Why are the Infinity IRS, Reference 1b, Beta ect speakers passive on the mids and highs?

Actually I am tri amped . what I don't have is the passive crossover. I wish I did and I would be able to tell.
Marc

I don't think adding another amp would be too much in cost or space but it might be that the sound is actually better passive. Has anyone compared both ways all other factors being equal?
Marc

I am learning here. Timlub, it sounds like you have experience on the RS1B. Is there anywhere I can get specifics on what to do to improve the RS1b. What made me start the thread was an experiment I did with the RS1B's I have. I disconnected the crossover and tri-amped the system. I know a lot changed because all of the EMIM's went to a midrange whereas passively 6 are 150-700 and 1 is 700-3500 but I did not like the sound as a simple 3 way. I have another system where I have 10 EMIM's and a ribbon tweeter from a magnepan 20.7 where the tri amp works pretty well but falls short in some ways to the RS1B. I am trying to figure it out.
Marc

I haven't finalized on the crossover points yet. On the tweeter 3500Hz to 4000 Hz is good, the low point on the mid is very tough. 150hz to 160hz leaves a gap to the bass modules. As I drop the frequency the sound doesn't change much until the EMIM's start to distort for being too low. I have tried a Tympani panel for mid bass 70hz to 135hz It sounds good but not a great look.
Marc

I have a couple. I have 2 audio control units from a Richter scale and an Epicenter. I can swap crossover frequencies easily. I also have an Audio Research tube crossover  ec-4 which is hard to change. I think it is 12db on bass and 6db on mid and high. I am using that on a set of Tympani 1D but would swap it out if it was a better choice. And lastly I have a Nakamichi ec-302 which is a 12 volt unit on a power supply. The Nak can select 10hz steps so it is great to experiment with.
Marc

I can only change frequency. Slope is 18db/octave. I don't know Bessel, ect... You are correct on the crossover frequencies except I thought it was 140hz not 125hz.

Hi Russ69
Just curious. What did you move on to?
Marc

Hi timlib
The Richter scale crossover is changeable through a chip. I have lots of values for it. You can even make your own crossover point, they give a formula in the manual. The other audio control is not an epicenter, I made a mistake but it uses the same crossover as the richter so using the two I can get a 3 way at any point I want. I am glad you have some respect for the Nakamichi, I wasn't sure what you would think about mixing car audio .I haven't tried using 4 amps at the factory crossover points. If I do I will let you know. Setting levels isn't a problem as I have an Audio Control 3050A spectrum analyzer. I am still not sure using so much electronics in the signal path is the best route to go. I really appreciate your help.
Marc

Hi Timlub
I too am in the car audio business 36 years now. I have a 100 amp Audio Authority power supply. Lots of fun listening to a lot of car audio amps through the different speakers I have. There is quite a bit of difference among brands and models.
Marc

I am not familiar with the Triangle Celius, but the rest are awesome speakers. I also like the Magnepans alot. I am not sure which I would pick if I had to make a choice.