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What is the difference between an active subwoofer and a passive one? The difference between an active subwoofer and a passive one: advantages and disadvantages

True music lovers always strive to get high-quality sound from audio systems. However, car manufacturers often skimp on installing powerful multimedia equipment. Therefore, you have to think about how to choose a subwoofer and amplifier for your car yourself.

With their help, it is possible to establish a harmonious sound of audio files at different frequencies, especially when playing deep bass. For almost all standard speakers, quality sound parameters are an unattainable luxury.

Choosing the right sound

It is necessary to take into account that the low-frequency element in the form of a subwoofer, unlike other speakers, is not an independent unit through which sound is reproduced. It only complements the overall system, and without the support of standard speakers it will not produce adequate results.

It is generally accepted that when choosing which subwoofer to put in a car, you need to focus on its cost. After all, it is not recommended to buy acoustics of this type for more than 20% of the cost of the car itself. But an overly cheap low-frequency driver will be a waste of money, not producing high-quality sound.

When searching for a decent device, you need to know that There are two types of subwoofers:

  • active;
  • passive.

The design of an active subwoofer is characterized by the presence of a built-in amplifier, so it doesn't need external padding. The device has high reliability, which is achieved by design features. The advantage is that manufacturers often provide standard connectors for its connection. It is easier and faster to install and configure.

When choosing which subwoofer for a car is better: active or passive, it is worth mentioning the disadvantages of the active layout. The proposed device has a complete one-piece design, which is not always able to neatly fit into the dimensions of the cabin. It is believed that budget models of this type have worse sound due to manufacturers saving on cabinet materials.

Passive subwoofer circuit

When purchasing a passive subwoofer, the car enthusiast receives only one low-frequency speaker. You need to purchase separately high-quality amplification equipment for it. You will also need a set of cables and connectors.

Each driver will be able to carry out installation either independently or with the help of professionals. They will fit the kit more organically into the limited space of the car. All sound adjustments after installing the equipment are carried out through an additionally connected amplifier.

Amplifier selection

Having an amplifier in your car will give the sound greater breadth and volume. Even despite the basic audio system, the amplifier is capable of taking average sound to a new quality level.

By using a larger frequency range and expanded configuration options, a music lover will be able to intelligently distribute streams between the existing built-in speakers. Although standard systems are often labeled 4x50, they are sometimes unable to drown out road noise, which can be heard with poor sound insulation. In most standard audio systems, the power is limited to 10…12 W. Only an additional amplifier can increase this limit.

Subwoofer with amplifier

The devices are differentiated by the number of channels, which can be from 1 to 6. They are also analog and digital. In the first case, higher efficiency, but lower power. In the second case, the power is higher, but the quality is slightly behind.

The most popular are five-channel devices. These include

  • Genesis Profile Five;
  • Alpine PDX-V9;
  • Audison SR 5;
  • DLS MA51;
  • Blaupunkt GTA-5350;
  • Rockford Fosgate R600X5.

Four channels of speakers can easily be connected to them and the fifth will be low-frequency.

Types of subwoofers

Subwoofers differ in their layout. It is customary to distinguish between open and closed units.

For open models, it is customary to use installation in a car panel, since the bass is not enclosed in the rigid frame of the case. The frequency is adjusted only by a low-pass filter, however, this design will not provide a level below 100 hertz. In most cases, these devices are installed by novice drivers

Columns enclosed in rigid frames are common as closed structures. They are divided into three types:

  • Sealed– when the module has a closed housing. The advantages are the simplicity of the design and the absence of speaker overload. Disadvantage: extremely low efficiency.
  • Bass reflexes have tunnels in the body. Due to this design finding, it is possible to reduce the pressure on the diffuser. The tunnel also significantly increases the efficiency of the device.
  • Bandpass consists of elements of the two previous structures. It is also called a strip sub. It has a built-in tunnel, divided by a grid into two compartments. Due to this, a closed space is formed in the rear part of the module, increasing diffuser rigidity. The front part is open with output through a bass reflex. The sub is larger in size compared to its analogues.

For the latter type, installation must be carried out only in the factory housing.

Basic parameters of subwoofers

When choosing which active subwoofer is best to buy for your car, you should focus on its basic characteristics. The nominal values ​​​​of different models differ significantly and do not in all cases depend on cost.

For an active sub it is important to select a higher rated power. It must be taken into account that a higher overload threshold will give cleaner bass. When choosing passive devices, it is necessary to take into account the capabilities of the built-in amplifier.

Audio speakers with an output power of, for example, 0.9 kW or 0.45 kW are capable of producing comparable sound pressure, but there will be a significant difference in sensitivity between them. In any specialized store, you can consult with an experienced salesperson about how much real power the speakers produce.

An important parameter is the coil resistance. A common parameter is 4 ohms, eight ohm coils are rarely seen, and two ohm coils will not be loaded enough for your modern sub. It is advisable to have at least two coils to ensure high-quality connection of devices.

Popular manufacturers

Acoustic products are produced for consumers with varying incomes. The cost of subwoofers depends both on the manufacturer and on the output parameters of the equipment. When purchasing, be sure to install a warranty on the product so that you can change it in case of any problems. To do this, you need to buy a subwoofer at licensed points of sale.

The most popular companies among domestic car lovers are:

  • ALPINE;
  • MYSTERY;
  • Pioneer;
  • PROLOGY.

The most budget options for low-frequency acoustics can be found at prices starting from 2 thousand rubles, but you should not expect decent sound from them. You can take a closer look at the following current models:

  • PROLOGY WOWBOX1200(about 3500 rub.);
  • PROLOGY WOWBOX1000(about 2700 rub.);
  • DRAGSTER DER210(about 4300 rub.)
  • CADENCE MBX-12A(8000 rub.);
  • CADENCE XBP-122(RUB 11,000);
  • ESX SXB-302(RUB 12,500).

Some music lovers will not be stopped by the price of several tens of thousands, for example, for AUDISON TH10(more than 65,000 rub.).

Users who are thinking about purchasing a subwoofer have a variety of goals. Someone wants to improve the sound of an existing speaker system. Someone wants to get a unique feeling of body vibrations from rich, powerful bass in their car. Another part of consumers wants to create a crystal clear, completely authentic sound environment of a concert hall. An active or passive subwoofer has certain advantages and disadvantages and can solve certain problems.

To better understand how an active subwoofer differs from a passive one, you should start by getting to know the structure of a simpler product. The housing, which houses a large-diameter speaker and frequency filters, is a classic design. This is how you can describe a passive subwoofer.

There are several options for this type of equipment. The most common design is a sealed housing with a speaker. This is called a closed passive subwoofer.

Another type of device is a housing with a path for air circulation, called a bass reflex. Such subs have a stable increase in volume from the supplied power, which closed systems cannot boast of.

There is one design option in which a passive subwoofer can differ sharply from an active one. The latter uses it extremely rarely. The bandpass system is a two-zone emitter. The sealed segment of the housing in which the speaker is located is connected to the area of ​​ducts for air passage.

As a result of the work of such a tandem, the sub sounds very good, especially in large rooms. It produces rich, rich bass thanks to intense air vibrations.

To operate a passive subwoofer, you definitely need a good external amplifier. The more adjustments of signal parameters it provides, the better the quality of the sound image can be achieved.

The active subwoofer is self-sufficient. It is a housing that houses not only a speaker, every inch of which provides high-quality bass, but also its own power amplifier. This scheme is convenient, compact, and is generally rated by users as quite practical.

Features, pros and cons of active subwoofers

An active home subwoofer is an almost ideal device. He has everything he needs on board. Here is an amplifier, an adjustable filter to adjust the cutoff frequency. In expensive models, it is possible to change the phase shift of the signal. Individual products may have differences in the proposed sets of inputs and outputs, and signal formats.

An active sub has the following advantages:

  • just connects;
  • does not require an external amplifier;
  • features a compact design;
  • if there are outputs, you can connect speakers to the device, creating a compact speaker system;
  • you can buy top models with many adjustments and high power.

The active sub has a good rating among consumers. Mainly due to its affordable cost and wide range of applications. An active subwoofer will perfectly complement the sound of an existing speaker system. It is easy to install in your home due to its compact size.

The disadvantages of the active system are as follows:

  • due to the heat generated by the amplifier, the air inside the speaker chamber heats up, which can affect its electrical characteristics and worsen the sound;
  • operation at critical volume levels is fraught with the risk of amplifier failure due to rising temperature in the housing.

You need to choose an active subwoofer carefully, focusing on the power of the sound system that it will complement. It is also recommended to strictly follow the manufacturer's instructions regarding placement and cooling conditions.

Features, pros and cons of passive subwoofers

A passive subwoofer is an extremely simple design. This may mean that it is not difficult to make yourself to install in your car. The passive system has a number of advantages:

  • spaciousness of design;
  • bandpass class solutions, which are rarely found in active systems;
  • even a home passive sub sounds rich, delivering clean and rich bass;
  • there is no overheating of the speaker and air inside the case during system operation;
  • You can easily modify the characteristics of the subwoofer by adding self-made or purchased frequency filters.

But the main thing that distinguishes a product of this type is its low price. And this attracts not only lovers of experimentation, but also music lovers who want to improve the sound of an existing speaker system. But a passive subwoofer also has disadvantages.

  1. The main disadvantage is that a passive subwoofer requires an external amplifier to operate. Its power should be at least one and a half times higher than the maximum performance of the sound emitter. First of all, such a product is expensive. Secondly, installing a passive subwoofer to improve the sound of existing acoustics may require a complete replacement of the amplification equipment, since the existing one will not be able to pump the subwoofer without causing distortion.
  2. The disadvantage associated with the formation of an external signal: conventional amplifiers are not suitable for a passive type subwoofer. You need to buy a device that works only in the low frequency band.
  3. All sound adjustments are purely external. The playback quality is controlled by the amplifier. The number of its adjustments is directly responsible for the richness of the bass, cutoff frequency, and other parameters of the subwoofer.
  4. In closed subwoofers, the required increase in power supplied to the device, depending on the volume, increases exponentially. This is due to air resistance in a sealed housing.

However, these shortcomings do not in any way detract from the excellent sound of a passive subwoofer. According to the average statistical assessment, it will always show stable results, in contrast to the active one, where there is overheating and the influence of vibrations on electronic circuits.

What is better to choose

It’s not difficult to give an exact answer whether an active or passive subwoofer is worth buying if you focus on the needs of the average user (except motorists). An active sub wins by all criteria. This is a self-sufficient device with its own amplifier, the power of which is carefully selected for good performance of the installed speaker.

Today you can buy an active subwoofer with a wide variety of functional equipment. The devices may offer adjustments to the cutoff frequency and phase shift to perfectly complement the sound of a multi-speaker system.

As power increases, active amplifiers begin to cost significantly more. However, if you don’t want to bother with installing additional filters or looking for a suitable amplifier, the additional investment is justified, and the cost of a subwoofer with built-in electronics fades into the background.

Motorists have their own rules. Only passive subwoofers are installed in the car. The reason is that the devices are installed in confined spaces where there is little or no air circulation. Therefore, the active sub will simply overheat and fail.

But the amplifier for a passive subwoofer can be placed in an area where it is convenient to provide the required temperature conditions, including with the help of forced ventilation.

Active or passive subwoofer? is one of the questions that often interests car owners who are interested in adding a subwoofer to their sound system. This question is both complex and easy, but to answer it, it’s worth understanding what an active and what a passive subwoofer is, and what the pros and cons of each of them are. Only after this will every car owner who asks a similar question be able to answer it. In this article we will try to help resolve this issue.

The main difference between an active and passive subwoofer:

Passive subwoofer– subwoofer speaker + speaker housing

Active subwoofer– subwoofer speaker + speaker housing + amplifier

Comparative Features

That is, an active subwoofer is a passive subwoofer with a power amplifier, which is located inside or outside the housing. And if in the case of an active subwoofer the developer has already taken care of us, then for a passive subwoofer we will have to buy an amplifier separately. At the same time, sometimes there are kits on sale that consist of a passive subwoofer, a separate power amplifier selected by the manufacturer, as well as a set of wires for connection.

For both active and passive subwoofers (a separate subwoofer speaker can also be called a passive subwoofer, except that it comes without a housing), cabinet designs are used - a closed box (a completely sealed volume for the speaker) and a bass reflex box (the box has an outlet port or slot). Also, passive subwoofers often use a Bandpass box design (the box is divided into two volumes and provides a more complex configuration of drop-off ports), which is very rarely used in active subwoofers. At the same time, active subwoofers often have compact designs (the smallest design volume is achieved), which, of course, are not used in passive subwoofers.

Installation of both passive and active subwoofers (not taking into account the compact design) is carried out in the trunk of a car, regardless of the body. Compact active subwoofers are usually installed on the back of the rear seats or under the car seat.

And now about the most important thing - the advantages and disadvantages of active and passive subwoofers. Let's consider three main arguments that are of greater interest to car owners - cost, compactness of installation and possible end result.

Active or passive / Cost comparison of equipment and installation

As a rule, the cost of active subwoofers is slightly higher than passive ones, due to the presence of a built-in power amplifier. But due to the fact that for a passive subwoofer it is necessary to purchase a separate power amplifier and also install it, the cost of equipment and installation of a passive subwoofer is higher than that of an active subwoofer.

Active or passive / Installation compactness comparison

Manufacturers are trying to make the housing for an active subwoofer as compact as possible, even taking into account the space for the amplifier. This is not to mention active subwoofers in a compact design, which do not take up any significant amount of free space at all. That is, passive subwoofers take up more free space (although not always), especially since some space is also required for installing a power amplifier.

Active or passive / Comparison of the final result

For the most part, an active subwoofer is used as an addition to the main sound stage. That is, it introduces some low-frequency component, but there is no noticeable accentuation on it. At the same time, the passive system allows you to achieve the necessary characteristics from the sound of the subwoofer - quality, power, bass depth. And although there are very good active systems, they are all very expensive, which negates the above advantages of such subwoofers.

Our examples of subwoofer installations


Naturally, we are talking about a certain average situation, which occurs in most cases. After all, if you wish, you can always turn the whole argument in the opposite direction: consider the most expensive active subwoofer in relation to the cheapest passive subwoofer and its amplifier; take as an example the most bulky active subwoofer against the most compact passive one; evaluate the sound quality of the lowest-power passive subwoofer and the most powerful active subwoofer, etc.

Final choice

Here, as elsewhere, the car enthusiast needs to decide what he needs and what he is willing to sacrifice, since there is no ideal option. If you need it as cheaply as possible, then here is a cabinet-mounted active subwoofer, if maximum compactness of the installation is required - a compact active subwoofer, if quality and power are required - a passive subwoofer.

But still, it’s worth paying attention to this: a subwoofer is, first of all, a low-frequency component of the speaker system. But a high-quality component cannot be cheap and compact, so if you want to achieve high-quality sound in a car, it is better to consider the option of purchasing and installing a passive subwoofer.

You can, perhaps, get complete pleasure from listening to music if your car is equipped with high-quality acoustics with a powerful subwoofer.

However, many drivers cannot decide whether to buy an active or passive subwoofer. To determine what the difference is between these two types, let's look at the passive and active subwoofers separately, and then compare them.

Active subwoofer

An active subwoofer is an acoustic system that includes a built-in amplifier, a subwoofer speaker, and a box. Many owners purchase this type of subwoofer because of its self-sufficiency, because it combines several devices at the same time and does not require the purchase of other additional equipment. In addition, active subwoofers are reliable and durable due to their balanced design.

Of course, the main and big plus of active subwoofers is their low cost. You don’t need to study car audio theory about which amplifier to choose and what wires are needed for this bundle. You purchase the necessary kit, which contains everything for installation, namely a subwoofer, which already has a built-in amplifier, and a set of wires for connection.

Everything seems to be fine, but where there is a big plus, there is also a big minus. This type of subwoofer is made from the most budget-friendly parts, i.e. the subwoofer speaker is very weak, the built-in amplifier is soldered from the cheapest components, the wires included in the kit leave much to be desired, the subwoofer box is also made from inexpensive thin materials.

From all this it follows that this subwoofer simply cannot have good and powerful sound quality. But due to its price and simplicity (bought, installed), many novice car audio lovers leave their choice on an active subwoofer.

Passive subwoofer

Comparison

Let's figure out what the pros and cons of the types of subwoofers discussed above mean, as well as how they can be compared.

It is impossible to definitely say which is better: an active or passive subwoofer. Everything here is purely individual. If you want to independently configure and select equipment “for yourself,” then the best option would be to purchase a passive subwoofer. If you want to trust the manufacturer and install a ready-made product into your car that does not require large financial investments, then the active type is more suitable for you.

What 4 subwoofer speakers can do (video)

We hope that this article helped you understand the difference between an active subwoofer and a passive one. Rate the article on a 5-point scale. If you have comments, suggestions, or know something that is not listed in this article, please let us know! Leave your comment below. This will help make the information on the site even more useful.

Probably, any fan of high-quality music would like to enjoy their favorite compositions on good and powerful sound equipment. Well, this is why speaker systems with powerful subwoofers appeared. As a rule, the main dilemma when purchasing such a system is which subwoofer to choose - active or passive.

Definition

Passive subwoofer It is distinguished by its extremely simple design - it consists of a housing and one or more low-frequency heads, which are then connected to an external amplifier. There are also two types of passive subwoofer connections. The first type is the least preferable due to the presence of sound distortion and lower quality of its transmission - in this case, the stereo amplifier signal is supplied not only to the subwoofer, but also to other speakers. Connecting with an electronic crossover filter makes much more sense because it effectively separates the bass from the signal going to other speakers.

Part active subwoofer includes both a crossover filter and a power amplifier. Thus, an active subwoofer is a mobile combination of several devices that can be found separately. The active subwoofer has line inputs and outputs, as well as a function for adjusting the signal level and crossover frequency. As a rule, a good active subwoofer significantly expands the dynamic range of the speaker system, which, of course, will have a beneficial effect on the quality of the music.

Comparison

Firstly, an active subwoofer with its standard settings is on average better suited for heavy or dance and rhythmic music, since it conveys bass frequencies better and has more flexible settings and adjustments (except when using an expensive speaker system and a very high-quality passive subwoofer ). Secondly, active subwoofers have their own amplifiers, while passive subwoofers require external amplifiers. However, a system with a passive subwoofer can be tuned to sound better than a system with an active subwoofer, but this is a very painstaking and delicate process. In this regard, an active subwoofer is much more convenient, because it is much faster and easier to set up, but many connoisseurs of good sound prefer to spare no time and effort in setting up passive systems.

Conclusions website

  1. An active subwoofer has a built-in amplifier. A passive subwoofer requires connection to external audio amplifiers.
  2. Setting up a speaker system with an active subwoofer is much faster and easier.
  3. With the most accurate and high-quality tuning, a system with a passive subwoofer, as a rule, produces more spacious and dense sound than a system with an active subwoofer.