5 replies to this topic

[JohnDB]

Front Stage – 4 channel – potential problems?

In the very near future I will be adding an amplifier (currently running of head unit only) to my front speakers (Alpine SPC-610).

Amp would probably be around 2 x 75 w rms to 2 x 125 w rms, that sort of range, BUT I’m contemplating getting a 4 channel amp (similar output) and running a 4 way front stage, ie 4 x 75 w rms to 4 x 125 w rms so separate amplification for the woofers and tweeters.

Beside the additional wiring what potential difficulties/problems can I possibly encounter ? I understand that the high and low pass filters will have to be set correctly and gains, Anything else I need to be aware of ?

I will be running 2 x subs on a separate mono-bloc and I’m hoping that by feeding less bass into the door woofers and having more control frequency wise what is fed in to the tweeters that this will give me a higher SQ and also more volume.

Feedback appreciated.

(in a perfect world 3 ways and a 6 channel front would be the ultimate ?)

[syd-monster]

Running active, you have FAR FAR more to gain, than to loose. Go for it! the pitfalls are few. Just make sure you carefull with gains and that you keep polarity in phase. X-over settings right and fire her up!
The additional wiring shouldn't be an issue and neither should getting a 4ch, go get to it!

[peaandham]

Beside the additional wiring what potential difficulties/problems can I possibly encounter ? I understand that the high and low pass filters will have to be set correctly and gains, Anything else I need to be aware of ?
(in a perfect world 3 ways and a 6 channel front would be the ultimate ?)

What has been known to happen is people tend to fry tweeters before anything else, but if you know how to set the gains and xover settings you shouldn't haven't a problem, if you don't know how to set the gains then there is a tutorial in the appropriate section.

As for 3 way active being the Ultimate, yes and no. The biggest hurdle to get over is the fabrication of housings for the components, if you get this right then you car achieve great results, each driver behaves differently so enclosure requirements vary. At the same time with a nice set of midbass' in the door and the tweeters in the sails or pillars can do just aswell, but more limited if you will.

[2013FOCUS]

Not all amplifiers will have crossovers that will hi-pass high enough for tweeters. (many will only go to 4-500Hz)
So long as the amplifier is suitable, then as said you have more to gain than lose

Ideally for full active functionality, a processor would be included which will give control over crossover (instead of the amplifier crossover) and lots more parameters, as well

Mark

[scraverX]

I have the gain on my tweeter channels set as low as it will go and their level is set lower in my processor. This is just so they'd ballance with the mid-woofers.

[JohnDB]

Thanks for the comments guys, hadn't considered the high pass level for the tweeters being high enough on all amps, I'll keep that in mind before I splash my hard earned $'s down.

I do actually have space for a 3 way set up, if the mid is 3 1/2 inch or less in diameter and less than 2 inch mounting depth, of course it would be more $'s for the speakers and amp. At the moment I'm only up for an amp.