Passive Cabs & Active Subs

[RabbittsKaraoke]

This may seem a bit of a basic question to ask on here but I currently use a passive set up with full range cabs.

If I were to buy a couple of active subs with built in crossover how would that affect my cabs in terms of getting power to them?? I'm assuming I'd still need my amp to power them but where would the amp go in the set up?? As I guess the feed from my mixer would then go straight to the subs?

Again, sorry if this is a dumb question but I'm used to passive systems, but as I need some subs, I figured it would be simpler to get active ones rather than mess about with another amp

[CRAZY K]

This may seem a bit of a basic question to ask on here but I currently use a passive set up with full range cabs.

If I were to buy a couple of active subs with built in crossover how would that affect my cabs in terms of getting power to them?? I'm assuming I'd still need my amp to power them but where would the amp go in the set up?? As I guess the feed from my mixer would then go straight to the subs?

Again, sorry if this is a dumb question but I'm used to passive systems, but as I need some subs, I figured it would be simpler to get active ones rather than mess about with another amp

You will get excellent advice from Peter, Tony A1 etc but remember you can have passive subs with built in crossovers that run from one amp like mine by linking to the tops at the same time.

Unless you use a matched system you may have problems.

This all depends on how loud or bassy you want it with separate amps or
like me run a reasonably loud system that I consider delivers a reasonable sound.

I wont mention brand names as it brings the knockers out;)

[RabbittsKaraoke]

You will get excellent advice from Peter, Tony A1 etc but remember you can have passive subs with built in crossovers that run from one amp like mine by linking to the tops at the same time.

Unless you use a matched system you may have problems.

This all depends on how loud or bassy you want it with separate amps or
like me run a reasonably loud system that I consider delivers a reasonable sound.

I wont mention brand names as it brings the knockers out;)


My amp is only powerful enough to run my cabs at the moment (2 x 500w cabs and a 1000w amp). If I added the subs to this amp I think it might still be loud enough for the gigs that I do at the moment but I don't want to strain the amp and the quality to deteriorate.

Thats why i'm interested in finding out how active subs would go together with passive cabs rather than buying a seperate amp and passive subs

[Sapphire Disco]

You really need to tell us what your tops are and what your amp is IE brand model, otherwise it's impossible to give you advice on what to buy :)

[UltraBeat Entertainment]

This is the same situation I found myself in a while back. I found I did not have the funds (or the need) for 2 subs so I went for a single active sub (this way I can still upgrade easily in the future if I get a second sub and of course didn't need to shell out for a sub and second amp). Currently I don't use a crossover (will if I ever upgrade) as I was told there's not much point with a single sub with built in crossover and you still want to tops full range at this point.

I run everything through mixer, which then goes into the amp (which is normal) but then I have the two tops coming out of the amp (which is obviously amplified) and have an un-amplified socket on the amp which then goes to the sub.

Hope this makes sense.
*am waiting for someone to come along and tell me I'm doing it wrong:( *

[RabbittsKaraoke]

This is the same situation I found myself in a while back. I found I did not have the funds (or the need) for 2 subs so I went for a single active sub (this way I can still upgrade easily in the future if I get a second sub and of course didn't need to shell out for a sub and second amp). Currently I don't use a crossover (will if I ever upgrade) as I was told there's not much point with a single sub with built in crossover and you still want to tops full range at this point.

I run everything through mixer, which then goes into the amp (which is normal) but then I have the two tops coming out of the amp (which is obviously amplified) and have an un-amplified socket on the amp which then goes to the sub.

Hope this makes sense.
*am waiting for someone to come along and tell me I'm doing it wrong:( *


Right, i've just got off the phone to someone he says I have two options:

1) Go for passive subs and buy another amp and a crossover. Then I go from my mixer, to the crossover, then split the signal so each component of the speakers are doing what they should be doing - less pressure on tops and a better sound.

2) If I get active subs I use the "Aux Out" on my mixer for the subs and keep the cabs as they are. This way I don't need another mixer or crossover but it does put pressure on the tops because the whole system is effectively acting as full range.

Is this correct?? If so what are your recommendations? :)

EDIT: Just changed my opening sentence as it sounds unintentionally rude and disrespectful

[Excalibur]

Right, i've just got off the phone to someone he says I have two options:

1) Go for passive subs and buy another amp and a crossover. Then I go from my mixer, to the crossover, then split the signal so each component of the speakers are doing what they should be doing - less pressure on tops and a better sound.

2) If I get active subs I use the "Aux Out" on my mixer for the subs and keep the cabs as they are. This way I don't need another mixer or crossover but it does put pressure on the tops because the whole system is effectively acting as full range.

Is this correct?? If so what are your recommendations? :)

EDIT: Just changed my opening sentence as it sounds unintentionally rude and disrespectful

3)Add one or two active subs. Feed from main mixer out. Run hi out from sub(s) to existing amp input. This uses the active crossover in the sub to filter the output to the tops, and lets your existing amp run easier.

If you only wish to/can afford one sub, active is way easier than passive, usually.

Edit: In my humble opinion, 2) is not a great idea.

[RabbittsKaraoke]

3)Add one or two active subs. Feed from main mixer out. Run hi out from sub(s) to existing amp input. This uses the active crossover in the sub to filter the output to the tops, and lets your existing amp run easier.

If you only wish to/can afford one sub, active is way easier than passive, usually.

Edit: In my humble opinion, 2) is not a great idea.

That sounds like a good idea.
If a sub is active, does this mean it will only provide power to the sub drivers or, as you are implying here, will it send power to the tops aswell?? Sorry again if this is a silly question but as i say, I'm new to active systems and, indeed subs.

[Twinspin]

the high pass on an active sub is just like a link through but of course it just sends high/mid frequencies out.

its the same with my active system.

if im using a 1 sub... ill take 2x XLRs out from my mixer into the inputs of the RCF active subwoofer (subwoofer has built in amplifier) then from the high pass outputs 2 XLR connections out to a couple of RCF active tops (again amplifiers in those too)

so its the same with active speakers connecting the high pass outputs on an active sub to the internal amplifier on an active speaker. (but of course in your case its an external amplifier and passive speaker)


If you connect an seperate amplifier (from the inputs of the amplifier) and connect them to the high pass outputs on the active subwoofer.

All that does is just send the high/mid frequencies to the external amplifier and that will put them high/mid frequencies into the passive speaker.

hope this helps.

[Twinspin]

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l264/Twinspindj/diagram.jpg

a little diagram showing you. just to say.... the high pass outputs on a active sub are not amplified. The only thing amplified is the bass.

[RabbittsKaraoke]

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l264/Twinspindj/diagram.jpg

a little diagram showing you. just to say.... the high pass outputs on a active sub are not amplified. The only thing amplified is the bass.

Thanks, really appreciated, especially the diagram. So in effect I would be using the active subs as a kind of pre amp for the tops as well as providing the amplification for the bin drivers themselves??

All clever stuff isn't it :)

[Twinspin]

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l264/Twinspindj/image.jpg

on this sub what i use. the high pass outputs are the top 2 xlr connections
the inputs to a mixer are the ones below that and the ones below that are through outputs which means you can just link through to another subwoofer or just link through to your tops and run them full range through the sub.

all the active sub does is have an amplifier for its own frequency and thats the bass (the low frequency) the high/mid speakers are connected to the high pass ouputs which are unpowered.

so would go straight into the back of my active RCF tops (the amplifier on the back of those)

or a external power amp and passive speakers (xlr from the high pass outputs on the active sub and into the inputs on the external amp (which the mixer would usually plug into. (when setup like this.. the dj mixer goes into the inputs on the active subwoofer.


hope this helps

[Excalibur]

That sounds like a good idea.
If a sub is active, does this mean it will only provide power to the sub drivers or, as you are implying here, will it send power to the tops aswell?? Sorry again if this is a silly question but as i say, I'm new to active systems and, indeed subs.
Nay, nay, and thrice nay.


Thanks, really appreciated, especially the diagram. So in effect I would be using the active subs as a kind of pre amp for the tops as well as providing the amplification for the bin drivers themselves??

All clever stuff isn't it :)
Oh yuss. With the proviso that not every budget price bargain active sub has all tyhe connectors. Some cheapy ones can't send a filtered signal elsewhere.

[Twinspin]

damn photobucket it hasnt updated the diagram it must need to cache.

err... when i looked at the picture again.... the outputs on the bottom of the left subwoofer have both of the xlrs plugged in as opposed to one.

left subwoofer input - to left dj mixer output (on the left hand side sub)
right subwoofer input - to right dj mixer ouput (on the right hand side sub)

[RabbittsKaraoke]

damn photobucket it hasnt updated the diagram it must need to cache.

err... when i looked at the picture again.... the outputs on the bottom of the left subwoofer have both of the xlrs plugged in as opposed to one.

left subwoofer input - to left dj mixer output (on the left hand side sub)
right subwoofer input - to right dj mixer ouput (on the right hand side sub)

I noticed that....i thought you were showing the set up for just one sub. But glad you cleared it up :D

[Twinspin]

this will clear it up :D

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l264/Twinspindj/diagram2.jpg

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Those tops are EV SXA100s John and they are active...:sj:

[rob1963]

Those tops are EV SXA100s John and they are active...:sj:

And if those cables are BLUE as stated in the key, I must be colour blind!

:D

[Twinspin]

Those tops are EV SXA100s John and they are active...:sj:

trust you....:p :D

they are actually SX300s..... so passive :p

[UltraBeat Entertainment]

I'm learning new stuff today:)

By passing the signal through the Sub then to the amp and on to the tops will their not be a very slight (split second) time delay? Surely the bass will be produced before the tops can produce the high/mid frequencies?

[Twinspin]

I'm learning new stuff today:)

By passing the signal through the Sub then to the amp and on to the tops will their not be a very slight (split second) time delay? Surely the bass will be produced before the tops can produce the high/mid frequencies?

I think it sounds better with the tops linked through the high pass because then the speakers get the frequencies they were intended for when used with subwoofers (high & mid to tops) (bass to subwoofer)

I wouldnt know about delays. Im not as experienced in that department :D Maybe A1DL could answer that question.