Conference napalm::commusic_v1

    	Active EQ in the "BOSE" style means the  processor box has a
    set eq curve to compensate for the shortcomings of their speaker
    system. Use the speakers without the box and they sound like doo-doo.
    The main drawbacvk of some of these systems is that they usually
    have to boost the bass a LOT. This uses up the headroom of your
    power amp so that your top sound presure level is reduced. There
    are other systems using decent sized speakers in which the processor
    just smooths out the response of the speaker system. These leave
    your EQ free to fix room response problems. A good example of this
    is Yorkville Sound's Elite MX1000 cabs. 2x15 with a horn is each.
    Power handling is 1000 watts program each. The Eq processor is stereo
    and also privides the Bi-Amp capability for using a sub woofer with
    it for added low end. THESE ARE LOUD!!!. Yorkville Sound is a Canadian
    company who are also known as  Traynor. 

    
    Active eq is not used exclusively for small speakers, it is the wave of
    the future for large touring systems as well. EAW KF series, EV MT-4,
    Meyer MSL...all are very large, very LOUD touring systems that have a 
    processor associated with it.
    
    In one way .1 is right, some speaker companies use the active box as a
    band aid to lousy response. Done correctly, a processed system has many
    advantages over non processed ones. Namely, a much more sophisticated
    crossover network can be designed actively than passively. Once it's
    designed, you just plug it in and go, no adjustments. The really good
    processed systems like the EAW KF850, very little eq is needed even for
    large halls. They are smaller, lighter, and mostly louder than their
    non processed counterparts.
    
    As for the AR system, they are primarily trying to get the lower octave
    out of a cabinet that is not large enough to support it. You will get
    bass but your headroom will suffer. That may or may not be an issue in
    your application.
    
    CdH
    
    

      re .1
    
      Hey - We use the Elite system as well! We were using a JBL Cabaret
    speaker system (4691B/4625) but switched over to Elites for portability
    and better low-end response. The processors that come with the Elites
    are specifically set up for each individual model. If I remember
    right the MX-1000's handle 1000 watts. I don't think you need a
    subwoofer with two 15's in there. 
      We use the M-600's and SW-600 in our front end and we are really
    pleased with them! The M-600's have two 10" speakers and a horn
    and handle 600 watts. The SW-600 subwoofers have a single 18" each
    and also handle 600 watts. We already had a crossover in the rack
    and were told that with it we didn't need the seperate processor
    that runs around $95. From what I understand the processor will
    allow the M-600 to have better bass response when not used with
    the subwoofers, and functions as a crossover with the subs. The
    only advantage I have on keeping my own crossover is that all
    the levels and frequencies are adjustable, but on the Elites they
    are not. 
    						---/boom/---
    

    Sometimes the term "active" is used in distinction to "passive" to mean
    that an op amp is used in the circuit instead of purely passive
    components (i.e., resistors, capacitors and inductors).  A passive
    circuit can only exhibit a loss, while an active circuit (with a power
    supply) can exhibit gain.
    
    len.