3-way 4-way - what to do

falkenbd · Post by **falkenbd** » Wed Sep 10, 2008 7:05 am

OK, I'm thinking about getting a deck that has built in 3-way crossovers. Which deck doesn't matter for this debate, there are plenty of options available. I'd like to have the active crossovers now so I can ditch my passives and get some different drivers up front.

The issue I'm having is, I'd eventually like to do 4-way. (3-way + sub). I have enough amps to do a full 3-way plus a sub, but not the speakers at the moment. I'd also like to be able to have some equalization control without having to buy an equalizer for every pair of pre-outs but thats a different story.

Lets just say the 4-way would be sub up to 80 hz, midbass from 63 hz - ~300 hz, mid from ~300 hz - ~7kz and tweeter from 7khz up. This is just a ROUGH estimate from the drivers I've been looking at. I'd prefer flexibility in all directions.

If I were to get a deck with 3-way crossovers, what do you have to do to get to 4-way? I'd prefer something pre-amp. I'm thinking I'd need to be able to take a signal that is bandpassed between 80 hz and 7 hkz already and split it to one that is bandpassed for the midbass and the midrange.

Another option I have thought of is splitting one of the RCAs to 2 amps and just putting a HPF and LPF on the outgoing speaker cables. But I was hoping to avoid using any passive x-overs so I have a little more flexibility. Or even trying to use crossovers on the amps ( this would limit it to having 200 hz as the high-end of the crossover - and might work)

Basically I'm trying to decide if I should get a 3-way deck and add processing later or save up for the Clarion deck that can do 4-way... Or save up for the Alpine H701 unit.

OnYrMrk · Post by **OnYrMrk** » Wed Sep 10, 2008 7:30 am

Go for the Clarion DRZ9255..that deck can do all things. It is heavenly.

unless you have an Alpine HU that is processor controller, then with the H701 unit, you will have to go with an RUXC-701 processor controller. It is another din unit and it will take place of the volume control on whatever head unit you will buy.

falkenbd · Post by **falkenbd** » Wed Sep 10, 2008 7:34 am

so maybe the solution is to get a cheap 3 way deck now and sell it for a 4-way deck later on in life.

JeremyC · Post by **JeremyC** » Wed Sep 10, 2008 7:45 am

NAh man if you want to go 4 way active, don't waist your money on a deck that will only run 3 way. Figure out if thats really what you want to do, and go for it.

Oh and Pioneer also has a deck that will do 4 way active.

falkenbd · Post by **falkenbd** » Wed Sep 10, 2008 7:56 am

Do you know the model number? Are you talking about the P9 combo?

The only problem I have with the clarion is, you are limited to a 5 band PEQ.

I'm not sure if it gives you any EQ that can be adjusted for each side. If I wanted to have more EQ control I'd have to add an EQ on each of the 3 pre-out ??????

JeremyC · Post by **JeremyC** » Wed Sep 10, 2008 10:01 am

the PEQ is enough for your mid bass and sub. The only thing you would need separate right and left control for is your tweeters, and mids.

And thats only if you want to tweak by each freq to center your sound stage.

If your not going to spend a ton of time positioning your mids and tweets, the peq will work just fine.

tomcat · Post by **tomcat** » Fri Sep 12, 2008 5:39 am

I know this is kinda pricey but would this work? http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_953 ... QL-8.html#

I was looking into the 4-way thing too, but I cant find a cheaper way.

JeremyC · Post by **JeremyC** » Fri Sep 12, 2008 6:15 am

Nope don't go with the Audio Control.

It won't run 4 way active

Very limited on x-over options (even for a 3 way)

Noisy as hell.

OnYrMrk · Post by **OnYrMrk** » Fri Sep 12, 2008 6:21 am

^^^^^^ +1gajillion

Jeremy knows what he is talking about with the Audio control pieces

JeremyC · Post by **JeremyC** » Fri Sep 12, 2008 7:46 am

Sure do. I just got a brand spankin new DQS from them, and with my deck off it sounds like aliens are having a phone conversation over my mids and highs.

Ok so I'm the only person that hears it, BUT I SWEAR ITS THERE.