3 Way Crossover Choice - Planet EC20B or Clarion MCD360??

[momofx 10+ year member]

I am going 3 way active and based on how I want my frequencies divided it has come down to these two xovers that fit my budget - Planet Audio EC20B or Clarion MCD360. Anyone have experience with either? I do not mind paying a little more for the Clarion if its better stuff but if they both are basically the same then the EC20B would work...

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[neo_styles 10+ year member]

Clarion hands down. Knobs should be better calibrated and less likely to introduce noise.

 

[ace_800 5,000+ posts]

x2 on the clarion over the PA

 

[momofx 10+ year member]

Ok thanks - judging from the amount of reviews the Clarion got on the net (all good ones too), I was suspecting its the choice //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[Danometal 10+ year member]

I don't think that Clarion does bandpass fyi.

 

[neo_styles 10+ year member]

I don't think that Clarion does bandpass fyi.

Even if it doesn't you can HP on the Clarion and LP on your amp, hence BP

Of course, this is why I'm saving up for my Leviathan...

 

[Danometal 10+ year member]

Even if it doesn't you can HP on the Clarion and LP on your amp, hence BP
Of course, this is why I'm saving up for my Leviathan...

This is true, but not with the typical amp. For example, my Boston GTA-704 will only LP @ 200 hz or less, which is only feasible for subs, not midwoofers crossed with tweeters. I wanted to LP @ 5K, so I found a Cache CEX crosssover that would. ALL other crossovers on Sonicelectronix at the time would NOT. Unfortunately, the Cache was short lived and cannot be had anymore.

However, here is a unit that will BP for very little monies:

Lanzar OPTIX3B 3-Way Electronic Crossover Network w/Remote Bass

 

[neo_styles 10+ year member]

This is true, but not with the typical amp. For example, my Boston GTA-704 will only LP @ 200 hz or less, which is only feasible for subs, not midwoofers crossed with tweeters. I wanted to LP @ 5K, so I found a Cache CEX crosssover that would. ALL other crossovers on Sonicelectronix at the time would NOT. Unfortunately, the Cache was short lived and cannot be had anymore.
However, here is a unit that will BP for very little monies:

Lanzar OPTIX3B 3-Way Electronic Crossover Network w/Remote Bass

Yup. Opti is probably Lazars last hope. Another great choice are the PPI p900.4 or SS Ref/TN series. Both have multipliers for their xovers specifically for active use

 

[momofx 10+ year member]

Haha yeah Opti is gone to crap. Now the old school Optidrive, those are legendary //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif When I first started working as an installer, one of the first big installs I did was with an Opti 50c on 6 12's and my head installer laughed when I asked him why are we wiring a 25w x 2 amp to 4 batts. Well after that, I was shocked at the time how a 25w x 2 amp could sound so insane hehehehe //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif

Oh you guys got me going off my original topic haha but its all good //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif Hey speaking of Bandpass, the amp I'm using for the Mid frequency is a PPI amp and it has LP/HP and ... BP //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[West]

I would just get the cz702 3 way active capable headunit from clarion (it's actually pretty affordable). @mylows10 ; can hook you up with a good price.
But I vote for the clarion xover if you are dead set on going that route.

 

[Danometal 10+ year member]

Yup. Opti is probably Lazars last hope. Another great choice are the PPI p900.4 or SS Ref/TN series. Both have multipliers for their xovers specifically for active use

I like the idea of going with an active capable amp. Cleaner and easier and cheaper install. PPI's BK800.4 has the same crossover section as the Phantom. I just recently helped install one in my cousin-in-law's car this summer. It crosses @ 4K and has a crap ton of power. Pics:

 

[momofx 10+ year member]

West, yeah I cannot part with my current head unit due to navi, etc. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif so I think I'm gonna go with the Clarion as everyone suggested and judging from all the reviews it got.

Dano thats a nice clean install man!

 

[Danometal 10+ year member]

West, yeah I cannot part with my current head unit due to navi, etc. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif so I think I'm gonna go with the Clarion as everyone suggested and judging from all the reviews it got.
Dano thats a nice clean install man!

Thanks! It was a family project. My cousin in law (the owner), myself, and my brother in law all worked on it. My wife even helped us carpet the box and the false floor. I told the owner to make sure to cut the sub cutout in the middle to be centered over the amps. He forgot and didn't have enough already ripped (to box height) wood to cut another front plate. O wellz. He just blew that Polk sub a week ago. I guess his 900 watts @ 2 ohms was a bit much lol I just ordered a RE SE/X to replace it. Should be here soon.

But about the crossover, how high can your amp LP? You need to bandpass. You really don't want to let your mids roll off naturally. I would consider that Lanzar unit actually.

 

[momofx 10+ year member]

Wow a real family project haha //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif Hey the amp I am using is a Precision Power and it has BP on it. I just checked and for BP it can do from 15Hz (lol) to 3.5 Khz on the lower limit, and 50Hz to 4Khz on the upper limit. I think that is a wide enough range for BP... There is also an Audiocontrol EQS going in so it should be dialed in pretty good and sound pretty nice when I'm done //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[smgreen20 10+ year member]

After reading The Clarions manual, it states that it can be run active 3way. I know some companies do this and don't state it And Clarion has been known for this in the past, but it appears in the manual that as it's in 3way the, high pass frequency for the tweeter will also low pass frequency for the mid to give you your bandpass.