2 Way System VS. 3 Way System?

[Jazz 10+ year member]

In 3-way mode the rear outputs have two filters applied. They get both a high pass to keep the bass out and a low pass to keep the highs out. This makes a bandpassed output for your midranges. The mid-l is the low end for the mids (it's kinda mislabeled since it is a high pass filter) and the mid-h is the high end for the mids. Make sense?

Yes, it makes sense, Thank You.

So , if i were to keep my components instead of installing the coaxials, i would wire it like this...???

3 Way Xover

Front Speaker Output = Tweeters(remove passive xover that came with set)

Rear Speaker Output = Midrange(remove passive xover that came with set)

Subwoofer Output = Subwoofer

For rear coaxial speakers, where would i hook them up?( i like the rear fill)

thanks

Jazz

 

[audioholic 5,000+ posts]

Id leave rears unhooked, especially if you are attempting to strengthen your front stage by going active. But, if you MUST have rear fill, it should be atenuated and bandpassed. Using the same filter as the mids would be... okay... but you'd still need to be able to turn down their volume.

 

[Jazz 10+ year member]

Id leave rears unhooked, especially if you are attempting to strengthen your front stage by going active. But, if you MUST have rear fill, it should be atenuated and bandpassed. Using the same filter as the mids would be... okay... but you'd still need to be able to turn down their volume.

If i hook up the rear coaxials on the same channel as the component's mids, would the tweeters on the coaxial even work given the bandpassed output that will be applied?

 

[audioholic 5,000+ posts]

If i hook up the rear coaxials on the same channel as the component's mids, would the tweeters on the coaxial even work given the bandpassed output that will be applied?

No, you misunderstood me. I did not mean hook up the rears to the same amplifier channels as the front mids (that would alter impedance), I was saying you could use the same signal in a pinch. That would require RCA Y-adapters to split into two cables, and two more channels of amplification.
Also, does your head shut off the high-level speaker outputs when the RCA's are used, or can you use both? You *might* be able to run the rear-fill off the deck's power. But for all I know, you have a dead-head. I dont remember what deck you are running, just a thought.

Why would you run coaxials as 'mids' in a 2-way active system? No, the tweeter would not work, as its useable frequencies would be filtered out upstream in the signal chain. But, you wouldn't want to use coax's anyway.

 

[Jazz 10+ year member]

No, you misunderstood me. I did not mean hook up the rears to the same amplifier channels as the front mids (that would alter impedance), I was saying you could use the same signal in a pinch. That would require RCA Y-adapters to split into two cables, and two more channels of amplification.
Also, does your head shut off the high-level speaker outputs when the RCA's are used, or can you use both? You *might* be able to run the rear-fill off the deck's power. But for all I know, you have a dead-head. I dont remember what deck you are running, just a thought.

Why would you run coaxials as 'mids' in a 2-way active system? No, the tweeter would not work, as its useable frequencies would be filtered out upstream in the signal chain. But, you wouldn't want to use coax's anyway.

I am pretty new at this and it seems that i am a little over my head at this point.

I think that through this thread, i have pretty much grasped the concept of an active system versus a passive system and a 2 Way System versus a 3 Way System.

I believe that i now understand enough to proceed with my build.

I do not want components , nor coaxials with outboard crossovers. Therefore i will install 3 pairs of coaxials, 2 dash, 2 door and 2 rear. I will also have a Sub. I will set the switch at the bottom of my HU unit to " 2 Way".

I will use the HU built in X overs.

The Front Speaker Channel will be hooked up to a 4 channel amp. I will hook up the 2 dash speakers and the 2 door speakers to this amp. I will set the amp X over to Flat becuase i will use the one in the HU. I will then set the Front Speaker Channel (HIGH) X Over to the Dash/Door speaker specifications.

The Rear Speaker Channel will be hooked up directly to the 2 rear speakers. I will set the Rear Speaker Channel (MID) X Over to the Rear speaker specifications.

The Subwoofer Channel will be hooked up to a 2 channel amp that will be bridged.

I will set the amp xover to flat. I will use the HU SUB (LOW) xover to the subwoofers specifications.

Please tell me that i got this 100% right??

 

[audioholic 5,000+ posts]

You are trying to use 3 pairs of coaxials to create an active 3-way system... its impossible for me to tell you its 100% right. Perhaps Ive lost sight of what it is you are trying to do at this point, as solidifying your front stage and imaging (usually why people go 'active') does not seem to be your goal at all.

 

[helotaxi 5,000+ posts]

He's sticking with a 2-way setup. The HU will do division between the coaxes and the subs. That's all the more active processing that he's planning to use.

Yes that should work as you think, but I wouldn't count on it sounding better than your current components.

 

[Jazz 10+ year member]

He's sticking with a 2-way setup. The HU will do division between the coaxes and the subs. That's all the more active processing that he's planning to use.
Yes that should work as you think, but I wouldn't count on it sounding better than your current components.

Thanks alot for your help. Through this thread, i have learned quite a bit and now have a clearer direction of where i want to go.

My current setup sounds SO bad that i serioulsy doubt the new setup will be worse.

I believe that my current component problem lies in the fact that my tweeters are in the dash locations and are directed stright at the windshield. The sound is so harsh that i literally get a headache after 15-20 minutes of listening. If i was willing to make holes in my doorcards, then maybe i would stick with the components. I only use this car every other weekend in the summer months. If it was a daily driver i might have come up with a different strategy.

I went with Alpine Coaxals because my HU is an Alpine and also because a few years back, i had a Chrysler Intrepid and i replaced the factory 3.5" DASH speakers with some Alpine Type S coaxials and i was amazed on how good they sounded...i was VERY happy with the results. It cost me almost nothing for that upgrade. When i upgraded my Corrado system, i spent over $1000 and the resuts were dismal. I hope that my new project will yield better results.

I will update this thread when the new install is complete.

Thanks again for all the help.

I will start a new thread when it comes time to set the HU X overs. I need a lesson in "Slope" and all that fun stuff //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/crazy.gif.c13912c32de98515d3142759a824dae7.gif

All i know is that i "should" set the X overs to the speaker's factory specs.

Jazz