Stereo Guru's (Crossover help?)

[Ghost]

Ok this is a mod but for the stereo! So I hope this is the right place! Ok, I'm going to run some Polk 5.25's in the doors and rear hatch! (2dr 84 for those that do not know!) And some Polk 6x9's in boxes (they are laying around) and a 10" Polk Sub. I was trying to figure how to run 4 amps with only two RCA outs on my stereo. A guy told me to use a Crossover. I did some research on some different brands but am unfamliure with the different ones I found. Who, makes a good unit for my needs that will not break the bank? I looked into Coustic, Rockford, crossfire, and A used Sony unit on Ebay. Any thoughts guys?

 

[Neil]

The brand isn't really that imporntant. All it does is divert low level sound to the appropriate amp. I woulden't go super cheap. I think that any of the brands that you are looking at are fine. Go for the least expensive and use the extra money towards the amps where it really matters. Also use a good quality RCA cable like Monster Cable.

 

[Kejtar]

actually it's a bit more complicated.... the crossovers vary in their perfomance. Not in a way that one is way better then the other but in a way that they might filter through at different frequencies so different ones might give different sound.

Kejtar

 

[Dirk Funk]

Most amps I am familiar with have preamp (RCA outs) outs on them as well, so what you can do is daisy chain as many amps as you want together. You could also think of using 2 4-channel amps. Use one four channel for the 4 polk 5.25"s, and use the other four channel for the two 6x9s and bridge the last 2 channels on that amp to power your sub. You really don't need a crossover in my opinion. Most amps have crossover controlls built into them.

Also as far as crossovers and filters go: they vary on the quality of the components used and the crossover slope. An 18dB per octave slope is going to sound better than a 6dB per octave slope on a crossover.

 

[Ghost]

Ok I see some of what you are saying. I have several amps to use but only 2 sets of RCA outs. I thought of useing a y adapter but was afraid of looseing too much quality. I rally want a way to run one set of front speakers, 2 sets of rear speakers and the sub. I have 3 amps now, Denon, & 2 Kenwood both 2 channel Was thinking about a 4th for the sub but that is in the future. I also thought about a 5 channel amp but they are huge. Hell my three are about the size of one 5! Still in the planning stages here. Just looking for options and opnions from the fine folks here!

 

[Nick]

Go with an electronic crossover and not a passive one. Ketjar is right in the variability in the performance that you will acheive by the brand. Unlesss your going to attempt competitions save your money and stay away from audiophile quality gear as you won't be able to denote any difference. However, do not buy cheap gear as that is what you will get. Do a little more searching on the web about the types of crossovers and you'll be amazed at the difference

 

[Dirk Funk]

depending on the type of head unit you have, a competent (electronics engineer/ stereo guy/ whatever you want to call him) can take it apart and create some RCA outs for the front, rear, mono (sub), whatever. Also check to see if your amps have speaker level imputs as well as RCA inputs.

 

[Georgia Mike]

Ghost,hit me back channel and I'll straighten this all out for you

 

[CheapXJ]

honestly... ditch either the 6x9's or the hatch speakers.

then take your biggest 2ch amp and get a "tri-mode" or "tri-way" crossover. it will let you run the sub and a pair of speakers off of one amp.