Which speaker is right for me?
Speakers come in many designs, but a fundamental distinction exists between active and passive variants, which are fitted with (active) or without (passive) amplifiers. Active speakers are also available with built-in batteries, enabling remote use, and feature Bluetooth for simple wireless operation.
For smaller events, solo performers or mobile DJs may opt for an active, highly portable column system or combine full-range speakers with subwoofers. Band members, on the other hand, may prefer monitor speakers for the rehearsal room and full PA sets for the stage. On the other hand, if you are looking for that full-on festival sound, then line arrays might be the right choice for you.
How do speakers work?
A speaker, or more specifically a speaker cabinet, represents the final link in a signal chain, transforming the electrical signals from a mixer or player into sound. As a result, speakers are fitted with one or more sound transducers – also known as chassis or drivers – available in various shapes and sizes. These individual speakers each have a specific frequency range and are named accordingly as tweeters, midrange speakers, and woofers.
The task of dividing up the frequencies falls to a crossover and, depending on the number of divisions involved, the speaker is referred to as a two-way, three-way, or other configuration.
What are full-range speakers?
Thomann offers a selection of full-range speakers that cover the entire frequency spectrum, from lows and mids to highs. These versatile speakers are suitable for a wide range of applications and can be used individually, in pairs, or integrated into more complex setups. The choice of configuration is largely determined by the size of the venue and whether the event is being held indoors or outdoors. Full-range speakers are ideal for small events, acoustic gigs, speeches, and as dedicated vocal systems, making them a good choice for solo performers.
How are full-range speakers built?
Housing
Full-range speakers feature housings made of wood or plastic with integrated handles for greater portability. Holes on the underside of the housing serve as a mounting facility for stands or flying harnesses. Slanted housing designs additionally enable these speakers to be used as floor monitors.
Driver
Full-range speakers are typically designed as two-way systems with two or more drivers, often featuring 15" woofers paired with 1" tweeters to offer a frequency range of 50Hz to 20kHz. Particularly when it is to be used without a subwoofer, the full-range speaker should offer the maximum possible frequency range.
Load capacity and sound pressure
Full-range speakers typically offer 500 to 1000 watts (RMS) of power and sound pressure levels of up to around 130dB. These values are used to classify speaker volume but do not necessarily reflect sound quality.
Connections
Familiarising yourself with the connections on your speaker is key to a successful audio setup. In addition to jacks, commonly encountered connection types include professional speaker twist inputs and outputs.
What is the difference between active and passive speakers?
Active speakers include built-in amplifiers and full control electronics – often with DSP (digital sound processor) features to enable sound adjustments. Courtesy of the integrated amplifier, no amplifier purchase is required, and the speaker can be connected directly to your setup. An external power source or battery is needed for operation. Active speakers are ideal for smaller, mobile setups.
Passive speakers require a suitable amplifier or power mixer for operation. This speaker type is commonly used for permanent setups which enable centralised access to peripherals such as amplifiers, EQs, DSPs, and mixers.
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