What is a P.A. Speaker Cross Over?

A basic idea of what a cross over is. Passive and active.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• PA
• P.A.
• Soundsystem
• Doyle
• Audio
• cross
• over
• Beer
• subwoofer

[cheatinelvis2011]

My band is currently using a DBX crossover. We are running in mono. We have some Yamaha club V 115v series mains and some Peavey 18 subs. We run 2 power amps. One for the mains and one for the subs. That would be a 2 way mono. But there is no setup for a 2 way mono. Should we come out of the Mid/High side from the Mid or High output to go to the power amp?

[doyleaudio]

@cheatinelvis2011

Don't know what DBX you have or Amps, so sorry I can't advice. Normally a 3 way x over should be able to run 2 ways. Most amps have the option to run mono from one feed. Hense one mid\high feed can run your Yamaha and the sub feed to your sub amp. If the amp is strong enough you could run the Yamaha's off of one side of an amp and use the other side of that amp for monitors.

Look for DBX manual on line should show you how to get the most out of it.

Hope that helps.

[umxwickham]

HEY ,WHAT AMPLIFIERS DO YOUR USE??

[doyleaudio]

@umxwickham

We have been using Ashly amps since 1983 and although we have tried others on a regular basis, we find Ashly has always had the upper level of sound quality and dollar for dollar untouchable. Recently tried their Korean made amp, (A non communist country) and that was great for the money too. We prefer the American built Ashly.

[timg544]

Great video! So, are there two passive crossovers inside that PA speaker box? One attached to the low frequency active crossover, and one attached to the high frequency active crossover? Then, the high frequency passive crossover inside the speaker box is divided between the tweeter and mid range speakers? Please let me know if i'm way off haha.

[doyleaudio]

@timg544

We generally refer to a crossover as a single entity. It may be a two way or three way or what have you, but the whole network is the cross over. In our design we generally try to avoid using a "passive" cross over below 1000 hZ to 600 hZ, due to the lose of energy and acoustic tone quality. This system uses a passive between the mid and high and an active between the bass and mid high cross over network. The best of both worlds.

[doyleaudio]

@tonenumberone

Sweep the points and listen. Where ever you think it sounds best for you.

[doyleaudio]

@BigKingBudxxShowCase

Hi Yes you can add a tweeter but it can be a little more complicated then simply adding the positive to positive and negative to negative (Parallel). Adding another resistor (Tweeter Load) can reduce the cross over point possibly damaging the tweeter and or not getting the sound you would like. Wiring in series, negative of tweeter one to positive of tweeter 2 and Negative of tweeter 2 to ground (return) will raise the x over point. You may need a different Cross over.

[BigKingBudxxShowCase]

can you wire a tweeter to another tweeter?

like chaining them together?

i got an fender acoustasonic guitar amp

it has two seperate speakers

a 8" with a tweeter in the top

and a 10" in the bottom

i want to add a tweeter to accompany the 10"

and give the original tweeter more back up

the tweeter chirps alot at high volumes

thanks

[doyleaudio]

@XalmostbrokenX

Don't under estimate the effect of a passive cross over on the bottom frequency. If done correctly a passive x over has a positive effect on the relationship between both High and Low.

Active between the Mid Highs and the sub in almost any application is very desired. It's also a good cost effective way to start your system. As you find you are growing and becoming more professional you will need to have a fully active cross over and processing system.