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Getting an external crossover: worth doing?

Hello.

I'm wondering whether to get an external crossover for my stereo setup, something like the Bryston 10B, and would like to get your opinions.

My setup is made of B&W 804s speakers (that go down to 30Hz -6dB, according to B&W)+ REL Storm III subwoofer, McIntosh MC275 tubed amp, a pre and a cd player.

The purpose of adding a crossover would be to relieve the MC275 and 804s from reproducing the lowest frequencies, which consume so much power, and for which neither of these products are best suited to reproduce. I've read post talking about the midrange opening up, etc.

REL recommends sending the whole-range signal to their subs, and likewise running the speakers full-range.

Then, adding an external crossover means adding more circuits to the path, and Sumiko recommends not crossing over the Storm III above 45 Hz, so I'm wondering if this is worth doing. Or in other words, how much power goes in the range up to 45 Hz?

Sorry if this is not coming up super clear...it's me not being clear with my own thoughts.

Your thoughts?
lewinskih01

Showing 1 response by markphd

markphd
667 posts
 
Unless the speaker designer envisioned an external crossover being used, you are altering what they designed. So it's a guess as to what will happen. It may work fine or you may end up with a speaker sounding entirely different from what you had before, and from what the designer intended. It may or may not be an improvement.

Now if you multi-amp with an active crossover, that's a different story. That doesn't seem to be the intention from your post however. It seem that you are still planning to use the single amp.
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