Active Speaker

[Mark Hennessy]

"The definition of an active speaker is simple: the crossover is implemented at line level, and there is a power amplifier for each of the frequency bands following on from this. A single power amp is a powered speaker. Yes, I (accidentally-on-purpose) made that mistake when I titled the article linked to above. I'll probably correct it in due course."
That is what I call "bi amp" or tri amp.

No, "bi-amp" means something completely different.

Really, it should be called "buy amp". Rather like "buy-wiring"

When you bi-amp, you feed the same audio signal to two separate power amps. The crossover is a high-level crossover - the same high-level crossover that you had when you were driving the speaker conventionally. Assuming competently designed amplifiers are in use, it is purely a scheme to separate the gullible from their money as it brings about precisely none of the benefits of genuine active operation.

I came across active crossover units when I was working in the theatre as a Chief LX. It would split the audio into separate bands to be amplified by different amps feeding their own speakers. But they were not known as "active Speakers" It was the xover that was the active part, not the speakers.

This is the norm for PA and many other applications. Because you are filtering the audio signal at line level, this is very definitely an active crossover setup.

The physicality doesn't matter; the fact that the crossover and amps are not in the speaker cabinets does not change the fact that this was an active system. The fact the people you worked with did not call it an active speaker does not change the fact that is was indeed active.

An active speaker uses a line-level crossover with separate power amps for each frequency band. What you're building (and what I built) is a powered speaker.

BTW, Outside of the day job, I'm chief SX at our local theatre - one of the reasons why I'm here less and less these days.

I go along with the What  HiFi definition.

Excellent  

In fact, true active speakers (as opposed to the basic powered speakers you might have on your computer desk) have an amplifier for each individual speaker driver, and also active crossovers.

That whole page was nothing more than an advertorial for Dynaudio, BTW. At least they deigned to put "Sponsored" on the page. And the copy was almost certainly written by Dynaudio. As it happens, there's a similar article on their site: https://www.dynaudio.com/dynaudio-academ...-crossover

The frequency split is done before amplification with active crossovers. Either in the analogue or digital domain. After the split, the frequencies are sent to individual amplifiers running their own individual drive units.

You could also try Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audio_crossover#Active

Active speakers are extremely common in pro applications - we've got loads of them where I work. It's a shame active speakers haven't made much impact in the domestic market. Obviously, Dynaudio are having a bit of a push at the moment - good on them. However, the serious hi-fi types like to fret about amplifier and cable choice, and active speakers takes that away from them. But aside from them, most people do not want lots of 17" wide black boxes in their living rooms any more - but many of them would like something better than the typical iPod docks that pass for "hi-fi" these days. With their glossy white boxes and wireless operation, Dynaudio are clearly having a go at that part of the market. They're not the only ones...