65 replies to this topic

[268669♫]

Hey guys,

Going to be installing some higher end equipment than i've currently got and selling the old stuff(see below in sig) in the not to distant future and don't know if I should go active or passive.

The passive system would comprise of

Speakers
Rainbow Reference CS 360.30
 Rainbow_CS_360.30_Reference231779.jpg   22.57K   3 downloads
Subs
Rainbow Vanadium 12" (x 2)
 Rainbow_12_Vanadium_231597.jpg   17.77K   0 downloads
Amplifiers
Sinfoni Desiderio (for front stage)
 desiderio_resize.jpg   57.24K   1 downloads
Sinfoni Amplitude 150.2X (x2 one for each sub)
 Sinfoni_amp150.2x_resize.jpg   38.81K   1 downloads

And the Active system would be

Speakers
Rainbow Reference CS360.30 active (no crossovers included)
 231780.jpg   18.86K   2 downloads
Subs
Rainbow Vanadium 12" (x2)
Amplifiers
Sinfoni Amplitude 150.2X (for the woofers)
Sinfoni Amplitude 90.2 (for the mids)
 amp902xresize.jpg   24.15K   1 downloads
Sinfoni Amplitude HD 60.1 (for the tweeters)
 amp601hd_resize.jpg   35.63K   1 downloads
Sinfoni Amplitude 150.2X ( x2 for each sub)



Would are your thoughts, opinions. what would you get and why.

The head unit and processor remain unchanged.

Thanks

Antony

[ultim8DTM5]

Ant, with either of those setups I'm sure you'll appreciate most of the comments on here will involve drool

With active, you will be going with six amplifiers with what you have listed there. There is quite a premium on the passive 3way References as opposed to the active 3way references, however, taking cost out of the equation I would go with less than six amplifiers on semi-active

[CVBASS]

I think one of the main problems with active is fitting all those amplifiers in the ute... aswell as 2 x 12"s
I think pete has the right idea with semiactive..
I'm sure all options will sound great with that list of gear

[Juls]

If your using the H701, definatly go Semi Active,

Passive on the mid/tweet (on the high output on your H701) and Active for the midbass to midrange setup.

in regards to the subs, if your in a ute, and SQ is your goal (obviously with those speakers and amps) I honestly would suggest going 10" or 8" subwoofers, in there largest possible enclosure, rather than 12" subs in cramped enclosures. 10" sub in a roomy enclosure will play much deeper and way more linear than a 12" in a compromised sized enclosure every time.

2 10" subs should be more than enough output, I would question the use of that quality of gear if your looking for a boombox system.

Juls

[micka]

I vote passive as it gives you the ability to concentrate on the proper installation of the speakers removing the many variables that inevitably come with an active setup. Admittedly, I am a fan of keeping things simple.

Personally I'd get things right passively, then if you have an issue with midbass have a look into semi active. I believe once you start getting into higher end equipment it should be more about getting things right; rather than experimentation for the experimentation's sake.
I'd probably only consider active if the rainbow crossover was deemed to be a weakness in the component set; there's probably a hint of "arrogance" in going active with a high end set of components suggesting you can do better than the manufacturer of the speakers.

[268669♫]

Hey guys, thanks for the responses.

Space isn't a concern for the gear, either is installation quality as its being installed by the best. My main aim is tuning and the ability to keep tuning into the future as my knowledge and experience grows. I don't really want to be changing the system in a few months after I work out how to tune everything and want to customise the sound to suit me more. The head unit will also be changed when my experience grows to a Alpine DVI-9990 and a in dash foldout screen, most probably the TMI-M990.
I'm leaning more towards the active system but maybe not the exact model amps listed, maybe smaller sinfoni's for the midbass and midrange. However the subs will be 10inch, not 12 as a misquoted above. The sub box I have currently is for a ten so I will only need an identical one on the passenger side to accomodate both vanadium 10's.

[Reza]

Passive that big must have something special in them. Passive for me, keep it simple and those Desiderio is effing sexy

[abmolech]

might consider a couple of these?

http://car.rainbow-audio.de/products/detai...&art=271029

[2LOUD2OLD]

umm ........... all i can say is ........ Drool......

[268669♫]

That rainbow pre amp is nice, but if i was going to use one i'd go the sinfoni phaserpro
 phaserproresize.JPG   12.04K   1 downloads

[Poisoner]

id probably go passive, the rainbow passives would be a good bit of gear, and if space is limited theres no need to add more amps.

got a rough price between the 2 setups. even retial. to me the active looks more pricey(depends how much rainbow will knock off the price if u dont buy the passive)

[Ferry]

~droll~ huehuhehueuehe I'd go with passive, as above mentioned, the xover is HUGE, must be the best picked components inside

BUT either way the system would sound exquisite mate..Good luck!

[Pulse-R]

I vote multi-amped passive.
using the 701 in 3-way+sub mode.
and mmmm, drooooool

although, with all that nice gear, you'd need to upgrade the 701 for sure.

no sense putting ethanol-laced fuel into your sonic ferrari.

[JoeB]

Pulse-R, on Apr 16 2007, 11:10 PM, said:

no sense putting ethanol-laced fuel into your sonic ferrari.

ditto.

[MRVJ]

but why buy a ferrari?