The affects of crossover points

[psycho72]

I have read in a few posts, comments such as "change your crossover points" (in reference to imaging problems or sound problems) and this got me to wondering what does a crossover point affect? For instance if I have a mid that plays to 6000hz would it be better to set the crossover point high? I know that from like 280Hz (maybe it is 250) and above things are directional but what points should I choose if I go completely active in my crossover?

[squeak9798]

I know that from like 280Hz (maybe it is 250) and above things are directional

Anything above pretty much 70hz or so is directional

but what points should I choose if I go completely active in my crossover?

That is completely car/install/setup dependent. Crossover points will vary based on the speakers, where they are located, the acoustics of the vehicle....things of that nature. Sometimes you need to underlap the xover points, sometimes you need to overlap the xover points. What can they change? The tonality of the speaker, it's distortion, how it integrates with the other speakers in the system, etc etc.

[psycho72]

Wow is it really that complicated. So how do you start? Is it just a matter of sit listen adjust sit listen adjust until on day it all just falls into place?

[squeak9798]

Wow is it really that complicated. So how do you start? Is it just a matter of sit listen adjust sit listen adjust until on day it all just falls into place?

Heh...it's kinda of a "tweak till your content" kinda thing. Start of with the general range of where the speakers should be playing and go from there. If you have access to an RTA, it greatly aids as then you can see what effects changing xover points has aswell as hear them.

[paikiah]

and where would one get a cheap and decent RTA? Been meaning to get one, but I still cannot justify to myself the high cost of the better known brands.

[squeak9798]

Ebay. Every once in a while a Coustic RTA will pop up....usually go for about $250 shipped or so. Either that or get a mic and a program to turn your PC into an RTA

[paikiah]

but an el cheapo mic has so much of noise as is, I don't think it'd be sensitive enough to give accurate readouts.. I guess the mic itself will cost me quite a bit again...

[squeak9798]

Drop $100 on a good calibrated mic, $100 on a good RTA program (like, TrueRTA maybe....been a while since I looked into a good PC RTA program), and a few odd 'n ends to get the mic running through your PC properly........You should be into it for less than $300


Heck, I honestly have no idea.....but maybe check out the SPL setup from Termpro, it may be able to do RTA functions aswell (again, I have no idea).

[req]

point me to a RTA that will cost $100 and i might be able to do it (PC RTA would be perfect. ive got an extra one lying around)

[squeak9798]

http://www.trueaudio.com/rta_abt1.htm - level 4 v3.0 = $99.95


Though, I've never used it, so I can not vouche for it's accuracy/ease of use.

[req]

ok- so what do i need via mic and cables?

[squeak9798]

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showd...number=248-625

Then, figure out how to run it into your soundcard. DBX has a mic aswell.....though I think it is more expensive.

[hoss]

Heck, I honestly have no idea.....but maybe check out the SPL setup from Termpro, it may be able to do RTA functions aswell (again, I have no idea).

the termlab sensor is not currently full range compatible.

[squeak9798]

the termlab sensor is not currently full range compatible.

Would be sweet if they built RTA functions into the program though....sell an "accessory" mic that is calibrated to pick up full range.

[req]

i think im gonna do this. the mic aint to expensive... like $100 for the mic and preamp... then i got that program on the DL

but this will be durring the summer. good stuff here.

- so the site says ill need a mixer\mic and the program right?

mixer
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/pshow...number=248-602


mic
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/pshow...number=248-625


so the amplifier for the mic is INSIDE the mixer, and the mixer connects to the sound card, and the computer uses the soundcard as an interface?

sounds easy enough... but they also said i need to get the mic calibrated.
WTF :|

//off topic



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