Need help bad with speaker setup

Discussion in 'DJ equipment' started by D. Johnson, Aug 28, 2025 at 1:23 AM.

  1. D. Johnson

    D. Johnson Newbie

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    I just want to play music from my computer ... I have a bluetooth box and have a channel 1 and channel 2 for input ... all my connections are XLR except my speaker wires.

    I have a Crown XLS 802 to drive my mains ... Peavey SP4
    I have a Crown XLS 602 to drive my sub (bridged) ... Peavey SP118

    I need to know what crossover I need, ( I have a DBX 234XL crossover, but it will not seperate correctly ... Or my amp doesn't bridge right ... I have the switch on bridge) and how to hook it up so the mains get full signal and the sub gets filtered low only? ..... Do I need and other equipment to do it right?

    THANKS!!!

    PS ... I ordered a DBX 223xs Stereo 2-Way, Mono 3-Way Crossover .... will it be better?
     
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  3. stopped

    stopped Platinum Record

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    it looks like your amps have a high pass filter built-in so I'm not sure why you need a crossover
     
  4. D. Johnson

    D. Johnson Newbie

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    Not button for filter.
     
  5. D. Johnson

    D. Johnson Newbie

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    Is there some kind of connector I can use that has a channel 1 and channel 2 input and TWO 1 & 2 outputs? ... XLR
     
  6. PulseWave

    PulseWave Audiosexual

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    The DBX 223xs is the right crossover to achieve your setup goals and offers improved functionality over the DBX 234XL for this specific two-way (mains + sub) application.

    You need a way to split your stereo signal from the Bluetooth box so that a full-range copy goes directly to the Crown XLS 802 amp (driving your Peavey SP4 mains in stereo) while a duplicate copy goes to the crossover, which then filters and sums a low-frequency mono signal to send to the bridged Crown XLS 602 amp (driving your Peavey SP118 sub). This avoids high-passing the mains, which is likely why your current DBX 234XL setup isn't "separating correctly"—if you're connecting the mains to the crossover's high outputs, those are being high-pass filtered (removing lows), but you want the mains unfiltered.

    Required Equipment
    • Your existing DBX 234XL (or the incoming DBX 223xs) will work fine as the crossover—no need for anything else there.
    • Signal splitters: You'll need to duplicate the stereo outputs from your Bluetooth box. Since everything is XLR, get two XLR Y-splitter cables (one for each channel: typically a male XLR input splitting to two female XLR outputs). These are inexpensive (under $20 each) and passive—no power needed. Avoid active splitters unless you have noise issues.
    • No other equipment is strictly required, but if you want to optimize integration later, consider a measurement mic and free software like REW (Room EQ Wizard) to check phase alignment between mains and sub (to avoid bass cancellation).
    Recommended Crossover
    • Use your DBX 234XL in stereo 2-way mode (it supports this, along with stereo 3-way or mono 4-way if needed later).
    • The DBX 223xs you ordered is essentially equivalent for this setup—it's a stereo 2-way/mono 3-way unit with the same key features (like low-frequency summing for a mono sub). It won't be "better" per se, as both have 24 dB/octave Linkwitz-Riley filters, XLR I/O, and similar controls. The 234XL offers an extra 4-way mode if you expand your system, but for now, either works identically. If the 223xs arrives and you prefer its smaller size or slightly updated internals, swap it in using the same instructions below.
    Start with a crossover frequency of 80-100 Hz (adjust based on listening—lower if your SP4 mains handle deep bass well without distortion, higher if you notice muddiness). This sends only lows to the sub while the mains play everything.

    Hookup Steps
    1. Power everything off before connecting to avoid pops or damage.
    2. Split the signal at the source:
      • Connect your Bluetooth box's Channel 1 (left) XLR output to one Y-splitter's input.
      • Connect your Bluetooth box's Channel 2 (right) XLR output to the other Y-splitter's input.
    3. Route full-range stereo to mains amp:
      • From one leg of each Y-splitter, connect XLR cables directly to the Crown XLS 802 inputs: Channel 1 (left) to amp Ch. 1, Channel 2 (right) to amp Ch. 2.
      • Set the XLS 802 to Stereo mode (not Bridge or Parallel—check the rear switch).
      • Connect speaker wires from XLS 802 outputs: Ch. 1 to left Peavey SP4, Ch. 2 to right Peavey SP4 (standard + to +, - to - wiring).
    4. Route duplicate stereo to crossover:
      • From the other leg of each Y-splitter, connect XLR cables to the DBX 234XL inputs: Left to Channel 1 input, Right to Channel 2 input.
    5. Configure the crossover:
      • Rear panel: Set mode switches to Stereo 2-Way. Engage the LF Sum switch (this sums left/right lows into a mono signal for the sub—Channel 2's low output will be disabled).
      • Front panel: Set Input Gains to unity (0 dB) or match your source level. Enable the 40 Hz Low Cut if you want to protect the sub from ultra-low rumble (optional). Set the Low/High crossover knob to 80-100 Hz (use the x10 switch if needed for higher range—LED will light). Set Low Output level to match sub volume, High Output not used. Phase Invert on Low if bass sounds weak (test by ear).
    6. Connect crossover to sub amp:
      • From the DBX 234XL's Channel 1 Low Output (labeled LF Sum), connect an XLR cable to the Crown XLS 602's Channel 1 input only (do not connect to Ch. 2—bridged mode ignores it).
      • Set the XLS 602 rear switch to Bridge mode.
      • Connect speaker wires from XLS 602 outputs to the Peavey SP118: + wire to Ch. 1 red binding post, - wire to Ch. 2 red binding post (do not use black posts— this is standard for Crown XLS bridging to deliver mono power).
    7. Power on sequence: Computer/Bluetooth box first, then crossover, then amps (turn amp levels down initially, then slowly up to avoid clipping).
    8. Test and tune:
      • Play music with strong bass. Adjust sub amp level and crossover frequency so the sub blends without overpowering (aim for seamless transition—sub shouldn't be localizable).
      • If bass doubles up oddly (boomy), flip the Phase Invert on the crossover's low output or adjust sub placement. The SP4 mains go down to ~50 Hz, SP118 to ~40 Hz, so overlap is fine but may need tweaking.
      • For the XLS amps: Ensure cooling fans have space (they run warm in bridge). Clip indicators should stay off—back off levels if they flash.
    This setup gives your mains the full unfiltered signal (including lows) while the sub adds filtered lows only, augmenting bass without removing it from the mains. If you meant something different by "full signal" (e.g., high-passing the mains), reply for adjustments. If bridging still seems off, double-check you're using only XLS 602 Ch. 1 input and the red-to-red speaker wiring—test with a simple mono signal first.
     
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