Powers Amps Vs. Powered Speakers– Pro’s and Cons
Greeting Dynastar Fans:
Today I’d like to discuss with you using power amplifiers versus using powered PA cabinets for your audio needs.
I will be straight forward with you. I do not care for powered PA cabs. Most of the manufacturers make them very chinsey I.e. under powered components, glue squirted all over the circuitry making them irreparable, or so highly dense with electronic components, that too makes it impractical to repair. A power amplifier on the other hand is repairable and is serviced much easier.
What’s the advantage of having an integrated amplifier (referred to as a ‘plate amp’) in the cab? Well, you do not need to haul around a power amplifier in a rack, nor do you need a speaker cable. You have one less piece of gear to haul around. I get it. After the gig, packing up is the last thing anyone wants to do.
The problem with plate amplifiers in PA cabs– first is the vibration while pounding out tunes just tortures the circuitry something ugly. The vibration shatters solder joints, and wreaks havoc on the controls making them scratchy. DJ systems are notorious for this abuse based on their high sound levels. They just don’t last as long. Second, powered PA cabs still need to be serviced, especially if
there is a fan (which is necessary) sucking dust into the unit. Even with no fan, the air movement from the driver sucks in dust, and it settles on the components within the plate amplifier internally. Lastly, the heat generated runs the plate amplifier components under a higher temperature in fan-less units. Basically you’ve thrown a power amplifier into a speaker cabinet under abusive conditions. So if this is the case and you are ‘Flying the cab’ (hung somewhere), it costs additional labor to remove the cab and service it. The most problematic type are powered sub-woofers. Ufff.. they are back breaking and bulky to service.
Passive speakers are quite reliable, and last many years –hung or not. So if you have a separate stereo power amplifier, you have everything easily accessible in a rack, where you can easily remove the unit, and service or repair it. You can also test the speakers remaining in place by quickly substituting another power amplifier in place. You’re up and running quickly. Nice. No vibration rattling the chassis, and runs cooler during operation; way more power available too.
A quality powered PA cab such as the QSC K series are not cheap, but they beat out other low cost Asian built– off branded ones.
If you can give up the convenience of a powered PA cab, I highly suggest going old school and use a separate power amplifier, and equalize everything from your mixer. You’ll have better control. Capisce?
Dynaman at your service as always..
A…….