Why are the Infinity IRS, Reference 1b, Beta ect speakers passive on the mids and highs?


I would like to know why all of the classic Infinity's and most other brands use passive crossovers for the mid to high transition? I don't think it was for cost and that level. Is passive better? Has anyone compared both to know which is better?
partroysound
I had a friend that replaced them with custom made active Xover much better depth,stage,bass detail,impact and dynamics.Good luck!!
Having seen a few fixes online, I have to say @timlub is most probably right.

These crossovers were done very "empirically" and I doubt any designer with modern measurement and simulation tools today would arrive at the same crossover designs. Most designers today would absolutely scratch their heads about the choices being made, as well as some of the impedance problems that resulted.

Active crossovers properly designed would be head and shoulders better than the originals, if only from being better measured and better tuned. :)

However, with good passive crossover design and good parts I think they could be brought up several levels today for use with your favorite amps.


Best,


E
I haven't finalized on the crossover points yet. On the tweeter 3500Hz to 4000 Hz is good, the low point on the mid is very tough. 150hz to 160hz leaves a gap to the bass modules. As I drop the frequency the sound doesn't change much until the EMIM's start to distort for being too low. I have tried a Tympani panel for mid bass 70hz to 135hz It sounds good but not a great look.
Marc
If I recall correctly,  they are at 125, 700, 3k & 8k....
Does your crossover have a choice of Bessel, Butterworth, Linkwitz Riley etc?  Can you change slope? Meaning 12db per octave, 18, 24...or even 64db per octave? 
Please let me know... type of slope and amount of roll off effect phasing and blending, plus each type of slope sounds different.
Once I get that, I'll give you some basic advice to try. 
I can only change frequency. Slope is 18db/octave. I don't know Bessel, ect... You are correct on the crossover frequencies except I thought it was 140hz not 125hz.