[swarnava.m]

Bumping up an old thread.
Read through most of it and now I am THOROUGHLY confused.

Here is the equipment I am going to install shortly:

• Clarion DXZ785USB Head Unit (3 RCA, Digital TA with 3-way XO, Built in LPF/HPF)
• Focal Solid4 Amp (4 channel)
• Illusion Electra 4.1 Component (Front - 4")
• MTX Coaxial (Rear - 6x9)
• Rockford Fosgate Punch 12" Sub

If I want to go active, what would be the best way to wire the system? Also, I do have the option of using another JBL 2ch amp. Will that be beneficial in any way?

[swarnava.m]

My earlier query has gone unanswered. In the meanwhile, this is what I plan to do now:

• Set the XO on the HU as Front=HIGH, Rear=MID, Sub=LOW
• Connect the rear pre-out to the front channel of amp and power the midbass from that
• Connect the front line level output to the tweeters
• Connect the sub pre-out to the rear channel of amp and drive the sub

I would like opinions/suggestions about this scheme. Also, what needs to be done with the rotary XO controls on the amp if the above is implemented?

[DerAlte]

Originally Posted by swarnava.m

... this is what I plan to do now: ...

It is a good plan if you just want to experiment, and are OK with *any* results.

But, unless you are unwise enough to look forward to repeatedly tuning the system every time it goes for service, in one word - DON'T. Going active is not about mix-and-match like that. You are planning to put all eggs in one basket: the HU! Either get enough amp channels that you can individually set pass-band and gain, or skip active and stay with passive.

* "rear pre-out to the front channel of amp": And every time someone unintentionally fiddles with the Fader, your system goes out of whack!!!

* "front line level output to the tweeters": You could as well use the Front Pre-out, since you are setting HPF on the Front channel in the HU. With no separate gain control for the tweeters, everytime you jack up the volume you will get an earful of really heavy HF. Also, unlike with conventional XOs, your tweeter is unprotected

* "sub pre-out to the rear channel of amp": This is OK, quite conventional

Do consider the fact that tuning the separate bands would require you to have methods and instrumentation that you may not have readily. It is not trivial - done wrongly, you will get a feeling that you are Abhimanyu in Mahabharat!!!

[swarnava.m]

One more point I forgot to mention is that I plan to connect the rear coax to the rear line level output. I understand that I will only be able to play the band-passed signal this way, but it is just for the sake of having rear fill. Am I complicating the problem further?

Originally Posted by DerAlte

"rear pre-out to the front channel of amp": And every time someone unintentionally fiddles with the Fader, your system goes out of whack!!!

Chances of that is very less. And why? Wouldn't keeping the fader at zero and adjusting gains at the amp suffice?

Originally Posted by DerAlte

* "front line level output to the tweeters": You could as well use the Front Pre-out, since you are setting HPF on the Front channel in the HU. With no separate gain control for the tweeters, everytime you jack up the volume you will get an earful of really heavy HF. Also, unlike with conventional XOs, your tweeter is unprotected

Use the pre-outs how? Just connect them to the tweeter? Would they produce the same level of output as line level outputs? As for protecting the tweeters, how about I still put the passive XO between the HU and the tweeters? I understand that would obviously result in some loss though.

Actually, since the tweeter is driven through the internal amp of the HU and the midbass externally powered, wouldn't the tweeters produce relatively lower level of output than the midbass? In that case, how does increasing the volume produce heavier HF such that it goes out of balance with the rest of the system?

Originally Posted by DerAlte

Do consider the fact that tuning the separate bands would require you to have methods and instrumentation that you may not have readily.

Could you please elaborate a little more on that?

Originally Posted by DerAlte

It is not trivial - done wrongly, you will get a feeling that you are Abhimanyu in Mahabharat!!!

Originally Posted by DerAlte

You are planning to put all eggs in one basket: the HU! Either get enough amp channels...

Getting a 5 channel amp is the plan somewhere in the future. And well going active is essentially about having the frequency differentiations from the HU right? What should I be doing differently then? Sorry if this is a stupid question.

Originally Posted by DerAlte

Going active is not about mix-and-match like that. You are planning to put all eggs in one basket: the HU! Either get enough amp channels that you can individually set pass-band and gain, or skip active and stay with passive.

Allow me to be a little cheeky here. What if I said I am inspired by your signature?

[DerAlte]

Originally Posted by swarnava.m

... Am I complicating the problem further? ...

Since the (mid-bass) amp is connected to the front mid-bass, and the rear speakers to the HU amp, there will not be any problem electrically. Only thing is Kishore Kumar is likely sit on your shoulder and sing! Ssspoookyyy ...

Originally Posted by swarnava.m

... Chances of that is very less. And why? Wouldn't keeping the fader at zero and adjusting gains at the amp suffice?
*Afterwards*, baba! If anyone fiddles with your settings and changes the Fader to + or -, you will never be able to figure out what has gone wrong.

Use the pre-outs how? Just connect them to the tweeter? ... obviously result in some loss though.
My bad, I meant through Pre-out over the amp channels! Don't bother about 'losses' and all at this stage.

..., wouldn't the tweeters produce relatively lower level of output than the midbass? In that case, how does increasing the volume produce heavier HF such that it goes out of balance with the rest of the system?
The tweeters are far more sensitive than the mid-bass. There is no comparison with mid-bass - the tweeters will get enough output from the HU amp directly, in a different relationship with volume than the mid-bass, and without the protection of XO. ( Forget it, what I am writing is sounding like techno-babble to me)

... going active is essentially about having the frequency differentiations from the HU right? ...
Drop the 'HU' part. Yes, it is about segregating the frequency band of the signal going to the tweeters and mid-bass, to have finer control over their characteristics without losing the inter-relationship (phase / time). Heterogenous amplification does not honor the last part. (Oh no, techno-babble again :( Sorry) ...

[swarnava.m]

Originally Posted by DerAlte

*Afterwards*, baba! If anyone fiddles with your settings and changes the Fader to + or -, you will never be able to figure out what has gone wrong.

Accha fine. No, that will not happen.

Originally Posted by DerAlte

The tweeters are far more sensitive than the mid-bass. There is no comparison with mid-bass - the tweeters will get enough output from the HU amp directly, in a different relationship with volume than the mid-bass, and without the protection of XO. (Forget it, what I am writing is sounding like techno-babble to me)

Sounds like that to me also, but I think I get the idea.

Originally Posted by DerAlte

...finer control over their characteristics without losing the inter-relationship (phase / time). Heterogenous amplification does not honor the last part. (Oh no, techno-babble again :( Sorry)

Bouncer, but I think I can go with that. Without doubt, there is a lot I need to learn. Do you take interns?