DJGold

OverWired Inc. · Joined: September 28th, 2004 Posts: 16 Location: Dallas, TX

I am just wondering, what are the advantages and disadvantages of Un-powered speakers amplified by a receiver, or powered speakers amplified by a amp. I have used both, and I see to like the receiver way becasue of better quality. What is your oppinion on this?

John Bryant
OverWired Professional DJ's

CJ Greiner · Posted: Wed Oct 06, 2004 9:57 am Post subject: Re: Main Speakers

I'm not sure there's too much difference in quality between powered and unpowered speakers -- speaker design has progressed over the years and many of the newer speakers from most manufacturers have very good “quality”.

The benefit I see from having a powered speaker is that the amplifier can be “tuned” to operate that speaker and therefore provide optimum maximum output.
Unpowered speakers each have slightly different characteristics, so a separate amplifier is not specifically tuned to any particular speaker.
I really don’t think that this difference in quality is noticeable... and perhaps quality isn’t the right term. Maybe it should be “efficiency”.

The use of products like the DBX DriveRack PA not only compensate for speaker efficiency variations, but also for changes in the characteristics of the room that you’re performing in. If using a DriveRack... then powered/unpowered differences probably just don’t exist to any measurable degree.

________Things to consider:
Powered speakers require two cables: Audio and Power.
Unpowered speakers need only one: Audio

You don’t need a separate amp or amp-rack for powered speakers.
You do need an amp and amp-rack for unpowered speakers.

Powered speakers are heavier than their equivalent unpowered counterparts -- something to keep in mind if you plan on lifting your speakers up onto stands or poles.

---------
One benefit I can see of Powered speakers is as backup speakers: you can use wireless transmitters to send your audio to a different room. Since the remote speaker is powered, you can attach the receiver to the speaker and don’t have to worry about having a separate amp.

This type of setup is discussed in this thread:
Remote Speakers

:idea:

Andy Yaggie · Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2004 11:20 am Post subject: Re: Main Speakers

speaking of how heavy powered speakers can be, anyone familiar with the Mackie Fusion series? Great speakers but litterally a brick. Was helping a guy with a set of Mackie Fusion 3000's and wow...unless you wanna hurt yourself, its a good idea to put 4 guys on those puppies. Even though the speaker features 4 12"s, I'd take passive any day.

Wolfie · Joined: October 8th, 2004 Posts: 219 Location: Hartly, DE

Well...

For my own part I feel that active cabs are sufficient for most DJ and KJ company use these days. If one is building a system today I'd recommend going active because, as CJ mentioned the quality of active cabs marketed to the DJ industry is very good. Also, for the PCDJ a separate amp and processing rack is not a necessity. Some of the better 2-and 3-way active cabs are internally bi-amped and EQed as well.

When I planned and built my system some years ago high-quality active cabs were not being heavily marketed to this industry (I couldn't see doing a whoop-arse show with those little Eons). So we went passive. A passive system allows for more control at the operator's fingertips but takes longer to load in and get set up. I like our present passive system -- it's a decent FOH bi-amped rig. However if we were starting over I'd definately go with active tops and mid-highs. We're not getting any younger and my back isn't getting any stronger. :D

I hope it helps.

BillESC · Posted: Thu Oct 21, 2004 8:29 am Post subject: Re: Main Speakers

Hey Andy,

Fussions 3000's aren't so bad... I flew (hung) four of them 22' in the air for a club in New Jersey. With the Fussion 1800's built into the seating risers it makes for one woopass system.

If you're looking for the same type of powerful and articulate cabinet now that the Fussion series has been discontinued, check out KV2 Audio. The engineering staff that created the Fussion series now work there. The EX Active line is most impressive to say the least and ranks in the same league as EAW and Meyers.

DJ Teddy Bear · Posted: Thu Oct 21, 2004 9:12 am Post subject: Re: Main Speakers

OverWired Inc. wrote: Un-powered speakers amplified by a receiver, or powered speakers amplified by a amp. This is not meant to be a nit-pick.

Receivers are components of a home stereo system. They receive the signals from the other devices, and control the signal levels going to the amp. They may have an amp and/or radio tuner built in and still be called a receiver.

Un-powered speakers are amplified by an external amp. To call that amp a receiver is the mark of a novice.

Powered speakers have an internal amp, but the way you worded it is unclear. It is also to discuss the amp in a powered speaker as if it were a seperate component.

If you make those kinds of novice comments when purchasing equipment, the salesman may try to upsell you by baffling you with the technical jargon.

djmc · Posted: Thu Oct 21, 2004 1:47 pm Post subject: Re: Main Speakers

I plan to run BOTH types of speakers in 2005:

Massive stax of Passive mid/high cabinets and subwoofers, along with 2 racks of amplifiers to power 'em ......only for large outdoor events with 800 or more persons. (Maybe 3-4 times per year)

ACTIVE (amplified) speakers, for 98% of our other events, to save my back the rest of the year. (a pair of Powered Mains is on my Xmas list for DJ-MC to himself...hohoho)

I recently replaced carrying TWO single 18 sub cabinets with a SINGLE active 1200 watt B-52 subwoofer. Its like night and day.

yesterday I was doing a rare Wednesday event, outdoors at an apartment complex (there was supposed to be 150 persons, but only 20 showed up because of the Yankees/Red Sox game :( )

the B-52 was so powerful, we actually had complaints from apartments 200 feet away that the "Bass is coming thru the walls" ---hehe

CJ Greiner · Posted: Thu Oct 21, 2004 3:15 pm Post subject: Re: Main Speakers

Which B-52 speaker do you use? The ACT-18?

djmc · Posted: Thu Oct 21, 2004 4:21 pm Post subject: Re: Main Speakers

CJ Greiner wrote: Which B-52 speaker do you use? The ACT-18?

Yes, that's the one! "Open Box Special" from Pssl.com ($645...normally $995)

CJ Greiner · Posted: Thu Oct 21, 2004 5:04 pm Post subject: Re: Main Speakers

djmc wrote: CJ Greiner wrote: Which B-52 speaker do you use? The ACT-18?

Yes, that's the one! "Open Box Special" from Pssl.com ($645...normally $995)

Wow -- that was a great deal! If I ever come across a deal like that on the B-52 ACT-18, I'll get one right away. I've heard nothing but great things about them.

OverWired Inc. · Joined: September 28th, 2004 Posts: 16 Location: Dallas, TX

Regarding DJ Tedddy Bear's comment, I was not asking if unpowered speakers are better than powered speakers. I was simply asking is unpowered speakers better with receivers than powered speakers. lol. Think before you talk.

John Bryant
OverWired Professional DJ's
http://GoOverWired.com

djmc · Posted: Fri Oct 22, 2004 3:31 pm Post subject: Re: Main Speakers

OverWired Inc. wrote: Regarding DJ Tedddy Bear's comment, I was not asking if unpowered speakers are better than powered speakers. I was simply asking is unpowered speakers better with receivers than powered speakers. lol. Think before you talk.

John Bryant
OverWired Professional DJ's
http://GoOverWired.com

sorry, but I read your post the same way with the word "Receiver"

what kind of DJ uses a "Receiver" to amplify signals to a speaker?

Wolfie · Joined: October 8th, 2004 Posts: 219 Location: Hartly, DE

Quote: What kind of DJ uses a "Receiver" to amplify signals to a speaker? Well, I worked with a RS receiver and a couple of those RS Gemsound PA amps for years. The PA amps were crap and I'm glad to be rid of 'em but the receiver still works and is still in use today. I have it on my puter bench and use it for the puter sound and CD deck.

I'm going to presume John is referring to a power amp.