11/21/2024
New Catalyst 12C passive crossover design available soon along with new amplification options.
We've been quiet here lately, but we have more than a few interesting things getting finalized and under development. I have long had requests for a passive crossover for the Catalyst 12C speaker. We first sorted out a passive mid-tweeter crossover for the 8" coaxial to allow more internal and external rack mounted amplification options. This affords us lower idle noise floor, easier wiring to rack mounted amplifiers, and even the ability to use multi-channel active crossover functions in advanced processors like Trinnov and Storm.
With the new passive network delivering a response easily within 1.5dB of the active crossover I circled back for a fresh look at a 3-way network. With lots of testing, modeling, simulation, more testing, and of course listening, the design is done. What's left is to layout and place the 30+ crossover components on the custom circuit board which will drop in for the original amplifier hole.
Maintaining the original 50Hz low end extension we are seeing a conservative 95dB @ 1m output from a 2.8V input. The passive speaker is a 4 Ohm load in the bass, but the speaker won't flinch with 1000W @ 4 Ohm, and even double that could be used with a >60Hz high pass in place as most use them. Mind you even 250W@8Ohm/500W@4 Ohm gives you headroom of almost 119dB@1m. While I am still waiting on some final part costs, the passive crossover conversion sell for less than $1000 which is a good deal less than a new 3 channel amplifier with DSP. Please e-mail us at [email protected] if you are interested in more information.