SUB sound differences passive/active

[pepperman]

Hey all!

I'm about to be back in the fambly with a passive SUB5 and I'm really stoked about it! I have a question, though. What are the sonic/tonal differences between the active and passive versions? I know BP told us of the passive version being a player's request and it being just killer! So, what can I expect? Well, besides being blown away, of course?

 

[ibanez2005]

Never played a passive SUB5 but my active SUB5 is a beast. Ive changed the stock pickup for a 92' SR5 pickup and it sounds very close to an SR5.
Great basses.

 

[NoFrets80]

Hey all!

I'm about to be back in the fambly with a passive SUB5 and I'm really stoked about it! I have a question, though. What are the sonic/tonal differences between the active and passive versions? I know BP told us of the passive version being a player's request and it being just killer! So, what can I expect? Well, besides being blown away, of course?

i have a passive SUB fretless 4, as well as 2 other active SUBs, so hopefully i can be of some help. in my experience, with the 2 basses set flat the output is naturally slightly lower on the passive, but still hotter than any other passive bass i've ever played. the bass/treble boosts are quite effective on the passive, but with less of a range of adjustment than the active. the tone curve is narrower on the passive, but still effective. At volume, driving a band, the passive definitely feels a bit "warmer", with less cutting highs, but still punchy and with the same tonal quality as our beloved active SUBs/Rays. I listened to 2 recordings from past performances with the band i play the SUBs in as my main axes, and i can't tell a noticeable difference between the passive and actives in the mix. this is a good thing, in my opinion!

 

[pepperman]

Excellent! Great information! Thanx, NoFrets80!

 

[SLUGGO]

+1 to NoFrets assessment of the passive. I don't think you'll be dissapointed either way you go!