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What is an Active Subwoofer? Active vs Passive Subwoofers

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Active subwoofers can be a good addition if you are planning to upgrade your audio system. An active subwoofer offers deep bass notes that will take your entertainment experience to a higher level.

But what is an active subwoofer, and how does it differ from a regular subwoofer? In this article, we’ll explore what an active sub is, why it’s worth considering as part of your home theater setup, and other relevant information.

When most people think of their home audio setup, they usually focus on speakers or soundbars –they miss the active sub. This speaker system packs quite a punch in terms of bringing immense bass into your living room.

It uses its own amplifier to produce powerful low-frequency sounds that regular speakers can’t match. What is more, it helps create greater clarity in the overall mix than would be possible with just outdated speakers alone!

Continue reading to know how an active sub works and why it should be considered for anyone looking for superior sound quality at home.

In this guide, we will also take a look at the many factors, including design considerations, placement options, power handling capabilities, and more, so you can make a well-versed decision about whether or not an active subwoofer is perfect for you.

Table of Contents Show

Active Subwoofers Overview

Perhaps some of you are asking what exactly active subwoofers are. Well, an active subwoofer is a kind of speaker system that is integrated with an amplifier. So, there is no need to use an external amplifier to produce high-quality audio. With this kind of speaker system, you are able to acquire more power, and there is also a considerable improvement in bass response from your sound setup.

Why Should You Consider Active Subwoofers? Here is Why?

Active subwoofers can help a lot if you want to add clarity and depth to your gaming, music as well as movie-watching experience. This type of subwoofer adds much required low-end punch that can make all the difference when viewing action films or playing games with explosive sound effects.

Another reason why you must consider this speaker system is that it is powered by its own amp, so worry no more about overloading the receiver or having less power in specific frequencies. When you decide to add active subwoofers for a remarkable and enjoyable home theater setup, there are numerous benefits worth noting.

Some of the perks you can obtain include increased audio quality and impactful bass response. This also allows you to set up manifold subs around the room for even coverage – having an active sub as part of your audio setup can be helpful for truthfully immersive entertainment experiences regardless of your budget.

Benefits of Integrating Active Subwoofers Into An Audio System

Real-Time Experience

One of the most important home theater sound system components is an active sub. This type of subwoofer adds a level of depth and richness to the audio that can’t be attained with just speakers alone.

With an active sub, you will experience movies and music as if you were watching in a real cinema or at a live event. This will allow you to truly immerse yourself in your media, creating an immersive experience like no other.

Reduce Distortion

Aside from high-quality audio, integrating active subwoofers also assists in reducing distortion from low-frequency sounds. What is more, by properly positioning the active sub in your music room or living room, you can acquire bas response for optimum performance.

Due to these many perks, it is easy to see why incorporating active subwoofers is a smart decision for those planning to upgrade their home theater receiver.

Generate More Power

Another advantage of opting for active subwoofers is their capability to produce a considerable amount of power that a passive unit can handle on its own. With great power comes greater dynamic range and deeper bass response which gives you a fuller soundstage when playing music or watching movies at home.

The added power also helps reduce distortion levels even further by providing enough headroom for louder passages without clipping or distorting the signal due to pushing it beyond what it’s capable of handling on its own.

No External Amplifier Needed

The active subwoofer speaker can simply use the built-in amplifier’s power supply as its own power source to produce sufficient subwoofer output for your home theater systems. You will need to purchase an extra amplifier for a passive subwoofer.

Active Vs. Passive Subwoofer: What is the Best?

Are you familiar with the difference between an active and passive subwoofer? If not, you are in the right place. An active vs. passive subwoofer is a debate that has been going on for many years in the audio world.

It doesn’t matter if you want to advance your home theater system setup or simply want to improve the bass response to your car stereo; it’s important to know which type of speaker will best suit your needs.

There are a lot of differences between an active and passive subwoofer. Some of these take into account the quality of sound, power requirements, cost efficiency as well as the complexity of the installation process.

With regards to active subs, it needs external amplifiers while passive do not: also; they vary with regards to the quality of sound and volume control capabilities. Additionally, there are various types of both passive and active subwoofers available on the market today, with varying price points depending on the performance levels desired by the user.

Understanding The Difference: Powered, Passive And Active Subwoofer

When considering the differences between active and passive subwoofers, it’s significant to comprehend how each works.

What Are Active Subwoofers?

An active woofer is an all-in-one unit that contains a power amplifier, crossover, and loudspeaker driver inside one cabinet. Active subwoofers tend to reproduce extremely low frequencies with their own built-in amplifier as a power supply.

What Are Passive Subwoofers?

Passive subwoofers require separate components for these functions. It has a speaker driver connected to it. A passive sub needs an external amplifier via cables and doesn’t have any internal amplification or crossover circuitry.

The passive subwoofer depends on this external power source so that it can reproduce low-frequency sound output with accuracy. Make sure that the speaker output connections and that the receiver or amplifier connections require special or extensive cabling.

Main Difference Between Passive and Active Subwoofers

The main difference between active and passive subwoofers lies in their ability to reproduce sound at low frequencies with greater accuracy than other types of speakers.

Active woofers use dedicated amplifiers that are specifically designed to accurately reproduce low-frequency sounds while passively driven subs rely on the same amplifiers used by other types of speakers, which may not be ideal for reproducing bass tones as accurately as possible.

Passive subs also require more setup time since they need additional components such as crossovers and amplifiers before they can be used, whereas active subs only require connecting them up directly to your audio system without needing extra accessories or equipment.

This makes them much easier to install, which can save you time in setting up your home theater system or music listening experience. With this in mind, let’s explore the benefits of active woofers.

What Are Powered Subwoofers?

A powered subwoofer is also considered an active woofer because it does not require an additional amplifier to produce bass sounds. Unlike passive subwoofers, these powered subwoofers come with a built-in amplifier that can send enough power to the speaker. Most home theater designers prefer the powered subwoofer when they are dealing with small rooms.

How to Choose The Right Subwoofer for Your Sound System?

Choosing the right subwoofer for your setup can be a daunting task. It’s important to understand what active subwoofers are and how it differs from other types of speakers. Active subwoofers contain their own amplifier and have built-in controls, making it easier to customize sound levels within your home theater system.

When selecting the perfect subwoofer, there are several key factors you need to consider. First, think about the size of your room: if you have a smaller space, go with a compact model; however, if you have more room in which to fill with sound, then opt for a larger option that will provide more powerful bass frequencies.

Additionally, consider how much power output you require — this will depend on both the size of your room and what type of music or movies you’re playing through them. Finally, take into account any additional features, such as wireless connectivity or adjustable crossover frequency settings, that may be beneficial based on personal preference or specific needs.

You have to remember that some models or brands of active subwoofers available on the market today offer multiple drivers for improved performance — these are generally best suited for large rooms where greater low-frequency response is desired but can still work well in smaller spaces, too, when used judiciously!

Ultimately though, no matter what kind of speaker setup you’re looking at investing in, make sure it matches up with both your budget and requirements so that your experience listening to music and watching movies will always be top-notch!

To Sum Up

In general, active subwoofers can greatly enhance any home theater experience by providing powerful bass with minimal distortion. It also adds depth and clarity to all kinds of audio content, from movies to music.

Everyone is encouraged to invest in active subwoofers if they want to get the most out of their sound system. Not only does it add a lot more punch and detail than regular speakers alone can provide, but it’s also reasonably priced compared to other upgrades like surround sound systems or new amplifiers.

How many subwoofers do I need? Adding only one subwoofer to your home theater receivers may not be sufficient if you are dealing with a large room. Sometimes multiple subwoofers are needed to reach the desired sound quality and to reproduce low frequencies with precision.

For homeowners searching for an effective way to improve their home theater experience without spending a lot of money, it highly recommends giving active subwoofers a try! With its deep bass and superior clarity, it’s sure to take your listening pleasure up a few notches!

Last Updated on: June 6, 2023

Hi, my name is John Snow and I am a car lover. With two decades under my belt fixing and driving cars, I'm always on the hunt for fresh, cutting-edge methods to give my ride a performance boost. Driven by my zeal to decode car problems, I'm on a mission to equip vehicle owners with accurate and handy tips. By doing so, they can fix their rides while saving both time and cash.

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