Active speakers have built-in amplifiers, while passive speakers require a separate amplifier. Main speakers deliver sound to the audience and are chosen based on venue size and amplifier output. Monitor speakers are for performers to monitor their own sound and have a flat frequency response within a budget. Full-range speakers can play almost all frequencies and use a whizzer cone to maximize their range. Speaker power is measured in Watts and loudness in Decibels. Different types of speakers include floor standing, in-ceiling, on-wall, bookshelf, and in-wall speakers as well as subwoofers for low frequency playback.

1. Elishia Selby Unit 65 ProductionArts
Speakers
- What is the difference betweenActive andPassive speakers?
Active speakers have the amplifierbuiltin
Passive speakershave a separate amplifier
- Explainhow speakers may differwhenusedfor the main PA for the audience as opposed
to monitor speakers.
Main speakersare speakersthatdelivermostof the soundto the audience.Youdecide onthe size
and numberof speakersaccordingtothe size of the venue aswell asamplifieroutput.
Monitor speakersare usedbythe performers tomonitortheirownsound.They are designedto
provide aflatfrequencyresponsesothe audiosignal isreproducedauthentically,withinthe
budgetarylimitationsof the speaker.
- Explainwhat a full range speaker systemis.
Full-range speakersare types of loudspeakerthatcanbe usedtoplay soundat almost
all frequencies thathumansare able to hear.
The frequenciesrange of these drivesismaximisedthroughthe use of awhizzercone.
An advantage isthatall soundcomesfrom the same point and audiocrossovercanbe simpler.
- What unit do we measure the power of a speaker in?
Power ofa speakeris measuredin Watts(W)
- What unit do we use to measure its loudness?
Loudnessof a speakerismeasuredin Decibels (dB)
- Give some examplesofsome differentspeakersandtheir intendeduses.
Floor standing Speakers-They are generally the largest and are available in a wide range of
styles/prices. Youcantake themwithyouwhenmoving,the enclosure istunedtoprovide the
best performance.
In-CeilingSpeakers: Theyoffergoodperformance andare generally usedassurround
soundspeakers. In-ceilingspeakersmayrequire professional installation.
On-Wall Speakers:They are a greatmatch for a flat-panel television. Manyon-wallspeakers
offersoundqualityasgoodas floor standingspeakers.
Bookshelf Speakers:Theyare much smallerthanfloorstandingspeakers andtake
lessspace.Inmost cases,they’re small enoughtofitona shelf ora floorstand.
Bookshelf speakerscanalsoofferexcellentperformance.
In-Wall Speakers:In-wall speakersare verypopularbecause theycan soundvery goodbut take
no floorspace.When paintedtomatch the wall colourtheyvirtuallydisappear.Theyoffergood
performance,howevertheymayrequireprofessional installation(especiallyforwiring) andthey
are more difficult to take with you if you move.
Subwoofers:These are designedspecificallyforlow frequencysoundplaybackand
are used together with the main speakers to boost the low-end sound range