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How big is the difference between an active crossover and a passive crossover? I am asking you because I want to upgrade from my 9833 HU amplifier to a 2 channel. As some of you may know, the Alpine 9833-9835 has a 3 way switch which basically allows me to run active crossovers on my front components. I want to go ahead and get a 2 channel, but that would mean I have to use the crossovers that came w/ the Component Speakers. I was just wondering if I'll be able to notice any difference between the 2 setups. Thanks for your help.

 
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As far as I can tell, you will still have to use the crossovers that came with the components. It splits the signal between the tweeters and the mid/woofer. The active crossover will just limit the signal frequency that goes to the component set.

 
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To keep this brief

Active crossovers
Could have adj options
Can set xover points to whatever
Don't cause any use-loss
Raise noise floor a little
Require a channel for each freq range
costly

Passive
Inexpensive
Not powered device, no noise floor raise
one channel split
cheap and easy

Personally, I never like to have any sound control done at the HU level. I defeat all xovers, eqs, processors etc from my HUs.

 
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^whew I'm glad he covered that one.. When I first saw the subject of this post, I was thinking, 'not another xover thread....'

IMO, I believe you have a lot better frequency control with an active xover, however it is more expensive considering you need to buy at least two.. one for each channel.. however, I also believe that troubleshooting any problems you may have in the future, is easier. Also, with passive xovers, there is "use loss" as J1872.. with it varying on what db/octave setting you have it set to. Just some food for thought

 
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Yeah Dark, I thought the same thing at first but Then I thought, either that or another "c'mon someone help me. I know someone knows the answer" thread. LOL.
JK happy to help Triple.

 
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any good brand you guys like in active?

 
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Check out any made by the Mitek Corp.. otherwise Alpine makes some good ones as well.

J187, LOL those threads crack me up sometimes.. ehh amateurs I tell ya ha

 
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I don't know why the hell I typed "JL1872" in the post up there.. ha my bad.. I just noticed.

 
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ok, thanks for all your help.

 
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with cheaper components, I've found active crossovers much more useful in helping hide limitations of lower quality speakers - I had crappy *** Pioneer 6.5's in my Neon and they would distort below a certain frequency range with certain types of music. I found it handy to be able to fine tune it with the turn of a ****. That said, they do raise the noise floor - I ran a crappy *** Pyramid (don't laugh too hard) a few vehicles ago and it was terrible.

 
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Pyramid? hahahahahahahahahaa j/k I only did that because you said not to laugh Hey we all go through our "ghetto" stages in our life.. it happens

 
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yes we do - and that's where you eventually learn that you get what you pay for. But when you are on a budget corners get cut....

 
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When I used to be on a budget, I just saved longer lol
What 6.5"s are you running now?

 
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Boston Acoustics 6.5 Pro comps

 
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Those are pretty sweet. Did you ever think about getting the Boston Acoustics Z Series?
My gf used to have the Pro Comps in her old car but she sold the car with them and I got her a set of JL Audio XRs from my shop in her new car.. I think both of them sound ungodly clean.

 
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The Z series were almost double what I paid - I had a good amount of money to spend but not just on front comps. I was buying a deck, fronts, and rears for the 'vic. I might consider it next purchase...

I like their power handling and they do NOT flinch

 
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The only thing I don't like about the Z series is yeah, they're around $900 I think or so.. but the xovers for them are HUGE! I guess I'm a fan of smaller xovers.. easier to mount, keeps a cleaner look IMO

 
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didn't even think about the crossover size (and I thought the Pros were big!) - I had to get help mounting them as honda leaves you nothing but a round cutout once you gut the stocks, and I didn't have the tools nor raw materials to do the custom mod needed.

 
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where do you guys put your crossovers?

 
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inside the front doors

 
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in the trunk.

 
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under the dash

 
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The pro series Xovers were like two laptop computers. But the speakers sounded beautiful. As soon as you knock the tweets down AFAP. I used to have 6.5.3s in my car before last. 2 sets up front actually, and it was awesome.

 
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I have mine mounted in the trunk as well. Has anyone even see the Z series crossovers besides me?

 
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do any of you guys mind posting a couple pictures of the xovers in the trunk? I'm not sure where to put mine, maybe behind the hu somewhere...