[Ultralight]

This is a newbie question.

There's debate as to whether active speakers or passive speakers are better.  This is not to raise the question on that topic at all. 

I see that some do active amping using miniDSP as the crossover component. (i.e. Linkwitz LxMini etc.)

Questions:

1. Does any company make 4 or more channel integrated amplifier where each of the channel can be controlled for crossover point and slope?

If yes, who?
If not, why not?

2. Can't one do that type of amplifier and then every passive speakers can simply be bi-amped  (if wired appropriately) and become active, thus bypassing any passive crossovers?

If no one makes amps like this, what am I missing as a neophyte to the audio scene?

Thanks!
UL

[jk@home]

This is a newbie question.

There's debate as to whether active speakers or passive speakers are better.  This is not to raise the question on that topic at all. 

I see that some do active amping using miniDSP as the crossover component. (i.e. Linkwitz LxMini etc.)

Questions:

1. Does any company make 4 or more channel integrated amplifier where each of the channel can be controlled for crossover point and slope?

If yes, who?
If not, why not?

2. Can't one do that type of amplifier and then every passive speakers can simply be bi-amped  (if wired appropriately) and become active, thus bypassing any passive crossovers?

If no one makes amps like this, what am I missing as a neophyte to the audio scene?

Thanks!
UL

First thing that comes to mind are home theater processors, but AFAIK, most only allow x-over point, but not slope adjustment. Maybe a high end model out there that allows this?

As far as making passive speakers active as you describe, Magnepan owners do it all the time. Maggies are easy to modify and going active is considered one of the top mods.

I going to try the MiniDSP hybrid route. Recently ordered and received a NanoDIGI, along with a NuForce multi analog pre and the extra DACs needed to triamp my KEF LS50s with the mid bass and IB subs I use. Very similar to what is described on the "Digital Challenge" page of the Linkwitz website, but will keep the KEF's internal x-overs. The setup will still allow applying some eq and a high pass filter to the LS50s.

[Ultralight]

Whoa...tri amp including LS50?  I'm not sure what you mean. Are you amping the woofer and the tweeter of the LS50 separately?  Yet I think you said you are keeping the crossover so I assume that's not the case?  Or do they have separate crossover modules for the high/low so that you can amp each of the drivers? 

What advantage are you getting with doing that?

Thanks!
UL

[JohnR]

1. Does any company make 4 or more channel integrated amplifier where each of the channel can be controlled for crossover point and slope?

If yes, who?
If not, why not?

FWIW I'm not aware of any. miniDSP and Hypex make plate amps with 2-ch crossover, which amounts to the same thing. There are a number of (stereo) pro amps that have DSP onboard, so you could use multiples of those if you wanted.

As for why not, I could only assume it's mostly a matter of market share. I do feel that in general, active systems really take the lead for 3-way plus. 2-way is harder to justify the cost tradeoff.

2. Can't one do that type of amplifier and then every passive speakers can simply be bi-amped  (if wired appropriately) and become active, thus bypassing any passive crossovers?

I'm not entirely sure I understand the question. However, if you want to go active then you need to remove the passive crossover. Otherwise you will be "fighting" against it.

HTH

[jk@home]

Whoa...tri amp including LS50?  I'm not sure what you mean. Are you amping the woofer and the tweeter of the LS50 separately?  Yet I think you said you are keeping the crossover so I assume that's not the case?  Or do they have separate crossover modules for the high/low so that you can amp each of the drivers? 

What advantage are you getting with doing that?

Thanks!
UL

Just  a fancy way of saying I'm incorporating some subwoofers with the KEFs, and trying to keep it as clean as possible. Keeping the KEFs stock, as I would not want to try to disassemble and maybe damage those nice cabinets. Use two diy 12" box subs for mid bass, and two ceiling IB subs for the lows. A pic and description of the system is on page 94 of the Audio Karma's LS50  thread.

The KEFs are said to distort pretty badly in the 200 Hz. and lower range, when pushed hard. By using the Nano crossover, I can apply a high pass filter and blend them in better with the mid-bass subs (all digitally, as I use only digital sources). And of course use high and low pass filters on all the subs. Plus some EQ where it's needed.

Go here and check out solution A (and imagine the tweeter and midrange being one unit):

http://www.linkwitzlab.com/LX521/DSP_challenge.htm

I seem to remember reading somewhere on the web that the KEFs are wired internally so as the high and lower drivers could be separated, but the designers decided not to offer two sets of binding posts.