Passive vs Active

[bradl79 10+ year member]

i am considering in going Active, is there a big quality difference, as u can see my set up in my sig. i am running my fronts in passive, i was thinking of getting another amp for my tweets and mids then going bridge on my rears, what is the advantage and difference in passive and active. thank you guys.

Click to read more...

 

[bradl79 10+ year member]

??

 

[gunz4me2 10+ year member]

The main difference between passive and active is that it will allow you to mix gear to your hearts content. Don't like something about your mids? You can replace them multiple times over since you can change the crossover points, slopes, and equalization with the HU or processor. Don't like your tweeters? You can do the same, replace, replace, and replace some more.

Granted, as I aged, I found it easier to purchase packaged component sets and just run them active instead of passive. Why? Because the tweeter is pretty much matched to the woofer in most component sets whereas obtaining that pairing on your own generally requires lots of trial and error. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif In fact, it took me about SIX tries the last time I did it!

Ironically, I swore I wouldn't do a system in my new car, and with the temp tag still on it, I have gear on en route to the house. The only thing I have left is to decide on a multi channel amplifier OR go with a 4 channel and a monoblock. I'll probably do another JL Audio HD 900/5 though because it is one of the few full-range class d amplifiers that I actually like. I'd like to give the MMATS a try, but I always regret trying out other gear when I know that something proven in the past will meet my needs.

 

[DFW40 10+ year member]

I have done it both ways multiple times. Going active gives you more options. If you were just going to buy a component set that comes with a passive crossover and not use the crossover and run the set active you will probably not gain much of anything. Running active makes it easier to buy things like a 7 inch mid that has great midbass but might be lacking in upper midrange and purchase a separate tweeter that can play lower frequencies like down to 1500hz or so. Depending on the amp you buy you can use different crossover slopes and points. The other nice thing is you can easily control the volume of the mid and tweet separately from your headunit as well as from the gains on your amps or crossover/signal processor. I had my mids running off the front outputs and the tweets off of the rear outputs and I could use the fader to adjust them accordingly.