Monitor Setup

So I've been running a kind of ghetto-rigged setup for a while, splitting the stereo out of my interface to go to my active monitors and my also active sub independently. I'd really like to just get the signal actually running through a real crossover though.

My monitors are M-Audio Studiophile DX4's and my sub is a Polk Audio PSW10. The DX4's take balanced 1/4" and RCA. The PSW10 takes RCA only and has speaker level outputs.

My two options are: a) Get some passive monitors that take speaker level input, or b) Get some kinda of crossover unit.

Give me your recommendations for either/both option(s).

Potentially good thread.

I myself and very much looking forward towards replacing my Blue Sky Media Desk... for the price they are not horrible, but lately I'm noticing in live situations my music is sound very different then normal.

Been thinking about getting some Tannoys or ADAM's.

73 views and only 1 poster? You guys all blow.

  On 11/2/2010 at 7:03 PM, wahrk said:

73 views and only 1 poster? You guys all blow.

Ha ha. To be honest I only know what crossovers do but sadly wouldn't be able to recommend any. I could imagine that's a pain what you're talking about tho. That said without hearing your set up unless the sub is really overpowering then is it a problem?

I want ADAM's pretty bad. No other input to the conversation thus far.

  On 11/3/2010 at 3:21 AM, Promo said:

  On 11/2/2010 at 7:03 PM, wahrk said:

73 views and only 1 poster? You guys all blow.

Ha ha. To be honest I only know what crossovers do but sadly wouldn't be able to recommend any. I could imagine that's a pain what you're talking about tho. That said without hearing your set up unless the sub is really overpowering then is it a problem?

It's boomy in the 100-200Hz range.

a phased plasmah rifle in tha 40 watt range

  On 10/28/2010 at 9:27 PM, wahrk said:

My two options are: a) Get some passive monitors that take speaker level input

Don't want to state the obvious, but you'll need an amp as well.

  On 10/28/2010 at 9:27 PM, wahrk said:

or b) Get some kinda of crossover unit.

I bought a Behringer CX3400 crossover for just this purpose, but I wouldn't recommend it. Build quality was extremely shoddy, the switches went bad, intermittently killing the outputs, requiring a whack on the top of the casing to bring them back. Then the filters crapped out, sending squealing feedback tones through the whole system. Not fun at 600W..

I'm not sure if there are any other crossovers close to the price of the Behringer, the others I looked at were a lot more expensive.

TBH you're best keeping it connected as it is, but if you are having excessive bass problems, turn down the low pass on the subwoofer so it doesn't overlap with the main monitors.

i own a pair of active yamaha hs-80m's while eating cheese during halftime while poking my couch watching voluptuous vixes one day.

it was great other than the fact that you can't hold my woodie cos it's a strap-on. now that the stories over i would like to leave you with one very important thought. people that could stop you from listening to a banana might be back next year to complain about a musicins gear catalog showing you what not to buy this year because your subwoofer needs an amplifier because polk audio will only poke your canal mr tooth cavity bye

  On 11/3/2010 at 5:20 PM, xy_politics said:

Don't want to state the obvious, but you'll need an amp as well.

The sub is active and designed to take the primary signal and drive other speakers aka is an amp.

  On 11/3/2010 at 5:20 PM, xy_politics said:

TBH you're best keeping it connected as it is, but if you are having excessive bass problems, turn down the low pass on the subwoofer so it doesn't overlap with the main monitors.

The monitors go down to 70Hz (so 60-70Hz for the crossover is preferred) and the lowest crossover frequency on my sub is 80Hz.

Anyway, I can manage as is as long as I get a new splitter since the current one crapped out a few days back.

  On 11/3/2010 at 6:07 PM, sonny said:

i own a pair of active yamaha hs-80m's while eating cheese during halftime while poking my couch watching voluptuous vixes one day.

it was great other than the fact that you can't hold my woodie cos it's a strap-on. now that the stories over i would like to leave you with one very important thought. people that could stop you from listening to a banana might be back next year to complain about a musicins gear catalog showing you what not to buy this year because your subwoofer needs an amplifier because polk audio will only poke your canal mr tooth cavity bye

wat

  On 11/3/2010 at 6:12 PM, wahrk said:

  On 11/3/2010 at 5:20 PM, xy_politics said:

Don't want to state the obvious, but you'll need an amp as well.

The sub is active and designed to take the primary signal and drive other speakers aka is an amp.

You sure about that? I looked through the PSW10 manual, I think you'll find that the speaker level outputs are only active when fed with a speaker level input, the sub only drives itself. Mine work the same way.

  On 11/3/2010 at 7:11 PM, xy_politics said:

  On 11/3/2010 at 6:12 PM, wahrk said:

  On 11/3/2010 at 5:20 PM, xy_politics said:

Don't want to state the obvious, but you'll need an amp as well.

The sub is active and designed to take the primary signal and drive other speakers aka is an amp.

You sure about that? I looked through the PSW10 manual, I think you'll find that the speaker level outputs are only active when fed with a speaker level input, the sub only drives itself. Mine work the same way.

Hmm. It seems you are correct. Oh well. Guess I'll just deal. Thanks.

  On 10/28/2010 at 9:27 PM, wahrk said:

So I've been running a kind of ghetto-rigged setup for a while, splitting the stereo out of my interface to go to my active monitors and my also active sub independently. I'd really like to just get the signal actually running through a real crossover though.

 

My monitors are M-Audio Studiophile DX4's and my sub is a Polk Audio PSW10. The DX4's take balanced 1/4" and RCA. The PSW10 takes RCA only and has speaker level outputs.

 

My two options are: a) Get some passive monitors that take speaker level input, or b) Get some kinda of crossover unit.

 

Give me your recommendations for either/both option(s).

You could sell/trade your setup for the M-Audio LX4, which is pretty much exactly what you have except the sub has a crossover to the satellites.

  On 11/12/2010 at 5:14 AM, A/D said:

  On 10/28/2010 at 9:27 PM, wahrk said:

So I've been running a kind of ghetto-rigged setup for a while, splitting the stereo out of my interface to go to my active monitors and my also active sub independently. I'd really like to just get the signal actually running through a real crossover though.

 

My monitors are M-Audio Studiophile DX4's and my sub is a Polk Audio PSW10. The DX4's take balanced 1/4" and RCA. The PSW10 takes RCA only and has speaker level outputs.

 

My two options are: a) Get some passive monitors that take speaker level input, or b) Get some kinda of crossover unit.

 

Give me your recommendations for either/both option(s).

 

You could sell/trade your setup for the M-Audio LX4, which is pretty much exactly what you have except the sub has a crossover to the satellites.

That might be cool. Maybe later or if an opportunity comes up.

Someone is letting me borrow their Event Tuned Reference 8's for a month or so.... I love them, and I'm gonna have a hard time going back to my previous monitors... I'll prolly need to buy some Events now :(

As long as you know the speakers / headphones pretty well almost anything will do. Just check your track on other equipment before you do the final tinkering.