I'm such a newb.

[indytrucks 1]

Ok so I have a "brilliant" idea. I just picked up a Kicker KX3 crossover for cheap with no idea what to do with it really. Well I got to thinking. It has two inputs (front/rear) and three outputs (front/rear/sub). Now then, I have a 2005 Ranger ext. cab I just got for my DD. I am in the process of collecting parts for some form of audio install in it. I was thinking I could ditch the 6x8's in the doors for some 4"'s or 5 1/4"'s mount some tweets on the sail panels, and some 6 1/2"'s in the kicks. Could I use this crossover to do an "active" set up? I have some MLI65's laying around I could use for the kicks. What would be some good compliments to these. And then theres the amp question. I was thinking one 4 channel and one 2 channel. Sundown? Basically I'm just looking for opinions and guidance on getting a good front stage squared away before I get into the sub stage.

Oh and I have a p4000ub HU BTW.

[trbolvr 2]

Ok so I have a "brilliant" idea. I just picked up a Kicker KX3 crossover for cheap with no idea what to do with it really. Well I got to thinking. It has two inputs (front/rear) and three outputs (front/rear/sub). Now then, I have a 2005 Ranger ext. cab I just got for my DD. I am in the process of collecting parts for some form of audio install in it. I was thinking I could ditch the 6x8's in the doors for some 4"'s or 5 1/4"'s mount some tweets on the sail panels, and some 6 1/2"'s in the kicks. Could I use this crossover to do an "active" set up? I have some MLI65's laying around I could use for the kicks. What would be some good compliments to these. And then theres the amp question. I was thinking one 4 channel and one 2 channel. Sundown? Basically I'm just looking for opinions and guidance on getting a good front stage squared away before I get into the sub stage.

Oh and I have a p4000ub HU BTW.

Looks like your idea is close to working.... almost. To pull off an active system like your thinking with a true 3 way active network you need to have bandpass capability for your midrange/midbase drivers. As far as I can tell the KX3 does NOT have this feature. It has a 20x multiplier for the front high pass wich would work for a set of tweaters, but no low pass for the rear (not sub) output. I run my truck 3 way active with a 5 channel amp and run my rear speakers off the h/u for rear fill only. After living with a full active system for almost 10 years I will never go back to using passive crossovers. It's just too dang easy with all the crossover features in todays amps to bother with inacurate power robbing passive networks (imo). Maybe not so easy to find such amps, but easy to install.

My next project for my work van will be a 3 way active centered around a MB Quart PAB-5400 or Hi Fonics ZXI8010. Hope this helps.

[indytrucks 1]

Ok so here is what I have now. I have the MLI65's, some Kicker 5 1/4" 's for the doors, and matching Kicker tweets for the sails. They are just some older KS comps. I found some old school RF amps I'll be using and the KX3 I picked up for 25 bucks. I also ordered everything I need for the install from Knu. Here's some picks of the amps:

Not the best but I like the way they look, they were BNIB and they have some originality.

As far as the KX3, can someone explain why that wouldn't work? Seems like there is enough adjustment in it to set up the speakers properly. And lastly, what would be some better speakers to use than the Kickers?

Thanks in advance for all the help.

[lithium 358]

! the kx3's crossover frequency range is 35-400 hz so this wont work...

as far as speakers go, a 3 way is not what your looking for. go with the mil's and a pair of tweeters.

what your goin to need a 2 way xover that can bandpass the mid and highpass the tweeter.

[lithium 358]

Ok so here is what I have now. I have the MLI65's, some Kicker 5 1/4" 's for the doors, and matching Kicker tweets for the sails. They are just some older KS comps. I found some old school RF amps I'll be using and the KX3 I picked up for 25 bucks. I also ordered everything I need for the install from Knu. Here's some picks of the amps:

Not the best but I like the way they look, they were BNIB and they have some originality.

As far as the KX3, can someone explain why that wouldn't work? Seems like there is enough adjustment in it to set up the speakers properly. And lastly, what would be some better speakers to use than the Kickers?

Thanks in advance for all the help.

those amps look nice, never seen them before.... what are the specs? if their all 2 channels i would use on big amp per mli65 and the small amp on the tweeters.

[indytrucks 1]

Still not following. For a few reasons.

1) how do you know I don't want a 3 way set up?

2) I can set it up as follows:

A) Tweets on small amp crossed on front channel around 10k-ish HZ

B) 5 1/4" 's (till I can get some 4" 's) on a larger amp crossed around 150 HZ

C) And I believe the MLI's do down to around 60 HZ also on a larger amp.

I have never done a 3 way but am more than willing to learn. It seems to me like I'm missing something here. I will only be using the KX3 for the front stage.

As far as the amps go they are circa 97 RF Fanatics. Not top of the line but should sound good all the same. I think something like 30x2 @ 4ohm for the small one and 45x2 @ 4 ohm for the bigger ones. Not tons of power but should sound decent I'm hoping. If not, I'll sell them eventually.

[Adrian_D 520]

1) how do you know I don't want a 3 way set up?

2) I can set it up as follows:

A) Tweets on small amp crossed on front channel around 10k-ish HZ

B) 5 1/4" 's (till I can get some 4" 's) on a larger amp crossed around 150 HZ

C) And I believe the MLI's do down to around 60 HZ also on a larger amp.

That idea is pointless, reminds me of just throwing speakers in the car and praying it works.

Just to give you an idea, I've set up a 3-way which was 50-150hz (midbass), 200-3.6khz (mid) and 4khz up (tweeter). Absolutely not saying you will have these crossover points as they depend on too many factors, like driver selection, location, vehicle, personal tastes.

" And I believe the MLI's do down to around 60 HZ also on a larger amp."

This is WRONG. More power = more excursion. Cross it lower and it will bottom out at some point. Low frequency extension isn't going to be determined by the amount of power you apply.

The KX3 does not have all the processing abilities to do a 3-way front stage. You need highpass and lowpass for the midbass, highpass and lowpass for the midrange and highpass for the tweeter.

Doing a 6.5 in the kicks is a bad idea. Get the 4 in the kicks if you really want to.

But for the ease of doing something, go with what lithium said. 2-way active, mli's in the doors, tweeters in the a-pillars. Much less things you can screw up.