Powered speakers are speaker cabinets with built-in amplifiers. The main advantage offered by powered speakers over passive speaker cabinets is convenience, in that mixing consoles, MP3 players and even in some cases microphones can be connected directly to them. Obviously another saving is the not having to lug around separate power amps. Speaker manufacturers also can match amplifier power to speaker power and build in limiters and active crossovers.

Be sure to read our Cannon Online Buyer’s Guide to Powered Speakers