Model 19 Crossover

[jcmjrt]

I've been thinking about refurbing my crossover and then I saw this kit so I'm wondering if it would be good to try an active crossover like this crossed at 1200HZ?

http://www.audio-kits.com/catalog/it...80/3884480.htm

I can solder/do chassis work but I don't know a lot about speaker/crossover design so words of those wiser are appreciated.

[Old Guy]

I think it's WAY overpriced. There's maybe a $30 parts cost. Counting the board.

Note- it's also 24 db/octave.

You can get a board from ESP to custom build your own. You can also buy a used unit off FeePay.

Or just buy new if you are willing to use the 24 db octave

Behringer has a cheapie for some 80-90 bucks.

http://www.music123.com/Behringer-SU...25204.Music123

I'd recommend:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...64&src=3WFRWXX

Has delays for time align. Can be bought cheaper on FeePay.


If you have the bucks going up to the DCX 2496 is a no brainer. The parametrics alone are worth the difference. Not to mention choice of 12/18/24 dB/octave.

I've seen them at $209 on FleaBay, but $250 is more typical.

Lots of people get insecure when Behringer is mentioned- just buy from a dealer who will let you return it if you are security oriented. But you can't touch any of those 3 behringers at the price. Used Ranes are good, almost any quality brand is going to be decent. Building electronic crossovers is no harder than building a boom box.

The Chinese electronics are not as rugged yet though.

Note- a lot of cheap crossovers may not sum properly. If you go below the $100 price point Google for reviews. Even after that, be careful on the extreme "low end" units.

[bfish]

I'm no wiser, will wiseacre do?

The linked XO kit looks like a decent way to experiment with active on a budget except for having to commit to a specific frequency. I like the 4th order L/R. For the app you describe it should work fine, but you'll be missing the equalization the stock M19 XO provides.

If you like your M19 sound, you could just re-cap the XO much cheaper. Then again, if you like your M19 sound, why bother?

[Todd W. White]

I've re-capped and re-resistor'd many a Model 19 crossover. If you use high-quality parts, they sound amazingly better, yet retain the Altec "sound".

Jerry Hubbard redrew the M19 crossover for me, and, using my NOS crossover, measured the performance of it, including the value of the L-pads at the "optimum" (was it optimum or something else?) setting, and drew in fixed resistors into the circuit, rather than the troublesome L-pads.

Works really, really well...

[jcmjrt]

Thanks for the info. I'm going to have to do some more looking around and thinking. I didn't realize that the crossover provided equalization but if it does, maybe I shouldn't mess with that. I've heard a lot about active crossovers being good but haven't ever dabbled in it before. I have recapped speakers before and so far have always appreciated the better performance and these are 30+ YO speakers.

[Old Guy]

Digital crossovers like the DCX 2496 have parametric EQ and delay for time correction.

I think you would need to go to that level, you would be in the $250 range, plus another amp.

[jcmjrt]

Anyone with any personal experience with the DCX 2496 and the model 19?