How exactly does this crossover amp work?

[stevo1210]

Hi Everyone,

I've been looking into getting an audio upgrade for my 2010 Honda Civic. However, I have decided that the best option would be to buy the genuine Honda "bass works" upgrade for $500 or so. It's expensive but it integrates right into my car perfectly without having to drill anything. The stock Honda speakers lack bass so I'm hoping these speakers will "fill in" the bass. I don't want earth shaking bass, just a fill-in type of bass so my audio is a bit better.
Anyway, from the install instructions, I can see that the amp/crossover unit feeds power from the third brake light and the trunk light for power... but how exactly does the unit know when to turn "on" or "off"? I don't see anything like a "remote on" wire as I usually see on the regular amps you can get at the audio store which kinda leads to a bit of confusion for me.
The system consists of two "bass" speakers that replace my two rear speakers, an amp/crossover unit and a wiring harness that connects to the brake/trunk light.

Here's more information on the unit:

http://www.shopsterlinghonda.com/sto...O-UPGRADE.aspx

(There's a PDF in that link with the install and wiring diagram).

So can anyone explain how this crossover amp works? Is it on 24 hours a day in my car or does it just magically know when to turn on or off depending on my head unit settings?

Thanks.

[Khron]

Re: How exactly does this crossover amp work?

The powering information seems to be missing, both from that link, and the installation instructions (no surprise there, though). I can't see any manufacturer info or anything relevant, to be honest.

I've read of some home theater subs that have this auto-power-off when not supplied with audio signals for a certain amount of time. It's possible this might have a similar feature, but you know what they say - "assumption is the mother of all f**k-ups" So you might be much better off contacting that shop and asking for details.

The crossover part of the amp is pretty simple - it only lets the low frequencies through to the amplifier and speakers. The cutoff frequency seems to be adjustable, but the installation instructions say to turn it to "9 o'clock" - kinda makes me wonder why bother with an adjustment knob in the first place

[stevo1210]

Re: How exactly does this crossover amp work?

The powering information seems to be missing, both from that link, and the installation instructions (no surprise there, though). I can't see any manufacturer info or anything relevant, to be honest.

I've read of some home theater subs that have this auto-power-off when not supplied with audio signals for a certain amount of time. It's possible this might have a similar feature, but you know what they say - "assumption is the mother of all f**k-ups" So you might be much better off contacting that shop and asking for details.

The crossover part of the amp is pretty simple - it only lets the low frequencies through to the amplifier and speakers. The cutoff frequency seems to be adjustable, but the installation instructions say to turn it to "9 o'clock" - kinda makes me wonder why bother with an adjustment knob in the first place

I dunno who the manufacturer is either. All I know is that it's a genuine Honda part... with 2 ohm ferrite magnet core speakers... apparently that's supposed to be a good thing. Now I clearly understand what you mean by auto power on and off with subs... I have a KEF subwoofer for my home audio that does that... sometimes it doesn't turn off and I have to unplug it manually! Now the last thing I want is to get to my car on a Monday morning and to find that the battery has drained itself. If it's one of them systems... I might avoid this and just live with what I have now because it's not a matter of IF it will cease to function properly... but when...

Where would be the best place to contact? Honda directly?

[Khron]

Re: How exactly does this crossover amp work?

"Ferrite" doesn't exactly agree with "rare earth" - that's usually supposed to mean neodymium.

I'd try contacting that (web)store first. If they have no clue what they're selling, that's a sign that you should start worrying Failing that, ask them about the manufacturer's contact info (if they have any clue about at least that). Then again, you can always hack a relay into the whole thing Y'know, to turn on the power to that crossover/amp when you turn on the ignition.

And don't worry, Honda definitely didn't design it, they just put their logo/brand on it It's called "outsourcing"

[stevo1210]

Re: How exactly does this crossover amp work?

"Ferrite" doesn't exactly agree with "rare earth" - that's usually supposed to mean neodymium.

I'd try contacting that (web)store first. If they have no clue what they're selling, that's a sign that you should start worrying Failing that, ask them about the manufacturer's contact info (if they have any clue about at least that). Then again, you can always hack a relay into the whole thing Y'know, to turn on the power to that crossover/amp when you turn on the ignition.

And don't worry, Honda definitely didn't design it, they just put their logo/brand on it It's called "outsourcing"

My bad. Yes, I meant neodymium. I dunno what the difference is, but apparently the magnets in these speakers cost a heap cause they're efficient or something?

I'll contact the web store for more info. I completely forgot about the web store link because I was going to my Honda dealer!

Honda used to get their equipment from Gathers audio but I dunno where they are going these days for audio stuff. The stock system has good treble and nice mid range but a lack of bass which is annoying, I listen to the radio 100% of the time so I'm not sure if that has an effect on bass? Never used CDs before... let alone operate the in car CD player.

For one, QC went out the door with my Civic... been back to the dealer over issues that could have simply been rectified by QC people at the factory.

[Khron]

Re: How exactly does this crossover amp work?

Yeah, they're a lot stronger per unit of volume, so you need less of it to get the same magnetic field strength

Good luck with the research, though

[budm]

Re: How exactly does this crossover amp work?

rare earth minerals are expensive and the Chineses are controlling them.

[rhomanski]

Re: How exactly does this crossover amp work?

The only other place to get rare earth minerals is Afghanistan. Convenient.

[redwire]

Re: How exactly does this crossover amp work?

I think the trunk light and center brake light combined supply 12V battery power to the amp, so how does it know the key is on?
If the (stock) head unit has a bridged amp, then both speaker leads (+,-) will go to 1/2Vcc or 6V when the head is on. This would tell the Xover to turn on.
Otherwise, make the idle current very low a few mA or the thing goes to sleep when no signal is coming in for a few minutes.

The better factory Xovers can have the car+speaker curve EQ'd in them, to give flatter response. They put a mic in the car and do a sweep, then put the curve in Xover to compensate. Hope this box does that.

[stevo1210]

Re: How exactly does this crossover amp work?

Well, I ended up getting these installed two days ago for $600. Sounds fantastic! I was looking for deep bass... not the earth shaking subwoofer sort of stuff. The sound is nice and rich; was better than I expected to be honest. I have these on 3/5 setting on the dial at the moment. Amp turns on and off when the audio is on or off so I think it's got a sensing circuit in there to pick up audio signals.