Active speakers

[stulloyd]

Having read my way through some of the threads here, I apologise for the naivety of my question but I need pointing in the right direction. Basically, I want to be able to play music from my computer anywhere, but particularly outside in the summer. I have heard there are such things as active speakers, but have not been able to find much about them.
Could someone tell me where i can look please?

[sreten]

Hi,

You will have to be more specific.

Laptop ? mains PC ? outside - portable ? mains power ? 12V inverter ?

Volume level and fidelity required.

/sreten.

[daatkins]

Active speakers are those which have an amplifier built into the box. Most speakers intended for PCs, MP3 players and the like are active.

Have a look at Maplin:
http://www.maplin.co.uk/search.aspx?...did=-5&doy=3m5

Nice one,
David.

[wigginjs]

So, there is going to be some confusion here, but I think I know what you're talking about.

Active speakers are speakers that have the amplifier built into the cabinet. So, you plug the speaker into the wall and then connect it to your audio source

Active crossover speakers are speakers that separate the frequency into different pass bands before the signals are amplified and then provide an amplifier for each driver in the speaker. I don't think this is what you're talking about.

Anyway... I'm not sure how this helps you play music outside.

[sdclc126]

www.linkwitzlab.com

[sdclc126]

Disregard my post - obviously didn't read the original clearly.

But, if you every want to build high-end, open baffle, active speakers for serious listening...

[Tenson]

There is a difference between 'activated' speakers, which are passive speakers with an amp attached to the back and then you get true 'active' speakers which use an active crossover and a separate amplifier for each driver. The most common are studio near-field monitors which have all this built in to the cabinet.

There is a wide choice depending on price and size. Have a look at http://www.dv247.com/icat/Active+Monitors/2940/

I suppose it could make it more convenient to play music outside since all you would need is a power socket and a portable device with volume control function.

I can attest to the quality of the ~£200 Alesis monitor one MKII actives. Further up-market is the Mackie range and up-market again are things like PMC, ATC and Adam actives.

For stuff less than £200 look second hand for things that were about £200 new!