Protection of the high-frequency speaker when switching from passive crossovers to DSP separate amplification of the bands.

[sergeauckland]

One other comment I'd make about tweeter protection is if your DSP based crossover has limiters, like my DCX2496, then use them to limit the output of the following power amps to what the tweeters are rated at.

Using lower power amps for the tweeters will risk them clipping, whilst a limiter will limit, not clip, so protecting the tweeter whilst not adding any distortion.

S

 

[Argentum 05]

One other comment I'd make about tweeter protection is if your DSP based crossover has limiters, like my DCX2496, then use them to limit the output of the following power amps to what the tweeters are rated at.

Using lower power amps for the tweeters will risk them clipping, whilst a limiter will limit, not clip, so protecting the tweeter whilst not adding any distortion.

S

For the DSP, I'll be using the Helix DSP3 automotive DSP. I bought it used today, but it's perfectly functional. I've already ordered a linear power supply so I can plug it into a 220V outlet. It should arrive in a month from China. I'd like the Minidsp Flex Eight, but in my region, it's much more expensive than the website price. The Helix is quite good, based on measurements. However, I won't be able to use FIR filters.
I think it has limiters.

 

[dualazmak]

Prior to starting your multichannel project, I highly recommend you establishing your own consistent "Audio Reference/Sampler Music and Test-Tone Playlist" consists of excellent-recording-quality music tracks selected from your preferred multiple genres and well QC-ed/validated test-tone tracks.

Just for your reference, you can find my such "Playlist" here post #1 of the dedicated thread entitled "An Attempt Sharing Reference Quality Music Playlist: at least a portion and/or whole track being analyzed by 3D color spectrum of Adobe Audition".

In case if you are seriously interested in having the intact tracks of my "Playlist" as well as the intact tracks of "SONY SUPER AUDIO CKECK CD 48CD3", please simply PM me using the nice "Direct messages" system in ASR.

 

[levimax]

One other comment I'd make about tweeter protection is if your DSP based crossover has limiters, like my DCX2496, then use them to limit the output of the following power amps to what the tweeters are rated at.

Using lower power amps for the tweeters will risk them clipping, whilst a limiter will limit, not clip, so protecting the tweeter whilst not adding any distortion.

S

Here is an article that disproves the "clipping damages tweeters" myth. https://sound-au.com/articles/speaker-failure.html

At the end of the day during a catastrophic failure the rail voltage of the power amp is what will either instantly incinerate your driver or give you some time to turn things off.

 

[Argentum 05]

Prior to starting your multichannel project, I highly recommend you establishing your own consistent "Audio Reference/Sampler Music and Test-Tone Playlist" consists of excellent-recording-quality music tracks selected from your preferred multiple genres and well QC-ed/validated test-tone tracks.

Just for your reference, you can find my such "Playlist" here post #1 of the dedicated thread entitled "An Attempt Sharing Reference Quality Music Playlist: at least a portion and/or whole track being analyzed by 3D color spectrum of Adobe Audition".

In case if you are seriously interested in having the intact tracks of my "Playlist" as well as the intact tracks of "SONY SUPER AUDIO CKECK CD 48CD3", please simply PM me using the nice "Direct messages" system in ASR.

Thank you very much! I have a few tracks for testing. I listen mostly to rock. Punk, Trash, Crossover Trash, Southern Rock, and late 70s rock.
By the way, my wife listens to classical music. She has a musical education.
I'll take you up on your offer when all the components I ordered for the system arrive (though it's much simpler than yours) and I can begin setting it up.

 

[sergeauckland]

Here is an article that disproves the "clipping damages tweeters" myth. https://sound-au.com/articles/speaker-failure.html

At the end of the day during a catastrophic failure the rail voltage of the power amp is what will either instantly incinerate your driver or give you some time to turn things off.

I wasn't referring to that myth, more to the risks of damage if the amp clips and latches, as still sometimes happens, or just from using an amplifier who's output is more than the tweeter can take continuously, rather than peaks.

What no limiter can protect against, however, is if the input to the tweeter amplifier is disturbed, and full power hum goes to the driver. That's why I'm very very careful when making any adjustments to mine, just in case.

S

 

[Mike123]

What no limiter can protect against, however, is if the input to the tweeter amplifier is disturbed, and full power hum goes to the driver.

Well, simply connected the subwoofer amplifier output to the tweeter. In multichannel amplifiers, this is easy and straightforward, both in the digital part of the DSP setup and in the input/output cables. I don't know what will happen to the tweeter when fed a 50-100 Hz signal with an amplitude of 5-10 V. Maybe nothing. Or maybe the tweeter will simply spit out from the suspension. I have no desire to test this. It's better to be safe than sorry.

 

[dualazmak]

Well, simply connected the subwoofer amplifier output to the tweeter. In multichannel amplifiers, this is easy and straightforward, both in the digital part of the DSP setup and in the input/output cables. I don't know what will happen to the tweeter when fed a 50-100 Hz signal with an amplitude of 5-10 V. Maybe nothing. Or maybe the tweeter will simply spit out from the suspension. I have no desire to test this. It's better to be safe than sorry.

Yes, as I wrote in my post #33;
In the course of intensive DIY of DSP-based multichannel multi-SP-driver multi-amplifier "fully active" audio setup, we have several possibilities of such unexpected "accidents", e.g. mis-configuration/mis-typing in XO/EQ/Group-Delay/Gain settings, mis-connection of line-level and/or SP-high-level cables, unexpected pop due to "excessively buffered" signal intrusion when changed the XLR cables, etc., etc.

It is impossible to completely eliminate the risk of such simple signal-path errors and/or wiring errors, no matter how much care is taken with wire color-coding; the risk possibility is high especially during the try-and-tuning, try-and-error, phases in construction of multichannel multi-amplifier DIY audio system.

This is also one of the reasons why I strongly recommend using protection capacitors for mid-range drivers, tweeters, and super-tweeters.

Spoiler

Ref. #895:

Ref. #976:

Ref. #1,009:

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[gene_stl]

I trust digital and DSP based crossovers less than I trust my venerable analog Pioneer D23 crossovers. I do have some mini DSP replacements but have not installed them yet.