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1.099 €
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Active boxes, or self-powered speakers, are becoming more and more common. And the truth is that they are a sound option full of advantages and adapted to the current pace of life. Perhaps you have doubts about whether they are the best alternative for you and your music equipment. Here are the keys to choosing the best active speakers.
Advantages of powered speakers
The main advantage of an active loudspeaker is that it makes it easy to create a sound system. Often, it is enough to turn on the pair of speakers and send them music via Bluetooth from the smartphone. Depending on the inputs and functions they have, they can also connect to other sources: from turntables to streamers.
This reduces the number of devices, the number of cables, and makes installation easier.
The key is that they save the user the need for an amplifier, and ensure that it is compatible with their speakers. And it is that a 2-way speaker does not need the same power as a 3-way box if both have woofers of the same size.
To give an extreme example, there are 15-inch speakers that require 1000W to move them. A real madness. However, by choosing active boxes you will take home a speaker with its optimal amplification, established by the manufacturer.
It's also the only type of speaker that can be used directly for Bluetooth playback, without the need for additional electronics. And another of its advantages is that many models have analog, digital and wireless inputs, making them directly compatible with a large number of sources.
Cons of Active Speakers
The main drawback that many find in active speakers is their price. As these devices include electronics, their price is higher than that necessary to acquire passive boxes with the same characteristics.
However, if you do not previously have an amplifier, active boxes are usually a cheaper option than passive boxes plus an amplifier that drives them.
This also implies that if you want to improve the sound of the equipment in the part that affects them, you will have to change the entire speaker. Contrary to the passive version, which allows you to improve it by changing only the amplifier or only the speakers.
Including electronics also makes them more prone to breakdowns. This is usually not a problem for indoor use if you choose speakers from a good quality brand. However, it does make them not recommended for use in damp places or outdoors. Unlike passive speakers that only accept analog sound.
Types of active speakers
If, taking into account the previous point, you have decided to buy active speakers, the next step is to choose the best ones for you. To do this, we will make a simple division that, without being official or definitive, will help you to orient yourself.
The classic active boxes
We consider classic self-powered speakers to be those that perform the same function as passive loudspeakers, but saving us a device dedicated to amplification. Its function will be to be connected by cable to the sound source, be it a stereo, a television or a computer.
If you want to buy active speakers with the best quality/price for this purpose, we recommend the following:
1.098 €
Most Wanted: Active Bluetooth Speakers
With the rise of Smartphones, self-powered Bluetooth speakers have become one of the most desired. And it is that thanks to their connectivity, they are a great source of wireless sound. The self-powered boxes can be used by themselves, connecting them to the mains and nothing else, just to reproduce the sound they receive via Bluetooth.
But what is more common is to also connect them to another cable source, such as the computer. Most of them have source autodetection. This feature detects which input is sending you sound (the cable, or the wireless connection) and plays it automatically.
If you are looking for active boxes with Bluetooth 5.0, we recommend the following:
The most modern: Smart self-powered speakers
Home automation is already a reality, and more and more, we expect sound equipment to be integrated into our home. This way we can use them with the greatest ease without sacrificing sound quality.
You are looking for Smart speakers if you want active boxes to control by voice, through an app or from a computer. Also if you want to add it to home automation ecosystems such as Crestron, Lutron, Control4 and the like.
One of their main features is that they need to connect to the home network, either via ethernet cable or wireless WiFi. It is also common for them to have control apps compatible with iOS and Android, as well as desktop applications for computers.
If you want to buy self-powered smart speakers for your home, we recommend the following:
- -50%
224 €
449 €
The most traveler: portable speakers
If you have been interested in self-powered speakers because you are looking for a portable model, you should know that portable speakers form a separate category. Of course, all of them are self-powered, but they also have to have a battery.
This makes its price go up, and more specifications have to be considered than in the rest of the active boxes. However, if you want a portable speaker, we recommend the following models, capable of keeping up with you wherever you go:
399 €
999 €
Specialized: professional active monitors
Self-powered cabinets are also the go-to option for many sound professionals. From recording technicians to music producers, they choose active monitor speakers to use with their computers for their quality and comfort.
While the finer work in pro audio is often done with headphones, much of it can be done using speakers. The requirement to choose good studio monitors is that they are capable of offering great detail.
The detail in powered speakers depends, in part, on the quality of the signal's digital-to-analog conversion. And also that the amplification does not alter the sound signal with noise or other corruptions.
Given its professional destination, its price is usually higher than that of the rest of the active boxes. In return, you get great quality and a deep, detailed soundstage.
If you are looking for active monitors for professional use, this is our recommendation:
Hi-Fi powered speakers
When active boxes hit the market, purist Hi-Fi lovers doubted that they could deliver HiFi sound. However, these have evolved remarkably and their quality can be audiophile-proof.
It is true that many music lovers looking for Hi-Fi also enjoy altering the technical side. That is, change pieces of equipment and measure how it affects the sound. If improving it, or worsening it. And that the speakers integrate the amplification, there remains a piece that can be changed.
However, active boxes are a great alternative for these users in several situations:
For fans of Hi-Fi without interest in the technical part
To use in a second sound system. For example, that of a second residence.
To connect to devices that are not connected to the stereo, such as a TV or a computer.
To enjoy non-Hi-Res sources, such as sound from a Smartphone, with the highest quality and convenience.
If you are looking for active Hi-Fi speakers, these are our recommendations:
Home cinema with active speakers
Today's connectivity technology also makes it easy to use self-powered speakers to compose a multi-channel home theater system.
If that is what we are looking for, it is best to choose ranges that have different types of loudspeakers for each channel (front, center, effects...).
And without being essential, it will also make installation much easier if they have ecosystems that allow them to interconnect easily like BluOS.
If you want to create a Home Theater with active speakers, we recommend the following ranges:
1.298 €
749 €
849 €
Parts of an active speaker and what they are for
If you are going to compare several models of self-powered boxes, you will find different terms. In case you do not know the subject very well, we leave you the following glossary:
Crossover: The technology that is responsible for dividing the frequencies of the sound signal to send the high frequencies to the tweeter and the medium and low frequencies to the woofer, or the sub output.
DAC: Acronym for Digital to Analog Converter. Essential for processing digital signals, wired or wireless, that reach the active loudspeaker. It can be determinant of the final quality of the sound.
Analog inputs: The sound inputs compatible with analog sources. The sound will enter the speaker and, unprocessed, will go into amplification.
Digital inputs: Active speaker sound inputs compatible with a digital sound signal. At some point, before or after amplification, it will have to be converted to analog. That is why it is important that the loudspeaker has a good quality DAC.
Low-Latency: Low latency. It refers to the speed of sound processing. Devices with low latency can be used, for example, with the TV, since the image on the screen and the sound will be in sync.
Continuous Power: The power that an amplifier is capable of delivering constantly, for as long as it is needed.
Dynamic power: Also named as “peak power”. The maximum power that an amplifier can offer in short moments. For example, in the ecstasy of a melody. Continuous power is a more interesting piece of information to know the capacity of an active loudspeaker.
Frequency response: Range of frequencies that a speaker is capable of reproducing.
Sub Output: Output to connect the active boxes with an active subwoofer. This output will send the lower frequencies of the signal so that the sub can reproduce them.
Sensitivity: Simplified, it is the ability to generate sound per watt consumed. Equivalent to efficiency.
Tweeter - The driver that is responsible for reproducing high frequencies. Soft dome drivers achieve higher frequencies with greater ease, while ribbon drivers achieve greater sound dispersion.
Woofer - The drivers responsible for reproducing the low and medium frequencies.
With all this information, we are convinced that you will be able to choose the active boxes you need. But if you still have doubts, remember that you can contact us.
At Concerto Audio we are a sound shop specializing in loudspeakers and other sound, home automation and audiovisual equipment. We can advise you without obligation.