crossover question

[ballin123491876 10+ year member]

how exactly do crossovers work(active and passive)? and is there any way to just hook them up to my headunit and no amp?

Click to read more...

 

[ultimate157 5,000+ posts]

Active processors work before the signal is amplified. An active crossover is very powerful and is capable of changing crossover points and slopes to achieve a very specific sound. These units can tune the system precisely.

Passive crossovers are very rigid in their application. Generally take an amplified signal and split it using capacitors and inductors to the mid and tweeter. They are designed for specific drivers and are not flexible at all in their use.

Edit: Passive crossovers also use some of the power and dissipate heat. The speakers in a passive setup will not receive the full power that the amp is sending it. 150w to an active setup is a LOT more power to the speakers than 150w to a passive setup.

 

[ballin123491876 10+ year member]

ok thanks but how do you hook up the component system if you don't have an amp? since i'm just gonna be running them off my head unit will i have to mess with any eq settings?

 

[DD_Dave 10+ year member]

your componet set should have an inline passive crossover....that you can wire deck power too

 

[bigbangtheory 5,000+ posts]

Active processors work before the signal is amplified. An active crossover is very powerful and is capable of changing crossover points and slopes to achieve a very specific sound. These units can tune the system precisely.
Passive crossovers are very rigid in their application. Generally take an amplified signal and split it using capacitors and inductors to the mid and tweeter. They are designed for specific drivers and are not flexible at all in their use.

Edit: Passive crossovers also use some of the power and dissipate heat. The speakers in a passive setup will not receive the full power that the amp is sending it. 150w to an active setup is a LOT more power to the speakers than 150w to a passive setup.

So it should get louder than, correct? Going active that is.

 

[ultimate157 5,000+ posts]

So it should get louder than, correct? Going active that is.

Theoretically, all variables the same, with more power, yes.

 

[helotaxi 5,000+ posts]

The power lost in the crossover is minimal. If it was significant, the crossover would burn up. The power lost in the crossover is not going to be enough that it makes an audible difference. Get away from the crossover freq and there is basically no power loss.