How to hook up a crossover...

[Diceman83]

Hey guys...

I just got my CDT EF-51i component speakers from Don at Island Sound today (thanks NG!), and besides finding that they're slightly larger than I thought they would be, the crossovers have no labels on them. I thought there would be an input and two outputs, but there are two inputs and two outputs it seems. How am I supposed to hook them up? I can include a picture if it would help. Thanks!

[sr20de4evr]

Are the two inputs connected together with a little piece of metal right now?

[Diceman83]

Ok, I feel a little silly... it was labeled inside, and I just couldn't read it through the grill. There are two tweeter connections: "Main Tweeter" and "Image Tweeter". I'm planning to have it mounted up on the door, right in front of the door latch. Which one should I use?

[aznxthuggie]

use main

the image tweeter is for an extra pair that u buy, i asked a few people, and they say the main tweeter is best placed as close to the mid as possible, the image tweeter is to be placed on the a-pillar, or up high, i got that from djdilliodon and cdt

[Diceman83]

Cool... thanks guys! One last question: what do people usually use to cut the hole for their tweeters? I was thinking hole saw, but the size CDT recommends is like 1 11/16 inches (42 mm), and I didn't see that size at my local hardware store. Anything else to cut with come to mind?

[aznxthuggie]

Originally Posted by Diceman83

Cool... thanks guys! One last question: what do people usually use to cut the hole for their tweeters? I was thinking hole saw, but the size CDT recommends is like 1 11/16 inches (42 mm), and I didn't see that size at my local hardware store. Anything else to cut with come to mind?

if i were you, i wouldn't cut holes, i saw alot of my friends do it, and its stupid, well it depends where u put it, usually people put it next to the handle which will not give u that great imaging, instead, try to mount it as close to your mid as possible and aim it at your dome light, or put them crossfiring your front windshield on your a pillars

play with some velcro for a bit, and when it gets the way u want it to sound, mount it with the tweeter pods they give u

luckily for me the stock tweeter location isn't that bad, so i left it in there for now, but when i go to the junkyard to buy some replacement panels, i'll drill holes

[Diceman83]

hmm... ok then. I'll mount them in the space right in front of my speakers. Theres some mesh and plastic covering the speaker mounting area, so I should just be able to velcro/bolt it there. I guess having the option to expand it from dual tweeters to quad tweeters will be useful. Thanks for the info!

Do the other experienced installers agree with this advice from a sound quality standpoint?

[aznxthuggie]

Originally Posted by Diceman83

hmm... ok then. I'll mount them in the space right in front of my speakers. Theres some mesh and plastic covering the speaker mounting area, so I should just be able to velcro/bolt it there. I guess having the option to expand it from dual tweeters to quad tweeters will be useful. Thanks for the info!

Do the other experienced installers agree with this advice from a sound quality standpoint?

hey diceman, i'll actually forward you pictures that cdt sent me, if you're interested pm me ur email and i'll forward it to u

[sr20de4evr]

Putting the tweets next to the mids has its advantages and disadvantages. You get a pretty seamless transition at the crossover point, but it also drags the soundstage around your knees. Before you do any cutting make sure to try them out there and see if you like them, and I also wouldn't mount them in the grill for the mid. First off that will screw up the mid's dispersion pattern, and second, you might run into problems with clearance if the tweet is kind of deep.

[Diceman83]

yeah, I've found that they fit pretty nicely in the nook between the glass and the dash and the frame. I took some pics but my camera's still out in the car. I'm working on the wiring and came up to get my leatherman tool. Back with pics in an hour or so.