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DoglegSniff
Advanced Contributer
United Kingdom
2163 Posts |
 Posted - 11/06/2012 : 20:25:15
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How do they work then? Or more specifically, how could I use one with our rig?
We run an 8 channel mixer amp into 2 x 15" cabs, with a feed taken from them into 2 x 12" cabs on top. Everything goes to both speakers and it sounds OK, but just worried it could overload the smaller units.
Is it possible to fit a crossover between the amp and the speakers to split the signal with lows going one way and mid/highs going the other?
TVM as ever! |
Master of Hounds and Head of Prescription Drugs, Over The Counter Medication, Lubricants and Imbibements for the forum's Sonor Delite Appreciation Society.
If you think people aren't taking you seriously enough, you're damn right. |
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flurbs
Advanced Contributer
United Kingdom
4893 Posts |
Posted - 12/06/2012 : 09:55:13
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The current 15's are full-range, yes? - They have a hi-frequency horn and 15" LF driver?
Crossovers split the frequency range, they can be active (signal-level to then use with a power amp) or passive (power-level to be used after a power amp). You'll already have HF passive crossovers in your system, they are in the cabinets and they are what splits the HF signal going to the piezo-tweeter/CD-horn.
In a normal 3-way system you'd use an active crossover to split the bass frequencies (x/o point usually between 100 and 200Hz) from the rest of the range. You then send the bass frequencies to a dedicated power amp to drive the bass speakers, and the rest of the spectrum to another amp to drive the mid/hi speakers. Any "full-range" speaker will have a passive crossover inside it which effectively does the same thing to send the hi-frequency signals to the HF horn. So you have 3-ways: Low Frequencies LF (usually sent to dedicated sub speakers) - active crossover split - Mid Frequencies MF sent to the LF driver in the 'top' cabinet - passive internal crossover - Hi Frequencies HF sent to the HF Horn in the 'top' cabinet.
If you use this with your current setup it will improve the efficiency but it'll only be a half-measure. Your full-range 15's will effectively become bass bins - but the half-measure is that they're not designed as bass bins so they'll only be re-creating the bass they're already capable of WITHOUT the MF and HF. A designed bass bin will have lower frequency extension for even more bass (at least another half-octave) AND will be louder (more efficient) in those frequencies.
In the same setup your 12's life will be made easier as it won't be having to handle the LF signal which can over-extend the driver. If you're happy with the sound quality of the 12's and you always gig with the 4 boxes, it would probably be very worthwhile moving on the 15's and then adding a dedicated pair of bass bins (or a single larger powered sub) to the 12's. It makes things simpler, more efficient (more volume, less power), and so long as you' match everything up well, it'll also improve the depth and clarity of what you're already getting.
Make and models of current speakers would be helpful if you'd like any suggestions!
Simon |
VideoFile Cymbal Shop at www.2ndchancecymbals.co.uk |
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martydrums
Advanced Contributer
United Kingdom
6144 Posts |
Posted - 12/06/2012 : 10:29:03
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| Doug, get back to Simon on this and you should not go wrong. Don't just fling an xover at full range cabs. |
Official Sugar Daddy of the forum's Sonor Delite appreciation society, as nominated by Jamoca - Honorary President Paul Brook
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DoglegSniff
Advanced Contributer
United Kingdom
2163 Posts |
Posted - 12/06/2012 : 14:12:34
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Cheers gents - I'll do some digging on the speaker detail and get back.
Doug |
Master of Hounds and Head of Prescription Drugs, Over The Counter Medication, Lubricants and Imbibements for the forum's Sonor Delite Appreciation Society.
If you think people aren't taking you seriously enough, you're damn right. |
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MacDB7
Excellent Contributer
United Kingdom
254 Posts |
Posted - 12/06/2012 : 20:24:55
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Hey Doug, I think Simon has given you all the information you need. Great stuff!
I use 2 subs linked to 2 full range cabs so an extra crossover unit isn't required.
The only experience I've had with an extra crossover unit was a cheap, budget unit which severely lowered the quality so if you did end up getting one, make sure you get a more expensive one (2nd hand if you're short on money) to make it worth the effort. |
Jazz drummer
Mapex & Zildjian = the perfect combination!
http://soundcloud.com/calum-macleod |
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