Digital crossovers (Behringer DCX2496)

[mann]

From what i understand, you can use the Behringer DCX2496 ( <A HREF="http://www.zzounds.com/item--BEHDCX2496/view--Rear">http://www.zzounds.com/item--BEHDCX2496/view--Rear</A> ) in place of hardware capacitors. Is this correct? If so, can anyone explain how it works/ how to use it?

I have little electrical training (highschool electronics only) and do not wish to tackle crossover design and construction on my first loudspeaker build.

[bill]

The Behringer is a low-level crossover, so it requires a separate amplifier channel for each driver, woofer, tweeter or midrange. Normal passive crossovers go in between the power amplifier and the drivers, so you only need one amplifier channel for each speaker.

The beauty of a digital crossover, like the Behringer, is that you can adjust it to do almost anything. The bad part of a digital crossover is that you have to adjust it completely to achieve the result you desire. Making those adjustments requires the same sort of measurement setup as you'd need to design a passive crossover.

If this is your first project, and you're unsure of your skills, I'd strongly suggest you consider any of the excellent speaker designs available on the Web. Sure, you can jump in with both feet, as I did, but you are likely to be disappointed with the results (as I was.) The beauty of starting with a project from a good designer (and there are many) is you learn as you build.

If you really don't want to build a crossover, try the BR-1 kit from Parts Express. It'll only take a few hours to put together, and you'll get results that sound way better than anything else you're likely to find for the price.

HTH,
Bill

> From what i understand, you can use the
> Behringer DCX2496 (
> <A HREF="http://www.zzounds.com/item--BEHDCX2496/view--Rear">http://www.zzounds.com/item--BEHDCX2496/view--Rear</A>
> ) in place of hardware capacitors. Is this
> correct? If so, can anyone explain how it
> works/ how to use it?

> I have little electrical training
> (highschool electronics only) and do not
> wish to tackle crossover design and
> construction on my first loudspeaker build.