The difference between an active subwoofer and a passive one

The difference between an active subwoofer and a passive one is obvious, since both devices perform different functions. A subwoofer is a low-frequency speaker designed to reproduce a wide range of frequencies, working in conjunction with any kind of speaker system.
Knowing how an active subwoofer differs from a passive one, you can safely make your choice in favor of one or another speaker.

Types of subwoofers

For a subwoofer to work, three elements must interact. This is the body itself, the woofer and the amplifier.
Depending on this arrangement, subwoofers are divided into two types:

• Active subwoofer;

The main differences between subwoofers

A passive subwoofer is a low-frequency speaker enclosed in a special acoustic enclosure. It needs to be connected to an external amplifier for it to work.
It can also be connected using an electronic crossover filter. This arrangement allows you to achieve deeper bass and significantly expand the frequency spectrum.

Note: it should be borne in mind that linear sound distortions are significantly reduced at increased volume, so it is advisable to listen to compositions at an average sound volume.

A low-frequency subwoofer is usually complemented by a home theater system or a speaker system in a car. This allows you to achieve rich bass and split the sound.
An active subwoofer can significantly reduce the load on the receiver in a home theater system. When choosing a subwoofer, it is necessary to take into account the properties of the space where it will be installed.
The bass-reflex subwoofer has a deeper bass and is designed for a large cubic capacity of the room. In a confined space, such as in a car, this type of subwoofer may start to resonate.

Advantages and disadvantages

Each type of subwoofer has its own advantages and disadvantages due to its design features. A passive subwoofer has a deeper and richer bass than an active subwoofer.
This is due to many different factors:

• No overheating of the air inside the case;
• Possibility of connection of additional electronic filters (see);
• The external power amplifier has large quantity settings;
• Due to the absence of foreign components in the body, the power and depth of the bass becomes more saturated;
• Lower cost compared to an active subwoofer with similar specifications.

• Possibility of use as portable, if there are outputs for additional speakers;
• Various execution options.

When choosing between an active and passive subwoofer, it is worth deciding directly where it will be used and what sound characteristics are needed.

The influence of the cabinet on the sound of a subwoofer

The cabinet in the subwoofer is the main element of the speaker system. Thanks to him, you can create a directional, deaf, or diffused bass.

Real music lovers always strive to get high-quality sound from audio systems. However, car manufacturers often save on the installation of powerful multimedia equipment. Therefore, you have to think about how to choose a subwoofer and amplifier in the 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, sound quality parameters are an unattainable luxury.

Choosing the Right Sound

It must be borne in mind 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 give an adequate result.

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 woofer will be a waste of money, not giving out high-quality sound.

When looking 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 set up.

When choosing which subwoofer is better in a car: 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 the worst sound due to manufacturers saving on case materials.

Passive subwoofer circuit

When buying a passive subwoofer, a car enthusiast gets only one woofer. To it you need to purchase separately high-quality amplifying equipment. You will also need a set of cables and connectors.

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

Amplifier selection

The presence of an amplifier in the car will give the sound more breadth and volume. Even despite the basic audio system, the amp is able to stretch the average sound to a new quality level.

Due to the use of a larger frequency range and advanced settings, the music lover will be able to correctly distribute the flows between the existing built-in speakers. Although standard systems are often labeled 4x50, they are sometimes unable to muffle the rumble of the road that can be heard with poor soundproofing. In most regular audio, power is limited to 10 ... 12 watts. Only an additional amplifier can increase this limit.

Subwoofer with amplifier

Devices are differentiated by the number of channels, which can be from 1 to 6. They also come in analog and digital. In the first case, higher efficiency, but less 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 SR5;
• DLSMA51;
• Blaupunkt GTA-5350;
• Rockford Fosgate R600X5.

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

Varieties of subwoofers

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

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

As closed structures, columns enclosed in rigid frames are common. They are divided into three varieties:

• Sealed– when the module has a closed case. The advantages lie in the simplicity of design and the absence of speaker overload. The disadvantage is an extremely decrease in efficiency.
• Phase inverters have tunnels in the body. Due to such a structural finding, it is possible to reduce the pressure on the diffuser. Also, the tunnel significantly increases the efficiency of the device.
• Bandpass consists of elements of the two previous designs. It is also called a strip subwoofer. 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, which increases the diffuser rigidity. The front part is open with output through a phase inverter. The sub has large dimensions in comparison with analogues.

For the latter type, it is necessary to carry out installation only in the factory housing.

Basic parameters of subwoofers

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

For an active sub it is important to select a large rated power. Keep in mind 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, 0.9kW or 0.45kW are capable of delivering comparable sound pressure levels, but there will be a significant difference in sensitivity between the two. In any specialized store, you can consult with an experienced seller about how much real power the speakers give out.

An important parameter is the resistance of the coil. A common setting is 4 ohms, 8 ohm coils are rare, and 2 ohm loads are not enough for your modern sub. It is desirable that there be at least two coils to ensure high-quality connection of devices.

Popular manufacturers

Acoustic products are produced for consumers with different incomes. The cost of subwoofers depends both on the manufacturer and on the output parameters of the equipment. When buying, it is necessary to install the products under the guarantee so that it is possible to change it in case of any problems. To do this, you need to buy a subwoofer in licensed points of sale.

The most popular among domestic car music lovers are the following companies:

• ALPINE;
• MYSTERY;
• pioneer;
• PROLOGY.

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

• PROLOGY WOWBOX1200(about 3500 rubles);
• PROLOGY WOWBOX1000(about 2700 rubles);
• DRAGSTER DER210(about 4300 rubles)

• CADENCE MBX-12A(8000 rubles);
• CADENCE XBP-122(11,000 rubles);
• ESX SXB-302(12500 rubles).

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

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 in the car a unique feeling of body vibrations from a juicy, powerful bass. 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 device of a simpler product. The case in which the large diameter speaker is placed, the frequency filters are 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 enclosure with a speaker. This is called a closed passive subwoofer.

Another type of device is a housing with a route for air circulation, called a phase inverter. 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 is rarely used. The bandpass system is a two-zone emitter. The sealed segment of the case, in which the speaker is located, is connected to the region of the channels for the passage of air.

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

For a passive subwoofer to work, a good external amplifier is required. The more adjustments to the signal parameters it provides, the better the quality of the sound picture can be achieved.

An active subwoofer is self-sufficient. It is a case where not only the speaker is located, every inch of which provides high-quality bass, but also its own power amplifier. Such a scheme is convenient, compact, and generally rated by users as quite practical.

Features, pros and cons of active subwoofers

An active home subwoofer is an almost perfect 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 a difference in the proposed sets of inputs and outputs, 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, speakers can be connected to the device, creating a compact speaker system;
• you can buy a top model with many adjustments and high power.

The active sub has a good consumer rating. Mainly due to the affordable cost and the widest range of applications. An active subwoofer will perfectly complement the sound of an existing speaker system. It is easy to put it in the house due to its compact size.

The disadvantages of an 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 degrade the sound;
• operation at critical volume levels is fraught with the failure of the amplifier due to an increase in temperature in the case.

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, 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 it yourself to install in the car. The passive system has a number of advantages:

• design space;
• bandpass class solutions, which are rarely found in active systems;
• even a homemade passive sub sounds juicy, delivering clear and rich bass;
• 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 a small price. And this attracts not only fans of experiments, but also music lovers who want to improve the sound of an existing speaker system. But the passive subwoofer also has disadvantages.

1. The main disadvantage is that a passive subwoofer needs an external amplifier to work. Its power should be at least one and a half times higher than the maximum performance of the sound emitter. Such a product, firstly, is expensive. Secondly, installing a passive subwoofer to improve the sound of existing acoustics may require a complete replacement of amplifying equipment, since the existing one will not be able to pump the low-frequency speaker without 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, the cutoff frequency, and other subwoofer parameters.
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 the sealed enclosure.

However, these shortcomings do not detract from the excellent sound of a passive subwoofer. According to the average estimate, it will always show stable results, unlike the active one, where there is overheating and the effect of vibrations on electronic circuits.

What is better to choose

It is 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 for 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 the good performance of the installed speaker.

Today you can buy an active subwoofer with a variety of functional equipment. Units can offer cutoff frequency, phase shift adjustment to perfectly complement the sound of a multi-point speaker system.

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

For motorists - their own rules. Only passive subwoofers are installed in the car. The reason is that the devices are mounted in a limited space where there is little or no air circulation. Therefore, the active sub elementary overheats and fails.

But the amplifier for a passive subwoofer can be placed in an area where it is convenient to provide the necessary temperature regime including forced ventilation.

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

The main difference between active and passive subwoofer:

Passive subwoofer– subwoofer speaker + speaker enclosure

Active subwoofer– subwoofer speaker + speaker cabinet + amplifier

Comparative Features

That is, an active subwoofer is a passive subwoofer with a power amplifier, which is located inside or outside the case. And if in the case of an active subwoofer the developer has already taken care of us, then the amplifier will have to be bought separately for a passive subwoofer. At the same time, sometimes on sale there are also sets consisting 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, unless it comes without a case), case designs are used - a closed box (a completely sealed volume for the speaker) and a bass-reflex box (there is a drain port or slot in the box). Also, passive subwoofers often use the Bandpass box design (the box is divided into two volumes and a more complex configuration of tap-off ports is provided), which is very rarely used in active subwoofers. At the same time, active subwoofers often have compact designs (the smallest volume of the structure 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 mounted on the back of the rear seats or under the car seat.

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

Active or passive / Comparison of cost 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, as well as 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 case for an active subwoofer as compact as possible, even taking into account the space for an amplifier. This is not to mention active subwoofers in a compact design, which generally do not occupy at least some significant volume. free space. 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 / End result comparison

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 tangible 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 subwoofer installation examples

Naturally, talking about some average situation, which occurs in most cases. After all, if you wish, you can always turn the entire argument in the opposite direction: consider the most expensive active subwoofer relative to the cheapest passive subwoofer and amplifier for it; take as an example the most bulky active subwoofer versus the most compact passive; evaluate the sound quality of the smallest passive subwoofer and the most powerful active subwoofer, etc.

Final Choice

Here, as elsewhere, a motorist needs to decide what he needs and what he is willing to sacrifice, since there is no ideal option. If it is necessary as cheaply as possible, then there is a case 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 is worth paying attention to this - the subwoofer, this is, first of all, the low-frequency component of the speaker system. And 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 buying and installing a passive subwoofer.

A subwoofer is a special additional speaker that reproduces low frequencies. Regular speakers contain speakers responsible for mids and . Even if your speakers are hung on the walls or standing on a table, it is still better to put the subwoofer on the floor, this will improve the sound of low frequencies. But when buying a powerful subwoofer, it is important to make sure that your love of beauty is shared by the neighbors below.

A passive subwoofer is quite simple. Its housing contains one or more low-frequency "heads" that are connected to an external amplifier. Passive subwoofers come in two types. The device of the first type differs in that a signal is fed to the stereo amplifier simultaneously for the speakers of all frequencies. Thus, the speakers must reproduce all frequencies, including those unusual for them, and the sound is unclear. The second type of passive subwoofer is equipped with an additional electronic crossover filter that sorts the frequencies so that only the appropriate signal is sent to each speaker.

An active subwoofer contains everything at once: there is a crossover filter and its own amplifier. On the device you can find various line inputs and outputs, as well as crossover frequency controls and signal level settings for various frequencies. An active subwoofer is often the preferred option, as it produces good sound by expanding the speaker's dynamic range.

Which subwoofer to choose

If you want to connect everything, and for the audio system to work well right away, without additional settings or other actions, then choose an active subwoofer. The standard settings of such a device in the vast majority of cases satisfy the sound of heavy or dance music, bass frequencies are deeply transmitted. In addition, the active subwoofer already has an amplifier, and you do not need to take care of it.

But if you're really good at setting up your audio system (and willing to figure it out), then a passive subwoofer might well be your choice. An expensive and high-quality audio system with a professional passive subwoofer allows you to adjust the sound much more fully than with an active subwoofer. Despite the fact that it can be quite painstaking and difficult, and you need to feel the sound of music to cope, nevertheless, true lovers of good sound often choose this option.

To summarize, we can say that the precise and very high-quality setting of a passive subwoofer allows you to get a much more spacious and dense sound than a speaker system with an active subwoofer. But the latter option sounds good right from the start and is noticeably better than a cheap passive subwoofer.

Nowadays, more and more people pay attention to the acoustics of the car. Various types of subwoofers. However, not everyone can afford such a luxury. The way out of this situation is to independently manufacture a passive subwoofer.

Instruction

First you need to think about making a box for your future subwoofer. To do this, you need to select a form. Please note that making a cylindrical box is much more difficult than a square one. Chipboard is suitable for work. It is best to fasten this material together with self-tapping screws. After that, using a jigsaw, make a round hole in front of the box. It will need to install a speaker. Also make a hole on the back side. It is necessary for the output of wires.

Next, finish the case from the inside. To do this, lay soundproofing sheets in several layers. The box should not make extraneous sounds during vibration. Interior decoration must be taken very seriously.

After the box is ready, you can proceed to its internal filling. The speaker must be correctly positioned, otherwise you will not get the expected effect. It is recommended to lay a good seal around the edges of the round hole. The fact is that the speaker will constantly vibrate. It is unlikely that you want to hear creaking and knocking when music is playing. Place the speaker in the case and screw it tightly onto the screws.

Next, put cotton wool in the body. She must fill it out completely. Cotton contributes to a good sound. Now it remains to finish the body outside. To do this, you can use a variety of materials. Carpet is very popular. Paste the subwoofer with this material. Use regular Moment glue. Connect the wires to the amplifier and check the performance of your self-made subwoofer.

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Tip 3: What is the difference between active and passive pickups

Every guitarist knows what a pickup is, but not everyone is aware that there are two types: active and passive. What is the difference?

The sound pickup is so called according to the principle of its operation. It picks up the sound from the strings and sends it to the amplifier, much like a microphone. However, the microphone can amplify other, completely unnecessary sounds, while the pickup is aimed only at the strings. After all, without pickups, we would never have heard our fans at a rock concert.

Passive Pickup

This type of pickup is commonly seen on electric and bass guitars. It converts the vibrations of the strings into an electrical signal and sends it to the amplifier. The fact is that such pickups send a weak, unprocessed, "raw" signal to the output. The shorter the cable carrying the sound, the clearer and louder it will be. However, there are pluses: I connected the cable and you can immediately play.

active pickup

The principle of operation of such a pickup is similar to the first one. The only difference is that it amplifies the signal in the case itself, sending an already strong, processed sound to the output. And nothing depends on the length of the cable. In such pickups, it is required to install a battery, from which the current will go to the preamplifier.