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Electronic cross-over on pre-amp out, to split signal to subwoofer and bookshelf speakers

I have a 50 W amp for 86 dB bookshelf speakers.

I really want to keep both amp and speakers.

My idea is to have an electronic crossover on preamp out, split the signal say at 80 Hz - Send the lower electronic cross over out to a subwoofer.  Send the high crossover out to my existing 50 W power amps.

This would extend speaker frequency range to subwoofer capability - say 25 Hz, reduce the power amp load and allow to play the bookshelf speakers a bit louder,/ have more headroom.

I am sure others have already done.  What cross over did you use?  Was it successful?

dcaudio

Showing 1 response by bimmerlover

bimmerlover's avatar
bimmerlover
71 posts
 

I built my own 80 Hz (second order) high pass filters from a few high-quality components.

DM me if you want the schematics and parts list. (My version is a bit complicated because I have a balanced connection between my preamp and my power amps but it can be simplified if you use single ended connections, essentially using only half the number of parts.)

My preamp has two outputs so I use one to go to the high pass filter and then on to the power amps (I happen to have two monoblocks) and the other output to the subwoofer (which obviously has a adjustable low pass filter already built in).

I guess you take some load off the power amp, but most importantly you are not forcing your main speakers to deal with frequencies below 80 Hz, where most main speaker drivers don’t shine.

I personally think this is a great way to "bi amp," by using the regular power amp (or amps) for the mid-bass and up, and using the built-in sub amplifier for the bass below 80 Hz (+/-).

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