If done correctly, active monitors have a higher potential for accuracy than passive monitors. Two of the big reasons are:
1. Powered monitors can use active crossovers in the preamp stage. Active crossovers are more accurate and stable than passive since they are unaffected by the complex and variable loads which loudspeakers present.
2. Removing the passive crossovers allows the amplifiers (one for each driver) to be directly couple to the drivers. This provides better damping.
There a many other reasons as well.
The catch it this. Systems using dedicated amplifiers and active crossovers are significantly more expensive than single amp and passive speaker systems. Be very skeptical of inexpensive active monitors. Really, they should cost MORE than the combined cost of passive monitors and an amplifier. If they don’t, quality has been sacrificed. There is no getting around it.
YGWYPF (you get what you pay for). If this isn’t already an established acronym, it should be.
Barefoot
