Crossover help...

[LightGroove]

Hey all,

Starting to advance the PA a bit and hitting a point of confusion.

We've been running a pair of Peavey 2x15 mains along with basic 12 floor monitors. We have recently added a sub to fill in the low end a bit more and take some stress off the mains.

I just picked up a Behringer cx3400 crossover to assist . Now the confusion...is this considered a 2 way or 3 way setup? Our mains have an internal crossover. We have 1 sub so I summed the 2 low channels together per the instructions. I then set it up under 2 way and totally lose the right hand channel... I then decide to try 3 way and everything works fine. Basically I have 2 inputs and 3 outputs... outputs being the one sub and 2 cables plugged into the "high" end of the crossover.

Am I missing something?

[WayneP]

Now the confusion...is this considered a 2 way or 3 way setup? Our mains have an internal crossover.

Two-way. Three way would be if you were biamping your Peavy mains. (BTW, if you ever get to a place where your system is maxed out and you can’t get enough out of it, bi-amp the Peavys. That will get you a LOT more volume.)

The CX can be set up for stereo two or three way, or mono 4-way, so you have to make sure you have all those switches set right for the mode of operation, the crossover frequency range, etc. – for BOTH channels.

That said, with two inputs and three outputs it sounds like you’re tying to do stereo mains. NOT THE BEST IDEA. There’s no good reason to do stereo with a PA system. Just go with mono. This will require only one channel of the CX. Send the crossover’s high output to your mains amp, and set the amp for PARALLEL mode. This will allow one input cable to drive both channels/speakers.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt



Pedulla Club #45
Administrator, Tobias Club
Big Cabs Club #23
My Rig: Stage and FOH Friendly

[LightGroove]

Thanks Wayne...The reason Ive been running stereo is b/c of concern over the ohm rating. Our mains are 4ohms each and our amp can only go down to 4 ohms.

So I understand right (im still ignorant to some stuff) does this mean I can still use both side of my amp in parallel? The amp is a Crown XLS602..with no parallel switch...do I buy some sort of Y cable and run the mono line into it?

Secondly does this mean I go mono out of the board as well?

Right now Ive been using 2 returns from the snake (l&r respectively)

Wayne again..youve been a HUGE help!

[Zooberwerx]

Originally Posted by LightGroove

Thanks Wayne...The reason Ive been running stereo is b/c of concern over the ohm rating. Our mains are 4ohms each and our amp can only go down to 4 ohms.

So I understand right (im still ignorant to some stuff) does this mean I can still use both side of my amp in parallel? The amp is a Crown XLS602..with no parallel switch...do I buy some sort of Y cable and run the mono line into it?

Secondly does this mean I go mono out of the board as well?

Right now Ive been using 2 returns from the snake (l&r respectively)

Wayne again..youve been a HUGE help!

Have to agree with Wayne on this one:

* Run a mono line from the mixer to one crossover channel. You may have need for the second channel in a different application so disengage the "summed mono" feature.

* Run a splitter cable from the crossover's high output to both the amp's A & B inputs. Note: the amp is actually two separate amps, each capable of handling a 4 ohm load.

* The "spare" crossover channel may be used as a high pass filter (HPF) when voicing the monitors...if necessary or desired.

Looks like the 602 will push a respectable 600 watts per channel into 4 ohm enclosures.

Riis

[WayneP]

Wow – can’t believe a Crown amp that doesn’t have a parallel setting, or at least in-and-out jacks. So yes, you’ll need a “y” cable. Don’t cheap out on this, get a good adapter like this with Neutrik XLRs.

So, with the “y” cable you’ll only need a single return from your snake.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt



Pedulla Club #45
Administrator, Tobias Club
Big Cabs Club #23
My Rig: Stage and FOH Friendly

[LightGroove]

Sweet...the local store had a shorter one to get us by for tom...however I'll pick up the sweetwater one for future use.

Not sure about the parellel thing..the guy at the local store was surprised the crown didnt have it either..

Thanks guys.

[Zooberwerx]

Originally Posted by LightGroove

Sweet...the local store had a shorter one to get us by for tom...however I'll pick up the sweetwater one for future use.

Not sure about the parellel thing..the guy at the local store was surprised the crown didnt have it either..

Thanks guys.

The 602 is kinda goofy. Check out the suggested cabling for bridged mono. You have to use a splitter cable and reverse the polarity on one limb. Effective but...sheesh...what a pain.

Riis

[LightGroove]

I guess its the ol get what ya pay for mantra...this was ideal for power and price at the time...thankfully a $25 will get it done