Hi

I have recently purchased some new bass bins and full range speakers but the bass bins don't have built in filters so i am in need of an active crossover. The problem i have is i am not sure if i need a stereo 2 way or a stereo 3 way crossover. The full range cabs have in each a 15 inch woofer and a 1 inch compression driver and the bass bins have a 15 inch woofer in each cab but no filters.


Thanks for your help in advance



Kelvin

Hi Kelvin,

If you only have subs and tops (full range speakers) then two way will do.

How many amps do you have?

As an active crossover separates out the bass and top, and feeds each to a separate amp, you will need 2 amps. Alternatively you could use 1 stereo amp for a mono system (ie left amp channel runs bass speakers, right amp channel runs tops). Sorry if I'm stating the obvious

Depending on your budget, I would recommend either a Behringer CX2310 or a DBX Driverack. (Driverack is several times the price of the Behringer, but worth it.)

You will find that running active really makes a big difference to the sound. Even when running flat out, with the sub amp almost clipping, the tops will still be clean.

Robbie

Hi robbie

Thanks a lot for your reply, i have a qsc plx1602 amp but i'm going to get another one the same but have a spare yamaha amp doing nothing so i could use that until i get my other qsc amp. I have been looking at getting just a crossover and have been looking at the dbx 2way crossover the 223XL.



Thanks again for your help




Kelvin

If you're getting a 2nd amp then an Active crossover ,such as a Behringer or DBX, will be fine.

Just to clear up some jargon, Active crossovers connect between the mixer and your 2 (or 3, or 4 etc) amplifers. The active crossover splits the sound into "Bass and...everything higher than bass"(2 way), or splits the sound into "Bass, middle, treble" (3 way). Each of the active crossovers outputs then go into seperate amps (or different channels of amps, if dropping to mono).

Active crossovers are usually small boxed/cased devices, typically 19inch 1rack high.

Passive crossovers in contrast, are usually bare circuit boards (resplendant with copper-wound "cotton reels" of various sizes) and are most commonly (but not always) fitted inside existing speaker cabs. These devices connect to the speaker outputs of your one existing amp, and split those hundreds of watts into bass, midrange, treble etc (3 way)..or Bass and "everything else" frequencies, sending actual wattage to your respective speakers.

CX 2310 i run two of them and they are perfect for mobile work, and also dont cost the earth .....


if you want help with setting one up then email me