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Behringer Crossover for Maggies vs Bryston

There is a 3-way stereo crossover from Behringer

http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/CX3400.aspx

To get 3-way stereo crossover from Bryston B10sub is 6.4k or so (you need 2). The Behringer is $130.

http://www.amazon.com/Behringer-Super-X-Pro-CX3400-Crossover/dp/B000CCN15C

Has anyone tried this? Does it really sound that bad? 6.4k is a lot of cash that could go into 4 mono amps... I know Magnepan uses Bryston at the factory and it perfectly meshes with the Magnepans, but still. $130?

I know I don't need the 2nd, but it would be so nice to run sub in full range mode and use the active out, also maybe lift the Maggie low end to 60 HZ or something, releive the panel of a bit of the super low end.

I have 3.6s.

One thing I was thinking is use it as a stepping stone. Get it, focus on the amps for now, wait a year or two, then put the Bryston in.

I'm familiar with the Marchand route, and maybe that is a better stepping stone, but just curious if anyone is familiar with the Berhringer.
lightminer
rodman99999
5,988 posts
 
The Dahlquist DQ-LP1 has a passive, 6db/oct HI-pass section that is transparent to your system(use a good polystyrene or polypropylene cap there), and an active 18db/oct LO-pass circuit that enables you to dial in your freq(up to 400Hz), level and low freq EQ(boost the bottom a bit). I used one from 1981(always bi-amping planars), 'til 2004, when I went with my TacT RCS 2.2X. They generally sell for around $300(what they sold for in '80) ie: (http://cgi.ebay.com/DAHLQUIST-DQ-LP1-Variable-Low-Pass-Filter-USA-Made_W0QQitemZ260440261155QQcmdZViewItemQQptZVintage_Electronics_R2?hash=item3ca3730223&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12%7C66%3A2%7C39%3A1%7C72%3A1234%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50) The crossover's designer(Carl Marchisotto) also designed the Alon Exotica Grand Reference system, which still uses the DQ-LP1 as it's HI/LO filter. Allegro Sound may still have one also: ( http://www.allegrosound.com/Dahlquist_DQ-LP1.html )
coolkane's avatar
coolkane
2 posts
 
I have a Behringer unit and a custom all tube unit from Marchand. I would recommend not going on the cheap. Dynamics and imaging are far better with the Marchand.
liketolisten
24 posts
 
Just put the Behringer in last night. Have 3.6's. Cannot believe the technology that is built into the Behringer for the cost. Just ordered matching Balanced IC's to use instead of my spares that may be affecting my sound. It seems transparent to a degree - settings could cloud your judgement if they are not correct. I am not using any gain , or eq from the Behringer or phase correction to keep the signal less processed. I would ultimately like to try the pass labs x-over. FOR THE MONEY THE BEHRINGER IS A GREAT TOOL TO TRY BI-AMPING OR ADDING A SUB TO THE MAGGIES. It's worth the money to try it for yourself. Remember, that's just my initial impression. Happy listening! Greg.
lightminer OP
164 posts
 
Cool. What is funny is that a couple of people have contacted me directly on this, and I may wait a year and then get a floor model XVR-1 - the opposite of where I was heading with this thread. Some say that once you go active, the active crossover itself matters more than the quality of the amps, sort of sounds backwards, but my making the amps around 4X more powerful, can make more sense. But the XVR-1 is a 'sciene project', I may just pay somoene to try and do it over a weekend. Depending on what month it is, I like science projects, but right now I have so many things going on in life I just want this part to work without much time input. One criticism of active crossovers, even the good ones, is that they become 'infinite science projects', which I'm not looking for. But don't properly (or even just within 5-10%) I do believe they totally change what Maggies are capable of.
lightminer OP
164 posts
 
LiketoListen - yeah, the entry fee is so low, it seems almost worth trying as an experiment. Let me know how your project goes. I am a fan of Hero ICs as a not super-exotic but extremely dependable and have several balanced in my system here and there. I think if you went with Hero balanced you could rule out ICs as a source of any problems. Also - I've heard that going active you almost have to go balanced as otherwise you will get hum, but if you can go with Hero RCA's you'll save a ton of money and still know the ICs are holding anything back. But, yeah, let us know what you find.
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