Active Speakers Don't Sound Better

Brad --

Ad 1. Definitely agree, although there are different ways to approach phase implementation. Usually we have a limited number of phase bands to go by that’re set and fixed around each driver section, meaning only one chosen value per band. Linear phase filters (FIR-filtration in the DSP domain) on the other hand have over 60,000 phase points over the frequency region and offer some unique possibilities here, although it’s also more processing heavy which in turn can have its drawbacks with an audible ghosting effect.

In any case phase correction has degrees of importance, not least with larger, horn-loaded speakers, and it’s one of the reasons why active config. pairs so well with this speaker segment. Another reason is being given the opportunity to use very steep filter slopes to more effectively and sensibly use horns within their bandwidth range, and thereby avoid off-band irregularities. This is also why many haven’t heard what horn-based speakers can really do when properly implemented actively. Passive filters simply fall short here.

Ad 2. I can also set gain in 0.25dB increments with my Xilica DSP, of course with each driver section, which is indeed audible and to the point even that we’d prefer having 0.1dB gain steps.

Ad 3. Precision with active filtering is a big plus, yes, and also comes in handy with notch placements, not to mention their q-value and gain factor. Another advantage with horn-based speakers.

Ad 4. The limiting factor here is that imposed by the drivers and the passive crossovers themselves; the latter when thermally challenged will lead to fluctuations in filter values, and this further exacerbates this issue of (the nature of) the lower precision found in passive filters. Active filters on line level will remain rock solid and totally impervious no matter the load. Where drivers are concerned the use of limiters aren’t needed when power handling is prodigious, aided not least by higher efficiency.

Ad 5. I’d question the significance of speaker cable runs no more than ~10 feet per channel with proper gauge, certainly as the only medium between the amps and drivers. Crossover coils, another matter, not least in conjunction with steep phase angles created by passive crossovers and its components on the whole. The purer impedance load with active is a vital factor in its advantage.

Ad 6. You can hardly over power the system. If a high power solution sounds great, it sounds great. I’ve used 30W class A power and 600W class A/B ditto with 111dB horns, and the latter, high power solution didn’t fall short - on the contrary. The "right size" amp, from my chair, is really about having (more than) enough power, and where plentiful - depending on the design - isn’t a disadvantage. With that out of the way it’s really about finding the right sounding amp, and using the same topology/design top to bottom is paramount to my ears - even into the subs region. Outboard active gives you more opportunities here.

Another, very important aspect with active configuration is having amp-driver independent bands, as well as using the different amps in limited frequency ranges. In a 3-way system like my own the top band, 600W amp is only fed with a ~620Hz on up signal (with 6th order filters); it cruises along with its direct-connected 111dB horn/compression driver section, and the distortion is at an absolute minimum - even at blasting levels. On the end of the scale a similar sub amp, also 600W, can blast along as much as it wants to (which likely never amounts to more than 10-20 watts, at most), and it won’t have any effect whatsoever on the 2 other amps with their driver sections used above. In a passive setup the typically single amp covers the entire frequency and driver range; what it does down low affects everything above.

Ad 7. Agree on the cosmetics part, but practically speaking many if not most active speakers suffer from overall amp quality compared to outboard solutions. Not everyone is at ATC level here. Yes, used actively the amps can more effectively reach their fuller performance envelope, but that doesn’t negate the impact of absolute amp quality.

DSP can help with poor design choices and it is easy simple affordable flexible. But it does have a sound quality. I would also say your sample size of 1 active build isn't enough to form a truly useful opinion. On active verses passive. I have built 100s of passives and dozens of actives and I don't think one is better than another they are tools to meet a design goal.

Eric, I agree with room treatments making much of the difference in what we hear, that said  the higher performance we reach for from speakers the more revealing of source.

@mbmi

Stuck in what way? The only thing that internal true active changes (like ATC, Genelec, etc)is a choice in power amps and a ton of speaker level wire (to the speaker and tons of hidden wire inside the passive crossover). Due to the increase in "color" created by all that wire between amp and driver, the amp is a smaller contributor that it should be in front of all that wire. Once all that wire is removed everything else is revealed in a new way. Suddenly preamps, turntables, stands, line level cables, CD players, etc are far more audible and changes in those components yields an even larger result that before. I have the definitive experience where transitioning from passive to active INCREASES the hobby in revealing more differences in everything else, not less!

Brad

Shouldn't some of you just get a room?  Reminds me of pointless religious diatribe. While you guys were engaging in pseudo-intellectual combat, I was enjoying my system which at this point just sings and celebrating enormous talent.

More time enjoying the warm sun, less time in scary dark spaces.  You can choose this.  You will never reach your destination fi you stop and throw rocks at every dog that barks.  Winston S. Churchill