Powered speakers

They can be connected directly to a mixing console or other low-level audio signal source without the need for an external amplifier.

Some also claim that the shorter distances between components can decrease external interference and increase fidelity; although this is highly dubious, and the reciprocal argument can also be made.

Disadvantages include heavier loudspeaker enclosures; reduced reliability due to active electronic components within; and the need to supply both the audio signal and power to every unit separately, typically requiring two cables to be run to each speaker (as opposed to the single cable required with passive speakers and an external amplifier).

Since the early 2000s, powered speakers with active crossovers and other DSP have become common in sound reinforcement applications and in studio monitors.

[1] Home theater and add-on domestic/automotive subwoofers have used active powered speaker technology since the late 1980s.

Meyer said he "hired an ad agency to research how people felt about powered speakers for sound reinforcement, and they came back after a survey and said that nobody wanted them.

Such limiters may be carefully matched to driver characteristics, resulting in a more dependable loudspeaker requiring less service.

Trucking for a sound system involves transporting all of the various components including amplifier racks, speaker cabling and loudspeaker enclosures.

[13] In professional audio and some home cinema and hi-fi applications, the active speaker may be easier to use because it eliminates the complexity of properly setting crossover frequencies, equalizer curves and limiter thresholds.

[16][17] This particularly occurs when the loudness button on a conventional amplifier is activated and the bass tone control is also turned up while the listening volume is high, a typical situation when hi-fi speakers are used at private parties.

By including a negative feedback loop in the amplifier-speaker system, distortion can be substantially reduced.

It is possible to monitor the back emf generated by the driver voice coil as it moves within the magnetic gap.

The user plugs a patch cord or XLR cable from the combo amp into the powered speaker.