Newb Q: Amp Built-In Crossovers - always on?

[Bob]

I have been browsing ebay for a 2 channel amp and several I've come
across have built-in high and low pass crossovers. I want to power 2
Pioneer 3-way 6 x 9's, and I have no sub. However, I was told by a
regular at this group that I should not put a crossover on the 6 x
9's... so should this be reason for me to not purchase amps with
built-in crossovers? Are these things manually turned on and off, or
are they hard-coded 'on'?

THANKS!!!
-Bob

[Bob]

Also, are Sony amps any good? I looked at there Xm-2100 GTX and for
the price (under $150), it sounds good.

[MOSFET]

"Bob" > wrote in message
oups.com...
> I have been browsing ebay for a 2 channel amp and several I've come
> across have built-in high and low pass crossovers. I want to power 2
> Pioneer 3-way 6 x 9's, and I have no sub. However, I was told by a
> regular at this group that I should not put a crossover on the 6 x
> 9's... so should this be reason for me to not purchase amps with
> built-in crossovers? Are these things manually turned on and off, or
> are they hard-coded 'on'?
>
> THANKS!!!
> -Bob
>

I would get an amp with a crossover even if you plan not to use it. And,
yes, they are ALWAYS defeatable (you can disengage the crossover). The
reason being you may want to add a sub in the future and it will give you
added flexibility. And frankly, most decent amps sold today ALWAYS come
with crossovers, anyway.

Sony makes OK amps. Not my first choice, but they seem to be fairly
reliable. If you can get a good deal, go for it!

MOSFET

[Tony F]

Like MOSFET said, even if you don't use the crossover, just HAVING one for
future upgrades is a good idea. But more importantly is the fact that
you'll probably want to utilize a HP (high pass) crossover of some sort on
those 6x9s to keep them from distorting at higher volume levels. What this
does is prevents low bass frequencies from reaching the speakers. It's also
worthy to mention that a ton of head units out there also provide crossover
capabilities that will do the same thing a crossover in an amp will do, but
with the convenience of being able to adjust them from the dash.

Tony


--
2001 Nissan Maxima SE Anniversary Edition
Eclipse CD8454 Head Unit, Phoenix Gold ZX475ti, ZX450 and ZX500 Amplifiers,
Phoenix Gold EQ-232 30-Band EQ, Dynaudio System 360 Tri-Amped In Front and
Focal 130HCs For Rear Fill, 2 Soundstream EXACT10s In Aperiodic Enclosure

2001 Chevy S10 ZR2
Pioneer DEH-P9600MP (Just gettin' started)

"Bob" > wrote in message
oups.com...
>I have been browsing ebay for a 2 channel amp and several I've come
> across have built-in high and low pass crossovers. I want to power 2
> Pioneer 3-way 6 x 9's, and I have no sub. However, I was told by a
> regular at this group that I should not put a crossover on the 6 x
> 9's... so should this be reason for me to not purchase amps with
> built-in crossovers? Are these things manually turned on and off, or
> are they hard-coded 'on'?
>
> THANKS!!!
> -Bob
>

[Bob]

Thanks MOSFET and Tony.

Tony, I was recently told that I should not put a high pass x-over on
the 6 x 9's because (since I have no sub) they are my only source of
bass. Would you say that I should still put a high pass on them, even
if I have not other source of bass?

-Bob

[Dark1]

"Bob" > wrote in message
oups.com...
> Thanks MOSFET and Tony.
>
> Tony, I was recently told that I should not put a high pass x-over on
> the 6 x 9's because (since I have no sub) they are my only source of
> bass. Would you say that I should still put a high pass on them, even
> if I have not other source of bass?
>
> -Bob
>
unless you would like to kill them, yes.. it's simple to do, set it @ 100hz
or so, turn it up to as loud as you'll listen to it, lower the frequency
until they start to sound like crap, and bring it back up a notch..
6x9's just aren't made to produce sub-bass frequencies with any real power..
that's what subs are for..

[[email protected]]

NO. AHHHH STAY AWAY. On a serious note, there are many many better amps
for that money than a Sony. MTX, Alpine, Hifonics, RF.

[[email protected]]

The old OEM 6x9's in my moms 87 Bonneville impressed many a people. I
couldnt believe the bass.

[MOSFET]

I'm not sure, but I might have been the one to say not to use a crossover on
your 6 x 9's if you do not have a subwoofer.

However, a high-pass filter used as a type of subsonic filter is a good
idea. I would set it at about 30 Hz and then see how the bass sounds.
Common wisdom states that your typical 6 x 9 produces as much bass as an 8"
sub so a pair of those combined with the transfer function of cars should
produce quite a bit of bass. I wouldn't think he would need to raise the
crossover point much higher.

MOSFET



"Bob" > wrote in message
oups.com...
> Thanks MOSFET and Tony.
>
> Tony, I was recently told that I should not put a high pass x-over on
> the 6 x 9's because (since I have no sub) they are my only source of
> bass. Would you say that I should still put a high pass on them, even
> if I have not other source of bass?
>
> -Bob
>