Active vs Passive Crossover

[cdinsmore]

For use with the VTF3-MKII, would there be any advantage sound quality wise in using the electronic crossover as a high pass filter vs the passive unit?

[Lwang]

I don't think there is a passive high pass crossover in the VTF-3. Even if a sub has one, it would be wildly non-audio quality. A high pass xo for the speaker level is useless since the xo freq could be off by an octave or two. The line level version is not very useful either, since many drop the input impedence as seen by your pre/pro to your amp by 90%.

Electronic crossovers usually have a higher slope, getting rid of the low freq from the main signal at a much quicker rate. I guess you could run into sound quality if it is a sub-par unit that utilizes infinitely adjustable crossover freq, or ones that just doesn't sound good.

The best thing would probably a littke xo box where you have your own network of high quality capacitor so that it crosses over at the exact freq you desire, and with absolute minimal loss in soud quality.

[cdinsmore]

You are correct that the VTF3 does not have a high pass filter. However, they do sell a separate unit for use with the VTF2&3 that runs $100.00. They also sell an active unit for around $400.00. Hence, my question as to what sonic advantages there are (if any) in going with the active crossover.

[Lwang]

If you are using it with a HT receiver or pre/pro, then you don't need any crossover in your system. If you are using it as a 2ch setup, then it could be advantageous to you.

Active crossovers usually filters out the bass that would be handled by the subwoofer from the signal that is being routed to your main speakers, so that the speakers would not struggle in its attempt in trying to produce high excursion/deep bass signal.

It will make the rest of the sound being produced by the woofer cleaner, and your amplifier would work much less, thereby allowing the signal in the rest of the musical spectrum to amplified cleaner.