Crossover Compatibility

[Krunchy]

I was wondering, are certain crossover models geard for specific JBL speakers?
I am referring to the JBL crossovers to a large extent. Were there specific models that were intended to be used with 4350's, 4435's etc. Were there also different "cards" that could be used with one model giving you even more options?

For instance, I have a 5235 crossover that came with the 4345's that I obtained from Johnw, now is that a unit that I could use with say the 4430's as well, can any crossover be theoretically used for the intended purpose. Meaning, can I use an Ashly or some other brand crossover with any JBl speaker, 4430, 4350, 4345 etc.

Thank you!

[hjames]

If you don't have a copy already, the Model 5235 manual can be downloaded from JBL Pro at http://www.jblpro.com/pub/obsolete/5235.pdf

If you start on page 27 you can read a chart of the various components needed to set the crossover point at specific frequencies.

That crossover came with factory-built plug in cards that are tuned for the different requirements of the various models ...
I grabbed the following chart from a post I read last year, probably from 4313B or Subwoof, I'd imagine ...

CROSSOVER CARD CODE:
51-xxxx - 18 dB/octave
52-xxxx - 12 dB/octave
xx-51xx - no EQ
xx-52xx - Constant Coverage Bi-Radial EQ
xx-53xx - Flat Front Bi-Radial EQ
51-5130 - blank/18 dB/octave
51-5132 - 500 Hz/18 dB/octave
51-5133 - 800 Hz/18 dB/octave
51-5138 - 80 Hz/18 dB/octave
51-5232 - 500 Hz/18 dB/octave CCBREQ
51-5233 - 800 Hz/18 dB/octave CCBREQ
51-5332 - 500 Hz/18 dB/octave FFBREQ
51-5333 - 800 Hz/18 dB/octave FFBREQ
51-5334 - 1200 Hz/18 dB/octave FFBREQ
51-5336 - 1600 Hz/18 dB/octave FFBREQ
52-5120 - blank/12 dB/octave
52-5121 - 250 Hz/12 dB/octave
52-5122 - 500 Hz/12 dB/octave
52-5123 - 800 Hz/12 dB/octave
52-5124 - 1200 Hz/12 dB/octave
52-5125 - 5000 Hz/12 dB/octave
52-5127 - 7000 Hz/12 dB/octave
52-5130 - for 4430 & 4435
52-5222 - 500 Hz/12 dB/octave CCBREQ
52-5223 - 800 Hz/12 dB/octave CCBREQ
52-5322 - 500 Hz/12 dB/octave FFBREQ
52-5323 - 800 Hz/12 dB/octave FFBREQ


Of course there are other ways to get the effect, but this are fairly precise.

For instance, I have a 5235 crossover that came with the 4345's that I obtained from Johnw, now is that a unit that I could use with say the 4430's as well, can any crossover be theoretically used for the intended purpose. Meaning, can I use an Ashly or some other brand crossover with any JBl speaker, 4430, 4350, 4345 etc.

Thank you!

[Krunchy]

Thank you Heather

[Ian Mackenzie]

I was wondering, are certain crossover models geard for specific JBL speakers?
I am referring to the JBL crossovers to a large extent. Were there specific models that were intended to be used with 4350's, 4435's etc. Were there also different "cards" that could be used with one model giving you even more options?

For instance, I have a 5235 crossover that came with the 4345's that I obtained from Johnw, now is that a unit that I could use with say the 4430's as well, can any crossover be theoretically used for the intended purpose. Meaning, can I use an Ashly or some other brand crossover with any JBl speaker, 4430, 4350, 4345 etc.

Thank you!

In the case of the 5235 the answer is yes with the right card loaed with the right RC values.

In the case of the Ashly not necessarily as it has fixed LR 24 db slopes and some JBL systems are designed around 12 db slopes. For example the 4430/35 uses a 12 db high pass slope (active) and the 3rd pole (overall 18 db slope) is a series capacitor to protect the compression driver from being damaged.

Its a case of suck and see sometimes (the Ashly as some fudge adjustment at the crossover point) but with the 5235 at least you know you will get the JBL engineered result with the right cards. The problem is the cards are few and far between!

Hope this answers your Q.

iMac

[Krunchy]

Hi Ian, thank you for your input and yes it does anwer my question/s, its all starting to coalesce in my brain, uh oh! . Too bad about the cards it would have been great to be able to swap them out & try out different ones.
Thanks again

[scott fitlin]

Krunchy, if you want to run an active setup, there are options available.

Top of the list, Bryston 10B crossovers, and Bryston can custom tailor them for the requirements of your speakers, selectable 6 db, 12 db, or18 db slopes, etc, gain and so on. Expensive, BUT GREAT crossovers.

Marchand will also custom build to your needs, and far less costly, and good quality.

DSP crossovers will allow you to dial in whatever is needed, but, at the present time, I still prefer analog signal processing, IF IT's GOOD GEAR!

[Krunchy]

Thank you Scotty! I will keep that in mind, I hope this info is useful to other members that are as green as I am
I like the analog units as well as oposed to digital, seems like everything is going digital these days.
At least its comforting to know that there are options available to play around with

[Chas]

At least its comforting to know that there are options available to play around with

Analog, think it's good? Just wait until you have some nice tube amps running the tops of your 4345's!

Just being mischievious, is all...

[Krunchy]

Yeah, tubege on top would be pretty Sweeet!

[richluvsound]

Hi Krunchy,

are you anti-digital ? Have you looked at the Deqx. It does it all with aplomb.

Pre-amp,parEQ,room correction,Xover,.

Rich

[Krunchy]

Hello Rich! Not anti digital, trying to get head to stop spinning plus slow to embrace thats all. I'm usually more receptive when exposed to things in person, thats just my nature. If I have first hand experience/exposure to something I can make up my mind one way or the other quite quickly.

The Deqx does seem to have many impressive qualities, if you want to lend me yours for a bit I'll check it out
Not much is in the budget right now anyway 'cept some new cd's, and thats fine with me. Got plenty of toys to check out, like most of us, just need more time to play with them

One thing that does frustrate me with digital is more or less what you are going through with your mac at the present moment. Whatever the problem is its not a tangible thing its elusive, not like lifting the hood and confronting something you can get your hands on. You gotta be pretty well versed with the ever changing technology to figure some things out and I am not & will probably never be & much of my work is done on a computer, go figure.

Keeping an open mind in the meantime

Your shopping partner!