my audio guy used the crossovers that came with the car in the front(non HK), than using the crossovers that came with the alpine speakers. (R type 6.5) is this a problem. he said no need for the alpine crossovers with the factory ones already there.

 

As long as the aftermarket speakers are the same impedence as the factory speakers (and you're using the factory amp), the factory crossovers will work.

Changing speaker impedence will change the crossover frequency, but I'm pretty sure the non-HK factory speakers are 4-ohm, just like most of the aftermarket speakers out there.

 

i put in a whole new system. hu(alpine 9855 with hd, ipod, & sat..) rears alpine type R 6x9 69c and the fronts comp. 17ls. my next project is to add a sub with a amp plus a 4 channel amp. with all the information i gave you do you believe he did the right thing by using the crossovers already in.

 

The only problem I see would be if the new four-channel amp you're going to install puts out a lot more power than the factory head unit. Passive crossovers are only rated for a certain amount of power.

If you're uncomfortable at all, ask your installer to install the crossovers that came with your speakers when you install the new 4-channel amp.

 

I put in a whole Alpine system. hu 9885, with ipod, hd, and sat.. Rears R type 6x9 with the fronts comp. 6.5.. I plan on putting is a 4 channel amp and if i can fit it a sub with a amp.

 

i already replaced the factory head unit before i put in the front speakers. Alpine cda-9885. Question, did the factory radio non hk use a crossover for the front speakers? thanks for helping

 

I don't have the non-HK stereo, but I'm assuming it had crossovers for the front speakers, since you said that your installer re-used them with your new speakers.

If the factory stereo had component speakers in the doors (separate tweeters and mids), then there should be factory crossovers, since the factory head unit only has four output channels and not six.

 

thanks you have been alot of help.

 

You're welcome - I think you'll be fine with the factory crossovers, unless you plan on using a really big 4-channel amp when you upgrade.

 

Unless the stock speakers have seperate crossovers and not the usual coil and cap on the mid and tweeter then there is definately a problem with using them. Even if they did come with them the ones which came with the Alpine speakers came with them for a reason. They are tuned to work with the Alpine speakers and their natural crossover points while the factory ones are not. I'm going to be not nice here and say that your audio guy does not know what he is doing and shouldn't be installing if he takes short cuts like this. There will be a noticable difference in how the speakers will sound depending on the crossover used and the components used to make them. Have him change them out and hook it up the correct way and listen to the difference.

 

I was making the assumption that the factory stereo had a passive crossover module - if that's not the case, then yes, I would use the Alpine one instead.

BUT, if the factory stereo does have a separate crossover, and it's suitable for the power levels he's going to be using, then I'd rather use the factory crossover than the Alpine part. The reason is, the factory crossover is designed to take into account the interior cabin gain of the MINI, whereas the Alpine crossover is going to be more generic. With aftermarket speakers that are the same size and impedence as the factory ones they're replacing, I'd rather use the crossover points that the factory engineers selected.

It would be different if he had installed MB Quarts or similar speakers that come with famously-good passive crossovers, but I suspect the Alpines are simple 6db/octave or 12db/octave nonadjustable units. If that's the case, I'd still stick with the factory crossover.

 

I can see the reasoning behind that but the Type-R speakers afrom Alpine are some of their top end product and come with very good crossovers. Here's the crossover part of the specs page:

Crossover Network

• • Mounting: Shallow Mounting Design
• • Attenuation Control: 7-Level Tweeter Attenuation
• • Case Design: Sleek Crossover Case
• • Grade: Professional Grade Network

Doesn't tell the important info of the crossover point and slope of course, but it does let you adjust the highs accordining to how they are mounted and sound in the car.