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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
clio09
3,372 posts
 

I started using an electronic crossover about 8 years ago and am not inclined to go back. I have used Marchand, Accuphase, and Beveridge electronic crossovers. The latter 2 being vintage pieces. Depending on your budget there are a lot of options out there.

thriftyaudio's avatar
thriftyaudio
111 posts
 

I use the SPL Crossover from Germany. It is an active crossover that allows the user to adjust the crossover point and slope to both the sub and the power amp. JL also makes an excellent active crossover.

yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
5,867 posts
 

Here ya go!

https://hsuresearch.com/collections/accessories/products/high-pass-filter

dcaudio OP
92 posts
 

This is very good feedback.

Let me share a bit more.

My power amps are Nagra VPA 50 W.  My speakers are Tidal Audio Amea (85/86 dB).

Both amps and speakers are excellent.  I am trying to reduce the load on the speakers, to have more power available for the midrange and tweeters. 50 W is not really sufficient to drive the speakers, and I am trying to have to avoid to buy either new amps or speakers.  Make the best of what I have. 😊

So a "High Pass" filter makes a lot of sense.  Install a Y connection on pre-amp out to feed the single sub-woofer. Use the second phono out on the preamp to a High Pass Filter that will feed the Power amps.

Please let me more regarding what you have learned in doing this.  Love folks sharing the brand of “high pass filter” they have installed successfully.  Any concerns?  Does this impact the pre-amp load positively or negatively???   Thank you!!!

bimmerlover's avatar
bimmerlover
72 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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