How to Active with 3.5" coaxials

[SteelKiller 10+ year member]

I am running the KFCXP6903C "component" set up front in my Ram. 6x9's in the doors and the 3.5" coaxials in the dash. I want to run them active. Am I going to need a DSP to get the 3.5" hpf high enough that I won't ruin them? Seems most amps the hpf isn't high enough to cut the frequency at 800hz which is the factory cut off for them. Or should I just run the passive crossover that came with them and call it good? I am planning a 4 channel for the front with channel A for the 3.5's and channel B for the 6x9's.

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[Popwarhomie 5,000+ posts]

You can't run coaxial speakers active as they have built in crossovers.

Do you have a spot for a separate tweeter? If so you could pick up a 3.5" midrange driver and a tweeter and run them in a 3 way active setup.

 

[SteelKiller 10+ year member]

They are a "component" set from Kenwood. I know, not true components but it was a direct fit for my truck. The 6x9's in the doors are just a mid bass woofer. Hence, I would like to run the 3.5's off the front channels and the 6x9's off the rear. Kinda a poor man's "active" if you get what I am going for. There is a way to disconnect the tweeter from the 3.5" and run it 3 way true active, just too much dough for my budget right now!

 

[Popwarhomie 5,000+ posts]

Oh okay so they just have inline caps as crossovers? Just bypass the crossovers and run them active then. Only thing is you are going to need 6 channels of amplifier to run them all fully active. You can find amps that have active crossovers built in but an actual DSP would be a much better solution.

 

[SteelKiller 10+ year member]

Yes, kinda inline caps. I can bypass them no problem. Looking at the audio control line, they have a 6 channel with built in DSP that will do plenty of power. That may be the best way to go as the tweeter right now is super harsh off the windshield reflection!!