Quote:
Originally Posted by Nuance 
This is a bit of a hairy subject because if you're not experienced with implementing an active system you can easily do more harm than good. If you're settled on going this route, though, I would contact Jim and have him build the speakers as an active pair right from the get go, forgoing the passive crossover entirely. This might be the first pair built this way, so it'll take a little extra time, but at least you'll know you got the best active version possible.
This is a bit of a hairy subject because if you're not experienced with implementing an active system you can easily do more harm than good. If you're settled on going this route, though, I would contact Jim and have him build the speakers as an active pair right from the get go, forgoing the passive crossover entirely. This might be the first pair built this way, so it'll take a little extra time, but at least you'll know you got the best active version possible.
I will admit, active is "over my head", as in, I have never had anything like that before and have never set up anything with active XO's before. I decided to learn what I can about it early on, so when it is time to make a purchase I will already know what I want, and what I will be getting into.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nuance
As to your questions, it sounds like you've got the understanding of it all down; each driver will need its own amp channel, and the sub(s) will likely need their own dedicated unit. If you look at the active Linkwitz Orions, Siegfried supplies each driver only enough power to reach x-max, and nothing more. This ensures you cannot over-drive the woofers and cause them to bottom out or distort. I think this is a smart approach, although I admit I don't know much about active systems. I've heard from many that when done properly they are very beneficial, but then I've heard from others in the industry that the difference is negligible. In the end it'll be up to the individual to determine which sounds best to them.
Concerning the subwoofers you could use anything you want I suppose. You can even hide a couple pro amps somewhere else in the house and run the subs with those. Wait, before I continue, when you say subs do you mean the woofers/passives in the speakers, or will you be using separate subwoofers? If it's the latter and they are a passive design (no plate amp), just get a nice pro amp and hide them somewhere; you'll achieve the best bang for buck this way. If you're talking about the woofers in the speakers, perhaps a 2-channel amp or dual monoblocks would be best, yes. Then you could just use something like an ATI (like Linkwitz does) or whatever to power the rest of the drivers. I am sure Jim will work with you and customize things however you want; that's kind of "his thang."
As to your questions, it sounds like you've got the understanding of it all down; each driver will need its own amp channel, and the sub(s) will likely need their own dedicated unit. If you look at the active Linkwitz Orions, Siegfried supplies each driver only enough power to reach x-max, and nothing more. This ensures you cannot over-drive the woofers and cause them to bottom out or distort. I think this is a smart approach, although I admit I don't know much about active systems. I've heard from many that when done properly they are very beneficial, but then I've heard from others in the industry that the difference is negligible. In the end it'll be up to the individual to determine which sounds best to them.
Concerning the subwoofers you could use anything you want I suppose. You can even hide a couple pro amps somewhere else in the house and run the subs with those. Wait, before I continue, when you say subs do you mean the woofers/passives in the speakers, or will you be using separate subwoofers? If it's the latter and they are a passive design (no plate amp), just get a nice pro amp and hide them somewhere; you'll achieve the best bang for buck this way. If you're talking about the woofers in the speakers, perhaps a 2-channel amp or dual monoblocks would be best, yes. Then you could just use something like an ATI (like Linkwitz does) or whatever to power the rest of the drivers. I am sure Jim will work with you and customize things however you want; that's kind of "his thang."
See, that was going to be my next set of questions - does the XO keep the amps from overloading the drivers? I mean, a tweeter by itself I'm sure doesn't draw a lot of power. As far as the subs go, I was looking at the Rhythmik subs being offered, but the ones I was looking at have the plate amps already built in.
