Fronts options

[MIKE-2U]

So i think i posted this before i just cant find it. Ive almost comllpleted the sub stage and are about to move up to the front speakers. Could someone help me to better understsnd terms such as active passive 2 way 3 way etc. Any others you can think of. I have learned alot from this site so have no doubt in my mind i will continue to learn post by post. And also whay would be the best option for.me ( a beginner) . I also want to amp them.

[MIKE-2U]

BUMP

[MIKE-2U]

no one ??

[Kevin M]

Active is modifying the signal before or at the amplifier. This typically means 24db/octave or higher slopes. They work really well in getting the most out of your drivers.Steeper slopes can mean increased power handling and higher volume, but not always. Active allows you to adjust the freq. range of the x-over point which gives the ability to mix and match (Tweeters/mids)to find the sound you prefer. You can use an amplifier or exterior x-over to accomplish this. If you run an processor like an ms-8, bitone, etc.

Passive systems are changed after the amplifier. They use a series of coils, inductors, resistors to model the signal of the tweeter/mid/midbass. Some of these also have small adjustment points for the mid or the tweeter for personal preference. See pic below. While the output of the drivers can be adjusted their x_over points are fixed.

This is from my old 2-way alpine comp. set You can see that the the x-over itself has an input for the midbass and a tweeter. This is a two way system. It consists of four speakers and two crossovers. A 3-way system has a dedicated midrange along with a midbass and tweeter. Different companies have different x-overs but typically the midbass will play from 60 or 80hz (can be lower) to perhaps a 1000hz. The dedicated midrange usually picks up here and plays to ~5000hz and the tweeter takes over from there to 20k.

The slopes in a passive system are usually 12db/octave. They say and I have repeated that passive x_overs rob power but it is most likely never going to be a real concern for the average install.

If you decide on a 3 way system, placement of the drivers becomes even more important. Typically you would want the midrange and tweeter to be as close as possible but it all comes down to preference. What is important is that you get the pathlenghts (Distance between you and the speakers)as equal as possible. This will create a more solid soundstage that isn't skewed to the left or the right.

When this isn't possible people use T/A and adjust the drivers output to arrive at the same time in millisecond adj.

One isn't better than the other. I have heard a custom Passive setup that blew me away. I can say the same of Active. I run active because it allows me to experiment with new speakers and now that I bought some ID horns they are a necessity.

I could literally write 20 pages of info on this so my advice would be to read alot and listen to some passive and active systems and 2 way/3 way systems. Talk to the owners and pick their brains. After a few months of this you should be able to decide on what you prefer.

[MIKE-2U]

so active is xover then the amps and passive is amps then speaker/tweeter? and also i dont know if this belongs but how are stock tweeters wired in? own channel or directly to the driver? i only ask due to weather keeping me inside. ALSO, i just bought a pair of speakers, I think the easiest way to do it for me( being my first real system) would be H/u ----- amp ------ xover-----driver and tweeter. thats how i am going to run my system ? what is that called? thanks in advance.

[Kevin M]

so active is xover then the amps and passive is amps then speaker/tweeter? and also i dont know if this belongs but how are stock tweeters wired in? own channel or directly to the driver? i only ask due to weather keeping me inside. ALSO, i just bought a pair of speakers, I think the easiest way to do it for me( being my first real system) would be H/u ----- amp ------ xover-----driver and tweeter. thats how i am going to run my system ? what is that called? thanks in advance.

What you are talking about is a passive system. Do you have a comp. set with a x-over like I showed? What speakers did you buy?

[MIKE-2U]

so active is xover then the amps and passive is amps then speaker/tweeter? and also i dont know if this belongs but how are stock tweeters wired in? own channel or directly to the driver? i only ask due to weather keeping me inside. ALSO, i just bought a pair of speakers, I think the easiest way to do it for me( being my first real system) would be H/u ----- amp ------ xover-----driver and tweeter. thats how i am going to run my system ? what is that called? thanks in advance.

What you are talking about is a passive system. Do you have a comp. set with a x-over like I showed? What speakers did you buy?

Bought a used pair of rainbows off a guy off here.

[MIKE-2U]

so in my component set is it a mid bass or mid range ?

[MIKE-2U]

?

[Kevin M]

You mentioned it was a 6.5" right? It is most likely capable of playing both midrange and midbass freq. Did they come with a x-over? The person you bought them from should be able to tell ya what cutoff points to use. Some midranges play cleanly to up to 5500 while others much lower. Look them up online and find the specs for em' You need to know the capabilities of each driver before you get a x-over. Using a passive x-over from another company will have different slopes which could damage your speakers.