#1458921 - 11/08/08 07:15 PM
Alpine SPX17ref active vs. passive(K_H_A?)
|
njDan
SD Ralph Wiggum
Registered: 15/05/08
Posts: 44
Loc: East Rutherford, NJ
|
Offline
|
|
If I remember correctly you experimented running your Type X active and went back to using the passives.Was hoping you could elaborate on your impression using these drivers active vs. passive(Tried using search unsuccessfully)
_________________________
Once in a while you can get shown the light in the stangest of places if you look at it right.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1458950 - 11/08/08 07:51 PM
Re: Alpine SPX17ref active vs. passive(K_H_A?)
[Re: njDan]
|
keep_hope_alive
Snooch to the Nooch
SD I chew on Mike Tyson's ear
Registered: 24/04/07
Posts: 8659
Loc: Quad Cities, IL
|
|
Offline
|
|
i had better imaging active (obviously) but i have more volume passive - simply because of the difference between 50W active vs 200W passive. also, my active crossovers weren't very user friendly (xtant SIPS).
I will go back to active again now that I have a more flexible crossover. I may also introduce a midrange driver into the mix.
Passive it sounds good, much better with higher power levels.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1458982 - 11/08/08 08:32 PM
Re: Alpine SPX17ref active vs. passive(K_H_A?)
[Re: keep_hope_alive]
|
Foam
Team SoundDomain
Registered: 09/06/08
Posts: 438
|
|
Offline
|
|
Just a kind of heads up (you may already know this, and if so disregard).
A lot of us throw around the idea of going active like it is a no brainer. It is a bit more complicated than we make it sound. It is a whole lot easier to blow a driver (especially a tweeter) in an active set up. The wrong crossover point, turn off spikes, volume---all these things can lead to a blown driver. Using passive these things are generally protected by the passive. Going active, none of these things are accounted for.
I would really suggest you have a really good flexible crossover before going active. You want the flexibility for tuning, but you also want to make sure you can set up your driver as you need to.
You can have a really good system with a passive set up, and you can be secure in knowing you won't have as many problems as come with an active set up. With an active set up you can tune the system easier, but don't underestimate the work involved. If you haven't done it before, find someone who has---and who has let you listen to their active set up and you like that set up.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1459041 - 11/08/08 10:00 PM
Re: Alpine SPX17ref active vs. passive(K_H_A?)
[Re: Foam]
|
keep_hope_alive
Snooch to the Nooch
SD I chew on Mike Tyson's ear
Registered: 24/04/07
Posts: 8659
Loc: Quad Cities, IL
|
|
Offline
|
|
all great points. for example - the alpine crossovers have lamps for tweeter protection. eliminate the crossovers and you eliminate the protection. you better make sure your gains are properly set and you are smart with the volume control.
i've only had one other active setup. it worked great but like Andy stated it's a lot more work. if I can be happy passive, i'll stay passive. the alpine type-x crossover is extremely flexible with many configurations - which is uncommon. soon, i'm going to use my WT3 to measure impedance and phase changes with the passive crossover.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1459078 - 12/08/08 02:55 AM
Re: Alpine SPX17ref active vs. passive(K_H_A?)
[Re: keep_hope_alive]
|
njDan
SD Ralph Wiggum
Registered: 15/05/08
Posts: 44
Loc: East Rutherford, NJ
|
|
Offline
|
|
Thanks for the replies.As I continue to learn just a little bit about this stuff,it amazes me how increasingly deep things get.I experimented with eliminating the passives using a Zapco DC1000.4 for tuning.I got some advice from seemingly good sources.Initially I was happy with the results.That is until I read a very long thread on active vs. passive.Now I returned to using the passives and will continue to listen and try to form my own impression.
My main problem is that I don't have an Ideal to strive for.I am on my own with this car audio thing as I don't know anybody locally with the same depth of interest.I know things could always sound better,I just never can be sure what route to take to get there.I've been considering trying to get some sort of PC based RTA set-up going but that too seems to be a formidable task.Suggestions?
_________________________
Once in a while you can get shown the light in the stangest of places if you look at it right.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1459146 - 12/08/08 07:34 AM
Re: Alpine SPX17ref active vs. passive(K_H_A?)
[Re: njDan]
|
bikinpunk
Member
Registered: 17/08/04
Posts: 2759
Loc: Al
|
|
Offline
|
|
I'm curiuos to hear more thoughts on the Ref's.
I've got a set of the type-x pro tweeters and am planning on getting the mids to match, to all go in my wife's car. Just trying to build a very simple, basic 2-way setup powered by a 4.150. Processing from the deck (cda-9815).
I know folks like the Refs, and Thumper26 said they did pretty good in an install he heard. More than anything I'm curious how the midrange portion sounds.
Unfortunately my local shops don't carry either of the type-x sets so I'm going on blind faith.
FWIW, I was told by an Alpine rep that the Pro design carries over the previous Scan-speak derivative design from the F1 set.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1459250 - 12/08/08 09:39 AM
Re: Alpine SPX17ref active vs. passive(K_H_A?)
[Re: bikinpunk]
|
Thumper26
Representing the
SD New School
Registered: 12/09/04
Posts: 35450
Loc: Chattanooga, TN
|
Online
|
|
also keep in mind the "install" i heard them in was them screwed into the locations in teh doors with no baffle or door sealing and them running off deck power. that's what impressed me so much about them. they had very respectable midbass off of a setup like that. if i was building a daily driver, i'd definitely look at them.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1459612 - 12/08/08 03:31 PM
Re: Alpine SPX17ref active vs. passive(K_H_A?)
[Re: Thumper26]
|
njDan
SD Ralph Wiggum
Registered: 15/05/08
Posts: 44
Loc: East Rutherford, NJ
|
|
Offline
|
|
Granted I haven't listened to too many different set-ups as I a fairly new to this stuff,but I do think it would be fair for me to say that they are decent(SPX-17ref)but certainly not something to rave about.I upgraded to Type X after being dissatisfied with my initial purchase of SPR-17S.The first thing I realized when I fired up the Type X was that music did in fact have cymbals.
Anyway,for a wife's daily driver,I am pretty sure the Type X would more than suffice.I like them but I look forward to upgrading to something with ability to put out more.I have been considering maybe adding a dedicated midbass(Peerless SLS?)and moving the Type X to kicks.Or maybe running 2 Type X mids in each door.Again,I am new to this so I could definitely use the advice of some more experienced members.What do you guys think about those two options?
_________________________
Once in a while you can get shown the light in the stangest of places if you look at it right.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1459634 - 12/08/08 04:28 PM
Re: Alpine SPX17ref active vs. passive(K_H_A?)
[Re: njDan]
|
bikinpunk
Member
Registered: 17/08/04
Posts: 2759
Loc: Al
|
|
Offline
|
|
^ did you just post on DIY?... type-x in the kicks, with SLS 8's.
Anyway, I'm dead set on the type-x pro's at least to try them out myself. I can get the mids for about $150shipped bnib. At least worth a shot. I'll do a review on them when I give it a shot.
I'm curious to see how much of the Scan sound they've retained...
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1459658 - 12/08/08 05:32 PM
Re: Alpine SPX17ref active vs. passive(K_H_A?)
[Re: bikinpunk]
|
keep_hope_alive
Snooch to the Nooch
SD I chew on Mike Tyson's ear
Registered: 24/04/07
Posts: 8659
Loc: Quad Cities, IL
|
|
Offline
|
|
considering Alpine didn't make any of the Type-X speakers, they will/should sound like their creator's line.
i too have been impressed with the midbass from these drivers in a less than ideal door.
definitely experiment on your own and form your own opinion.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1459659 - 12/08/08 05:35 PM
Re: Alpine SPX17ref active vs. passive(K_H_A?)
[Re: keep_hope_alive]
|
bikinpunk
Member
Registered: 17/08/04
Posts: 2759
Loc: Al
|
|
Offline
|
|
^ they didn't make them ever?.. are you sure?
I know Scan made the F1 speakers, but I'm pretty sure alpine made the type-x speakers. Or Vifa did.
Regardless, I'm certain they make them now. It's just based off the F1 scan designs.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1459666 - 12/08/08 05:51 PM
Re: Alpine SPX17ref active vs. passive(K_H_A?)
[Re: bikinpunk]
|
keep_hope_alive
Snooch to the Nooch
SD I chew on Mike Tyson's ear
Registered: 24/04/07
Posts: 8659
Loc: Quad Cities, IL
|
|
Offline
|
|
let me clarify: the last three years of type-x speakers were a vifa or scanspeak creation. not sure about the models before that. hell, you can find their equals in the Madisound catalog! even Genesis uses Scanspeak drivers, lots of companies do. it doesn't make financial sense for a company to manufacture low quantity, high quality drivers copied off someone else. just pay that company to make them using their existing tooling and badge them. badging has been common in the industry for decades.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1459668 - 12/08/08 05:56 PM
Re: Alpine SPX17ref active vs. passive(K_H_A?)
[Re: keep_hope_alive]
|
bikinpunk
Member
Registered: 17/08/04
Posts: 2759
Loc: Al
|
|
Offline
|
|
I wasn't arguing with you... I know where they came from, and I know about Genesis. Had a brief chat with Andy about the Genesis and am actually running all scan gear in my car, except for my alpine (scan) F1 midbasses. 
I was just pointing out that the type-x pro's, which look awfully similar to Scan drivers are in fact derived from the F1 set (which we know is Scan drivers, just tweaked and coated). That makes them a potentially good buy if you wanted to try them out. And I will be.
I'm just looking for more reviews on the pro's and ref's midrange response. I've heard both have good midbass, but I've yet to see thoughts (detailed) on the midrange response.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1459669 - 12/08/08 06:26 PM
Re: Alpine SPX17ref active vs. passive(K_H_A?)
[Re: bikinpunk]
|
keep_hope_alive
Snooch to the Nooch
SD I chew on Mike Tyson's ear
Registered: 24/04/07
Posts: 8659
Loc: Quad Cities, IL
|
|
Offline
|
|
ah, yea i wasn't trying to be argumentative either.
what i find interesting is that the specs of each driver are unique. i wonder how much input Alpine or Genesis or whoever gets. do they just get to pic from a list of options like cone type, surround, suspension, motor, etc?
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
Moderator: TtownCLS, Ben Vollmer, keep_hope_alive, SuperJay, SQLAltima
|
81180 Members
29 Forums
182752 Topics
1263048 Posts
Max Online: 754 @ 10/03/08 07:00 PM
|
|
|
