Active vs. Passive: An attempt by me to explain

[ngsm13 5,000+ posts]

I use two 2channels.

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nG

 

[James Bang 5,000+ posts]

The DLS A5 is a 2+1 channel amp so not with that one. The A2 is a 2 channel amp so no with that one either. The Arc KS500.1 is a mono amp so no luck with that one either. Now, the KS 300.4 is a 4 channel, so yes, you could potentially do it with that one. You would either need 2 2 channel amps or a single 4 channel amp with an active capable head unit or sound processor.

For a 2-way front, generally, yes. If you need more powa, bridging is always nice, but will need more channels of amplification to do so. Bridging will also give the benefit to balance L/R separately if you don't already have the processing to do so.

For a simple 2-way front + sub, you will need a 3-way xover (2-way front + sub = 3!). and no, the quantity of highs, mids or lows will not cause you to need more than a 3-way xover. ie. tweet, mids, and two or mor subs will still just need a 3-way xover.

1--High pass for highs/tweets (HP)

2--Bandpass for mids (HP+LP)

3--Lowpass for sub(s)

=1,2,3-way

soooo, for a 3-way ''system'' you'll need a minimum of 5 channels of amplification. 2 tweets + 2 mids + 1 sub = 5

3-way front + sub, will call for a 4-way xover

1--High pass for highs/tweets

2--Bandpass for midrange

3--Bandpass for midbass

4--Lowpass for sub

=4-way

a minimum of 7 channels of amplification is need for a 4-way "system"

 

[James Bang 5,000+ posts]

I use two 2channels.
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nG

1 for each speaker would be pimp.

 

[ejschultz 10+ year member]

1 for each speaker would be pimp.

Aren't most mono amps designed specifically for subs? Their frequency range are from about 10 hz to about 400 hz or somewhere in there for most mono amps.

 

[krainium 10+ year member]

Aren't most mono amps designed specifically for subs? Their frequency range are from about 10 hz to about 400 hz or somewhere in there for most mono amps.

Where does he say mono amp. I think he means one 2 channel amp bridged per speaker.

 

[James Bang 5,000+ posts]

Where does he say mono amp. I think he means one 2 channel amp bridged per speaker.

indeederoonie

 

[GAM3OVR 5,000+ posts]

Talk to me in a little over 3years //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif...
nG

NG, you there yet?

 

[ejschultz 10+ year member]

Where does he say mono amp. I think he means one 2 channel amp bridged per speaker.

For some reason one amp per speaker made me conclude he was referring to a mono amp, probably because I saw one and my mind turned that into mono. Bridging a 2 channel amp for each speaker would definitely work, as long as the speakers could take the power. You could also use a head unit that will let you take full control of each speaker seperately. This could potentially give you the same controls with a single 4 channel amp that four 2 channel amps would provide.

 

[James Bang 5,000+ posts]

For some reason one amp per speaker made me conclude he was referring to a mono amp, probably because I saw one and my mind turned that into mono. Bridging a 2 channel amp for each speaker would definitely work, as long as the speakers could take the power. You could also use a head unit that will let you take full control of each speaker seperately. This could potentially give you the same controls with a single 4 channel amp that four 2 channel amps would provide.

noooo sheeeeeat

4 two channels will always > 1 4 channel on matter what processing you have, but it won't have anything to do with active xovers, which this thread is about.

 

[ejschultz 10+ year member]

noooo sheeeeeat
4 two channels will always > 1 4 channel on matter what processing you have, but it won't have anything to do with active xovers, which this thread is about.

I would think the only reason they would be better is because you'd be able to get more power out of them. As far as processing goes, with my hu I'm able to fully tailor each speaker independently. I can use my 16 band graphic eq for left and right, in network mode (3 way active) I can control time alignment, level, and crossover point and slope for each individual speaker. What more could using four 2 channel amps do other than provide more power?

 

[James Bang 5,000+ posts]

stereo separation for the fancy folks.

 

[ejschultz 10+ year member]

stereo separation for the fancy folks.

Stereo separation seems very possible just by using the time alignment correctly to place yourself directly in the "middle" of the speakers. I don't see how stereo separation can be better just by using four 2 channel amps. As long as you're in the middle or have the time alignment set correctly, you should get proper stereo separation.

 

[magliteman 10+ year member]

The DLS A5 is a 2+1 channel amp so not with that one. The A2 is a 2 channel amp so no with that one either. The Arc KS500.1 is a mono amp so no luck with that one either. Now, the KS 300.4 is a 4 channel, so yes, you could potentially do it with that one. You would either need 2 2 channel amps or a single 4 channel amp with an active capable head unit or sound processor.

OK....so I'll go with the KS300.4 for the front. My HU has a high pass and low pass (sub) xover built in.

Since my HU only has high and low, will I require an external xover that is 3-way compatible (like the Arc IDX Xover)?

http://www.woofersetc.com/p7201/IDX--ARC-IDX-Digital-Crossover.htm

Thanks

 

[nismos14 5,000+ posts]

2 channel and 4 channel amps have "crosstalk." It's near impossible for those amps to have channels that are 100% purely separated. Some amps, like the old Eclipse amps had separated their channels 100% which is why they are still popular these days.

 

[troytag 10+ year member]

ive been out of the stereo scene for a very long time.at least 20 yrs......soo i need some help...

im just about done with a 60 impala..been working on it for 5 yrs now..

ive got several older zapco amps..studios and compititions..

im just about ready to buy a head unit,speakers,processor/crossovers?

it sounds like active is the best sq?

 

can someone give me some tips on a good deck/processor that handles the active process?

i was leaning tword an eclipse 7200?

6 pre outs..no power...8 volts..and i think it has built in crossovers?

not sure if this is the right direction..

i hate to spend over 500.00 on a hu

focal k2 or morels ..or maybe dls...for speakers???

like i said i just dont have the exp or knowledge to buy the right combination of speakres,deck,?

anyone avail in the bayarea that does quality installs?

p.m. me

heres what ive got for amps..

1 studio 500

1 z600c2-sl

1 z400c4-sl

3 z300c2-slx

1 z300c2

 

1 sx-lx eq/crossover

1 sp-4

 

all older stuff... but pretty good in its day..

 

troytag@comcast.net

thanks..