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Suggestions for active crossover setup please.

Thinking about putting together a second 2.1 or 2.2 system using a sub(s), two tower mains and running it with a preamp of some sort into an active crossover sending 50hz and up to an amplifier and on to the mains and letting the sub fill in the bottom. A couple questions...

1. Why isn't this setup more common? It seems like most people just send a full range signal to their mains and add a sub. The thing is, the vast majority of speakers don't do very well below 40 or 50hz so why let them and/or the amplifier struggle?

2. I have looked around a little and it seems like there a not a lot of options for active crossovers that can be used this way. Either they are made for pro audio, or they are designed for actively crossing over each individual driver or they are prohibitively expensive (as in the case of the JL Audio CR-1). So, for those who have a setup such as this, what component(s) are you using?

This is still in the planning phase so I am really open to thoughts and suggestions.



ifmywordsdidglow
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edwyun
244 posts
 
I've been doing a 2.1 system with active crossovers for years.  Others have been dong it since the 80s.  Main issue is that it takes a lot of work and listening to dial it in properly because the active crossover allows so much adjustment - they all do crossover frequencies, but some also do slope, Q, etc.  You can try by ear but it's better to have a mic and analyzer to confirm your settings.

FWIW, I'm using 2 First Watt B4 active crossovers.
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,800 posts
 
The First Watt B4 provides an unbelievable range of settings: 6-12-18-24dB/octave (1st-2nd-3rd-4th order) filters at 25Hz to 3200Hz in 25Hz increments! And it is built with all discrete parts, no Opamps or IC's. It is about to be discontinued, so if interested act now. Reno HiFi sells it discounted.
erik_squires
16,060 posts
 
This is a really good idea, most flexible, and has the most problems with room integration.

IT is a lot easier to integrate a bandwidth limited speaker (45 Hz and up) than a sub + satellites into a room. The lower you go, the more dragons you find.

Best,


E
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