how do i run "active"??

[Chriscivic 10+ year member]

I hear tthat running active is much better than using the components crossovers, but am not sure on exactly how to do it. Right now i have alpine type r components in the front and the 6 1/2 coax in the back. i got a directed audio 500/2 on both the front and back.(i think 150x2 at 4 ohms). i am putting three type r 12's in, so i am thinking of removing the rear speakers and using both 500/2's on my fronts. i want to run one amp to the mids and one to the tweeters. but how exactly will this be crossovered? i am thinking about running a high pass on the mids to about 100hz,but do i also need to low pass them so they don't receive really high freqs? and the tweeter i don't knwo about at all, what does it need to be high passed out and how, b/c i don't think my amp's high pass goes up too high?

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[squeak9798 5,000+ posts]

i want to run one amp to the mids and one to the tweeters. but how exactly will this be crossovered?

By purchasing either 1) an external active xover, or 2) a HU with an internal active xover

i am thinking about running a high pass on the mids to about 100hz,

That sounds pretty high. Shoot for more in the 60-70hz range.

but do i also need to low pass them so they don't receive really high freqs?

Yes. It's called a bandpass filter or bandpass crossover, which is basically highpassing and lowpassing the same speaker.

and the tweeter i don't knwo about at all, what does it need to be high passed out and how,

Depends on the tweeter. Some can handle a 2500hz crossover point, some can't handle below 4500hz.

And you cross the tweeters over, again, via the external active crossover or via your new HU's internal active crossover.

 

[Chriscivic 10+ year member]

is there anyway to find out what my tweeters can handle? or what they are set at now with the alpine crossovers? What would be a good external signal processor to do all this for under $150? and would i notice much difference running active?

 

[squeak9798 5,000+ posts]

is there anyway to find out what my tweeters can handle? or what they are set at now with the alpine crossovers?

Check with Alpine

What would be a good external signal processor to do all this for under $150?

Coustic XM6 is a pretty good unit for at a reasonable price.

and would i notice much difference running active?

Yes. But if that difference is good or bad depends on your ability to properly tune it. Tune it good, and you'll probably notice it sounds a little better. Tune it poorly and it will sound worse.