Can a simple tone control be easily constructed?

warnerwh · « **on:** 27 Sep 2006, 02:39 am »

The reason I ask is because I am passive biamping. If I could design a tone control to cut off all the frequencies that the amp won't be amplifying before it gets to the amp then I'd in effect have more headroom.

My speakers are Vmps RM 40's. First order networks and somewhat below 280hz and well above 280hz is what I'd need. I was thinking a full octave below and two octaves above the crossover.

Or is this more trouble that it's worth? Thanks

Occam · « **Reply #1 on:** 27 Sep 2006, 04:04 am »

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Re: Can a simple tone control be easily constructed?

I'd think a line level high pass and low pass filter would be more appropriate for your needs if you want to do active bi-amping.
I'm unfamiliar with the specific RM40 crossover, but would imagine it might be substantially more than a simple first order high and low pass. If that 280Hz crossover consists of (Edit: Oops - more than) a series capacitor for the highpass and a series inductor for the lowpass, its more sophisticated than you suppose. If that is all it consists of, you can passively implement it at line level -
http://www.t-linespeakers.org/tech/filters/passiveHLxo.html

warnerwh · « **Reply #2 on:** 27 Sep 2006, 05:14 am »

Actually I don't want to do active biamping. I'm just trying to get more headroom and possibly saving myself the problem of buying another power amp.

It sounds like what I'd want to do is maybe putting a crossover in front of the crossover? Is that what you're saying? Only at line level?

I'd hoped maybe something could be made very simply with some female rca's and a cap or something in the middle to block frequencies that I don't want to reach the amp. What is the downside here?

Thanks

Bob Reynolds · « **Reply #3 on:** 27 Sep 2006, 03:10 pm »

It sounds like you are looking for a 2-channel bass management controller with a high crossover point. The devices are typically active and allow biamping with powered subwoofers. The two that I use are both from M&K and are set at 80Hz. Hsu Research has a model that allows some flexibility in the xover point, but probably not as high as you wish to go. Of course, any active stereo 2-way crossover (Rane, for example) would work.