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How can I Determine Frequency Divider connections?

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valentiner61

New Member
I am seeking a way to determine which output terminals of speaker crossover networks feed which components. So, what I have is a set of 3-way frequency dividing crossovers, but I need to figure out which wires should attach to which driver components. There are no indications on the boards as to which are which, and I failed to mark the wires when I removed these crossovers from the cabinets, as, I had no idea I would wish to use them at a later date. I have a basic Multi-Meter, but, I don't know how to use it to give me clues as to which wire sets are to be fed into which types of drivers. Is there any simple way to figure out speaker crossovers that have been disconnected from the drivers? I do believe I know which set of wires needs to go to the tweeters, but that's it. Any help appreciated.
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valentiner61 said:
I am seeking a way to determine which output terminals of speaker crossover networks feed which components. So, what I have is a set of 3-way frequency dividing crossovers, but I need to figure out which wires should attach to which driver components. There are no indications on the boards as to which are which, and I failed to mark the wires when I removed these crossovers from the cabinets, as, I had no idea I would wish to use them at a later date. I have a basic Multi-Meter, but, I don't know how to use it to give me clues as to which wire sets are to be fed into which types of drivers. Is there any simple way to figure out speaker crossovers that have been disconnected from the drivers? I do believe I know which set of wires needs to go to the tweeters, but that's it. Any help appreciated.
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REPLY
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If you can post a picture of the crossover and the wiring layout, that may help.
 
Give more information What speaker? Maybe someone has one they have looked at and knows the wiring code.

Post pics of front and back of the crossover as some may be able to 'read' the circuit to determine what goes where.
 
OK, hopefully I can load my photos successfully here:
 

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While I was typing this, you posted pictures. I am posting it anyway as it was written below.

You should post pictures as people have suggested. However, there is a way, as long as you know which connection is for the input signal. What you can do is hook up the input of the crossover to the output of an amplifier, and then hook up a full range speaker (it can be a multiway speaker in a box; this is just to figure out what is what) to one of the sets of outputs. Play some full range music. If you get just bass, then it is the woofer connection, if you get just midrange, then it is the midrange connection, and if you get just treble, it is the tweeter connection. Try each output in turn, making sure you turn off the amplifier before changing any connections. This will not tell you the exact frequencies you are dealing with (look to the specifications for the original speakers for that), but it will tell you which type of speaker hooks up to which output of the crossover.
 
They are there. Missing full information on the crossover. Do you now what speaker it is from? Anything to help find out more?

Just a wild guess...the top pair is the tweeter the bottom ones can you follow the circuit from the Woofer terminals to a pair of wires? That could indicate a woofer. The other would with those two done would be the midrange.

Do you have a nice midrange driver that you can connect and power at low levels? If so, you would be able to hear the differences between the woofer, mid and tweeter signals from the crossover. Another wild guess, Black is negative for the tweeter and Blue is positive. Then the Black is negative for the woofer and Red is positive and finally the Black is negative for the midrange and Orange is the positive.

I'd check that at low volume, not really gonna damage a midrange driver asking it to do some bass (turn the bass down) or treble.
 
Blue Shadow said:
They are there. Missing full information on the crossover. Do you now what speaker it is from? Anything to help find out more?

Just a wild guess...the top pair is the tweeter the bottom ones can you follow the circuit from the Woofer terminals to a pair of wires? That could indicate a woofer. The other would with those two done would be the midrange.

Do you have a nice midrange driver that you can connect and power at low levels? If so, you would be able to hear the differences between the woofer, mid and tweeter signals from the crossover. Another wild guess, Black is negative for the tweeter and Blue is positive. Then the Black is negative for the woofer and Red is positive and finally the Black is negative for the midrange and Orange is the positive.

I'd check that at low volume, not really gonna damage a midrange driver asking it to do some bass (turn the bass down) or treble.
Click to expand...
Yes, I'm certain to have a midrange driver for the testing; great idea. I don't recall which model PSB's these came from. I think the top board IS for the tweeter because it attaches to the top speaker cable terminals, where the bottom terminals are labelled "Woofer."
 
valentiner61 said:
Yes, I'm certain to have a midrange driver for the testing; great idea. I don't recall which model PSB's these came from. I think the top board IS for the tweeter because it attaches to the top speaker cable terminals, where the bottom terminals are labelled "Woofer."
Click to expand...
So yes, that would equate with the Blue wire being the Tweeter positive.
 
I feel dumb about this now for not trying a long time ago, but, Red/Black = Midrange Frequencies; Orange/Black = Bass (and yes, Blue/Black is for the Highs).
 
Well we have a solution. Now to mark them!! on the crossover. If you know the speaker model you might be able to look up the crossover frequency and maybe the slope but that usually isn't given in specs. Or if you are putting that speaker back together you will be able to do it correctly wired.
 
I discovered a different problem I have now, I might need to start a new thread. The Altec Lansing Compression drivers I want to use are not marked for Red or Black +/- leads. I know how to sort this issue out with normal drivers, but, not with horns. I'll try to get some photos up tomorrow. But, they are Mantaray drivers.
 
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