4-way active audiophile sound system

**chuyler1** · 02-24-2006, 08:31 PM

I've been doing some searching and it appears that the flaw of most CarPuter setups is that there isn't any crossover software. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

There appears to be a few solutions for equalization and time alignment although I'm not so sure how well they work and whether I can use the alignment and audio outputs in stereo-mode (opposed to 7.1 surround sound) but I can do more searching on that later.

Now if I axe 4-way time alignment I can simply output a 2-ch signal from the CarPuter and pipe it into a crossover such as the AudioControl 4XS which can split the signal 4 ways and is capable of a high pass, two bandpass, and lowpass configuration. I'm not sure there is another analog unit on the market that can do this. I guess that would suffice but the signal wouldn't be as pure as coming directly from the DAC on the CarPuter. In this scenario I'd like to stay away from the digital crossovers/processors because they would be resampling the audio signal and converting it a second time and I'd be better off scratching the CarPuter and forking over the dough for a high end deck such as the Clarion DRZ9255 which has a 4-way crossover, time alignment, and a PEQ.

Another option I see is to output an optical signal from the CarPuter and send it to a high-end car audio processor with its own DAC. Again, this defeats the purpose of having the CarPuter in the first place (other than for storing more music) because I'd still have to pay for an expensive audio component. This option also has its flaws because there are discussions about whether these units will accept an optical input from a non-propriatery component.

The final option would be to buy a slew of crossovers so that I can keep the signal from the CarPuter active. I am looking but I don't see anything on the Market to do this.

So none of these options are very elegant. Has anyone else come up with a better solution? Is anyone at least running 3-way active from their CarPuter? If so, how did you do it?

**3onDubs** · 02-25-2006, 12:54 PM

How does a DAC defeat the purpose of having a computer? The carputer is not meant to be a cheap project. If your purpose in building a carputer is to save money on audio components....ur gonna have a crappy carputer.

I wouldn't know what you were trying to say without having read the cliff notes, but I have a Alpine PXA-H701 and that has time alignment, 4 way crossover, PEQ, GEQ, media xpander (for mp3's), bass comp, dolby digital, prologic II, phantom center channel, and the list goes on. It supports optical in (so all my sound is digital) and gives me a volume nob to use with my computer.

So...in summary. I am running a 3 way active crossover with a carputer and am getting digital sound.

Try searching for "Alpine H701" or "pxa-h701"

**proph** · 02-25-2006, 03:10 PM

I haven't put the TPC in the truck yet, but I over thought the fact that the settings in CD and FM mode would be any different. Chuyler1 you have a 4 way plus sub crossover, or do you have like... High/Mid-high/Mid-low/low or one better. I've gotta make a trip to my truck to check if the settings transfer over.

**kaptan** · 02-25-2006, 05:27 PM

i too have a crossover as one of my main components,an audiocontrol three.1. the people who ur talking about are the same people who'd like to use there stock speakers and no amplifiers at all. the best thing i can recommend for you is pc->crossover->amps. im 98% sure thats how redgti(somethin like that) did it and she's probably got the best sounding setup on the site, award winning even. i'd recommend the three.1 but the only way you can adjust the crossover points is by making ur own circuit or resistor or something, but if u know how and dont mind a passive crossover go with the three.1

**Kalt** · 02-25-2006, 05:31 PM

Red GTi VR6 uses an Alpine pxa-h701

**chuyler1** · 02-25-2006, 05:31 PM

I have a set of DLS Iridium 6.3s. Tweeter, dome midrange, 6.5" midbass woofer, and a pair of 8" Eclipse subwoofer. So I need one highpass, two bandpass, and one lowpass (times two for stereo).

The only car audio decks I am aware of that can handle this setup and give me time alignment for all channels are the Clarion DRZ9255, Pioneer DEX-P9/DEQ-P9 and I think one of the Alpines and one of the Eclipses but I'm not certain.

The H701 only has 6 output channels so I would not get full time alignment...which prolly means I would put the sub and midbass on the same channels and loose the capability to delay the subwoofer.

As for the DAC issue. If I output Analog from the CarPuter (via sound card) and then send it to a digital processor the signal must be recoded to digital form and then coded back. If the DACs in each place are 24 bit it is pretty transparent...but not for a set of high-end speakers running in a fully active mode. I know this because I just experienced it with my current setup, a Clarion DRX9575rz and DPH7500. I previously didn't have the proprietary optical cable to connect the two and when I finally got it, the difference was very noticable on certain tracks. Therefore, if I go the CarPuter route, I only want to have a single DAC in the signal path.

The DRZ9255 is $1400 and the DEX/DEQ is $2000. If I build a CarPuter and it comes in under $2500 and I can load my entire music collection (in lossless form obviously) on it, I'll end up on top. That is my goal.

Does someone have a link to that Red GTI?