What is the difference between active and passive subwoofers?
2 Answers
The main differences between active and passive subwoofers are as follows. Here is a detailed introduction to the differences between active and passive subwoofers: 1. Whether it has a power amplifier: (1) Active subwoofer: It has a built-in power amplifier circuit, and it can work as long as it is connected to the power supply and signal input. (2) Passive subwoofer: It does not have a built-in power amplifier circuit and requires an external power amplifier to work. 2. Overall functionality: (1) Active subwoofer: Active subwoofers are part of a simple audio system, mostly used in the computer multimedia field, and have a smaller output power. (2) Passive subwoofer: Compared to active subwoofers, passive subwoofers have stronger low-frequency signal output capability and are slightly more expensive than active subwoofers.
When I was younger and modifying car audio systems, I encountered subwoofers for the first time and couldn't understand the difference between active and passive ones. Simply put, an active subwoofer has a built-in amplifier and can be powered directly by the car's electrical system, making installation super easy and eliminating the hassle of connecting to an external amp. Passive subwoofers require an additional external amplifier, which means more wiring and a higher chance of ending up in a tangled mess. Given the limited space in cars, I tested them in the trunk—the active subwoofer had better heat dissipation, didn't overheat easily, and allowed for higher sound adjustments. In contrast, the passive one had slightly weaker bass response with noticeable humming. Expanding on this, when car battery voltage fluctuates, active models usually come with built-in voltage stabilization protection to avoid draining the battery. For beginners diving into car modifications, choosing an active subwoofer is more hassle-free and time-saving, sparing you the trouble of dealing with a pile of extra components.
