Use HU or Amp Crossovers?

[Vincer77 10+ year member]

I am installing a Kenwood KDC-X3906 with a Boastan Acoustics GT1105A amp. I have the option of using the Amp crossovers, or the HU crossovers. Which is best?

The HU has discreet crossover settings, while the amp has continuously variable settings. Being a noob, I assume I will get in less trouble using the HU. Opinions?

Specs as follows

GT1105

Front/Rear - 50 - 200 Hz continuous.

Q-Tune™ “Q” Adjustment (0.707 to 1.6 - cont. variable)

Lowpass Crossover Adjustment (50Hz to 150Hz - cont. variable))

Q-Tune™ Highpass (Subsonic) Adjustment (10Hz to 50Hz - cont. variable)

Kenwood

Front & Rear High-Pass Filter: The KDC-X396 features an independent High-Pass Crossover for the front & rear channels when your front & rear speakers are connected by the unit's speaker-outputs or preamp-outputs. You can adjust the high-pass crossover from "Through", 100, 120, or 150 Hz. The "Through" selection is a full-range setting. This feature is very helpful when you have smaller-type speakers in the front and larger-type speakers installed in the rear of the vehicle.

Subwoofer Controls: The Kenwood Excelon KDC-X396 offers the following subwoofer controls, when you have the unit's subwoofer preamp output activated.

Low Pass Filter: The receiver features a built-in Low Pass Filter control for the preamp-output, when the output is set to Subwoofer. You can select from 85 Hz, 120 Hz, 160 Hz, or off.

Subwoofer Phase: You can adjust the phase of the subwoofer output between 180-degrees (Reverse) or 0-degrees (Normal).

Subwoofer Level: Once the Subwoofer preamp output is activated, you can independently control the subwoofer preamp output level (-15 to +15) from the CD receiver.

Click to read more...

 

[calebkhill 10+ year member]

HU crossovers are better to use because you can set the exact frequency, whereas using amp crossovers you only have a ballpark estimate.

Though if you can set you amp to the best of your ability at the correct frequency either hu our amp is ok to use.

It also depends on what kind of set up you have and just exactly how you are trying to cross everything over.