Active crossover for CV! CLS-215.

[IceBlock]

Due to my pair of CV! CLS-215 always end up with a fried crossover (capacitor gets fried and tweeters stop working), I'm considering going active. (Tried to find upgrades for the passive crossover but I'm not very good with schematics etc. and I haven't really found any worthwhile)

So far I've been consdering 2 x Behringer CX3800 or 1 x Behringer DCX2496. The reason I'm consdering two CX3800 is because I want to split the signal 4-way; tweeter, mid-range and the two subs. The reason for only one DCX2496 is due to price, as a "threesome" is probably worthwhile aswell.

Currently I'm using 2 x Stanton A.2800 amplifiers running in parallel mode bi-amped to CV! CLS-215. I also have a NAD amplifier that I will use in an "active setting" to power tweeter and mid-range.

[Moondog55]

Do you mean the CX 3400???

[IceBlock]

Yes, sorry. I meant the CX3400. Typing error.

[Moondog55]

CX 3400 is good (=value for money ) , but I use one and always go passive on the mid/tweeter XO, just makes economic sense

It is not the cleanest of units and distortion; if there is any; is much less evident at bass frequencies.
In my current set-up I am using the CX2310 and crossing at 120Hz to the 8inch mids then passive to the tweeter

[IceBlock]

As I figured. But is the Behringer DCX2496 futureproof or is it about to get outdated in the upcoming era? Thinking if the price justifies the future etc.

[Brett]

Originally Posted by IceBlock

So far I've been consdering 2 x Behringer CX3800 or 1 x Behringer DCX2496. The reason I'm consdering two CX3800 is because I want to split the signal 4-way; tweeter, mid-range and the two subs. The reason for only one DCX2496 is due to price, as a "threesome" is probably worthwhile aswell.

You only need a 3 way xover as the two 15's are simply wired in parallel to the best of my knowledge.

The DCX gives you lots of flexibility to EQ and set delays that the 3400 doesn't.

[IceBlock]

Well if that is the case I might aswell go for DCX2496.

[mikaljones21]

Definitely go active. Totally worth it!

[mikaljones21]

Behringer seems like a good unit. I've been looking at it too!

[bentoronto]

Specs are tricky. Sometimes noise in an amp is cut by the volume control at the entrance to the next stage... and sometimes just amplified. The Behringer voltage range is sized for recording console purposes.

Distortion is as much a quality indicator of the design as something that matters for itself... once you are already less than 1/10th of the speaker distortion.

A close look at the Behringer specs is interesting. Among the usual Behringer mass of features is a limiter that prevents blasting downstream units. But distortion is far higher with that (normally valuable) feature active than without (.04% vs. .5%).

Likewise, if you can use the balanced input/output jacks, you have some advantages.

My 2-cents.