The hidden cost to compare before buying amplified or passive speakers

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Investing in a speaker system should be an exciting adventure for you and yours. There are many audio manufacturers on the market, and most of these brands are known for multiple products or platforms. But before you dust off your old CD or vinyl record collection, you need to determine what type of speakers you plan to invest in: powered or passive. While one isn’t necessarily better than the other, the passive speaker will likely be the more expensive option for a new speaker owner. Why, you may ask? Because you still have to buy anything that sends audio to your speakers.

Passive speakers are not amplified in any way, shape or form – it’s up to you to provide the amplification and audio signals. That means factoring in the cost of even a relatively basic two-channel stereo amplifier and speaker cable, at least to start. You’ll also want to make sure the amp you buy has all the audio connections you’re looking for (e.g. RCA, phono, digital optical, etc.). The $250 Sony STR-DH190 is a top-rated stereo receiver that’s been on the market for years, and it’s especially great for listening to music.

It produces up to 100 watts per channel and includes multiple audio outputs; it even offers Bluetooth support for wireless playback from a phone or laptop. Luckily, you can pick up a spool of speaker wire for as little as $10 (thanks, Amazon Basics!), but once your state’s sales tax is factored in, you’ll spend nearly $300 on power and audio — that’s before you’ve even selected a pair of passive speakers.

While you can certainly find a pair of used or refurbished passive speakers at a great price, you shouldn’t sacrifice quality for price. Fortunately, brands like Polk Audio and Klipsch make excellent pairs of bookshelf speakers – a common type of passive speaker – that won’t break the bank. In most cases, though, you’ll still spend close to $300 for a decent pair (although we found these Polk Audio monitors for $180).

Now, you could certainly spend $300 or more on a pair of powered speakers as well; the difference is that you absolutely won’t need to invest in an external amplifier or AV receiver. Most powered speakers include multiple audio inputs, and some of the more advanced models can even be connected to Wi-Fi, allowing you to access platforms like Spotify or Tidal directly from the speaker – no phone required. Closed ecosystems like Sonos or Bose’s Lifestyle line are some fan favorites for networking, but we’re also big fans of the $600 Edifier S1000W.

The latter can be interfaced via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth and supports features like AirPlay 2, as well as Spotify and Tidal Connect. The combo even comes equipped with RCA inputs if you want to connect a record player, CD carousel, or other analog audio equipment. Yes, $600 is a steep price, but remember: If you don’t already have an amplification source, a passive speaker setup can end up costing the same or more.