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Nearly all active sub woofers come with a control to roll off the sub at frequencies from around 35 hz to 120 hz (it varies). I am wondering about different ways to roll off the mains, or if that is even needed.
1. Consumer AV receivers will roll off the mains and even have a sub out to roll off the sub. I suspect they don't measure well.
2. I am using a Crown XLS 1502. It has a high pass filter which is variable. The disadvantage (if you want to call it that) is it measures a lot worse than a Hypex based amplifier. However, a lot of folks get good results with these. This amplifier has been reviewed here at ASR.
3. ASR member @mitchco wrote an article published at Audiophile Style on how to use Audiolens to fashion a crossover in software. I don't totally understand how to put this together. My take is it is a very high performance approach.
4. MiniDSP makes some combination DAC, crossover, room EQ hardware. Prices start at $205 for the 2x4 HD. It has been reviewed at ASR. It has a 90 db SINAD which isn't all that great. If I wanted to upgrade my Crown to a Hypex, it would be a waste to use it with this DAC. MiniDSP makes a much nicer unit, the SHD with Dirac and Volumino built in. It's only $1200, but they will throw in their calibrated microphone because they are so nice. The SHD has been tested here at ASR.
5. I wonder about the viability of not rolling off the mains at all. I don't believe this is a good alternative with speakers like the LS50 which I have now, or nearly all 2 way bookshelf speakers. However, with tower speakers having significantly better power handling I wonder if this would get good or great results. There aren't any tower speakers I am in love with right now, either.
6. Some of the active speakers have bass management built in. The LS50W even has a sub out connection. For $2200 I consider it a possibility. My LS50's could be sold or given to a relative. If I wanted an upgrade this probably makes more sense than buying an SHD plus a Hypex amp.
Any comments on the viability or preference for any of these solutions? It's not just about what I might do, but what some of the brain trust around here thinks about the general problem of rolling off the mains.
1. Consumer AV receivers will roll off the mains and even have a sub out to roll off the sub. I suspect they don't measure well.
2. I am using a Crown XLS 1502. It has a high pass filter which is variable. The disadvantage (if you want to call it that) is it measures a lot worse than a Hypex based amplifier. However, a lot of folks get good results with these. This amplifier has been reviewed here at ASR.
3. ASR member @mitchco wrote an article published at Audiophile Style on how to use Audiolens to fashion a crossover in software. I don't totally understand how to put this together. My take is it is a very high performance approach.
4. MiniDSP makes some combination DAC, crossover, room EQ hardware. Prices start at $205 for the 2x4 HD. It has been reviewed at ASR. It has a 90 db SINAD which isn't all that great. If I wanted to upgrade my Crown to a Hypex, it would be a waste to use it with this DAC. MiniDSP makes a much nicer unit, the SHD with Dirac and Volumino built in. It's only $1200, but they will throw in their calibrated microphone because they are so nice. The SHD has been tested here at ASR.
5. I wonder about the viability of not rolling off the mains at all. I don't believe this is a good alternative with speakers like the LS50 which I have now, or nearly all 2 way bookshelf speakers. However, with tower speakers having significantly better power handling I wonder if this would get good or great results. There aren't any tower speakers I am in love with right now, either.
6. Some of the active speakers have bass management built in. The LS50W even has a sub out connection. For $2200 I consider it a possibility. My LS50's could be sold or given to a relative. If I wanted an upgrade this probably makes more sense than buying an SHD plus a Hypex amp.
Any comments on the viability or preference for any of these solutions? It's not just about what I might do, but what some of the brain trust around here thinks about the general problem of rolling off the mains.