Active capable Head Unit? I'm not sure...

[Staynlean 10+ year member]

Head Unit I will be working with is a Kenwood ddx370. This guy installed new components and they sound terrible (they are amped).

So, why not try active right? This head unit has many options and settings and low and high pass filters. Just not sure if it's completely capable.

The amp is a prime 300/4 and I don't believe it's up to snuff for running active with its settings. Set the amp to all pass right? And then control settings thru the HU, is that right?

If some one could look into the details of that HU and lead me in the right direction I appreciate it. I don't know if this link is going to work or not, on my phone but I will give it a shot:

Kenwood DDX370 DVD receiver at Crutchfield.com

Click to read more...

 

[whitedragon551 5,000+ posts]

Head Unit I will be working with is a Kenwood ddx370. This guy installed new components and they sound terrible (they are amped).
So, why not try active right? This head unit has many options and settings and low and high pass filters. Just not sure if it's completely capable.

The amp is a prime 300/4 and I don't believe it's up to snuff for running active with its settings. Set the amp to all pass right? And then control settings thru the HU, is that right?

If some one could look into the details of that HU and lead me in the right direction I appreciate it. I don't know if this link is going to work or not, on my phone but I will give it a shot:

Kenwood DDX370 DVD receiver at Crutchfield.com

Do the components have their crossovers installed? If so you will have to remove them as well and wire each tweeter and each mid to its own channel.

 

[Staynlean 10+ year member]

Yeah crossover is currently installed. I'm going to put the tweets back on HU power.

Then, remove the crossovers and connect the component speakers directly to the amp.

That's all correct isn't it? Lemme know.

*Edit, sorry I need to be more clear. I will be running the crossovers but they will only be hooked up to the tweets. I've had them this way before I got the door speakers installed and they sounded great.

 

[whitedragon551 5,000+ posts]

Running active is described by doing the processing and then amping the processed signal.

Putting the tweets on HU power will amp first and then process. To fully go active in this situation, the tweeters will each need a channel, the mids will each need a channel.

Im confused when you say tweets back on HU power. Are they factory tweeters or tweeters from the component set?

 

[Staynlean 10+ year member]

I think I follow you, I'm not looking at or worried about the "fully active" concept. I know how to make the tweets sound good, I'm just worried about my front doors.

And yeah, the tweets are from a component set. Memphis power reference I think. They have their own passive crossover for the tweets.

 

[Staynlean 10+ year member]

Bump

 

[trumpet 5,000+ posts]

Basically you're talking about changing the HPF and LPF filters to run off the head unit and not the amplifier. This is mainly done so you can quickly change settings. It's the way I would set up a system like yours.

That head unit does have active crossovers, but it's not active in the way that lets you divide between a mid and a tweeter. That's what we mean when we call a head unit "active capable".

 

[Staynlean 10+ year member]

Oh yes, I see good point.

Anyone else care to chime in?

I respect all opinions so far and absolutely see your guys reasoning.

 

[Side Show 10+ year member]

also you may need an amp with bandpass feature, unless you want your mids to try play bass too lol

 

[Staynlean 10+ year member]

also you may need an amp with bandpass feature, unless you want your mids to try play bass too lol

My amp does have band pass. Actually, thinking about it. I don't know of any amps that do not. Maybe a Wal-Mart amp? I don't even know , never bought one.
Anyway, bump for more knowledge.