DOD SR823 Owner's Manual page 3

SR Crossover
1
SR823 / SR834
I
NTRODUCTION
The DOD SR834 is a stereo 3-way, mono 4-way crossover, and the SR823
is a stereo 2-way, mono 3-way crossover. These high-quality crossover
networks are designed to extract maximum sound quality from your multi-
amped sound system at a price working musicians can afford.
Accurate 24dB/octave Linkwitz-Riley state-variable filters prevent peaks or
dips in the output at crossover points, ensuring good driver protection by
rolling off crossover frequencies rapidly.
A 4-pole, 24dB/Octave Butterworth filter may be electronically inserted at 40
Hz using a switch on the front panel (834 only), and a variable low frequency
summed output is available for mono subwoofer applications.
The rear panel of the SR834/SR823 is clearly labeled for stereo and mono
operation, and all outputs on the SR834 except the mono Low Frequency Sum
output include phase switches.
ADVANTAGES OF A MULTIPLE AMPLIFIER SYSTEM
Multi-amped systems use separate amplifiers for each frequency band,
allowing each amplifier to deliver maximum efficiency within a specified
range. This method of amplification yields a cleaner overall sound and a
significant decrease in the amount of power needed to drive the system to the
same levels as a full-range amplified system with more power.
The greatest power demands in a sound system are made by the low
frequencies of the program material. This is because music and voice signals
contain mostly low frequency information, and low frequency drivers are
generally less efficient than high frequency transducers.
In a multi-amped system, the power amplifier(s) for the low frequencies can
be large enough to handle greater power demands, allowing high frequency
power amplifiers to be much smaller, yet adequate to handle the demands of
the high frequency content of the program material. Since each element of
the system is driven by its own amplifier, any distortion that occurs is limited
to the frequencies of the overdriving power amplifier. The rest of the signal
remains clear and undistorted.
Also, since lower priced, smaller amplifiers can do the job of the larger and
much more expensive amplifiers needed to drive full-range amped systems,
the cost of a sound system can be significantly reduced (and sound better in
the process). It may also be easier to haul several smaller power amplifiers
around, rather than one big one, making portable systems easier to handle.