--- title: What is the Difference Between Powered/Active and Passive Speakers? description: "Videos help: What is the Difference Between Powered/Active and Passive Speakers. Official Fluance support." --- [Skip to content](https://support.fluance.com/s/article/what-is-the-difference-between-powered-active-and-passive-speakers#main-content) [![Fluance Logo White](https://support.fluance.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Fluance%20Logo%20White.png?width=189&height=25&name=Fluance%20Logo%20White.png)](https://www.fluance.com/) - TURNTABLES Show submenu for TURNTABLES - [Turntables](https://www.fluance.com/tt/turntables) - [Turntable Speaker Systems](https://www.fluance.com/tt/turntable-speaker-systems) - [Turntable Accesories](https://www.fluance.com/tt/turntable-accessories) - [POWERED SPEAKERS](https://www.fluance.com/powered-bookshelf-floorstanding-speakers) - HOME AUDIO Show submenu for HOME AUDIO - [Home Theater Systems](https://www.fluance.com/home-audio/home-theater-systems) - [Floorstanding](https://www.fluance.com/home-audio/floorstanding-speakers) - [Bookshelf, Surround & Bipolar](https://www.fluance.com/home-audio/bookshelf-surround-bipolar-speakers) - [Center Channel](https://www.fluance.com/home-audio/center-channel-speaker) - [Subwoofers](https://www.fluance.com/home-audio/subwoofer) - [Accessories](https://www.fluance.com/home-audio/accessories) - [OUR STORY](https://www.fluance.com/about) - [BLOG](https://www.fluance.com/blog) Open main navigation Close main navigation - TURNTABLES Show submenu for TURNTABLES - [Turntables](https://www.fluance.com/tt/turntables) - [Turntable Speaker Systems](https://www.fluance.com/tt/turntable-speaker-systems) - [Turntable Accesories](https://www.fluance.com/tt/turntable-accessories) - [POWERED SPEAKERS](https://www.fluance.com/powered-bookshelf-floorstanding-speakers) - HOME AUDIO Show submenu for HOME AUDIO - [Home Theater Systems](https://www.fluance.com/home-audio/home-theater-systems) - [Floorstanding](https://www.fluance.com/home-audio/floorstanding-speakers) - [Bookshelf, Surround & Bipolar](https://www.fluance.com/home-audio/bookshelf-surround-bipolar-speakers) - [Center Channel](https://www.fluance.com/home-audio/center-channel-speaker) - [Subwoofers](https://www.fluance.com/home-audio/subwoofer) - [Accessories](https://www.fluance.com/home-audio/accessories) - [OUR STORY](https://www.fluance.com/about) - [BLOG](https://www.fluance.com/blog) - - [Contact Us](https://support.fluance.com/s/kb-tickets/new) [Contact Us](https://support.fluance.com/s/kb-tickets/new?hsLang=en) YOUR GUIDE TO THE ULTIMATE AUDIO EXPERIENCE - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [Fluance Support Center](https://support.fluance.com/s?hsLang=en) 2. [Videos](https://support.fluance.com/s/videos?hsLang=en) # What is the Difference Between Powered/Active and Passive Speakers? **[What is the Difference Between Powered/Active and Passive Speakers?](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kApwnPm3RNU)** You have your passive speakers, and your powered speakers. What's the difference? We're going to tell you.  Passive speakers need their input signal to come from an amplifier, which may be part of a receiver, or a separate unit. The reason for this is because they don't have one built in.  Powered speakers, aka active speakers, contain their own amplifier, which means they're a bit more versatile. For example, you could go straight from a turntable with a preamp, like our RT80 and RT81, directly into the speakers. This would require no receiver, and leave you with a nice clean, aesthetically pleasing setup. Another common use of active speakers is using them as computer speakers, or even simply as Bluetooth speakers. The downside to active speakers is - because they are one unit - you cannot upgrade the amplifier and speaker separately However, amplifiers in powered speakers are generally very well matched to the drivers.  Amplifier manufacturers tend to overbuild their amps to ensure they can accommodate a wider range of speakers. One plus to passive speakers is that it's easier to upgrade your home theater. Many consumers assemble their systems piecemeal, and being able to upgrade the speakers and amplifier separately makes it a little easier to match components. One downside to passive speakers is that it can be challenging to keep a clean setup, because you have to cables from the source, to the amplifier or receiver, to the speakers. - [Turntables](https://support.fluance.com/s/turntables?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Troubleshooting](https://support.fluance.com/s/turntables?hsLang=en#troubleshooting) - [Set Up](https://support.fluance.com/s/turntables?hsLang=en#set-up) - [Powered Speakers](https://support.fluance.com/s/powered-speakers?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Powered Speaker Set Up](https://support.fluance.com/s/powered-speakers?hsLang=en#powered-speaker-set-up) - [Powered Speaker Troubleshooting](https://support.fluance.com/s/powered-speakers?hsLang=en#powered-speaker-troubleshooting) - [Passive Speakers](https://support.fluance.com/s/passive-speakers?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Home Theater Set Up](https://support.fluance.com/s/passive-speakers?hsLang=en#home-theater-set-up) - [Home Theater Troubleshooting](https://support.fluance.com/s/passive-speakers?hsLang=en#home-theater-troubleshooting) - [International Resources](https://support.fluance.com/s/international-resources?hsLang=en) - [Videos](https://support.fluance.com/s/videos?hsLang=en) - [General Information](https://support.fluance.com/s/general-information?hsLang=en) - [Store Policies](https://support.fluance.com/s/store-policies?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Returns & Warranty](https://support.fluance.com/s/store-policies?hsLang=en#returns-warranty) - [Shipping](https://support.fluance.com/s/store-policies?hsLang=en#shipping) - [Billing & Payment](https://support.fluance.com/s/store-policies?hsLang=en#billing-payment) - ABOUT US - [Who We Are](https://www.fluance.com/about/) - [Fluance Blog](https://www.fluance.com/blog/) - [Professional Reviews](https://www.fluance.com/blog/category/professional-reviews/) - [Contests & Giveaways](https://www.fluance.com/contests-giveaways/) - [Why Choose Fluance?](https://www.fluance.com/why-choose-fluance/) - [Community & Environment](https://www.fluance.com/environmental-sustainability/) - [Glossary](https://www.fluance.com/glossary/) - PRODUCTS - [Turntables](https://www.fluance.com/turntables) - [Powered Bookshelf, Floorstanding Speakers](https://www.fluance.com/powered-bookshelf-floorstanding-speakers) - [Home Theater Systems](https://www.fluance.com/home-theater-systems) - [Floorstanding Speakers](https://www.fluance.com/floorstanding-speakers) - [Bookshelf, Surround & Bipolar Speakers](https://www.fluance.com/bookshelf-surround-bipolar-speakers) - [Center Channel Speakers](https://www.fluance.com/center-channel-speaker) - [Subwoofers](https://www.fluance.com/subwoofer) - [Accessories](https://www.fluance.com/accessories) - [Deals & Special Offers](https://www.fluance.com/deals-special-offers) - [Extended Warranty](https://www.fluance.com/extended-warranty) - [Discontinued](https://www.fluance.com/discontinued) - CUSTOMER SERVICE - [Support Center](https://support.fluance.com/s/) - [Contact Us](https://support.fluance.com/s/kb-tickets/new) - [My Account](https://www.fluance.com/customer/account) - [30 Day Risk Free in Home Trial](https://www.fluance.com/30-day-risk-free-in-home-trial) - [Fluance Policies](https://www.fluance.com/store-policies) - [Media Inquiries](https://www.fluance.com/media-inquiries) - [Bulk Purchases](https://www.fluance.com/bulkpurchases) - [Privacy Policy](https://www.fluance.com/privacy-policy/) - [Register your Product](https://www.fluance.com/registration/) - [Legal](https://www.fluance.com/legal/) © 2026 Fluance. All Rights Reserved.