I have the JL Audio 300/4 amp and 2 sets of Boston Acoustic Pro 60 6 1/2 mids and tweeters. They came with passive crossovers. Would it benefit to use them in line with the crossovers on the amp, or just do away with them and use the crossover that is built in the amp?

Thanks! Brad

The Boston crossovers are not necessary. I looked at the Boston site to see if the tweeter crossover had a protection circuit, but did not see one. Just be sure to set the crossover points at the Boston set points or higher for the tweeter for safety. From the looks of the manual, you can run them in tandem with the amp, but you will get a cleaner sound without them using a true 2 way system.
John

How do you plan on wiring the amp? If you use 2 channels for your components then YES, use the x-overs. If you're going to go 4 ch then you better find out how steep (12/24 db) and at what freq BA recommends for the tweeter. You can use the internal x-over for the mids and then also connect the tweet x-over to the same leads. That tweeter needs some form of x-over (3k-5k at 24db per octave) or you'll fry it. I also noticed there's an attenuation circuit if they're too bright for ya'.

Refer to the diagrams at the bottom for wiring---> http://www.bostonacoustics.com/manuals/Pro60_man.pdf

I have 20+ years of 12v and if you have any questions feel free to pm.

Thanks for the reply............I was thinking about using the Boston crossovers for the tweeters only and then running the mids directly to the JL amp...wasn't sure if it would work, but I think I will try that. Not sure about the 12/24 db setting stuff yet. These JL's are all new to me. Many more options than my old Rockfords I'm used to. Also, just curious...........if you happen to be JL savvy........this 300/4 I have gets very hot to the touch........normal for these JLs? Thanks, Brad

Pm

http://www.bostonacoustics.com/car/tech_faq.aspx

They do have a protection circuit.. And your first question also gets answered.

I didn't think to ask how you were going to run the amp, as in a pair of channels to the front doors and a pair to the rear doors or all 4 channels to the front. :rolleyes: If splitting between the front and rear doors, then yes the Boston passive crossovers are required. If bridging all 4 channels on the front, the crossovers are required. If all 4 channels on the front, then they are not necessarily required. But, like copter mentioned, you have to pay attention to the frequency and slope that the passive crossover uses and try to match it.

As far as the JL amp running hot, what kind of load are you running it at? Are your power and grounds large enough and good? How is it mounted, vertical or horizontal? Not normal for the JL's to get really hot, especially when running highs only.

And I too, like copter, have 20+ years in custom car audio.
John

Running 4 ohm load on it. Ground it 4 ga. and the power is 2 ga. to the spliter then goes to 4 ga. to the 300/4 and another 4 ga. to the 500/1 for the subs. Amps are mounted vertical with heat sinks on top. Hasn't cut off, but the 300/4 runs ALOT hotter than the 500/1. Seems odd to me. I dunno. Thanks for the help.