Thread: Question about component crossovers

look at the manual. you only need the input where it says "mid". the other input is for bi-amping.

Acollaro - if you are only using one amp FOR THAT COMPONENT SET, then you only need the single amp input, in the case of Rockford, it is the Mid input. Take a regular set of components. You have a midrange/midbass speaker and you have a tweeter. Tweeters play the high frequencies, while the driver plays the rest. Ordinarily, the frequencies are divided in the Crossover and sent to each speaker accordingly, however, in this process, a lot of the efficiency is lost in the complex coiling of conductors. Also, whatever settings are made on the amp, apply to both speakers before division takes place. Bi AMPing uses one amp for highs and one for mid's. IN passive xovers that allow for biamping, there is considerably less coiling involved and higher efficiency results. Also, a greater level of control can be acheived. NOW, sounds good, but before you run out and start biamping everything on the planet there are drawbacks, such as cost and cost and cost and others, and also there are specifics involved as to type of speakers, amps, setup in the car, other equipment, etc, etc. It doesn't work for everyone.

bi-amping is just using two amps, those amps might now have the X-overs set up, meaning you'd still need to slpit the signal

Originally Posted by Dennis5587

bi-amping is just using two amps, those amps might now have the X-overs set up, meaning you'd still need to slpit the signal

That seems ambiguous to me. There is no reason why you couldn't set the crossover on each amp to hi pass and low pass and select a frequency range that works.

The primary reason for continuing to use the crossover is that factory made components come with crossovers designed to deliver EXACTLY what each speaker "wants". That means the proper frequency band, but it also means other things, primarily attenuation slope. Different drivers perform different at different slopes. The factor that built your speaker knows the exact frequency range and the exact slope that makes that speaker perform at a maximum level. You COULD, with a good enough amp xover, emulate that same setup by finding the proper slope and cutoff points and wind up, after HOURS and HOURS of work and headaches, with a proper delivery for maximum performance. BUT, why the hell would you do that when the company is nice enough to provide you with the work already done? Remember, passive xovers included with good components are better for the most part than those included on most consumer amps. I am not against xing over twice, but I disagree with xing over more than twice. IE Headunit xover set, amp xover set and passive xover for comps. Thats why I prefer HUs that allow for the setting to xover to Defeat.

And Davc, THAT was a good question. Certainly nothing silly there. A rather shrewd observation actually.