Passive

A passive audio device is one which does not use amplification circuits. By nature of design, passive devices do cause a loss in power (insertion loss). Because they do not contain amplifiers, and are “cut-only” or “subtractive” in operation, passive devices tend to not add noise or distortion to a signal (although noise may be added in compensating for insertion loss). Typical passive devices include direct boxes, splitters, equalizers and crossovers.