In terms of sound quality there are only advantages for 'actives' Ben Lilly of ATC confirmed that , ATC continue to produce passive version because there remains a demand.
Retailers have traditionally not been over keen on actives because 'upgrade' options are severely diminished!
Contemporary designs bring even more advantages, compact enclosures yet completely 'full-range' , controlled directivity, cardioid bass response , boundary and contour filters
,enabling you to place the speakers where you want !
Less boxes, more music.
Keith
Its a shame really as active systems have serious benefits in terms of sound quality...
A sweeping statement like that needs some qualification. What are these beneifts?
The list of technical advantages is too long to list here. It's not a sweeping statement at all. The passive crossover in passive separate systems interacts with the drivers and destroys the damping control of the amp and introduces phase problems.
In an active speaker you have independent amplifiers for each individual driver which operate after a line level electronic crossover which allows for much better driver motion control, steeper crossover slopes and no colouration.
The only excuse for passive crossovers is their low cost. Their behavior changes with the signal level dependent dynamics of the drivers. They block the power amplifier from taking maximum control over the voice coil motion. They are a waste of time, if accuracy of reproduction is the goal.
The list of technical advantages is too long to list here. It's not a sweeping statement at all.
Its a shame really as active systems have serious benefits in terms of sound quality...