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crossover installation
bi-wiring / bi-amping
The 3-series allows conventional wiring, bi-wiring, or bi-amping using the supplied passive
crossovers.
While conventional wiring will provide excellent sound, bi-wiring or bi-amping will further enhance
the performance in no-compromise systems.
Bi-wiring uses a separate pair of speaker wires for the high frequency and low frequency signal
between an amplifier channel and its associated crossover network. This gives you the option of
choosing wire which may have slightly different sonic characteristics in order to optimize
performance of each frequency range. Also, it reduces the overall wiring resistance between
the crossover and amplifier, much like the use of larger gauge wire. This option provides the
most benefit when the crossover network is mounted a long distance away from the amplifier.
If the crossover is mounted close to the amplifier it is doubtful that there will be an appreciable
difference between bi-wiring and conventional wiring.
Bi-amping is similar to bi-wiring except that it uses a separate amplifier channel for the high-
frequency and low-frequency sections, instead of the single amplifier channel used in conventional
and bi-wired connections. Bi-amping provides the additional advantages of reducing amplifier
distortion and allowing the amplifier’s level controls to provide an additional level of fine-tuning
not possible with the tweeter-level switch alone. In addition, at high power levels, a bi-amplified
connection protects the tweeter from amplifier clipping, which is most likely to occur on channels
driving the midrange, due to the higher energy levels of midrange signals. When bi-amping
using the passive crossovers, the midrange low-pass filter and tweeter high-pass filter on the
amplifier or external electronic crossover should be bypassed.
Carefully route the wires from the 3-series tweeter and woofer to the crossover mounting location.
The crossover installation location should be reasonably accessible to allow easy connection of
the wires, tweeter level adjustment and midrange contour selection. If the crossover must be
mounted in an inaccessible location make the speaker wire connections and adjustments before
final installation. Be sure the installation location has adequate clearance to allow the removal
and replacement of the cover.
Mounting the crossover requires removing the top cover of it’s housing. Grasp the top cover at
the front and back. Compress the cover slightly and lift it off the bottom of the housing.
Mounting the crossover requires four holes in a rectangular pattern 2 13/16" x 4 1/4" on a flat
surface. Use the provided template as a guide for drilling the mounting holes.
Align the mounting holes in the bottom half of the crossover unit with the holes you have drilled
at the installation site. Pass the four #6 x 1 1/4" screws through the holes in the crossover unit,
and tighten them until the assembly is firmly in place. As before, do not over-tighten; this is
especially important if the mounting surface is not perfectly flat.
After all the connections and any necessary adjustments have been made snap the cover back in
place.
connecting the system
Trim the speaker wire as needed. Strip about no more than 1/4" (6mm) of the insulation from
the ends. Twist the exposed strands thoroughly to prevent any loose strands from causing a
short circuit. If possible “tin” the wire with a soldering iron. The wires attach to a removable
connector strip, in it’s attached position the screws face the bottom of the crossover.
Insert the prepared wire into the appropriate location (see diagram or refer to the crossover
circuit board) in the connector strip and tighten the screws to secure the wires in place.
Note the polarity marking on the crossover circuit board.