PC crossover

[jcparks]

Does anyone know of any shareware available that I can use as a software crossover for my PC to direct lows to the 3.5 output that I route to my powered subwoofer, and mids and highs to the output I route to the amplifier for my book shelves. I know I could get a minidsp or something along those lines... but I am looking for something more free.
Thanks
-Chris

 

[Adam]

Chris,

Are you using multichannel 3.5mm outputs from your PC? If so, can't you just set your audio up as a 2.1 speaker system? I think that's how I used to run my PC when I was using a separate sub. I had a Creative sound card that (I'm pretty sure) let me adjust the crossover. I don't know if Windows will let you do that with it's default software or not, though.

 

[jcparks]

Thats the thing my ghetto ass sound card software will only let me do stereo, quadraphonic, 5.1 and 7.1. There is no 2.1 option. My subwoofer only has line in's, no outs. So I route one set of outs to the subwoofer, and one to the amp for the bookshelves. I then configure them both as front speaker outs, adjust the volume on my sub and my speakers so its even, then I just use the pc to control the volume. The sub woofer does a decent job of filtering the lows... but it only receives information from the left channel. If I plug in both the red and the white it doesn't filter anything and will play the entire frequency range. I can toggle the bass control on my lepai amp to tone down the bass for my book shelves a bit but its doesn't seem optimal... I dunno I'm lost and I'm cheap so I don't want to buy new components. Would be easier of my sub had line outs, or if my Lepai amp had a sub out...

 

[jcparks]

oh and my pc is a DIY ITX build so I don't have an open pci slot for a new sound card. (I'd probably be to cheap to buy one of those too. )
Ill look to see if I can get updated software for my on board sound...

 

[Adam]

Dumb question - can you set it to 5.1 and then tell it that you don't have a center channel or surround speakers?

Btw, what sub do you have?

 

[jcparks]

i can but it doesn't work for my cloud music for some reason... been driving me crazy for a while

 

[rojo]

Equalizer APO can do crossover filters. And if you can figure out the device name or GUID for each of your outputs you can configure independent settings for each output using the "device" directive, or maybe "channel" if you're using different channels of a single output device. See the configuration reference.

Furthermore, if you have a measurement mic, EQ APO will let you source REW's EQ files for some excellent room correction. It's not point-and-click user-friendly, as its config is based on text config files. There are a few gui frontends available, but I doubt any of them supports the "device" config property. Best bet is to do lots of reading and trial and error.

 

[jcparks]

Looks complicated but I like to tinker so I will fiddle with it... thanks Rojo.