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Where are all the 4-way active crossovers?

Altecjosh

Altecjosh

New Member
Whenever I ask about active crossovers, I get asked why I dont use a dsp setup like a dbx drive rack etc. So much so that it doesn't seem like anyone uses analog stuff anymore. I have been looking at dsp stuff but my question is, so where is all the analog stuff then?

For stereo 2-way or mono 3 way there are a few options still made. My setup is changing and I have the components to try out a stereo 4-way setup. The options for that are limited and the ideal crossover would be something like an ashly xr4001, or two xr2001's. I have been checking ebay/reverb/etc. for months, havent seen any good candidates. I have had great results using an xr1001 for 2-way so that was my first choice. Also been looking for a Rane ac24(stereo 4-way), or TDM 24cx-4(mono 4-way, would need 2). All my stuff is XLR so I prefer that.

The dsp stuff is always just slightly out of my price range. I would need something like a xilica xp-4080 - around $1200. Thats hard to justify, being more expensive than anything else in the system lol.

Anyone hoarding stuff like this? I really appreciate all your responses.
 
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Lets see, Rane, Klark-teknik, Ashly, Urei, DBX. and Beheringer. Altec only made 3 ways and two ways, same for EV and I think JBL, though I am not sure about JBL. Professional Harmon might have, but I can't easily confirm it. TAD did also as I remember. Professional Yamaha may have made one. Professional Pioneer made a very good Stereo 3 way that was ahead of its time. I still use my Urei electronic crossovers in the three way and 2 way modes. OH! Accuphase made one that was either 3 way stereo or 5 way mono at one time. The one I remember was digital, however. I don't know about the older models from when Accuphase started being made available in the US. You might want to look at the REVERB website.
 
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If you don't mind diy, the DIY audio store has single ended Nelson Pass circuit boards you can use multiples of. Would require 3 of the 2 way boards per channel. Double that if you want balanced, so may be a lot of real estate or a vertical card configuration. All discrete circuits, no op amps, through hole.

If you want premade, Xkitz has 3 and 2 ways that can be similarly cascaded, available both balanced and single ended and plug and play linear power supplies. Just need a case. smd/op amp based.
 
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My Audio Artistry Beethoven Elite speakers came with a proprietary 2x4 analog active crossover. It is quite the unit designed by Sigfried Linkwitz himself.
 
FWIW, My Ex FOH engineer B-I-L`s 5 way + L/R servo 400 watt powered Velodyne 15"subwoofers cobbled together drivers/cabinets, but excellent sounding main system`s combo Crown SS/Mc./Dynaco Mk III tube system works very well by his use of stacking (connecting in series) mono Crown original VFX professional series analog crossovers (both the original and the later less flexible versions) to obtain his additional desired crossover frequencies points beyond the common 2, or 3 way original limitations.

Its setup took some careful tweaking and configurational experimentation for maximum performance, but he got it dialed in and the results sound wonderful.
 
Audio Research Corporation made an all-tube (6x 12AX7) stereo three way electronic crossover in the early seventies, the EC-4. I have built many copies of these for people :)
 
arts said:
Audio Research Corporation made an all-tube (6x 12AX7) stereo three way electronic crossover in the early seventies, the EC-4. I have built many copies of these for people :)
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I have the 2 way (EC-2 ?) version of that tube crossover Art, that a repair customer ~25 yrs. ago offered to sell me inexpensively w/ owner`s manual.
I had no real need for the tube crossover purchase, but decided anyway because it was a HQ ARC manufactured piece of equipment.

My B-I-L borrowed it for a while after I changed the OEM crossover`s turnover points, via the OM`s instructions, to his specific system`s configuration needs.
 
Thank you for all the replies. I managed to find two TDM 24cx-4's and a jbl m553 to play around with. I will still keep my eye out for dsp offerings.
 
Don't forget the Accuphase F-25

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115 bucks for a configurable 4 in - 4 out DSP (so can be 1 in, 4 out or vice versa and anything in between depending on how you configure the DSP):
www.thomannmusic.com

the t.racks DSP 4x4 Mini

Compact 4-Channel DSP Inputs: 4x 6.3 mm jack balanced, Outputs: 6.3 mm jack balanced, Programming via USB (Windows), Power supply via external 12 V DC power adapter (centre positive), Weight: 0.6 kg, Dimensions: 160 x 150 x 40 mm, Incl. power...
www.thomannmusic.com www.thomannmusic.com

You'll need two for a 4 way stereo system.
There's also a pro version with XLR ins and outs and a version with an integrated amp (I'd skip the latter one for HiFi).
 
The only non-dsp unit that I have is a Marchand XM44-4.

As far as DSP, I started with a pair of old driverack 48X series. Purchased a pair of Venu360 after that and there was a noticeable improvement. These were purchased as an inventory blowout and now the current price seems to be double what I paid. Either can do up to 6-way in mono mode. I've seen several recommendations on the Xilica stuff.

I will be listening to a BSS Blu-160 when we get deep into the Winter. No thoughts on sound quality yet. It was sold as not working along with some other chassis that had nice card options. The price point and ease of repairs on my particular units could be a win.
 
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