Not sure how to phrase problem, frequency limiters behind speaker?

[Tweedcr]

A friend of mine told me about some kind of frequency limiter you can incorporate in the wiring for each speaker - tweeters, mids, etc. The idea is the limiter cuts out frequencies not appropriate for the speaker type, such as bass frequencies coming out of a tweeter. I want to buy some of these but I don't know what they're called. Can anyone lend some knowledge?

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[CSCStang]

A friend of mine told me about some kind of frequency limiter you can incorporate in the wiring for each speaker - tweeters, mids, etc. The idea is the limiter cuts out frequencies not appropriate for the speaker type, such as bass frequencies coming out of a tweeter. I want to buy some of these but I don't know what they're called. Can anyone lend some knowledge?

Passive crossover is what you're looking for.

 

[n2audio 5,000+ posts]

They're all over ebay.

Search "bass blocker".

If you go to bcae1.com in the passive crossover section you can use the calculator to determine specifically the microfarad value you need to get the crossover point you want and save yourself about 80% by just buying the capacitor(s) you need vs a pre-packaged marked up "bass blocker". There's a little work involved there, and you're only talking $5-10 for a pair so it might not be worth the effort.

I think I got a package of 5 high pass caps for my home theater mains for like $3.

 

[trumpet 5,000+ posts]

If you tell us a bit about your system maybe we can better advise you. As stated, those are often called bass blockers. However, you may already have more effective filters in your equipment, depending on what you have.

 

[Tweedcr]

I'm using MTX audio Terminator series 1200 watt Subs

Amazon.com : MTX Audio Terminator Series TNE212D 1, 200-Watt Dual 12-Inch Sub Enclosure : Vehicle Subwoofers : Car Electronics

and a Boss Chaos series amplifier, can't remember the details on it.

The car is a 2000 Acura Integra, I have 2 tweeters, two front mid range, and two rear mid range speakers.

 

[trumpet 5,000+ posts]

The car is a 2000 Acura Integra, I have 2 tweeters, two front mid range, and two rear mid range speakers.

Factory original speakers?

 

[Tweedcr]

I don't believe so, I'm not sure what they are.

 

[n2audio 5,000+ posts]

There's a temporary (possibly acceptable permanent) solution to this.

Disconnect the inputs to your sub amp

Turn the bass setting(s) of your head unit down very low. Now turn the volume up to about as loud as you'd ever have it. Increase your bass settings slowly to the point that the distortion gets unreasonable, then reduce it slightly from there.

Before plugging your sub amp rca's back in reduce the gain. Plug it in and lowly increase the gain until it blends the way you want it to with the speakers.

This worked well for me in my last set up. I had stock rear speakers that I was planning to put bass blockers on, but with the bass on my HU at about 1/3 they were able to provide decent rear fill w/minimal distortion even at high volume.

 

[Tweedcr]

Just got home, I'm using a Boss Chaos 450, which is a 600 watt 2 channel amp

 

[Tweedcr]

Could I just use the capacitor, seems like a cheap way to go about it.

Crossover Capacitors in the Speaker Components Department at Parts Express | 292

 

[trumpet 5,000+ posts]

Could I just use the capacitor, seems like a cheap way to go about it.
Crossover Capacitors in the Speaker Components Department at Parts Express | 292

Sure, it's cheap, but do you need it? Your amplifier probably has a high pass filter, and it is more effective than a capacitor for blocking bass. If you have the installation manual for the amplifier it's a good time to follow the instructions for setting the high pass filter.

 

[n2audio 5,000+ posts]

Could I just use the capacitor, seems like a cheap way to go about it.

I guess if shopping, ordering, waiting, and installing at a cost of a few bucks is better than adjusting your bass level and amp gain for free in a couple minutes -- have at it.

Sure, it's cheap, but do you need it? Your amplifier probably has a high pass filter, and it is more effective than a capacitor for blocking bass. If you have the installation manual for the amplifier it's a good time to follow the instructions for setting the high pass filter.

As I understand it -- the stock HU is powering stock speakers and the amp is powering a small sub. He'd be using the LPF on the amp.