active or passive?

[zucc 0]

hey guys i am new two the whole speaker set up thing but knows some about amps and subs. My question is i have 1997 f150 regular cab with four speakers one in each door and one beehind each seat. Are these stock speakers active or passive? I really dont know what the difference is between active and passive if you guys could help me understand that would be great. I also plan on replaceing these speakers by next year and i would like two know if i should run an active or passive speaker set?

P.s: i also putting a 10 or 12 inch sub in on its own amp, run four speakers on a 4channel amp? and i need to find a new h/u i am looking to spend about 1200.

any help and answers would be great! thanks

Edited May 19, 2008 by zucc

[KU40 173]

your stock speakers may not be either. active and passive refers to the crossovers used. Active uses powered electronic crossovers (like on your amp or head unit), passive uses capacitors, inductors, etc., in a circuit. They're like what you get if you buy a set of 6.5" components and they come with the little crossover boxes that you plug the input wire into and it has an output for the tweeter and mid.

Both are good, I'd say active is better because it's more easily controllable and adjustable. Passive is generally cheaper, though.

So back to your F150, I say it may have neither because many stock systems just stick the speaker in the door and hook it up to the factory head unit without any crossovers on it at all.

[sick6ness 1]

Since your a beginner to car audio and you are doing the install yourself, I'd say go passive just because it will be easier to tune for your liking.

A lot more things comes into play when going active.