Balanced Line

Good idea - done.

 

Can we ensure that active and passive are defined correctly before the new thread appears please. Otherwise it's a 2 v 3 wire balanced nonsense again.

 

Yes - see first post in the new thread.

 

Here comes the crap again.

Definition of active speaker = one with the amp built in.

PA rigs never have the amps built in because the roadies and the PA 'leccy would never stand for it as crashed and fried amps have to be replaced quickly. Amps are in mobile flight cased racks normally.

I know there is another description for active speakers and that is the use of an active crossover even if all components are separate - I don't buy it, that is just a Linn / Naim marketing bullshit copying a PA rig just to give maximum upgradability. Anyway that can be called an active system for want of a better term not active loudspeaker.

 

Richard.

You are wrong.

Andrew.

 

Your opinion on that is meaningless per usual.

 

In your opinion.

Do you have any arguments not based on your hatred of Linn and Naim?

You are becoming a one trick pony.

 

You know what Rob.

Just ZAP me.

 

They do, lots and lots of them use active xovers/amp/speakers.

For the amp/speaker in a box(and to be flown in an array) try some of the JBL Vertec range

http://www.soundslive.co.uk/product~name~JBL-VRX-932LA-P~ID~8906.asp

 

Well must be the new way. I have done my share of humping around PA's and on desks at concerts and there were none in my day. I still wouldn't like it if it was my rig.

 

They do now, they didn't in the past because they weren't reliable enough and making them part of a speaker was impractical with regards to running repairs. Today with compact amplification, modular construction and especially the advent of digital amplification it is a very different matter.

 

Fully agree, and to answer your question, could you imagine the extra weight of the buggers, like you say ergonomics and ease of use.

 

I know he can't answer but, no they are'nt (apart from the very recent (last 10 years tops) fad for very small compact pub singer set-up's). Mid to large "real pro" set-up's are still passive.

 

Class D amps are light, they are becoming popular in PA rigs in Arrayable active boxes.
JBL, NEXO to name but 2 already make them.

So conforming to the 'narrow'definition posted earlier.

The broader and more widely understood notion of 'active' ie electronic xover before the power amps is the conventional and more widely used way to drive a PA.

 

In the real world (meaning what i see week-end to week-end, almost all are still passive speakers driven by external amps in racks), proberbly due to the fact that alot of venue's and night-clubs have not changed their set-ups in the last 10 years. I am not disagreeing that the more esoteric designs and the new way is moving in the active direction.

 

I don't think we are in disagreement other than an artificially tight definition of what constitutes an active speaker(s).
Once we accept the dividing network has gain stages(ie is active) the issue is only the length of the wire from the power amp to the speaker