Term: Active Hi-Fi System

Definition: In an active system an electronic crossover divides the audio spectrum into two or three separate frequency bands, depending on the loudspeaker type employed.

The crossover is connected between the pre-amplifier and power amplifiers. Each power amplifier is then connected directly to the appropriate loudspeaker drive unit, and only handles one frequency band. In a 2 way speaker, you would have 2 power amps; in a 3 way speaker you would have 3 power amps. This allows better control of the drive unit resulting in more accurate music reproduction. As there is no passive crossover no amplifier power is wasted and information loss is minimised.

The great potential possessed by an active system demands not only source components of the very highest quality but also for them to be perfectly matched and installed.