I've seen the term 'passive' associated with subwoofer a couple of times, but I could never figure out what that means. Google didn't really help me either.
What is a passive subwoofer?
- Thread starter isasir
- Start date
Ah ok. Well I own a powered receiver (I assume 90+% of subs are powered, unless they're part of a bundle).
So is it a subwoofer that uses the RCA-like cable to connect to a receiver, or would it use speaker wire to connect to a receiver?
Also, would that mean that the receivers crossover would totally control it? (I assume if my x-over on receiver is 100 hz, but the frequency on my sub is 60 hz, then the 60 hz is what's used)
So is it a subwoofer that uses the RCA-like cable to connect to a receiver, or would it use speaker wire to connect to a receiver?
Also, would that mean that the receivers crossover would totally control it? (I assume if my x-over on receiver is 100 hz, but the frequency on my sub is 60 hz, then the 60 hz is what's used)
StageLeft
No Lifer
- Sep 29, 2000
- 70,150
- 5
- 0
I'm sure any sub you're looking at will use the RCA type connector. Speaker wire connectors are hokey! No, I don't know what that means.
If the sub has a built in crossover and your receiver isn't putting anything higher than 100 hz to it but the sub is ignoring anything above 60 then definitely the sub's crossover would take over.
In practical terms I don't honestly know how often subs have a crossover in this sort of scenario since any decent receiver will have one, so perhaps the sub just trusts the receiver?
If the sub has a built in crossover and your receiver isn't putting anything higher than 100 hz to it but the sub is ignoring anything above 60 then definitely the sub's crossover would take over.
In practical terms I don't honestly know how often subs have a crossover in this sort of scenario since any decent receiver will have one, so perhaps the sub just trusts the receiver?
It's either passive or powered subwoofer, there is no difference in sound quality really just means that one comes with a amplifier built in.
EDIT:
I see you guys are saying the same thing, but you're talking about two different things when you say "powered". You're saying that an active sub doesn't need to be powered by the receiver, and he's saying that a passive sub doesn't need to be powered by the wall.
Is it correct to say an active sub plugs into the pre amp output whereas a passive runs in series (???) with the speakers. ie the speaker output from the amp goes to the sub, then to the speakers.
Obviously they BOTH need to be powered, it is just a matter of where they get their power from is the difference.
Like an unpowered speaker would produce sound!
Yes Radiohead...that's it.
Like an unpowered speaker would produce sound!
Yes Radiohead...that's it.
Squisher
Lifer
- Aug 17, 2000
- 21,204
- 66
- 91
Most passive subs also have a passive crossover which sends the lower frequencies to the sub and then passes the rest on to your regular speakers. Passive crossovers are not very discriminating when determining if the signal is low or high enough so they don't do as good of a job as active crossovers.
Also, subs don't need as much fidelity as they need raw power. By having a powered sub you are feeding the sub with a lower fidelity higher power amp and reserving the better sound for higher frequencies.
Also, subs don't need as much fidelity as they need raw power. By having a powered sub you are feeding the sub with a lower fidelity higher power amp and reserving the better sound for higher frequencies.
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