active vs passive xo

howard99 · 25th July 2007, 10:50 AM

I am currently building some new speakers and in the past have only used passive crossovers. Wanted to know what is the difference between an active or electronic crossover vs a passive one. Thanks for helping a new guy.

Cheers

DorinD · 25th July 2007, 10:55 AM

Start here: http://sound.westhost.com/biamp-vs-passive.htm

richie00boy · 25th July 2007, 10:55 AM

http://sound.westhost.com look at his articles section it's all explained nicely there.

howard99 · 25th July 2007, 11:24 AM

Wow didn't take long for a response. Thanks those articles are very useful. I will be using an active xo after reading that information. I'll let you know how it goes. Thanks again.

sreten · 25th July 2007, 12:55 PM

Hi,

The active c/o articles are very simplistic, for a normal 2-way active is
not cost effective unless you use different bass/mid and treble amplifiers.

For the bass/mid you can implement active baffle step compensation.
For the tweeter you can use its full sensitivity, the higher the better.

Still you need to design the c/o properly, not use electronic L/R filters.

/sreten.

25th July 2007, 10:50 AM	#1
howard99 diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2006	active vs passive xo I am currently building some new speakers and in the past have only used passive crossovers. Wanted to know what is the difference between an active or electronic crossover vs a passive one. Thanks for helping a new guy. Cheers

25th July 2007, 10:55 AM	#3
richie00boy Did it Himself diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Gloucestershire, England, UK	http://sound.westhost.com look at his articles section it's all explained nicely there. __________________ www.readresearch.co.uk my website for UK diy audio people - designs, PCBs, kits and more

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25th July 2007, 10:55 AM	#2
DorinD diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Bucharest	Start here: http://sound.westhost.com/biamp-vs-passive.htm

25th July 2007, 11:24 AM	#4
howard99 diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2006	Wow didn't take long for a response. Thanks those articles are very useful. I will be using an active xo after reading that information. I'll let you know how it goes. Thanks again.

25th July 2007, 12:55 PM	#5
sreten diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Brighton UK	Hi, The active c/o articles are very simplistic, for a normal 2-way active is not cost effective unless you use different bass/mid and treble amplifiers. For the bass/mid you can implement active baffle step compensation. For the tweeter you can use its full sensitivity, the higher the better. Still you need to design the c/o properly, not use electronic L/R filters. /sreten.