We re-did the lounge room a bit [ again] and my speakers had to be moved. The 3-Ways are going back but as I have not yet finished the [ OK Not even started ] the big passive subs I want to include the 4 cheap powered subs to handle the bottom end.
I haven't yet got to the stage of using the computer to handle the crossover so I am still using the cheap Behringer CX-3400
I have made up the Canon to RCA patch cables already and was going to use those and a pair of Y-splitters to send each side to the two separate sub-amplifiers.
Is this OK or should I solder up some new cables to divide the signal in half at the Canon connector?
I have only used these cheap subbies for the HT previously so I have no idea how well I can integrate them for music use but I am assuming they are going to be loud enough to match the Vifa 10" midbass.
Any handy hints for me before I blow anything up?
The old DIY speakers
D-27-45-06 / P13 /P-26
I haven't yet got to the stage of using the computer to handle the crossover so I am still using the cheap Behringer CX-3400
I have made up the Canon to RCA patch cables already and was going to use those and a pair of Y-splitters to send each side to the two separate sub-amplifiers.
Is this OK or should I solder up some new cables to divide the signal in half at the Canon connector?
I have only used these cheap subbies for the HT previously so I have no idea how well I can integrate them for music use but I am assuming they are going to be loud enough to match the Vifa 10" midbass.
Any handy hints for me before I blow anything up?
The old DIY speakers
D-27-45-06 / P13 /P-26
Attachments
Sounds like you'll be fine.
Switch everything on with the volume controls at minimum, and bring each powered sub up one at a time so you can make sure there's no issue with grounding etc.
Chris
Switch everything on with the volume controls at minimum, and bring each powered sub up one at a time so you can make sure there's no issue with grounding etc.
Chris
Good point. I just went through my big box of cables and one that I need isn't here; I'll need to spend some time with a soldering iron tomorrow
You're lucky to have all your cables in one box!
... Although I suspect I'm an outlier, in that running a live sound business does mandate a LOT of cables.
Chris
... Although I suspect I'm an outlier, in that running a live sound business does mandate a LOT of cables.
Chris
Gold-plating on jacks may be lacking on the CX-3400, but the performance is exceptional for this unit - you can draw the FRs with a flat ruler and likewise for THD.
Costs no more than many passive crossovers. Hard to understand why anybody wouldn't be bi-amped today. Or better, DSP Behringer DCX2496, also inexpensive.
Canon/balanced to RCA works fine for me at input or output jacks. Easy to buy on eBay or at music gear stores.
About volume controls, I ended up putting a 4-gang Bourne control in a little metal box between the DCX and the amps. Solves problems.
B.
I finally got it set up.
Needed to make a new speaker stand and solder up a few patch cables and such.
I needed to add some boost to the sub output and they strain a bit trying to keep up with the Vifa P-26 I'm using as the midbass but I sort of expected that as they are cheap Chinese made amps that while rated at 100w probably only do that for short peaks.
The main speakers still sound good, though very different now I wear hearing aids almost full time.
Time to start working on the subwoofer I've been dreaming about.
Needed to make a new speaker stand and solder up a few patch cables and such.
I needed to add some boost to the sub output and they strain a bit trying to keep up with the Vifa P-26 I'm using as the midbass but I sort of expected that as they are cheap Chinese made amps that while rated at 100w probably only do that for short peaks.
The main speakers still sound good, though very different now I wear hearing aids almost full time.
Time to start working on the subwoofer I've been dreaming about.
You can get a proper multi-channel amp for very little $$. Simply look for a stout AV receiver that is a few years old. Preferably one without HDMI. They will go for very little. You can probably find a Denon or Yamaha 6 channel receiver with 100W/channel and separate inputs per channel for $50 on craigslist or a thrift shop. Auction sites are probably not worth looking at as the shipping costs will be high as they are quite heavy (usually these were made in the age before class D amps became popular).