I need some understanding about going active

[dsw1204]

I am currently running passive. My current setup is this:

1991 Honda Accord EX

Eclipse CD8051 head unit

Morel Tempo Ultra 602 two-way components front stage

Eclipse 6x9 full range speakers in rear deck

Arc Audio KS900.6 6-channel amplifier powering all speakres

I think I can go active with the amp if I pull the two Eclipse 6x9s and put in 6x9 infinite baffle subs, correct (are three such things at 10" infinite baffle subs?)? I don't want to put in a sub in the trunk.

Assuming I get a JBL MS-8, I was thinking this could be done easily. But, then i got thinking logistically. Would I have to rewire everything? If I am not mistaken, doesn't every driver need to be driven by a dedicated channel in the amp? Which means, wouldn't I not need to run wires from a tweeter to one amp channel and run wires from the midbass to one amp channel? And this would have to be done for both left and right sides, correct? Is this wiring what has to be done for me to go active?

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[woody70]

I don't know if you already found the answer, but yes, you are correct. I'm in the process of doing an active install now. Just about any speaker can be used in an active setup and each speaker would have it's own set of wires running to amp. Just ensure you have crossover points set via head unit or dedicated processor. Don't want unwanted freq going to tweets and ruin them.

 

[dsw1204]

I don't know if you already found the answer, but yes, you are correct. I'm in the process of doing an active install now. Just about any speaker can be used in an active setup and each speaker would have it's own set of wires running to amp. Just ensure you have crossover points set via head unit or dedicated processor. Don't want unwanted freq going to tweets and ruin them.

Thanks for the reply. No, I had not found the answer, yet. It did just seem logical that rewiring was what I was going to have to do. Your comment about the crossover points brings up another question. If I go active, what do I do with the Morel crossovers? Do I pull them? Can I use them? I assume I should use the crossovers from the DSP (when I get one). Also, do I use the crossover points that are used by the passive Morel crossovers? I assume so, since that is what Morel deemed as the best point to cross.

At my current level of expertise, I think I am getting very dangerous. I really am very happy with the sound of my system. It's just that it seems like I am perpetually wanting to upgrade. I've just never gone active, before. This is different from just upgrading components.

 

[woody70]

Yeah, I'm along the same lines as you as far as first active setup. Yes, you would ditch existing passive crossover networks and then use headunit or dsp. As far as crossover points, that is what I'm doing - starting with the spec sheets of all my speakers and using the crossover freqs they used in their own passive networks as a starting point.