Best config for bi-amping, multiple amps and digital crossover??

[Kanaljen]

Greetings!!

I hope to get some guidance from folks that are as interested, but more knowledgeable, about AV as I.

My equipment:
- Several Rotel RB-1080 amps (200 watts/ch)
- Marantz AV7005
- DBX Driverack P2 DSP for crossovers
- Building two boxes, one for L, one for R, for mid-bass (1 x TC Sounds LMS-R 12" per box/channel)
- Polk Audio towers RTi10, 3-way (as front mains)
- Active Infinity subwoofer in the corner somewhere.
(I also have center and surround sounds speakers for a complete 7.1 setup)

My objectives:
I want more mid-bass from my fronts. The Polk Audio towers are pretty clean, but lacking the punch that I'm looking for, especially during movie watching. The idea is to build two boxes, one for each side, with the LMS-R 12". My ideas: The active subwoofer will take care of the really low stuff (20-50Hz, the LMS-R boxes the "mid-bass" (50-150Hz?) and the Polk towers the rest.

Using the DBX electronic cross over, I figure that I would drive the LMS-R with one amp 50-150Hz, then bypass the passive filter inside the towers and drive the woofers with 120 Hz-200Hz with another amp, then drive the mid and tweeter with the rest (200Hz and up) with a third amp - the passive filter in the towers would split that between the mid and tweeter.
(The reason for bypassing the internal passive filter is because it's a LF filter at only 125Hz; so if I would just send what's left after the LMS-R, it would send it all to the mid and tweeter)

I figure the DBX would allow me to fine-tune all these frequencies and also add some EQ as needed. I like the ideas to have it as three separate channels, with separate amps and tuning capabilities. It should allow me to get the sound I want out of the towers and the additional box with the LMS-R 12".

How does all of this sound? Is there a better way? Is it completely overkill or just a dumb way to wire together these pieces, given my objectives?

Any thoughts, comments and suggestions welcomed! Thanks in advance!

 

[j_garcia]

Get new speakers. You have nice gear but speakers are the single largest factor in your sound quality and those speakers are not going to improve with more power. They will sound the same just louder.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Get new speakers. You have nice gear but speakers are the single largest factor in your sound quality and those speakers are not going to improve with more power. They will sound the same just louder.

To expand on it - TC LMS are good sub drivers. If you build right box - it will be decent vented sub (but's really meant to be used in car), but your Polks suck and no matter amount DSP or EQ - nothing would makes them sound good on and off-axis.

 

[TLS Guy]

Unfortunately you do have dreadful speakers. The passive crossover is too low and the bass section is horribly miss aligned.

It is much easier to start from scratch than it is to correct a miss begotten speaker, in fact it is next to impossible.

If you are in a building mode, build a new set of speakers from scratch.

 

[Kanaljen]

Thanks for your replies. Seems like the consensus is that my fronts are not a the same level as the rest of my gear.

I do very much agree that the cross over for the woofer is way too low. Essentially, the mid driver gets way too much to handle, and it shows at high volumes.
This is one of many reason way I was thinking about splitting it up with an electronic crossover..

I'll keep thinking about what I want to do..

But, I must admit that I am interested in building something out of the amps, electronic crossover, and 2 x 12" drivers that I already have. I am interested in building a massive front that will provide that theater-type power. Yes, the Polks aren't that good and trying to improve them might be futile. But, my reasons for building is beyond trying to improve the Polks; it is to get a front with massive power that I can control in every possible way.

Thanks again for taking the time to provide some insight.
Any other ideas or comments are welcomed.

 

[PENG]

Thanks for your replies. Seems like the consensus is that my fronts are not a the same level as the rest of my gear.

I do very much agree that the cross over for the woofer is way too low. Essentially, the mid driver gets way too much to handle, and it shows at high volumes.
This is one of many reason way I was thinking about splitting it up with an electronic crossover..

I'll keep thinking about what I want to do..

But, I must admit that I am interested in building something out of the amps, electronic crossover, and 2 x 12" drivers that I already have. I am interested in building a massive front that will provide that theater-type power. Yes, the Polks aren't that good and trying to improve them might be futile. But, my reasons for building is beyond trying to improve the Polks; it is to get a front with massive power that I can control in every possible way.

Thanks again for taking the time to provide some insight.
Any other ideas or comments are welcomed.

I don't disagree with what's been said but there's nothing to lose to try biamping those Polks while looking for better speakers.

 

[Kanaljen]

I don't disagree with what's been said but there's nothing to lose to try biamping those Polks while looking for better speakers.

Very true. Not much lost there since I have the amp and DBX.

Also, please keep in mind that I am suggesting a setup that goes beyond bi-amping the speaker. I want to get the mid-bass to the new 12" (new box next to speakers), I want to by-pass the internal passive filter (since it's at 125Hz) and feed the speakers' woofers with what's left from the 12" and maybe up to 150-200Hz, and I want to feed the mid and tweeter the rest (it will be split by the internal passive filter) Each of the three channels would have its own amp and be controlled through the DBX electronic crossover.

Thanks for everyone's thoughts on this!