There are several different types of speakers that are available. Some are better for producing music than others. They fall into two basic categories. These categories are passive speakers and active speakers. Here is a breakdown of some of the speakers that can be purchased.
Monitor Speakers
Most studios use monitor speakers. This is because it reveals all of the flaws in the music. This type of speaker is considered active. The term active means that the speaker is powered. This is just another way to say that the amplifier is built into the speaker. Having everything built in to the unit allows for a more accurate representation of the music. This is the reason that studios prefer this type of speaker. The flaws can be corrected so that it sounds good on any sound system.
Hi-Fi Speakers
In general, hi-fi speakers come in pairs. There is a left speaker and a right speaker. This dual speaker system offers a more appealing sound to the music. It works by taking the high and low sounds and combining them. This may not provide the most accurate sound for production purposes. It produces a high quality sound while masking the flaws in the music. This can be alleviated by using the floor speaker variety. Many home based productions use this type of speaker due to its versatility.
Main Speakers and Subwoofers
The most common type of speaker available is the main speaker paired with a subwoofer. Main speakers provide the majority of the sound to its listeners. The subwoofer works by amplifying the lower bass sounds. These types of speakers are typically passive. These speakers are better at broadcasting the music over a larger audience. They may not be good for production purposes since the flaws are likely to be masked.
Full Range Speaker
This type of speaker produces the full range of sound within one device. It has woofers and tweeters built in to give the fullest sound. Many professional models have drivers on the back of the speaker in order to amplify the sound better. It is also available in a larger size in order to balance the audio output. This type of speaker is typically considered passive.
Professional speakers are generally built to be hardy and may even be mounted into racks. They also offer higher sound quality than there consumer grade counterparts. The general types are the same. The production of music requires a higher level of accuracy.