What does everyone think of this. I was out selling a few pieces of older stereo equipment when this gentlemen steps up. We start talking about speakers, he tells me he used to "build" them years ago. I started talking to him about re-capping crossovers.......... to make a long story short, he proceeded to tell me that crossovers in speakers were basically worthless, and the way to really build speakers is to not put crossovers of any kind in , but to wire your speakers directly to the speaker inputs and use equalizers to balance high and low end frequencys to each speaker ?????? I think he is full of crap, but is there a grain of truth in this whatsoever? I would like to hear some other opinions......... thanks everyone !
Crossovers in speakers ???
- Thread starter oreo
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I am kinda dumb on this stuff.....what is the difference between a normal crossover and an 'active"one ???
Rob41
Don't stop believin'
A normal (passive) crossover separates the incoming frequencies after they have been amplified by the amplifier and send the appropriate signals to the drivers. In an active crossover, the frequencies are separated after the preamp but before the amplifier. This is why multiple amplifiers are needed in an active crossover system. Although a bit more complex, active crossover systems allow you to make adjustments to the crossover points at will.
Wigwam Jones
Caesar non supra grammati
The above explanations are all correct.
To add to that, an equalizer, while it does manipulate frequencies, does not do what an active crossover does. Namely, it does not split the frequencies and route them to a different driver (passive) or amp (active) based on frequency range. It merely tailors the relative amplitude of the frequencies being sent to the amplifier - if you for example cut all bass using an equalizer (or a bass knob, for that matter), all it does is send that to the amp and from there to the speakers - if you have no crossover, it goes to all drivers. If you turn the bass up, same thing.
Some speakers can handle some or all of the drivers being driven full-range, such as some woofers in two-way systems being designed for that. But many high-range devices such as tweeters will eventually fry if given low frequencies to reproduce for very long. That's why some two-way speaker passive crossovers consist of a simple cap on the tweeter. The woofer runs full range, but the tweeter must still be protected with a crossover frequency, provided by the cap value.
To add to that, an equalizer, while it does manipulate frequencies, does not do what an active crossover does. Namely, it does not split the frequencies and route them to a different driver (passive) or amp (active) based on frequency range. It merely tailors the relative amplitude of the frequencies being sent to the amplifier - if you for example cut all bass using an equalizer (or a bass knob, for that matter), all it does is send that to the amp and from there to the speakers - if you have no crossover, it goes to all drivers. If you turn the bass up, same thing.
Some speakers can handle some or all of the drivers being driven full-range, such as some woofers in two-way systems being designed for that. But many high-range devices such as tweeters will eventually fry if given low frequencies to reproduce for very long. That's why some two-way speaker passive crossovers consist of a simple cap on the tweeter. The woofer runs full range, but the tweeter must still be protected with a crossover frequency, provided by the cap value.
Noticed you own some Heathkit items. Saw a pair of model 1332 2 way speakers on the side of the road for free. I sealed a small tear in one of the cones, built a grill for each, and hooked em' up. WOW............ glad I picked them up ! IMO, I would match those speakers in base response to ANY speaker on the market today in bass response with the same components. 8" driver and I believe it is a 1 1/2 or 2 inch tweeter. abaput 18" high and 11" wide. For probably 40 year old speakers...... the are incredible !
Tetrode
Active Member
Wigwam Jones
Caesar non supra grammati
The 901 is hardly representative of most speaker designs.
Coytee
Super Member
Doesn't the Bose use the same driver, multiple times?
Meaning, is there less of a need for a crossover there as compared to trying to blend for example, a 15" inch woofer to a 6" midrange to a 1" tweeter, where you have totally different drivers of differing frequencies/performance?
I think Klipsch calls them "balancing networks" to help note that they are balancing the outputs of all the drivers in the hope of reaching a balanced sound.
Seems to me with the Bose, you have 9/10 drivers putting out the same sound and the equalizer is simply being used to stretch/bend the sound, not balance the drivers relative to each other?
Meaning, is there less of a need for a crossover there as compared to trying to blend for example, a 15" inch woofer to a 6" midrange to a 1" tweeter, where you have totally different drivers of differing frequencies/performance?
I think Klipsch calls them "balancing networks" to help note that they are balancing the outputs of all the drivers in the hope of reaching a balanced sound.
Seems to me with the Bose, you have 9/10 drivers putting out the same sound and the equalizer is simply being used to stretch/bend the sound, not balance the drivers relative to each other?
Rob41
Don't stop believin'
I do have a lot of Heathkit gear but sadly, I haven't yet got any Heath speakers. Glad to hear you're enjoying them.