Active vs Passive (More In Depth - not Noob)

[tryan77 10+ year member]

I get what the difference is between the two I just need some more insight in regard to performance differences.

Lets consider the following products as these will be installed shortly:

Factory Head Unit (Cannot Remove)

Audison Bit Ten

Hertz HDP4

Hertz Millie MLK 6.5

I will be running active with this set up as the crossovers added to the cost (significantly).

My questions are:

1) Why are the Mille crossovers so expensive, or some crossovers in general? Arent they all just cutting off certain frequencies and slopes?

2) If the crossovers are so expensive, will these speakers sound better passive?

3) Do the crossovers in the amp or bit ten give me the ability to set them up the same as the passive crossovers?

4) In general, some higher end head units have crossovers - are they just cheaper crossovers internally?

5) Versus a really good set of crossovers what would be the benefit of being active? Is it only ability to control and tweak?

5) Would this system sound just as good as having a higher end head unit in place of stock and Bit Ten? If not, why not?

6) Is there an amperage difference between active and passive to the speaker? Assuming the crossover ***** up some power. Would you need to increase gain with passive?

7) With what you see above, would you rather run active or passive - why?

Sorry for the lengthy post - i just see some people on here raving over certain passovers and then i see people stating that going active is the way to go.

Thanks...

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[gckless 5,000+ posts]

A big reason to go active is control. Control of power to each driver, control of EQ to each if you have the ability, control of crossover slopes and points, the list goes on. Not to mention, you can't really T/A passives without some work.

In your application, they may or may not sound better passive. Again, T/A is going to depend on install mostly. Just for that reason alone it's probably worth going active if you can.

 

[calebkhill 10+ year member]

I've heard it said that companies cheap out on crossovers, so that could be why yours are expensive, they are will built.

As far as active, it gives you control, but you also are able to fix certain problems which wouldn't otherwise be able to In a passive set up