What is a Passive Speaker?
A passive speaker has no amplifier of its own. It takes a speaker-level feed from an amplifier or receiver over ordinary speaker cable, which leaves you free to choose the amplifier now and change it later without replacing the speakers.
How low do they go?
Of the 500 here with a figure quoted, most are rated between 32Hz and 65Hz, with a median of 46Hz. 155 of them are quoted at 40Hz or below, which is roughly where a soundtrack's low effects and the bottom of a bass guitar live. Makers measure this differently, so use the figure to rank models rather than as a promise.
What do they cost?
Most sit between $344 and $4,998, with a median of $1,198 and a full range of $79 to $22,000. Prices are for a pair unless the listing says otherwise. These are the current asking prices we hold, not sale prices, and they move - check the retailer before deciding.
What amplifier do they need?
Sensitivity here is mostly 86.0dB to 93.0dB, median 89.0dB. 277 of the 500 that state a nominal impedance are 8 ohms. Every 3dB of sensitivity is worth as much as doubling the amplifier's power, so a sensitive speaker needs far less amplifier than an insensitive one of the same size. Read the minimum impedance as well: a nominal 8 ohm speaker that dips to 3 ohms is the harder load.
Can they be bi-wired or bi-amped?
217 of the 438 with the connection recorded have two sets of binding posts, so those can be bi-wired or bi-amped. It is worth knowing before you buy cable, but it is a long way down the list of things that change the sound - position and room treatment come first.
How big are they?
Most are 183mm to 1,131mm tall, median 383mm, and weigh 5.0kg to 30.5kg, median 12.8kg. Every listing gives height, width and depth in both inches and millimetres, so measure the space before you order rather than after.