What is the difference between powered and passive speakers?

Powered (active) speakers have built-in amplifiers and processing, which means you connect an audio signal and power cable directly to the speaker and it's ready to go. They're simpler to deploy, require fewer external components, and are commonly used for smaller events, breakout rooms, background music, and quick setups where minimal rack gear is preferred.

Passive speakers require external amplifiers and often external processing (crossovers, limiters). This adds complexity but provides more scalability and fine-grained control over the system. Large-format line arrays and concert PA systems are typically passive, driven by dedicated amplifier racks that can be tuned and managed by a system engineer. For most large-scale productions, passive systems are the standard.