posted
Hi, I have been advised to run my system in active set up (with active crossovers instead of passives).
I have a four way front (tweeter, midrange, higher midbass, lower midbass), all drivers are Focal.
I can affort one more 4-channel Tube Driver for this perpose (I already have one) so that I can run separate amplifier per each channel (L/R).
But still - together with the active cross and interconnectors it will run the overall price of my system about $ 1.500 up! It's not my last money of course but is the sound difference worth it???
Also I will appreciate all the oppinions on the croissovers, which is better to use if I run the system in active mode: Phoenix Gold MX3 or Audisson SXR4 ?
Thank you.
Posts: 58 | From: Hämeenlinna, Finland | Registered: May 1999
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posted
Now I'm a big supporter of passives, but they are tricky to use, and changing xover points is laborious. For these reasons, I fell most people are better served by active filtering. Plus, it is easier to get steeper slopes actively than passively (lots of parts!!) I'm not too familiar with those Xovers, but will suggest the Coustic XM-7 (if you can find one) or the new top end KEF which is basically the same unit. They have decent slopes, multi channel in and out and a single EQ band on each channel.
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Lord Dukk The Big Show The Dukk says: Know your bass: PORT your damn box!!
posted
Actives are more flexible, but passives can compensate for some of the speaker's frequency response aberrations.
I would HIGHLY recommend you reconsider your system design, though. KISS - Keep It Simple S... In addition to the crossover problem, there are going to be phase and pathlength problems due to the multitude of speakers.
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Posts: 13 | From: Charlotte, NC, USA | Registered: May 1999
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There are places that will design and build some high quality passives. www.madisound.com builds some that they design with a computer program when you give them the driver specs. They also have experience with Focal drivers. I think with a four way system you could probably get away with shallower slopes between some drivers. They can do zobel impedance networks too. They won't be cheap but neither is another tube driver amp...
posted
Both types of filters will work, and can cost the same by the time the goal is met. Although passive crossovers are tricky, they can be done well and simply especially with fine drivers, and proper placement. The active set up, may cost more, but the end result of more power to each unit, does have it's advantages, along with ease of adjustment (which sees no end). I am a proponant of passive networks simply because of price/effectiveness issue. But if price was no object... need I say more?
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Posts: 1057 | From: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada 'eh | Registered: May 1999
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I contacted Madisound about a passive design. In addition to speaker specs, they need box volume, at least for drivers other than tweets. Not sure how critcal it over 80 - 100 hz. That is pretty difficult to predict for non square kicks. Probably need to build the kick pods, then maybe measure volume by filling with water?
------------------ Tom Whistler BC 72 240z, stereo install underway
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