SPL Audio Crossover

SPL Audio Crossover 

...Finally, an Analog Crossover. Again....

It is difficult to optimally integrate bass loudspeakers or subwoofers.  At the moment, there are almost only digital crossovers for this purpose. But who wants to convert back to digital in an analog high-end playback chain? 

SPL Audio's Crossover sets the crossovers anew.

REVIEWS

“In practice, it is easy to integrate a subwoofer into an existing loudspeaker concept with the Crossover. Flexible, easy to adjust and with a sound that is undetectable when configured correctly: Respect, SPL!”

Wolfgang Vogel - HIFI-STARS

CROSSING OVER

The crossover is divided into two section: The Low section for the bass loudspeaker or subwoofer (mono or stereo) and the Mid-Hi section for the top/main speakers. The crossover frequencies for Low and Mid-Hi can be set individually from 50 Hz to 120 Hz in 6 positions. The Low filter has a slope of 24 dB per octave. The slope of the MID-HI filter can be switched from 12 dB (Butterworth) to 24 dB (Linkwitz/Riley).

IN PHASE

Audio signals should come from the top speakers and bass loudspeakers or subwoofers in phase. The crossover offers variable phase control for this purpose. Use the toggle switch to activate the phase control (phase 0° or phase -180°) and use the control to establish simultaneousness. If the phase control is not required, it can be switched off and as such, disappears completely from the signal path.

ONE OR TWO?

If you want to connect two bass loudspeakers or subwoofers (one for L and one for R), this switch should be set to stereo. If you only use one bass loudspeaker or subwoofer, switch to mono. The crossover creates a mono signal of the Low frequencies and outputs it to both Low outputs (L + R).

ON OR OFF?

If you prefer to run the top/main speakers full-range, you can switch off the MID-Hi filter.

GET RID OFF IT

With the Low Cut filter all frequencies below 20 Hz can be filtered out. This way, the power amplifier does not have to amplify inaudible low frequencies and the loudspeaker is relieved.

AS LONG AS YOU'RE HAVING FUN

The playback volume of the bass loudspeaker or subwoofer can be varied from -10 dB to +10 dB.

In addition to the purely corrective adjustment of the speaker system, you can add more bass into recordings that lack low end. “Happiness is when the bass kicks in.”.

GOOD OL' TIMES

Two mechanical VU meters visualize the input levels for the left and right audio channel. With the VU switch you can optimise the display for different signal levels.

SOURCE OF JOY

The Crossover offers both balanced inputs with XLR sockets and standard inputs with gold-plated RCA sockets.

LOW & MID-HI

On the output side, the power amplifiers or active loudspeakers as well as bass loudspeakers or subwoofers are connected to the Low & Mid-Hi output sockets by means of balanced XLRs.

This means that even long cable runs to e.g. mono power amps placed next to the speaker are possible without the risk of interference.

EVERYTHING UNDER CONTROL - AMP CTL

Practical are the AMP CTL sockets, to which up to four power amplifiers with 12 V trigger inputs can be connected to switch them on and off together with the crossover. The crossover itself can also be switched on by a preamplifier like the Director Mk2 or Phonitor x, via AMP CTL (AMP CTL In).

SOUNDS GOOD TO ME

With all devices of the Professional Fidelity series the engineers develop not only according to the design plan, but also by ear. Many components are installed on the circuit boards using Through-hole technology. This ensures the use of the best sounding components.

THE VOLTAIR TECHNOLOGY

The 120V technology is SPL's reference technology. It operates at a DC voltage of 120 volts. This is four times that of IC-based semiconductor op-amps. In their Professional Fidelity series, it's referred to as VOLTAiR technology.

The highest possible audio quality requires the highest possible audio operating voltage.

The 120V technology works with +/-60 V. To be able to handle such a high voltage, SPL has developed proprietary operational amplifiers that can operate with a DC voltage of +/-60 V: the SPL 120V SUPRA operational amplifiers. This high voltage would destroy conventional components and operational amplifiers.

The 120V technology achieves exceptional technical specifications and sonic benefits. Technically, in terms of dynamic range, signal-to-noise ratio and headroom. Sonically, in terms of richness of detail and an absolutely relaxed listening experience.

FYI: “120V” in the name of the technology has nothing to do with the local mains voltage from the mains power socket. This is about the operating voltage inside the device with which the audio signals are processed.  The mains voltage from the mains power socket is transformed to the required secondary voltage in the device’s internal linear power supply with toroidal transformer. Rectifiers convert this AC voltage into DC voltage required in the audio device.

SPECIFICATIONS

Analog Inputs & Output: XLR (balanced) and RCA:

• Maximum input & output gain: 32.5 dB
• Input impedance (RCA): 20 kΩ
• Input impedance (XLR): 20 kΩ
• Output impedance: 75 Ω
• Common mode rejection (XLR): -82 dBu
• Frequency range (-3 dB): 4 Hz – 300 kHz
• Crosstalk (1 kHz): -70 dBu
• THD (0 dBu, 1 kHz, MID-Hi filter on): 0.0008 %
• THD (0 dBu, 30 Hz, LOW filter on): 0.0014 %
• Noise (A-weighted, MID-HI output): -106 dBu
• Noise (A-weighted, LOW output): -104,9 dBu
• Dynamic range (MID-HI output): 138 dB
• Dynamic range (LOW output): 136.9 dB

Internal Linear Power Supply with Shielded Toroidal Transformer:

• Operating voltage for analog audio: +/- 60 V
• Operating voltage for relays and LEDs: + 12 V

Mains Power Supply:

• Mains voltage (selectable, see fuse chamber): 230 V AC / 50; 115 V AC / 60 Hz
• Fuse for 230 V: T 500 mA
• Fuse for 115 V: T 1 A
• Power consumption: max. 50 VA
• Stand-by power consumption: < 0,3 W

Dimensions & Weight:

• W x H x D (width x height incl. feet x depth): 278 x 100 x 300 mm / 11 x 4 x 11.81 inch
• Unit weight: 5, kg / 11,02 lbs
• Shipping weight (incl. packaging): 5.95 kg / 13.12 lbs