Calling FULL ACTIVE setup freaks! Meeting in Session!

[bububann]

Hello again my brothers!

Back again after the fruitful discussion about the preamp and e-xover.

Now, for the benefit of all (me mostly lah), I humbly request all FULL ACTIVE setup gurus to step up and enlighten me... please.

Okay, back in the other thread, oldskoolboyz mentioned that the kicker x3i crossover is capable of running a component set in full active ie: 4 channel amp to `make active' 1 component set (dedicated tuning laa)

Now if I wish to have rear component sets as well (for some weird reason I enjoy rear fill as much as front staging) AND want to run the rear components active as well, do I need a second e-xover or just 1 unit will do?

As far as requirements go, before i kena tanya and tiau:
Pioneer 3750MP HU - 1 preout
4 channel amp x 2 pcs
Kicker x3i e-xover x 1pc
2 component sets (these 2 la want to run active, both front and rear)
*(Subs and amp for subs diffrent group altogether)

Before i kena hantam about any SQ issues `no need tweeter behind and such, damn ah beng now lah, disturb front staging only, etc... there are specific reasons for these questions hehe)

So...question time, confused liao:

1. Enough just 1 e-crossover to run 2 component sets fully active?
2. Wiring wise on the x3i? Y splitter cables comes to play anywhere in the system?
3. Setting on the x3i to get High, Bandpass and Low? (dont flame if wrong, scared worr)
4. Anything else which I have overlooked and suggestions


Again thanks very much to all, for responses herewith.

Let's Go Active!

Cheers

p/s jangan gaduh tau... keng wor hehe

 

[kyheng]

Wah, you really know how to defend yourself.....

 

[howiechoo]

if u wan to run ur 2comp set at same freq, then 1 xover is enuff..but if u wanna run it in diff freq(maybe 2 diff comp set), then u need 2..

another way is using ur amp built in crossover to filter it..but it will become double filter....and some amp with build in xover are crap...(i mean the xover). it dun really accurate....maybe can say 90%


but in real world, no matter wat freq u set on ur xover or ur amp build in xover, it might not same with the real freq u wan..

btw, if u set a freq to a speaker by ur thinking, then most probably it will sound bad..

the only way is to listen to and adjust after u had all the things connected..and of cos ur car, materials, ur environment are the key point also..
\

for me, i adjust the freq due to my listening like....u really cant adjust it using the value u think, it sucks big time

 

[bububann]

I see

Thanks howie for the reply.

So, basically running active AND getting the corect `notes' or frequencies is `best' done using an e-xover la? And i suppose to avoid double filtering, at the amp we set the switch to FLAT...

Obviously, tuning for the preferred personal choice of sound depends on many factors u have stated above.

Waa if both components want to tune to different frequencies, the must get another XO now... whew. Hmm multi staging for front and rear.. Hmm.. or mebbe back component just tune from 1 on the amps... Hmm again..


Cheers

 

[Zenn]

do u want to run active mid & tweeter for both front & rear? wah liao...

rear no need la, waste time only....but if u still want...no problem. dont even have to get 2 electronic crossovers.

u just need a 4 ch amp for your mids and a 4 ch amp for your tweets, provided both components are the same so that theres no problem with what frequency u select for both fron & back.

the simple and cheaper way is to use the front/rear/sub option on the crossover instead of the high/mid/low. but with this u need to use the passives and the tweeters wont be active but u save a 4ch amp.

i prefer using hi/mid/lo for fronts, actively with a 4ch amp, but just run the rear comps of the HU power...

 

[bububann]

do u want to run active mid & tweeter for both front & rear? wah liao...

rear no need la, waste time only....but if u still want...no problem. dont even have to get 2 electronic crossovers.

u just need a 4 ch amp for your mids and a 4 ch amp for your tweets, provided both components are the same so that theres no problem with what frequency u select for both fron & back.

the simple and cheaper way is to use the front/rear/sub option on the crossover instead of the high/mid/low. but with this u need to use the passives and the tweeters wont be active but u save a 4ch amp.

i prefer using hi/mid/lo for fronts, actively with a 4ch amp, but just run the rear comps of the HU power...

Yup bro zenn

PLAN to run (PLAN ahh see suggestions of sifus first hehe) to run active mids & tweeters for front and back.

U see, my cabin is `quite' long and I have tried disconnecting and only running front comps. People who ride in the back with me always complain cannot hear radio lah, yak yak yak, etc. Then when I turn it up its too damn loud in front oledi.

Tried running rear fills as well, then they say "eh why depan sedap bunyi belakang tak sedap one?" Aiseh.. so hard to please everybody nowadays.

So, answer? Rear components is a must now (its doesnt disrupt too much sound staging from the front, and I actually enjoy the surround staging as opposed to front only).

So, when that is a must, I thought hey, might as well GO ACTIVE FOR ALL man!

Okay back to your suggestion. The 2 x 4 channel amps are no issue as I already have them. However, my component sets are NOT the same.

Given your setup, so.... I can actively tune my front and back mids via the e-xover for first filtering (usage of 1x 4 chnl amp here), and actively tune my tweets via the inbuild crossover from one of the amps (the other 4 channel amp).. provided my components are the same lah.. hmm

Sorry for the lengthy explanation to read hehe

Cheers

 

[oldskolboyz]

Hi, CAN... just need 4 sets Y cable... 2 sets each (mid & tweeter)... prob we face here If U use 2 diff comp set ... btw the 2 comp.. comp can play the lowers freq put at front... Use gain at the amp to control the speaker output... the best set-up.. each amp just run 1 signal (1 amp for band pass & 1 amp for high pass)..

 

[bububann]

Heya oldskol, nice to see ya again dude

Noted to use 1 x 4chnl amp for mids and 1 x 4chnl amp for tweets.

And also the use of the Y splitter cables x 4.

Eh.. all of you suggest to use the same component sets for front and rear, or mixed component sets also can ah?

Cheers bros

 

[Zenn]

i suggest nothing for the rear, save u money then can belanja me, hahaha....

id only get 2-way coaxial and run from HU power, habis cerite :P

not really need same front & back, just that since its active, the frequency selected at electronic crossover may or may not be suitable with diff sets of speakers. also sometimes dont need y-cable if the amp can accept single rca input.

some other experts say just need a 6" mid and no tweeters for rear fill. whatever u choose just set the gain to lowest so that it isnt loud. if u had rear pre out then u can also play with the fader to lessen the signal to the rear.

 

[kyheng]

Heya oldskol, nice to see ya again dude

Noted to use 1 x 4chnl amp for mids and 1 x 4chnl amp for tweets.

And also the use of the Y splitter cables x 4.

Eh.. all of you suggest to use the same component sets for front and rear, or mixed component sets also can ah?

Cheers bros

Mixed componenet also ok, only have to becareful which is louder. If component set that comes with tweeter, is better to use it else the sound will be mono abit for rear.

 

[bububann]

Aiseh zenn, no need to save money also can belanja u makan larrr…. Roti kosong and tt less than rm2 onli what hahaha...

Ok so diff components is OK, however u mentioned maybe the frequencies will not sound the same for each when tuned by the e-xover.

Say the (mids) front tune sound ngam oledi when set frequency on the e-xover, but the back sucks a bit. I suppose the back comp’s frequency can be further adjusted via the built in crossover in the amps rite? Or will this be double filter?

Heng, yup definitely will use the tweets man.

Buy oso got oledi, use lah. However cannot be too loud, damn sharp nanti. Sakit telinga wor hehe

Cheers again all

 

[howiechoo]

double filter is okay...just increase a bnit aat ur gain and u can make it as loud as the front comp,,

the problem in double filter is the crossover fpoint...for the first filter, let say c-over point at 1.4k, after the second filter u filter it at 1k, then the c-over point will go to 1k..but it will loss some points which is from 1-1.4k since the c-over point already cut the 1-1.4k freq at the first and the second filter only got the 1-1.4k freq at a much more lower than the source. the sound characteristic will change a bit..and it will make ur comp become lower volumn compare with 1 filtering

but i think u will hardly hear the difference unless u use a electronic device to analyse the freq.

 

[Izso]

Um.. bububan, I think you can't use that HU to run two sets of components active. Umm.. why not consider getting the Directed 6-way external x-over? Then you can go to active kingdom glory man.

Or Change HU to something with in-built x-over. Then you can use HU x-over for fronts, then kicker x-over for back. Uh... I think that's possible. *scratch head* I think it's possible with the Clarion HXD2. Most other HUs only have 3 Pre-outs, HXD2 has 4.

 

[Izso]

Oh wait.. you're using 1 pair pre-out to your kicker x-over? Then consider a HU with 3-pre-outs. 1 for sub, 1 for front comps, 1 for back comps. Front comps can muck with the HU x-over and then back comps use your kicker. I think the HU oso can handle both front and back.

Uh.. I'm not sure. Never really tried this before.

Incidentally I've heard some very nice front & rear-fill setups too. Not cheap but real nice.

 

[kyheng]

Don't know how to run full active when there's less control on front, all the control only can do on bottom seat or behind.... The best is change to HU with 3pre-outs or add pre-amp. better make full use of the passive crossover from your comp set and use 1 4 channel amp, less headache. Too many crossover points to adjust, end up good speakers also come out lousy sound if not done properly. Anyway just from my point of view, you will think of getting a simple setup after all the trouble you been through.

 

[Zenn]

Ok so diff components is OK, however u mentioned maybe the frequencies will not sound the same for each when tuned by the e-xover.

Say the (mids) front tune sound ngam oledi when set frequency on the e-xover, but the back sucks a bit. I suppose the back comp’s frequency can be further adjusted via the built in crossover in the amps rite? Or will this be double filter?

not that simple, double filter also tak kisah, just that not many amp inbuilt xovers can go that high to cross tweeter level in KHz.

 

[bububann]

Heya again bros

Waa so ACTIVE wan this discussion, thanks all

Have read all your inputs in here, and now getting a clear picture on pros and cons.

Howie, ahh sifu installer!
Thanks man, for the input, understand what you mean. Let's tune by ear eh?


Izso,
Yup, my HU has 1 preout onli. To be a bit adventuruous, that will be the last thing I will replace when my setup is done. Based on previous discussion (the other thread) i would like to run a preamp in between to get initial separation for front, rear and sub channels. Then from there the maze of wires starts hehe....

Heng,
Still want to use preamp laa bro....So can la get minor adjustment from the front hehe. Nobody said this was going to be easy or cost effective, however the satisfaction gained at the end of the day when everything is done correctly (tuning, matching, wiring) will definitely put a silly grin on your face. No pain, no gain. No trials, no knows.

Zenn,
Will experiment during installation to see if the amp can bring or not the higher levels of Khz when adjusting the tweets. Thanks bro, as always!

Thanks again, bros. Keep 'em coming!

Cheers

 

[bububann]

Forgot to put in just now lah

For my brothers who have replied in here (and for those yet to reply lah)

If I have RM500 budget to target a component set, what would be the recommended choices in the market? Looking at a good set (within that budget) to complement this `ACTIVE' setup laaa...

Preferably ones that have been commented to give out a `warm' sound.

WARM ok not RARE (don't want to get kicked in the groin by zenn) hahahahaha....

Recommendations please, tapi jangan la ask me go buy the 2k-3k focals or whatnots la hehe....

Cheers

 

[kyheng]

http://www.lelong.com.my/Auc/List/2006-03DStd2701010.htm

Try this, the seller can be trust, can suite your budget. Cheaper by atleast 50-100% compare to other shops. He is from Bahau, near to your hometown... Or you can try ZTH marketplace. Got people selling also.

 

[bububann]

Aisehhh..

Lanzar aaa.... errmmmm...

Ahem..err.. let's just put it this way, I `try' to stay away from lanzar as best as possible (no offence ya from lanzar users). They are just not my preferred brand of choice that's all.

Thanks bro.

Any thoughts on these?

JL Audio XR650-CSi
Soundstream LS.60C
a/d/s 236i

Oh ya, dont forget to broaden my horizons as well ya, with some other brands which are within the price range (if got Helix or the rest also good lar hehe).

Cheers