Active Crossover Help

The manual sucks :-).

Apparently you can use it in a full stereo 2-way (2 amp) configuration (i.e. subwoofer and mid/high top speaker with passive filter built in) or you can use it as a mono 3-way with seperate subwoofer output (this would then be a 4 amp setup).

In your case you would be using the stereo 2-way setup. The x-over frequency probably set for 125HZ (check the manual on your subs), the sub amp connected to the Mid/Low XLR output on the back. The mid/high amp then goes into the XLR for high. You want to set the mode switch to 2-way stereo on the back and the x-over frequency switch to low.

On the front you want to activate the low cut (everything under 25Hz is cut with -12dB slope, since your subs probably won’t be able to go that low, it adds an extra protection layer to your subs – inaudible lows can take a lot of power and also ultimately hurt your speakers or amps). You want to set the low/high x-over frequency to something suitable for you subs. Not sure which Peavey sub you have, but if it is the Pro II active series, then they run as high as 300Hz. You might want to play around with the x-over frequency. 125Hz is a typical subwoofer setting, but you could try out 250Hz, in which case the Peavey’s take away some of the low mids from the mid/high top ends, freeing up some power there. Clearly you’ll lose some definition in the real lows since the sub now has to handle everything up to 250Hz).

Hope this helps.

Greetinx,
C.

Hi,

Good to hear things are moving forward for you. I am not too surprised by the Skytecs showing their real colors. If you read any of my posts on the subject, you know I’ll tell anyone “you get what you pay for in PA” and you don’t pay much for Skytec (or DAP or LD or Citronic or …) and I am very weary of low end speaker systems.

As far as the cable goes, you are apparently able to fix it yourself, which means you could just order connectors and cable and make your own (not that is saves you a heap of money, but you get to make the lengths you like).

Then for the refitting of speakers, I am sure of two things:

1. A bad speaker will benefit from refitting with (a) better driver(s)
2. Regardless of the quality of the replacement driver(s), a bad speaker will never become a great speaker.

You are not changing the x-over filter (which in a good speaker is custom designed for the actual speaker and calibrated for the used driver(s)). X-overs are made/broken over the quality of the design and used components. Clearly in low end speakers there is often an off-the-shelf design executed with low end components. Often the slope (amount of damping as you move away from the x-over frequency) is less, meaning there is a broader range of frequency spread over two drivers. You can’t upgrade a filter by just sticking in another one from a better brand, unless you have the know-how and tools to then tune the filter right.
You are not changing the cabinet design. Think about radiation centers (the point where the soundwave leaves the speaker should be vertically aligned for the drivers (not always the case in low end speakers), bass reflection openings (be it tubes, slots, whatever), they need to be tuned for the cabinet/driver combination.
You are not changing the cabinet stiffness. Apart from the fancy design on the outside (my speakers are sooooo boring to look at lol), the quality of the sound has a strong link to the stiffness of the cabinet. That is why wood is preferred over plastic (ABS). Expensive speakers will have internal cross-bracing to make it as stiff as possible and reduce/eliminated unwanted cabinet interference (vibrations).
My conclusion/advice? It can be done and it will make a difference. However, the extra cost involved (and trust me, good drivers listen to the same “you get what you pay for” rule) will only postpone the moment you will have enough saved up to get something that sounds good from the manufacturer without being refitted, because all the other components are better too.
Greetinx,
C.
p.s. Be sure you do have it all set up correctly, so the shabby sound from the Skytec is not because of settings. You might also try another amp with the Skytecs. All to make sure that you make your decisions based on the right information.