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Why HiFi manufacturers don't make active crossovers anymore?

Hello to all,

On the recent days, I noticed that a lot of manufacturers of Hifi 2 channel systems, had plenty of options in a not so long past, of active crossovers, like Luxman, Accuphase, higher end Sony stuff, and many more, why do you think HiFi manufacturers abandoned the inclusion of active cross overs, channel dividers, in their lineup?

Accuphase still makes a digital one.

Appears that this devices are only still relevant in the Pro Audio world, why Home HifI abandoned the active cross over route? It's correct to assume that?

I think that can be very interesting tri-amp a three way loudspeakers with active cross overs, would like to know more about it too...

Share your thoughts about the subject, experiences in bi-amp and tri-amp with active crossovers and etc....

Thanks!
128x128cosmicjazz
audiorusty
270 posts
 
I prefer an active crossover. Adding one to my system was one of the biggest improvements I made. The clarity of the system improved immensely and I am able to play it at a much higher volume if I choose to since the mid/hi amps are not being sucked dry trying to reproduce the low bass signals.

I use a XTA DP448 which is a digital pro piece so no RCA connectors only XLR and it is fully electronically balanced.
erik_squires
16,041 posts
 
I should point out, btw, that active crossovers were never a very popular thing. The advent of Home Theater probably did more to create this market than anything else though, when we consider that every HT receiver with bass management has an active crossover built in.

Best,
E
erik_squires
16,041 posts
 
Hi  @audiorusty,

Can you tell us more about your crossover use? It sounds like you are doing more of a satellite/subwoofer setup than a 3-way, is that right?

Are you also using it for EQ?
mahlman
433 posts
 
That Xilica is awesome and all I use now are pro amps and DSP's and the huge improvement over passives and consumer gear is large. I figure most people who want great sound have not heard a system set up with something like multiple amps and a Xilica and in truth avoid that because they want plug and play and don't want to have to learn to do things other than spend money.
  Active crossovers weren't  a popular thing until buyers started demanding more with home theaters for sure. In the pro world they have been recognized as the essential tool that makes great sound for a long time. A crossover has severely limited purposes and wont control gain nor do EQ or time delay and introduces it's own set of components that have no way of being balanced against the other speaker(s) and crossover(s)
  Find someone close by who has done this and investigate it in real life and if someone tells you passives are the way to go for best sound I would run the other way.
mahlman
433 posts
 
" Myself I still only use the Xilica + amp-direct-to-driver for subs duties, but my main speakers with passive cross-overs are also run through the Xilica implementing a high-pass filter only (no delay or PEQ is used as-of-yet). I am considering by-passing the passive XO in the bass horn of my main speakers to run them fully active - this would be interesting for a variety of reasons. Going full-active with the mids and tweeter compression drivers is something I’ll likely avoid for the time being. "
 That 3060 is what I run too. What do you have for a system? You are right about DIY and pro usage.
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