I just ordered a pair of Ascilab C6B speakers and looking at the frequency curve and predicted in-room response, I'm wondering if active speakers provide any significant benefit anymore. I was always led to believe that active speakers were the future. With efficient Class-D amplifiers and digital cross-overs, they would provide significant benefits in a reasonable package.
However, with modern science-based speaker designs, we can see even affordable speakers like the C6B providing very linear frequency performance. I'm wondering how active speakers will differentiate and overcome some of their inherent challenges, namely: 1. Serviceability if the amplifier inside goes bad; 2. Hassle of powering two speakers; 3. Keeping software updated to keep them running.
I'm sure I'm missing some key benefits of active speakers, so I put this out there with the intent of learning. I always assumed my "end game" speaker setup would be active, but now I'm not sure.
I wonder how practical would it be to convert passive speakers into active? Class D amps are readily available in various sizes. The digital equalization and crossover would be tricky tho.
I'm pretty sure this is what AsciLab has chosen for their upcoming active models.You can get plate amps with the DSP and DAC components built in, such as this Hypex module:
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You still have to design the crossover filter yourself, but apparently Hypex has software that is used for that, and then uploads it to the amp.
It's actually pretty straightforward. (Assuming you want to target the same transfer functions.)I wonder how practical would it be to convert passive speakers into active? Class D amps are readily available in various sizes. The digital equalization and crossover would be tricky tho.
I wonder how practical would it be to convert passive speakers into active?
That was my hope and it makes a lot of sense. Short-range wifi should have way more than enough bandwidth to send sound, so adjusting delay is something well-implemented already in a lot of devices. Beyond those, plate amps like Hypex could add the wifi module with relative ease. The idea of changing an amp, preamp or processors for a tiny box (something akin to a Primare SC15, or a Buchardt Platin) to plug sources to is just fantastic.In the works, I've heard.
I wonder how practical would it be to convert passive speakers into active? Class D amps are readily available in various sizes. The digital equalization and crossover would be tricky tho.
I've done the same to my current main 'speakers based on the B&W 801f. I used the Behringer DCX2496 as crossover, preceded by the DEQ2496 for fine equalisation.I've converted a few.
As far as the physical part, it's very easy if you don't (make the mistake imo) of putting plate amps into the speaker. Just disconnect the drivers from the passive crossover, and rewire them to speakon connectors mounted into the cabinet. Even a four way speaker needs only one 1-1/16th hole in its cabinet. Keep DSP and amps separate.
Finding room to put plate amps into cabinets can be a pain in the ass, can be hard to ventilate adequately, can be hard to seal up acoustically, and marries the amps and DSP to the speaker. IF you are the kind of person trying to switch passive to active, you're likely to be the kind of person that will continue to experiment with different speakers....and want to use the amps and DSP for other projects. No more plate amps in speakers for me.......if I want to use a plate amp, I mount it in an external box and use it just like any other amp.
As far as creating the crossovers and filters, it comes down to measurement skills.
You can either go the simple route and measure and replicate the existing passive crossovers like @Davey explained, or make acoustic measurements of the individual drivers and learn how to tune a speaker in DIY fashion.
The 'recreate passive method' basically just gives the improvement of multi-amping. May or may not be worth it, depending on drivers' underlying SPL capability.
The 'new tuning from ground up DIY method', should definitely offer improvement after the requisite skill base is learned.
The more 'ways' a speaker has, the greater the expected improvement.
Buchardt also.Do any active speaker manufacturers offer wireless connectivity for the signal path? I realize there would be latency, but if it's the same for both speakers (or all N speakers in a multichannel setup), it shouldn't matter. That would at least eliminate one set of cables that need to be run to each speaker.
They will produce active speakers, just read the road map.Asiclab releases a very good speaker, and it has completely made actives obsolete? LOL.