Running all active and wiring

Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Audio
Forum Discription: Car Stereos, Amplifiers, Crossovers, Processors, Speakers, Subwoofers, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=85270
Printed Date: May 19, 2024 at 6:38 AM

Topic: Running all active and wiring

Posted By: isisfreak
Subject: Running all active and wiring
Date Posted: November 07, 2006 at 2:03 AM

This is my first car audio setup, so please ignore my newbness :D

Currently I'm running a JL Audio 300/4 with a set of Polk MMC6500's (I'll be upgrading later, got a good deal. They're too bright...). I only have front speakers and I want to run them fully active, how do I do this? Is it possible with this speaker/amp combination? Right now I'm using the passive crossovers that came with the set and I'm hoping to get a little bit better tuning/sound quality.

Also, right now I'm only running a JL Audio 300/4. But, I'm planning on adding a JL Audio 500/1. Is my 4 gauge wiring enough (including for my big three)? It works out to be about 800W at 70A, but I want to be sure. Only running about 10'-12' of wire.

Thanks everyone!

Replies:

Posted By: haemphyst
Date Posted: November 07, 2006 at 10:52 AM

isisfreak wrote:

This is my first car audio setup, so please ignore my newbness

We all started somewhere, and that's not the way this forum works... We're different! LOL

isisfreak wrote:

Currently I'm running a JL Audio 300/4 with a set of Polk MMC6500's (I'll be upgrading later, got a good deal. They're too bright...). I only have front speakers and I want to run them fully active, how do I do this? Is it possible with this speaker/amp combination? Right now I'm using the passive crossovers that came with the set and I'm hoping to get a little bit better tuning/sound quality.

I'm not a real fan of the Polk Audio stuff, either... never really have been, home stuff included. The brightness you describe is a common complaint with "stocker" passive crossovers. Active signal processing, with a LITTLE bit of EQ, can tame much of that brightness. Also what HU are you running, and are you CERTAIN you have properly adjusted your gains? Improperly adjusted gains can also add a bit of harshness to the high end, I've found. It is possible to run full active, but you do not have one piece of equipment that is absolutely necessary to do so. You need an active crossover, the one in the amp will not be adequate.

I recommend the AudioControl 24XS, or the Zapco SX-SLII. The Zapco will do FAR more than just cross-over, but it's a DAMN fine piece of gear.

isisfreak wrote:

Also, right now I'm only running a JL Audio 300/4. But, I'm planning on adding a JL Audio 500/1. Is my 4 gauge wiring enough (including for my big three)? It works out to be about 800W at 70A, but I want to be sure. Only running about 10'-12' of wire.

A 4 gauge will be plenty. Fuse it for 150A, and call it done. (You always fuse for the size of the wire, NOT the load placed on the wire - trust me, we've been over this here, MANY times...)

isisfreak wrote:

Thanks everyone!

You're welcome, and welcome to the forum!

After you procure your crossover, we can further discuss the installation and tuning!

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It all reminds me of something that Molière once said to Guy de Maupassant at a café in Vienna: "That's nice. You should write it down."

Posted By: stevdart
Date Posted: November 07, 2006 at 6:46 PM

I suggest that you concentrate on the basics first. One of the basest of basics is using front components whose sound pleases you. Forget that you got a good deal on those Polks; if they don't please you, they are of no use to you. Don't spend more money getting into the more esoteric realm of active crossovers with these speakers when there are others that will suit you just fine. Keep it simple.

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Build the box so that it performs well in the worst case scenario and, in return, it will reward you at all times.

Posted By: isisfreak
Date Posted: November 07, 2006 at 8:11 PM

Thanks! I'm running this with a computer, no headunit. I've been looking at getting an Alpine PXA-H701, any thoughts? Would this beable to do what I'm looking for?

stevdart wrote:

I suggest that you concentrate on the basics first. One of the basest of basics is using front components whose sound pleases you. Forget that you got a good deal on those Polks; if they don't please you, they are of no use to you. Don't spend more money getting into the more esoteric realm of active crossovers with these speakers when there are others that will suit you just fine. Keep it simple.

When I say I got a deal, I mean that I got them for pretty much nothing at all. I figured they would do until I can pick up some focals : ) Also, I'm not planning on doing this right away, I just want to know what I have to do when the time comes. I'm planning on competing with this in the future (not expecting to win, they're just for fun). Another reason for going all active is that I have a 4 channel amp and only front speakers.