Hi all
I have started putting together my audio compo arrangement and this is what i have for now:

2 Nos Sony 3-way speakers - for the rear
1 Sony 10-Inch subwoofer-For the rear
1 2-Channel Amp--to power the rear speakers
2 Mb Quart or equiv spkrs in front powered by amp of deck
1 Sony 50x4 deck with CD-Changer controller
1 Sony 12 CD-Changer

Question:
Do i NEED a crossover ? What are my missing out now ? Do i need to re-wire anything ? My car presently has no audio component except the stock wiring(stolen by the real owners-CAR THIEVES )

I have a 86 or 87 W124 230 E with manual tranny.

so I need your advice and MICHAEL thanks for the earlier help.

thanks Guys

Hmm.. a confusing question.. makes me think you don't *really* know what your doing (no offence!).. but fear not..

You never 'NEED' a crossover.. things will work without them. But not like they are supposed to, and it will sound rubbish.
A crossover can be high-pass or low-pass. HP cuts out the lower frequencies (bass) from your speakers. LP cuts the highs.

You don't mention the amplifier that will be powering the sub, but if you have one it should have a built in Low Pass crossover, so it only sends the sub the bass frequencies.
Then, you will probably want High Pass crossovers for all of your other speakers, so that they are not sent the bass that the subwoofer is playing anyway. You wouldn't hear it, and it will only make your speakers distort sooner. These crossovers can either be built into the amplifier, or inline with the speaker cable.

BTW, most car audiophiles will tell you to use the separate amplfier for the *front* speakers in your car - even if you don't think they need it. You are sitting nearer them, and so should give them the best sound you can.
Even if your head unit says 4x50W, it's never in truth more than 15 Watts, and even then it's on crappy little chips and the quality is terrible. Half-decent aftermarket speakers will never get enough power to go loud from a head unit - if you hear distortion, I assure you it's the HU amp not the speakers.

If you like all the sound coming from behind your head, interfered with by the headrests, rear screen, earlobes (!), power the rear speakers, otherwise run *them* off the head unit amp instead.

One more thing, apparently putting too much power (separate amplifier) through the MB fader switch can burn it out, so be careful!

later

Russ

__________________
190E's:
2.5-16v 1990 90,000m Astral Silver
2.0E 8v 1986 107,000m Black 2nd owner
http://www.maylane.demon.co.uk/190esmall.jpghttp://www.maylane.demon.co.uk/190esmall2.jpg

Hi Russ,
Let me try to understand ur answer and if i am wrong please point me out again :

I am new to using crossovers , subwoofers and amps , so i really might not know what 'i am doing'? i normally just connect my deck to two speakers and it sounds ok.


i am planning to use the 2-way to power my subwoofer and two rear speakers ? is this wrong ? what can happen?


pls what is BTW? i thank you for the advice but can i not get a single crossover module that will do low-pass and high pass at the same time on different channels?


i will appreciate further input from u guys?


thanks bye

If you are using the 2-channel amplifier to power the subwoofer and rear speakers, it must be 2-ohm stable.

The problem with this configuration is that you will not be able to use any crossover that may be built into the amplifier, as the subwoofer and speakers will be connected to the same terminals. While it will work, you will not be getting the best out of either of your speakers, as they are all going to receive the full frequency range.

The subwoofer will be sent the high frequencies, which it is not designed to play.
The Sony speakers will be sent the really low frequencies, which they cannot play well, and this will make them distort sooner.

You can, however, get 2 separate crossovers - one which will cut the high frequencies from the subwoofer, and another (pair) that will cut the low frequencies (cut at the same Frequency) from the 3-way speakers. You are not likely to find a single crossover that can do everything you need.

sorry, BTW = by the way.., like pls = please!


later

Russ

__________________
190E's:
2.5-16v 1990 90,000m Astral Silver
2.0E 8v 1986 107,000m Black 2nd owner
http://www.maylane.demon.co.uk/190esmall.jpghttp://www.maylane.demon.co.uk/190esmall2.jpg

If you have the existing speaker wiring and you have the four cabin speakers as you describe you can give it a go with what you have. The sony 3-ways for the rear (deck) are designed to handle full signal. The Fronts should be dual coil with mid range and tweets. This may sound good as is powered by your stock head if you aren't into serious decibels.

What it will lack is a quality base becuse the 6.5" or so 3-ways cannot provide this.

Now, take the 10" woofer and juice it with all of your amp that it can stand (bridge to one channel if possible) and your system should have the necessary bass fill to give it a rich, quality tone, working with what you have. It should be an appreciable improvement over stock sound.