Passive speakers are designed solely to reproduce sound. They do not handle sound source decoding or signal amplification. Instead, they receive an audio-level signal from an external amplifier, which is then fed to the driver to produce sound.
One of the key advantages of passive speakers is their longevity. Investing in a high-quality passive speaker can provide you with decades of service, all while staying compatible with advancements in DAC and amplifier technology.
Typically, a passive speaker can have a single driver to produce audio. However, a single driver often struggles to cover the entire frequency range of human hearing (20 Hz to 20,000 Hz). To address this, the frequency range is generally divided into three sections:
- Bass (20 Hz to 300* Hz): This range covers the lower frequencies in the human hearing spectrum.
- Mids (300* Hz to 4 kHz): Mid frequencies encompass most of the details in the audio we hear.
- Treble (4 kHz to 20 kHz and above): High-pitched content in audio falls within the treble region.
* Note that the frequency at which Bass transition to Mids are sited differently in literatures I have reviewed. I have seen numbers as low as 180Hz to as high as 600Hz.
By understanding these components, you can better appreciate the design and functionality of passive speakers.
What is ‘Hz’?
‘Hz’ stands for Hertz, the unit of frequency. One Hertz (Hz) is equivalent to one event or cycle per second. For instance, 1000 Hz is also referred to as 1 kHz (kilohertz). Human hearing ranges from frequencies of 20 Hz to 20 kHz.
2-Way vs 3-Way Passive Speakers
When shopping for passive speakers, you’ll often encounter two main types: 2-way and 3-way speakers.
3-Way Speakers: These speakers include a 3-way crossover that divides the incoming signal into three parts: bass, mids, and treble. The bass frequencies are handled by a woofer, the mid-range frequencies by a mid-range driver, and the treble frequencies by a tweeter.
2-Way Speakers: These speakers feature a 2-way crossover that splits the incoming audio signal into two parts. The first part covers the bass and mid-range frequencies and is directed to a driver called the ‘woofer.’ The second part covers the treble region and is sent to a component known as the ‘tweeter.’
| 3-Way Speakers | 2-Way Speakers |
| More expensive | Economical option |
| Produces fuller, more accurate sound | Not as detailed sound reproduction as a 3 way speaker |
| Suitable for larger rooms | Suitable for smaller rooms |
| Bigger size to accommodate 2 drivers | Smaller size due to only 2 drivers |
| Requires more power and amplification | Requires less power so its easier to power with budget amplifiers |
As shown in the picture above, drivers can be classified into various types such as cone, dome, and compression horn types. The differences between these driver designs are beyond the scope of this blog post. However, if you’re interested in diving deeper into loudspeaker design, you can check out the Wikipedia article here.
Form Factors of Passive Speakers
Based on form factor, passive speakers for home audio can be classified as follows:
- Bookshelf Speakers: These compact speakers can be placed on a stand, table, or, as the name suggests, on a bookshelf. They can serve as primary speakers or as surround sound speakers in a home theater system. This is the most versatile speaker type. If you’re buying your first set of speakers, starting with bookshelf speakers is a great choice.
- Floor-Standing Speakers: These speakers are placed on the floor and usually act as the front left and right speakers in a home theater setup.
- Center Channel Speaker: This unique speaker is installed between the front left and right speakers and is designed to reproduce vocals in your home theater system. Modern movies and TV shows are mixed so that all dialogue is reproduced through the center channel.
- Atmos Speakers: These smaller speakers are typically installed as height channels in your home theater setup, providing a 3D audio experience. Properly installed and tuned height channels can make you feel like a helicopter is flying overhead, enhancing the immersive experience.
- Subwoofer: Subwoofers are designed to reproduce chest-thumping bass at lower frequencies, especially between 20 Hz and 180 Hz. Other speaker types struggle to reach these low frequencies with authority, so a subwoofer fills that gap.
Passive Speaker Specification
When you buy a speaker, you will be confronted with some specs that you should be aware of:
- Speaker Impedance: This is measured in ohms (Ω). You will see this number anywhere between 4Ω to 8Ω. Your amplifier will rate the minimum impedance it can support for your speaker. Also, higher impedance means you can run longer cables between the speaker and the amplifier without much loss in your audio quality.
- Sensitivity: This is measured in decibels (dB). This number gives you the efficiency of the speaker or, in other words, how much output you can get for the same input levels. Anything above 90 dB will work well with your budget amplifiers.
- Peak Power: This is measured in Watts (W). This is the maximum power the speaker is designed for. Pushing more power than the rated peak power can risk your speaker blowing.
- Loudness: This is measured in decibels (dB). This number represents how loud the speaker can get.
- Frequency Response: This is measured in Hertz (Hz). This is defined as a range. For example, a speaker could have a Frequency Response of 60 Hz to 22 kHz +/- 1.5 dB. This means that this speaker is going to reproduce the sound at acceptable loudness between 60 Hz and 22 kHz, and beyond this range, it will not reproduce the sound at a loud enough level as intended by the original audio source. The +/- 1.5 dB just means that the speaker manufacturer is using the +/- 1.5 dB as the acceptable limits of variation from the specified loudness level.
Your First Set of Speakers
As a new enthusiast, navigating the myriad of speaker options can be overwhelming. These can be significant investments, and you don’t want to make the wrong decision. I was in a similar dilemma, and here’s what I did.
I got my first set of speakers from a thrift store. They were massive 3-way bookshelf speakers from Sony (MB-215) that I bought from the Salvation Army for $3 for the pair. Since then, I’ve bought a few pairs from both the Salvation Army and Goodwill.
Facebook Marketplace is also a great source to find high-quality used speakers at affordable prices.
Once you know this is a hobby you want to invest in, here are some speaker brands and stores I have had great experiences with:
Brands of Speakers I Have Used and Recommend:
- Polk Audio – https://www.polkaudio.com/en-us/category/home-speakers/
- Klipsch – https://www.klipsch.com/audio-speakers
- Fluance – https://www.fluance.com/home-audio/floorstanding-speakers
- Sony – https://electronics.sony.com/c/home-theater-speakers
- Yamaha – https://usa.yamaha.com/products/audio_visual/speaker_systems/index.html#d846004
- KEF – https://us.kef.com/collections/bookshelf-speakers
Please note that the above list includes speaker manufacturers with which I have had positive firsthand experiences. I have owned all of them except KEF. This is by no means a comprehensive list of manufacturers, but if you are a beginner and need a starting point, this list will give you a place to begin your research.
Places I Recommend for Buying Speakers:
- Amazon.com – Best prices and return policy.
- Crutchfield.com – Excellent customer service and expert guidance.
- BestBuy.com – Best place to experience the speakers firsthand in-store.
- Accessories4less.com – Great site for buying refurbished equipment at discounted prices. I was initially confused about their return policy, but luckily, I haven’t had to return anything yet.
I recommend starting with local thrift stores, garage sales, and Facebook Marketplace, as these are where you will find the best deals. If you decide to invest in new speakers, the above sites have provided me with great experiences in the past.
Share Your Experience!
I would love to hear about your journey with passive speakers! What was your first set of speakers? Which ones are your favorites? Share them in the comment section below.
Your comments will not only help me but also benefit the entire community by shedding light on the various speakers available in the marketplace. Let’s learn and grow together!
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