monoXover 2-way pre-amp audio crossover

The monoXover is an audio crossover.  It is designed to be used for building integrated active (powered) speakers.  That is, a speaker with a built-in amp and crossover.  The monoXover is a pre-amp crossover - it sits before the amp.  This means it can be small and low cost, and it allows a higher overall power efficiency in the system.  Check the diagrams below for the intended uses.

You can purchase a fully assembled monoXover from me here.

Features:

• 2-way 2nd-order crossover (ie, it can be used with any speaker that has a woofer and a tweeter)
• compact low cost design using easily available parts
• easy to adjust the crossover frequency
• adjustable equalizer for the woofer and tweeter
• can convert stereo to mono, or can select either left or right channel only
• published design you can use and modify as needed

Step 1: How it works

check the schematic below.  (click the [i] in the upper left of the image to get to the higher resolution version)

the input jack is on the left and the output jack on the right.  the headers above the circuit explain what each section does.

If you want the stereo-to-mono function, install both R3 and R4.  if you want just the left channel or the right channel, install just one of them.

The relative output volume for the woofer and the tweeter is set by the pots R6 and R7

Comments

[esper256]

Just got mine as well. Check underneath the board. It's pretty clear that the 1/4" jack is the input and the 1/8" jack is the output.

At first I thought we'd solder the resistors in the empty slots labeled c3 and c4, but after inspecting with a DMM I'm not so sure now.

[mhirsch]

So, just got mine in the mail. Looks different (1/4" jack) & cannot clearly tell which is input and which is output. Also, confused about the comments above on how to use as a mono converter only (I don't need crossover function). Do I still need to solder some parts on the board?.. R3/R4? Also, would be helpful to have a diagram of the board to show where things are.

[fatdumpa]

hi there. myself and a friend want to make a powered speaker from a surround sound centre speaker that has a 1" tweeter and two 4 1/2" woofers. just wondering if you had suggestions for the resistor and capacitor values? we're pretty new to this stuff so any advice would be greatly appreciated. cheers -b

[cloverstreet]

Might it be a good idea to use the 10 watt amp that you mention bridged that you for the tweets and a TA2020 bridged for the woofer?

[heph]

Tripath amps (at least the TA2020/24) will fry if you bridge the outputs, from what I understand.

[hydronics]

After a few tries/tests I found R7 is controlling Right Channel (Tweat,Ch1,Red): Clockwise (maximum)
.... and R8 is controlling Left Channel (Ch2,Woofer,White): CounterClockwise (maximum).

I tried the monoXover to both a Sure Electronics TA2024 (http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=320-308) and a smaller 16 watt Sure Amp,
(http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=320-310)

Can you confirm this? thanks,

[dan]

you are correct (and i updated my doc).

[dan]

gah did i botch it? its also possible that some cables may end up swapping things somewhere along the line, so maybe the method to figure it out is more useful. i think you want to do it like this:

hook up just the woofer first. put your ipod volume fairly low. turn both dials (R7/R8) until it is as loud as it gets and you know which dial is controlling it. play something with a low, heavy beat - do you hear the beat? if not then you got the woofer on the tweeter channel. now you know which channel is which, put the woofer on the correct channel. the woofer will also be way louder on the correct channel. set the woofer's dial to maximum. now hook up the tweeter. adjust its dial until things sound ok - on all the speakers i tried the tweeter dial is set at about 50% to get good equalization.

[User1]

I am also interested in one of your kits. I've been reading your instructable, Off-Grid Party Sound Systems, and I'm getting very jazzed on building me something. You have done an awesome job on putting together some VERY interesting instructables. I'm half way through the one mentioned above. Also if you have a group on this subject matter that you can recommend, I would be very interested in joining it. THANKS!!!!!!

[dan]

You can now buy a fully assembled monoXover from me here

[tkcs911]

I would be interested in a kit also.

[Wesley666]

This is really cool.  I was wanting to make something like this, except split audio into maybe 8 sets of frequencies each to drive a different set of Christmas lights...I have no idea how well it would work, but it seemed like a good idea...

Cool 'Ible!

[hygnos7]

 I am interested in one of your kits