Passive crossover (in)efficency?

[Pbassred]

I run a small bia-amped sound rig. I could have bought Bass speakers and Mid/high two-ways. However, in order to make it flexible I have big and little two-ways. For small shows I can leave one set at home. I actively crossover well below the "bass speaker's passive crossover.

That crossover is real simple, consisting of a cap, res and coil. The high freqs go to a Piezo. How much is that crossover costing me? I was thinking of fitting a bypass switch.

[soongsc]

Originally posted by Pbassred
I run a small bia-amped sound rig. I could have bought Bass speakers and Mid/high two-ways. However, in order to make it flexible I have big and little two-ways. For small shows I can leave one set at home. I actively crossover well below the "bass speaker's passive crossover.

That crossover is real simple, consisting of a cap, res and coil. The high freqs go to a Piezo. How much is that crossover costing me? I was thinking of fitting a bypass switch.

If the cap, res, and coil are in series, and are in parallel with the driver (bridges the driver terminals), then it most probably is a zobel. If it's hooked up differently then it depends on how they're hooked up and the value of the inductor and resistor.

[Pbassred]

From what I read; the Zobel flattens the impeadance curve by dumping power ( still dont know how much). The reason is to make the crossover even.

However since I have already done the crossover work before the amp, I don't need it. Loosing power is bad at 300W. I would need heavyer amps and make too much heat. Even 2db is poor. I think in this case a crossover on/off switch will be a good thing.

[Bill Fitzpatrick]

I'm sure I could advise if I had a clue as to what you're talking about.

[Pbassred]

Simple question made complicated. Sorry.

Cab with 15" and Piezo. How much power does the simple crossover waste?

[Bill Fitzpatrick]

Originally posted by Pbassred

Cab with 15" and Piezo. How much power does the simple crossover waste?

Practically none.

[soongsc]

Originally posted by Pbassred
From what I read; the Zobel flattens the impeadance curve by dumping power ( still dont know how much). The reason is to make the crossover even.

However since I have already done the crossover work before the amp, I don't need it. Loosing power is bad at 300W. I would need heavyer amps and make too much heat. Even 2db is poor. I think in this case a crossover on/off switch will be a good thing.

The zobel is supposed to equalize the impedance so that the amp see constanct load. Having it there really does not effect the overall effeciency, but helps in letting the amp perform better.