Is this how a Subwoofer Crossover is supposed to work?


I bought two Starke SW12 subwoofers that I installed.  So far I'm not particularly happy with them.  They are way too loud even with the volume set almost to off.  More importantly, I'm having trouble integrating them into my system and I'm wondering if that is because their crossover setting is really functioning as I understand a crossover should. Attached please find measurements from Room Equalization Wizard with SPL graphs of the two subs (no speakers) taken at my listening position with the crossover set at 50 Hz, 90 Hz, and 130 Hz. Ignore the peaks and dips which I assume are due to room nodes.  All of those settings appear to actually have the same crossover point of 50 Hz. All that changes is the slope of the rolloff in sound levels. This isn't how I thought a properly designed crossover was supposed to work.  I thought the frequency the levels would start to roll off would change, i.e. flat to 50 hz then a sharp drop, flat to 90 hz then a sharp drop, etc. etc..  But Starke says this is how a subwoofer crossover is supposed to work.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/8x4cr32pagwg48i/Two%20Subs%20Different%20Crossover%20Points%20No%20Speaker...
Any experts on here with an opinion about this?  Is it possible to buy an inexpensive active crossover that I could use in place of what is built into these subs?
pinwa
Pinwa, welcome to the contorted world of subwoofers. Audiokinesis  is very versed in this subject. I have been involved with subwoofers on a semi professional basis since 1978. 
You are quite correct, those are very bad crossover curves for what they were indicated to be. The peak at 70 Hz and the dip just above 30 Hz are room modes. Make believe they are not there. Duke is correct in that it is possible for voice coil induction to create this effect but I somehow do not think this is the problem. I've looked at a lot of woofer specs and I have never seen one roll off this low. My inclination would be to send them back as they do not meet spec. With the Moabs I would want a crossover somewhere around 80 Hz, the 3dB down point. These are obviously not going to make it up there. It is unusual to see a sub not going up. The problem is usually the sib going down! 
If you are a handy person you might want to take a look at the Sub kits offered by Dayton labs. They are really quite excellent and better performing than a lot of commercial subs.
Using a high pass filter on the main speakers is very important for two reasons. It increase the headroom of the system and lower distortion on several fronts. If the supplied cross over does not have one you can supply your own first order crossover just by putting the right value capacitor in series with the + input of you amp. The math is readily available on line. All you need to know are the crossover frequency you want to use and the input impedance of your amps. I did this for years.
Ideally what you want to do with two subs is place them between the Moabs right up against the wall. You place all the speakers and subs on a radius from the listening position so that they are all the same distance from your ears. Then as long as none of your equipment shifts phase you will be good to go. You might consider adding more subs in the future if you don't get enough thud. 
The best subwoofer management systems are digital. You might want to look at my system page and you can see this in action measurements and all. My unit is no longer available but there are similar units on the market By DEQX, Anthem, Trinnov and now McIntosh. The problem with computer run systems is that you have to have and control 4 channels of DAC simultaneously. Using two separate DACs creates issues.
Please feel free to contact me if you have issues.

Mike
Ahhh.  Of course, an XLR to RCA adapter generally does the same thing, but it also unbalances the line.
1. At the top your list must be to deploy a single solution to control system volume you’ve been presented w/one or more to date. 

2. Either
  a. replace your existing subs or
  b. find an external XO* w/some DSP to aid in room integration 
*DBX Drive Rack PA 3 - way or PX - 2 way

I realize I committed a sin suggesting DSP in this system. I’m sure others will have better ideas. 
The “admission $”, used, is insignificant compared to what you have spent so far. If my solution sets you back instead of move you forward, you’ll have little trouble selling it.  
BTW I use 3 DRPAs and 1 DRPX to tri-amp 3/5 channels & integrate 4/5 subs into my 5.5 HT. From adding the first DRPA to the DRPX, my system moved forward every time. While your doin’ 2Ch VS HT & on a different level to boot, I’m satisfied for the moment... But that is for another day. 
Happy New Year and tweaking
If you are using line level input try using speaker level input if it is available on your subs.
I’ve spent the last several weeks attempting to integrate 3 separate subwoofers into my listen room along with my Moab speakers. From what I understand, an external crossover unit like the JL Audio CR-1 is essential to getting accurate time alignment between subs and main speakers. This essentially is a two system where everything above 90hz, for example, goes to the main speakers, and everything below 90hz is handled exclusively by sub(s). I don’t have such a unit and simply used several practical techniques to blend subs as well I could with my Moabs. If I can add anything to this thread it’s that integrating multiple subs can be extremely beneficial. And yes adding subs with the Moab has dramatically improved my low frequency room response, bass depth, sharpness and overall system accuracy. All the best. 

Happy New Year to all.