Powered, or active, speakers have built-in amplification, while passive speakers need to be powered by an external amplifier, such as a stereo receiver or integrated power amp. Powered speaker setups are pretty turnkey, requiring fewer components and annoying cables—but more importantly, your speakers are already perfectly matched to the right amplifier. Passive speakers are often preferred by audiophiles because they offer the flexibility of mixing and matching components, for more control over system sound. And, unlike powered speakers, passive speakers don’t have to plug into a power outlet, which provides more placement options in some spaces.