think active speakers are better right? how about in a bar/small club system? is it better to have an amp rack or just get speakers that are already powered? please post thoughts on this, thanks

Oh sorry... monitors...


can someone explain the concept of monitors to me????

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Originally posted by Abhay Oh sorry... monitors... can someone explain the concept of monitors to me????

It already HAS been explained to you
http://www.tranceaddict.com/forums/...12&pagenumber=2

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