Hooking up a Audio Control Matrix 6

Based on the recommadations on the guys on this board, I was told to buy a Audio Control Matrix 6.. and that's what I did.

Reason being, I have 3 subs, and 3 amps. Each amp going to a sub. I was told to get the Matrix 6. But, upon reading the manual, for a "maximun SPL setup", they are saying to run the sub preout through a 25xs crossover first, then to the matrix. Question being.. is that true?. Here's the link where it said that..  http://www.audiocontrol.com/PDF/OwnersManuals/MobileAudio/Matrix_CS_OM.pdf

On the Matrix I have received, there are 3 R&L balanced inputs, and 3 R&L balanced outputs. I was under the understanding that I can take my  L&R sub preout from the deck, and plug it into any of the 3 pairs of inputs on the matrix, then each of the 3 outs of the matrix, to each of the amps. Can I do that????. Is running the preout to a 24xs crossover first nessasary if this is only for my bass?.  My front and rear outputs are going directly to another amp. My question is only regarding the sub pre out.

Thanks for the responses so far.

As for the model of my deck, its the KDC-X979 I believe, and it's the latest one they have with the flipout face. It has a TON of crossover adjustments, as well as a seperate NPF sub control on it as well. If I need to pick up the crossover Audio Control recommends, then so be it.. but of course if I can hook things up like I asked above without buying one (especially being my head unit has a crossover for the sub pre out).. i'd much rather do that :)

Use the 6XS exactly as it shows for "Maximum SPL" except you will not be using the Audio Control external crossover.  Run the sub out from your deck to the sub input on the 6XS and control the Xover point in the head unit and it will do exactly what you need it to do.

Cheers!

David

So Forbidden is telling me.. yes, hook it up with a crossover. DYohn, is saying to bypass the crossover and plug my sub preout to any of the inputs on the 6xs and run the 3 outs to the amps. Which one should I do??? lol

I was under the impression that the matrix would split my sub preout 3 different ways in a more professional way, and better sounding way rather then using y adapters. I don't understand.. the deck is already sending out just a bass signal out of the deck into the preout anyways.. so i'm really not sure why I do need a crossover. Am I wrong in my way of thinking??. What would happen if I plug the preout to say the #3 input of the matrix.. and run each of the rca's out of the matrix to each amp?. What am I losing or gaining by doing that?. What's the advantage/disadvantage of adding a crossover in the mix?

The Matrix Six is a six-channel line driver.  It takes your input and amplifies it to a (up to ) 5 volt signal.  It will take one stereo input and give you three stereo outputs all at the same voltage level.  So what it does is the same thing as trying to daisy-chain a bunch of Y-adapters, only it does it electronicly and with voltage boost involved so your signal does not become weaker each time you split it.  Your signal will stay clean and strong and it will give you the best possible results when trying to use three sub amps.  This is what you gain by using a professional piece of equipment like the Matrix Six.

The way to set it up is: Sub out from deck - to - input 3 on Matrix Six.  Set levels.  Three outputs from Matrix Six -to - your three sub amps (one stereo output to each amp.)  Set levels.

You do not necessarily need a seperate crossover since your head unit has a sub output (and therefor has a crossover built in.)  An external crossover will, as Rob says, be far superior in quality and flexibility to what is in your HU, but you do not have to use one.

I believe that I mentioned the 2XS to use in this setup. The 24XS will also work. If you choose the 3XS it will not aid too much in your system, it is designed as a 4 channel input piece when you will only be using 2 channels. The 24XS has a nice steep slope on the crossover, a little better than the 2XS. Either piece is a great add on for you and will be far superior to the crossover in the deck or amp.