citronic CX23 Active Crossovers User Manual

: June 6, 2024
: citronic

Table of Contents

citronic CX23 Active Crossovers
Introduction
Front Panel:
Rear Panel
Connection
Operation
Specifications
Troubleshooting
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citronic CX23 Active Crossovers

citronic-CX23-Active-Crossovers-IMAGE

Introduction

Thank you for choosing a Citronic active crossover. This product has been designed to give accurate control for a multi-amplifier sound reinforcement system. In order to achieve the best results from this equipment and avoid damage through misuse, please read and follow these instructions and retain for future reference.

Warning
To prevent the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose any part of the unit to rain or moisture.
If liquids are spilled on the surface, stop using immediately, allow the unit to dry out, and have checked by qualified personnel before further use.
Avoid impact, extreme pressure, or heavy vibration to the unit.
There are no user-serviceable parts inside the crossover – refer all servicing to qualified service personnel.

Safety

Check that the supplied mains lead is in good condition and the supply voltage is correct.
Ensure signal leads are of good condition and connected to appropriate inputs/outputs
Do not allow any foreign particles to enter the console through control apertures or connector apertures

Placement

Keep out of direct sunlight and away from heat sources.
Keep away from damp or dusty environments.
When rack-mounting, avoid placing heavy units above the unit and ensure all connectors are accessible

Cleaning

Use a soft cloth with a neutral detergent to clean the casing as required
Use a soft brush to clear debris from the control surface
Do not use strong solvents for cleaning the unit.

Front Panel:

citronic-CX23-Active-Crossovers-FIG 1

Input gain: Channel A
Low Cut filter: Channel A
Low/High X-over Frequency: Channel A
Low/High – Low/Mid crossover Frequency: Channel A
Low/Mid – Mid/High crossover Frequency: Channel A
Low output gain: Channel A
Low output phase switch: Channel A
Mid or Low-mid output gain: Channel A
Mid or Low-mid output phase switch: Channel A
High output gain: Channel A
High output phase switch: Channel A
Mono/Stereo mode indicators
Input gain: Channel B
Low Cut filter: Channel B
Low/High – Mid/High crossover Frequency: Channel B
Low/High – Low/Mid crossover Frequency: Channel B
Low or Mid output gain: Channel B
Mid/High – High-mid/High crossover frequency: Ch B
Low or Mid output phase switch: Channel B
Low output gain: Channel B
Low output phase switch: Channel B
Mid or High-mid output gain: Channel B
Mid or High-mid output phase switch: Channel B
High output gain: Channel B
High output phase switch: Channel B
Power switch

Rear Panel

citronic-CX23-Active-Crossovers-FIG 2

Voltage selector
IEC mains inlet
High output: Channel B
High-mid or Mid output: Channel B
Low or Mid output: Channel B
Low output: Channel B
Crossover frequency multiplier: Channel B
Input: Channel B
Mode selector buttons
Mono Normal/Summed switch
High output: Channel A
Low-mid or Mid output: Channel A
Low output: Channel A (or LF Sum both channels)
Crossover frequency multiplier: Channel A
Input: Channel A

What is an Active Crossover?
A crossover is a device for separating the high frequencies from the low frequencies in a sound reinforcement system. Passive crossovers exist in speaker cabinets to split the high and low frequencies of an amplifier output and feed into the appropriate speaker components.
This is usually necessary in cabinets with separate low frequency and high- frequency speaker components (woofers and tweeters) but can be inefficient because it operates on the high energy output from an amplifier and dissipates much energy as heat.
Active crossovers operate before the amplifier(s) stage, where the signal is typically less than a Volt, affording accurate and efficient separation of the component frequencies. Essentially, an active crossover splits each audio signal into 2, 3 or even 4 sets of frequencies, feeding each into a separate amplifier, which in turn powers a specific speaker component.
This allows each speaker component to handle just the type of sound it produces most efficiently, avoiding wasting energy from the amplifier.

Configuration

The CX23 can be configured as a 2-way stereo or 3-way mono crossover
The CX34 can be configured as a 2-way stereo, 3-way stereo or 4-way mono crossover

The connection and operating mode depends upon the type of amplifier configuration (bi-amp, tri-amp or quad-amp)

citronic-CX23-Active-Crossovers-FIG 3

Connection

In all configurations, the output(s) (left and right or mono) from the signal source (usually the main mixing console) are connected to the input(s) of the crossover. All connections are balanced (or unbalanced, if preferred) and should be connected using good-quality XLR leads.
In a bi-amped system, the LOW (or LF SUM) outputs are connected to the inputs of the power amplifier which will drive the sub cabinets and the HIGH outputs are connected to the inputs of the power amplifier which will drive the mid- top cabinets.
In a tri-amped system, the LOW (or LF SUM) outputs are connected to the inputs of the power amplifier which will drive the sub cabinets, the MID outputs are connected to the power amplifier which will power the main drivers of the mid- top cabinets and the HIGH outputs are connected to the inputs of the power amplifier which will drive the high-frequency drivers in the mid-top cabinets.
In a quad-amped system, the LOW (or LF SUM) output is connected to the input of the power amplifier which will drive the sub cabinets, the LOW-MID output is connected to the power amplifier which will power the dedicated mid-range cabinets, the HIGH-MID outputs are connected to the power amplifier which will power the main drivers of the mid-top cabinets and the HIGH outputs are connected to the inputs of the power amplifier which will drive the high- frequency drivers in the mid-top cabinets

Operation

Connect the crossover to mains power via the supplied IEC lead, ensuring the supply voltage is correct. There may be slight variations from these set-ups but all follow the same basic principles.
It may help to know the frequency responses of all speaker components in the system or alternatively, a crossover setup can be done by ear. The main parameters are the crossover frequencies and gain amounts for each output. Select the MODE that the crossover is to be used from the buttons on the rear panel. Each mode gives controls different parameters, so care must be taken to read the control’s function printed on the front panel for the given mode. If tri-amped or quad-amped systems are used, the Crossover frequency multiplier should be pressed in for MID/HIGH or HIGH-MID/HIGH crossover points. This causes the frequency control to operate at a much higher frequency (10x) which is more suited to the division between mid and high drivers.

With all amplifiers switched off, turn down all GAIN controls and switch on the crossover. Switch on amplifiers and turn up the volume of each output. Play the signal from the sound source (mixer) through the crossover and gradually increase the gain controls of each section. Gradually rotate the XOVER FREQ (crossover frequency) control for LOW/HIGH or LOW/MID or LOW/LOW- MID until the desired bass character is achieved. This is the control that determines the highest frequencies that will be fed into the sub cabinets. Lower crossover settings will need higher gain settings to compensate for frequencies that are not fed into the sub-cabinet (filtered out).

Repeat the crossover frequency setting process for LOW-MID, MID, HIGH-MID and HIGH frequencies (where appropriate) adjusting the crossover frequencies to suit each driver and gains to balance the range of frequencies. Occasionally, frequencies from some cabinets in stereo setups can have opposing phase characters. Also, some drivers may sit physically further back from others. This can cause cancellation of frequencies. To deal with this, the Citronic crossovers have Phase switches, which can be pressed in to invert the phase of the signal (push becomes pull and vice versa). This can be tested by trial and error to hear if pressing the switch in has a beneficial effect to the volume level of that particular frequency. To further help avoiding phase cancellation, the LOW can be “summed” to a mono signal (LF SUM), eradicating differing signals in the lower registers of a stereo signal.
Remember to turn down amplifiers and switch off prior to powering down the crossover to avoid loud noises in the sound system.

Specifications

Model	CX23	CX34
Power supply	115/230Vac selectable 50/60Hz (IEC)
Input impedance: balanced	40kΩ	50kΩ
Input impedance: unbalanced	20kΩ	25kΩ
Output impedance	220Ω	200Ω
Crossover ranges: stereo	50Hz-5kHz;750Hz-7.5kHz	45-960Hz (switchable 10x) or

450Hz-9.6kHz
Crossover ranges: mono| 50Hz-5kHz;750Hz-7.5kHz;

2kHz-20kHz

Troubleshooting

No function and Power switch LED is not lit| Ensure mains voltage is correct (check selector) and connected properly
---|---
Ensure front panel power switch and mains outlet switch are on

Power is on but no audio output

| Check XLR leads are OK and connected properly
Check that INPUT and OUT GAIN controls are not turned fully down
Check that inputs and outputs are connected the correct way around
Check that LOW out is not connected to the amp for mid-high cabs in error
Check that MID or HIGH out is not connected to the amp for subs in error

Distorted output

| Reduce INPUT and HIGH/MID/LOW OUT Gain controls
Lower XOVER FREQ for sub cabinets
Check frequency multiplier switches are set correctly
Output is very low level| Check XOVER FREQ is set correctly for each output
Test phase switches of different outputs to hear if need to be inverted
Increase Gain control(s) to compensate

Disposal: The “Crossed Wheelie Bin” symbol on the product means that the product is classed as Electrical or Electronic equipment and should not be disposed with other household or commercial waste at the end of its useful life. The goods must be disposed of according to your local council guidelines.

Errors and omissions excepted. Copyright© 2021.
AVSL Group Ltd. Unit 2-4 Bridgewater Park, Taylor Rd. Manchester. M41 7JQ
AVSL (EUROPE) Ltd, Unit 3D North Point House, North Point Business Park, New Mallow Road, Cork, Ireland