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High-pass line filter to relieve main speakers from low frequency

Hi everybody
I recently purchased a subwoofer, KEF Kf92. It has a built in low-pass filter, 24 dB, that can be set from 40-140 Hz. They go with ATC SCM20sl. Their specs are: 80-20 kHz +/- 2 dB, 55-25 kHz : - 6 dB (free standing, which they are, actually: free hanging).
I wonder whether it would be beneficial to insert an high-pass filter before the power amp, consisting of a capacitor with a set point of 65 Hz. This filter might not have a huge impact because the frequency of the ATC SMC20sl rolls off quickly by itself below 80 Hz, apparently by about 12 dB/octave.
My thinking however is: the loudspeakers still receive the complete energy of the low bass from the amp. They might not be able to convert it into sound, but instead convert it into heat and distortion. So a filter will make the life of the amp and speaker easier, since at 33 Hz, only a quarter of the energy is produced.
Do you agree with me?
b_mueller
jgoldrick's avatar
jgoldrick
138 posts
 
I was curious about the same thing.  I decided to go this route. 
https://sound-au.com/project81.htm. 

I haven't built it yet, this fall or winter, but I have all the parts.  I figured it would be a nice cold weather project.
tomwipf's avatar
tomwipf
17 posts
 
It lools like you guys are looking for an active crossover. Per ocd hifi guy - check out Marchand. - https://www.marchandelec.com/electronic-crossovers.html

Many folk discourage. I have limited knowledge but I believe crossovers cause phase shift. If you have expensive time aligned drivers you may be doing more harm than good.
tomwipf's avatar
tomwipf
17 posts
 
Vandersteen also makes a high pass amp but I doubt you'll like the price.

https://www.vandersteen.com/products/m5-hpa
perkri
907 posts
 
Built one of these for a friend to use with his Spendor  BC-1’s for the exact reason you are wanting to implement.

Here is a link to capacitor values as the apply to the input impedance of the power amp. 
I suggest buying a bunch of cheap capacitors around the values you think you might want  to drop in for “tuning”, and then buy proper ones once you sort it out.

http://www.troelsgravesen.dk/High-Pass-Filter.htm
nonoise's avatar
nonoise
10,879 posts
 
Would this be of any help?
https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/sublime-k231/

There's a link to the maker at the end of the article.

All the best,
Nonoise
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