To be honest I prefer the simplicity of the controls on the passive.im no tech head and I love my wal 5 but in my opinion every setting, whatever you choose is very useable on the passive,whereas not so on the active.I find the same with my alembic actually. The output and 'girth' of sound from the single pup never ceases to amaze me! And nothing else has ever come close to offering that fat ,creamy smooth and definition of note sound .