Active vs. Passive In-Ceiling Speakers
Choosing between active and passive ceiling speakers is quite an important decision to make as this will make a big difference on how the ceiling speakers are installed.
Main differences:
| Passive Speakers | Active Speakers | |
| Strengths | Great for a fully-fledged multi-room system. Can offer higher sound quality | More cost-effective. Simple installation |
| Weaknesses | More expensive, more complex installation | Less choice, limited by the speaker's own amplifier power and flexibility. |
| Best for | Multiple rooms of audio. Those seeking better than average sound quality. | Ambient background listening. One of two rooms of ceiling speakers. |
How do they work?:
🛋️ Passive Speakers: speakers that require a separate amplifier for power.
Passive speakers are ideal for extension projects, home renovations or new builds where access to the ceiling is available and speaker cable can be run back to a separate amplifier.
As the amplifier is separate from the speaker itself, you have full flexibility with what amplifier to choose. Your amplifier is an important decision to make because this will determine what methods of control you have for your music, whether that’s via an app or Bluetooth etc.
Passive Speaker wiring guide:
Passive speakers are wired back to the relevant channels on the amplifier. The amplifier then requires a mains power connection (and often a WiFi connection if they are smart).
This is an example wiring guide for a Sonos system using the Sonos Amp:
🏃 Active Speakers: speakers with a built-in amplifier that simply require mains power
Though model choice is more limited, active speakers can be a great solution for retrofitting speakers in a room that has already been plastered and finished. As you don't need to wire back to a separate amplifier, it's easier to retrofit speakers as you'll just need to run cable back to a light fitting or power source.
There are fewer active ceiling speaker options available so you'll be limited sound-quality wise. You also don't have as much flexibility with control as with a passive system as you can't choose an amplifier.
The industry leader for active ceiling speakers is Lithe Audio, check out the range here.
Active Speaker wiring guide:
Active speakers simply require mains power and usually a speaker cable interlink if you are installing a pair in a room.
Here is a Lithe Audio wiring example:
