Passive Vs. Active crossovers

[Rattlebrain 10+ year member]

First off, this is not asking what the difference is between a passive and active crossover. I know that. My question(s) are, which yields the best SQ. I have been told in the past that active crossovers are better because they send the “cleaned” signal to the amp and that is what’s amplified. Therefor a better sound. Using a passive crossover kills the power to your speakers because you amplify full range and then the crossover takes out the highs or lows, which cuts your power to your speakers. Any truth to this? Also what does it take to build a quality crossover? Links for a beginner?

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[Raven 10+ year member]

Well, I personally feel that if you can hear a difference between the two, it's time to either rebuild your passive ones or get a new active one.

Both have their pros and cons. Active is vulnerable to alt whine, passive waste more power, etc.

Depending on what you're doing, an active crossover is probably best. Once you've made your passive crossovers, there's no adjusting them. That little (hah!) bit of freedom is what would drive me to go active.

Check out http://www.bcae1.com and http://www.the12volt.com.

 

[OlogyAudio 10+ year member]

Well, I personally feel that if you can hear a difference between the two, it's time to either rebuild your passive ones or get a new active one.
Both have their pros and cons. Active is vulnerable to alt whine, passive waste more power, etc.

Depending on what you're doing, an active crossover is probably best. Once you've made your passive crossovers, there's no adjusting them. That little (hah!) bit of freedom is what would drive me to go active.

Check out http://www.bcae1.com and http://www.the12volt.com.

BCAE1's info on passive xovers is VERY simple -- very incomplete...

There are indeed pros and cons about passive -- and active... Active if done properly with a 31 band EQ per channel (each driver) will sound better and give awesome flexibility (most people get overwhelmed and don't know where to start) -- just cost an arm and a leg //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif --

A properly designed passive xover will sound the next best... It takes lots of dedication to learn how to design a passive xover -- and to design one properly is as much an art as a science...

 

[squeak9798 5,000+ posts]

with a 31 band EQ per channel (each driver)

Excellent results can be had when active using "standard" equalization methods. There is no need for 31 bands of equalization per speaker.