ACTIVE CROSSOVER BASICS

Here it is, Class. Brought to you by Professor Mikey .
Enjoy !

[@jonwatchesnyc8777]

Two years later, and this is still the clearest explanation of the topic I’ve ever seen - thank you

[@lnhislmage]

I haven’t had my rig set up for years so this is a refresher I’ve got e two Peavey gs 1800,s and run mono- bass with both channels of one and the other is pushing the stereo highs and mids . My bottoms are 2x18’s and the tops are 4x10’s and horn tweeters also running two stage monitors. Anyway thanks for posting!

[@mercer29-4]

Great and to the point! Useful knowledge! Thank you for explanation

[@shanestephenson8423]

Nice tutorial Mikey I enjoyed this one. Haven't got into the realm of active crossovers yet but after today I am considering it more then ever. 👍🎧😁

[@OCDHIFiGuy]

Thanks for the feedback Shane !

[@devstation18]

Well sir this is gold , I had studied this matter while I was considering for a DIY open baffle speaker but was confused which comes after what this clarifies a lot

[@OCDHIFiGuy]

Glad it helped you !!

[@signalpath9597]

Man, what a great video. Thank you. I'm finally using active with DSP for a 2 way DIY Altec build and it's been a game changer. Still figuring it out but so glad I finally went active.

[@infinitely_free_to_be_me]

What DSP you using? And are you sending analog/rca input to it? -I'm trying to figure out why I don't see any with USB inputs... analog to digital for the processing/separation into high/low and then back to analog doesn't seem ideal (plus the fist DAC in my phone or computer or streaming device)..3 conversions, xD. Scratching my head for a solution isn't working, haha.

[@stogie525]

Thanks for taking the time to make this video Mikey, enjoyed it👍

[@OCDHIFiGuy]

You bet stogie thanks for watching !

[@kevinfielding9803]

Thanks Mikey for your valued insights and content! Much appreciated and helps build your personal brand. I wanted to add something to your presentation that adds incredible flexibility when implementing an active xover which is to do it on your laptop in the digital domain within JRiver's DSP (or ROON)!!! When JRiver is combined with a multi-channel DAC (e.g. exaSound), you get the ability to control things at a driver by driver basis for each individual speaker if you wish. (You can still use the passive xovers in the speakers but can high pass the mains for example if you have subwoofers to take on the bass and lower mids.) You can control the crossover freq and slope, delay, reverse polarity, volume and finally tweak each speaker via parametric EQ such that it fits your desired "house" target curve. It's way better than just connecting a sub to your preamp's outputs and much better than standalone external xovers (Marchand, Bryston, etc) based on my experiments and measurements of all 3 approaches. Requirements include Jriver software (inexpensive), multi-channel DAC (expensive but not more than it's 2channel counterparts), acoustic measurement software (REW, OmniMic etc.) and patience. Currently I high-pass my mains because they're being driven by 30watt/channel 300B tube amps and use a pair of subs for the low end. If I had speakers with external passive xovers that could be bypassed then I'd just JRiver's DSP to set the same xovers as the designer had intended and multi amps to implement it. Hope this helps someone . . .

[@OCDHIFiGuy]

Thanks Kevin, you are taking a very Pro audio approach to things. Many people like this however I can hear processing in most DSP. Therefore I like to do all my manipulation in the analog domain. I do have a DEQX and I can hook 3 DACS to it and do all my processing pre-conversion which is the only way I would do it. So I will try than the spring .

[@davidketley5359]

I run 4 way active using the Marchand XM44 and just love the sound you can get out of these simple systems. There seems to be a huge reluctance to use active systems.

[@hazembata]

Can you post links to some active XO’s you like at different price points? Great video.

[@infinitely_free_to_be_me]

I'm looking for this info too. But I'm scratching my head that none I've found have a USB input.. analog input only, then convert to digital for the processing to separate the high/mid/low, and then back to analog. You find anything good since posting this question?

[@kaap009]

Been running active xover, mono’s, with external psu’s. 4 boxes 🙈 Good run down on active xovers 👍🏼 One thing, I think you didnt mention, is that amps that doesnt need to work with bass, sounds better then when it has to 😄 Nice bi-product of active xovers 👌🏼 Cheers 🍻

[@derekviveiros]

Interesting point on not having to deal with bass.

[@aussie_philosopher8079]

Best way to set up to integrate and distribute the frequency bandwidths to their respective destinations. I think that discrete activate is always the best.

[@andyd9126]

Hey yo Teach This was a real good one.

[@OCDHIFiGuy]

Thanks My man .... SEE ya!

[@bryfar6178]

Great vid! For us budget guys, can I put a 1 way passive xo between amp out and Maggies to highpass them above 80hz or so and run my Rythmix sub from my preamps 2nd pre out treminals? Set sub to 80hz or so for low pass. Reduce cost and reduce some circuits.

[@harrylewis7536]

Great Information

[@OCDHIFiGuy]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Fyzical2000]

Holy cow what a great video! Best I've seen on this topic yet...particularly for a newbie like me! I do have a question...if I use the K231 stereo 3-way active crossover after my DAC will that degrade the analog signal that I paid so much for by adding the DAC🤔. Will it undo my DAC magic??

[@sloboat55]

Hell yeah

[@reginaldburnbridge2217]

Excellent

[@byronb.]

I would like to see a demo of this with that $500 stereo crossover you sell and Magnepan .7's. Practical application professor!

[@OCDHIFiGuy]

Sorry bro no point sevens

[@petekutheis3822]

So I imagine for 3 way (looking at sublimeaudio)--it is lows to sub-- mids to amp that drives speaker woofer, and highs to amp that drive speaker tweeter. Thinking of doing this with my C2500 pre, MC75 monoblocks, and Class D Audiophonic---speakers are Sonusfaber Olympica 1s. The Oly 1s sound great with the class D, but not so hot with the monoblocks. Perhaps this could be a remedy.

[@sloboat55]

Professor Mikey, is this great or what. Hit that "Hammer ". Padron, baby.

[@OCDHIFiGuy]

Right on brother!

[@TriAmpHiFi]

I draw the limit at one DAC channel per each driver. That's too far for me 🔈🔉🔊

[@hdibart]

So , if I have one stereo amp with left and right speaker outputs I can't use an active crossover?

[@OCDHIFiGuy]

This only has to do with the inputs

[@portalkeeper978]

Shouldn’t the gains be equal on all ranges according to the ps audio guy?

[@TriAmpHiFi]

What if one uses a tube amp, a Type A/B & a Class D all with different output wattage? One can't just rotate all 6 gains to 12 O'Clock & call them "equal". The drivers will all have different Db efficiencies too. A noob will have a pro run full band sweeps etc. & get to a somewhat flat full range response then flavor to taste. An old DJ, after setting up 3 & 4 way systems four nights a week in different venues, can do it easily by ear. 🔈🔉🔊

[@jeffwood5543]

You need to do an active cross over review now

[@OCDHIFiGuy]

There's only like three people that make them

[@sarahX..]

We have volume control at the source. Also plenty of individual gain setting on the 3 yaw active crossover units. Q: Are there any downsides to using HQ integrated amplifiers (as we own) in place of usual power amp in this kind of a active setup? In relation to SQ only. Thanks.

[@OCDHIFiGuy]

Hi Sarah, if you use Integrated amps, there is more circuitry in the signal path including the bottleneck which is usually the volume control itself.. so Power amps offer a more direct signal path. But this is OCD level stuff.. its probably a slight difference only..

[@sarahX..]

@@OCDHIFiGuy Thanks for that. This is what we thought too. And also might simply come down to the quality of the integrated and things like synergy & ears etc right...

[@jackofblades]

can you tell me the secrets for the mic sound in yours videos? not only the speakers sounds well on them, your voice too.. it's like not fatiguing and natural, with reverbs and ambient sounds... compared to every other youtuber they usually block those unwanted "noise" to make it sound more SHURE SM7B wich is boring and claustrophobic.

[@OCDHIFiGuy]

No secret, Brother. Samsung S22 Ultra cel phone. On board mics. Default recording mode.

[@danielesbordone1871]

I have 2 DBX electronic crossovers. They're not very clean sounding. Would you suggest something like a Bryston X-over ?

[@poserwanabe]

Urei

[@Canadian_Eh_I]

DEQX

[@OCDHIFiGuy]

The Bryson is not very good from what I hear, I would go with a Marchand, just let me know and I can help you out

[@infinitely_free_to_be_me]

I'm trying to understand one thing, with a DSP that has analog/rca input it requires 3 conversions right (assuming for example I'm playing music from a cd, or via computer/cell phone)? DAC, then ADC and then DAC? I'm not seeing any DSP's offering a USB input..why convert the music in 3 steps? Wouldn't it be better to input a digital signal, split it into 2 or 3 ways frequency (digital crossovers), and then through the DAC process? In your experience, passive crossovers still lose more detail than doing an analog to digital and back to analog conversions? -I hope my questions are clear..I'm really interested in this.. I'm building some speakers with high-end drivers and heavily considering running them active rather than waste money on passive components.

[@OCDHIFiGuy]

Yes, digital signal manipulation BEFORE DAC is the way to really do it..

[@infinitely_free_to_be_me]

Thanks for the reply!@@OCDHIFiGuy

[@robtremble2277]

what's your thoughts on dbx pa2

[@freeradical431]

Id like to see a vid on graphic and parametric equalizers. Seems few people use them anymore. Why?

[@alwaysexpandinghorizons6173]

THX!!!

[@derekviveiros]

This was the most informative, practical hifi trickery I've ever come across. Control that woofer like a dominatrix LOL 18:24 - I died LOL You don't have anymore Sublime Crossovers. Question: When do you think it makes sense to venture into active bi-amping? PS. Consider coming to Toronto, huge market. And I'm here ;)

[@derekviveiros]

if you source is an all in one (with amp) can you direct it out to crossover, and then back into the all-in-one. I'd want to use the pre and power amp in the all in one, but use another A class amp for the low frequency. Is that going to explode?

[@OCDHIFiGuy]

If you have an integrated amp you'll need to crossover after the DAC then go highs to your Integrated and lows to your other amp for subs... Crossovers coming soon..

[@derekviveiros]

@@OCDHIFiGuy By all in one, i meant it including the dac/streamer/amp. So the idea is to use the Class A setting on the Yamaha for the lows as you recommended class A for lows. I'd want to only use the amp from the all in one for the highs. Hopefully that's clearer.

[@treycolston7339]

Dude I'm lost. If you have an active crossover. Why would you send a low frequency signal to an aready active sub. A sub that has its own crossover? I can't figure this one out.

[@aguthrie91]

Great info! Do you have a link for the crossover you sell?

[@OCDHIFiGuy]

11stereo.com ;-)

[@Below-td6xx]

Mikey, please come to Minnesota (NW suburbs)! I need some help dialing in my Magnepan 3.7i's - spend some time on the deck, have a few drinks, let me grill up some good steaks and my wife will bake some good treats. Heck, I will even take you out on the boat if ya want some fishing time, and you have a room to stay in for the night. If it sounds good, give a comment and I will drop you an email.

[@briansander2161]

If using an active crossover, how are the passive crossovers in the speakers avoided?

[@bat2137]

Crossover in speaker is bypassed internally terminals are wired directly to respective driver you may need more terminals if say speaker has only one set and is a two or three way, hope that helps. Jim.

[@OCDHIFiGuy]

Hi Brian you either disconnect them and wire past, or you simply use a two way crossover and put all the highs to your passive and all the lows to your active sub.

[@bubblehead5394]

In a speaker with a passive crossover, wouldn't bi-wiring be bullshit?

[@OCDHIFiGuy]

No. It's about back EMF coming down the line.

[@Jack96993]

I really like active crossovers, but it costs me a lot in lamp cord

[@OCDHIFiGuy]

Jackie boy, I'm looking for you right now it's petit Lemans time. You better get your ass over here and see what a real hi-fi rig sounds like !! I'll be down at the track Friday and Saturday

[@Jack96993]

@@OCDHIFiGuy I have to bail on Petit Lemans 😪 This year, but plan on going to Atlanta to check on my restoration car So will come by for a listen on a real stereo rig! Then when l get home l'll throw mine in the garage

[@peterw2714]

Hey OCD hi-fi guy enjoyed your video on active and passive crossover‘s although I’ve got a point of contention. If one was to mix types and brands of amplifiers for one speaker and have three or four different inputs of various frequencies how would you compensate for the signals being out of phase because you’re running them through different amplifiers that don’t amplify at the same speed. It seems the sound would be blurred with many parts out of phase. I’ve heard this myself in my house with two different rooms playing home theater with different brands of receivers and the audio in sync. It sounds horrible and I’m not understanding how you would keep the whole frequency spectrum in phase. The only way I think that you could keep it sounding cohesive would be to use the exact type, brand and model of amplifiers for each channel then everything will be amplified at the same speed. I remember watching a video with the “audiophiliac” and he encountered the same problems when he tried to biamplify he had to use the same brands and type of amplifiers to keep phasing the same.

[@danielmiller469]

what i would do is add delay to the faster amps

[@peterw2714]

@@danielmiller469 I would think that would be tough to synchronize multiple amplifiers. I’ve also heard the discussion that bi-amping is a waste because compared to the woofer the tweeter puts such a minuscule amount of load on the amplifier that it makes little to no difference. I myself would disagree from my experience.

[@bat2137]

Home theater amps have digital sound processing wich cause sound delays and with different amps will have varying delays normal hifi amps a lot less so, also phase reversal in most amps is in the pre amp so should be the same as you only use one preamp, phase can be changed at any driver by simply swaping red and black at any set of speaker terminals doing same for left and right speaker Hope thet helps, jim. Edit i use same make and model amps in a tri amp setup.

[@johnshaw359]

If you throw different amps "into the mix", expect an even more incoherent sound from the smorgasbord. The phase switch is most useful if you have a phase inverting source. Connect via high level for normal stereo. The REL subs start at 20 Hz or whatever their lowest frequency is rated at that cannot be changed, adjust the volume to match the sensitivity of the main pair, and then you set them to roll off where the main speakers start to dip you should be able to match the sub and the main/sub bass frequency "dove tail" while you are adjusting the sub roll off (and sub volume), stick them in the corner of the room and adjust the phase for the best bass response.

[@peterw2714]

@@bat2137 I also feel that since amplifiers are not all built the same and they have different amount of components and obviously different circuit paths of different lengths that it wouldn’t be as simple as reversing speaker wires to bring it back into phase. I feel that you’re going to get substantially different timing from start of the input signal to final output signal of different types of amplifiers. I feel that anything short of using an oscilloscope to calibrate the amplfiers to each other, you would be suffering from phase discrepancies between amplifiers.

[@Grooverski]

Or hire your local pro-audio guys for $200-250 an hr.

[@OCDHIFiGuy]

Pro audio guys don't know how to set up a hi-fi rig

[@bubblehead5394]

I still don't understand spelling.

[@MediaCentre-te7kp]

3rd graders aren't very good at spelling

[@OCDHIFiGuy]

But they get killer cookies n stuff..