active crossover with 2 way speakers..

[Smoothdj]

I was asked to set up the sound system at my friends newly acquired bar. The setup has:

4-Yamaha S112V's
2-EV SH-1512ER's
1-Sub (not purchased yet)
3-2 Channel Amps
DBX 231 EQ
DBX 234 Active Crossover


I wanted to use the active crossover to drive certain frequencies from certain speakers. Does the fact that 6 of the speakers are 2 way already with passive crossovers installed, factor in? Would i gain anything from using the active crossover?

I was thinking of sending hi's to yamaha's, mids to EV's and low to sub. Or maybe just using it as a 2 way and sending hi's to all 6 and low to sub.

Any suggestions?

[hbphotoav]

The dbx 234 is a 2-way stereo, or 3-way stereo, or 4-way mono processor. The configurations are clearly marked on the back, but are somewhat confusing until you really understand what you want to accomplish.

If (and this is a big "if") the mid-high boxes (Yamaha and EV... not the sub) have jacks on the side marked "Low" and "High" you can access the individual drivers and bypass the internal passive crossover. But you need to know the frequency ranges for the drivers in those boxes or you run the risk of blowing diaphragms or burning voice coils.

What you are suggesting is to make the Yamahas "high" boxes... the EVs "mid" boxes... and let the subs be subs... and I'm assuming they will all be used from the stage. Not a good idea. Using them as other than full-range boxes will be problematic as they have different coverages, different internal crossover points, and different driver alignment points. EV, JBL and Klipsch used to make large, arrayed systems in the '70s that used a box for the HF horn, a separate box for mids, and a third for low frequency. Phase inconsistencies, beaming, nodes and nulls in coverage were frequent, and not easily overcome back in slide-rule days. You will encounter some or all of these issues if you go this route.

If it was me... I'd use the dbx as a stereo 2-way crossover between the Yamahas and the subs. Set the crossover no lower than 120-160Hz (to keep the 12s from over-excursion). Array the Yamahas (daisy-chain each side) to provide most of the coverage from the stage. That takes 4 of your 6 amp channels. Then task the EVs to cover either near center (on the stage toed in to the middle), wide-out (outside the stacks to cover the edges of a short, wide room), as delay speakers out toward the back of the room, or as sidefill stage monitors, run from an "Aux" or the "mono" send, "y-ed" into the other two amp channels. You'll need a programmable delay if you want to actually time them to the mains if they're out in the room.

Multi-amping is kind to drivers and amps, is inherently more efficient use of power amps, and offers more control than passives... but it's definitely NOT plug'n'play. Read some manuals (the dbx 234 manual would be a great place to start) and ask someone hip to electronic crossovers to lend a hand in your initial setup. That's better than replacing blown drivers...

My $.02US.

HB

[mixedupsteve]

Originally Posted by hbphotoav

If it was me... I'd use the dbx as a stereo 2-way crossover between the Yamahas and the subs. Set the crossover no lower than 120-160Hz (to keep the 12s from over-excursion). HB

+1

What are the dimensions of the room, capacity, and what kind of music do you plan on having?

[Smoothdj]

Thanks,
I thought using it as a 2 way was the best option. I have read the manual thoroughly. Room is small roughly 25x35. Holds about 100 ppl. Mostly electronic music. I was thinking of hanging the ev's opposite each other, pointing towards dance floor and moving the yamahas to the room adjacent to this main room.

[hbphotoav]

By all means, before you hang anything permanently, get the subs, wire it up, tune it as well as you can to taste, and LISTEN to both sets of speakers. A/B them in the space if you can. They will have distinctly different sound signatures... if only because the Yammies are a 12"/2-way, with a tighter mid-bass an a more natural midrange. The EVs are a 15"/2 way, and will have - to my ear - a flabbier bass response over subs, and some real beaming issues with the midrange coming off the 15. Depending on the subs, you might want to do the four Yammies in the main room... but, then, I have a strong bias toward a 12"/2-way over subs... and the EVs will definitely extend lower as mains in the "other" room.