CX23 Active Crossover - 2 / 3 Way
The CX23 is a 2-way stereo or 3-way mono active crossover designed to split frequencies so that low frequencies are delivered to the amp driving the sub cabinets and mid/top frequencies are delivered to the amp driving the mid/top frequency cabs. This type of system is more efficient and delivers more accurate sound quality, especially in larger PA systems.

Front Panel

1. Input gain: Channel A
2. Low Cut filter: Channel A
3. Low/High X-over Frequency: Channel A
4. Low/High - Low/Mid crossover Frequency: Channel A
5. Low/Mid - Mid/High crossover Frequency: Channel A
6. Low output gain: Channel A
7. Low output phase switch: Channel A
8. Mid or Low-mid output gain: Channel A
9. Mid or Low-mid output phase switch: Channel A
10. High output gain: Channel A
11. High output phase switch: Channel A
12. Mono/Stereo mode indicators
13. Input gain: Channel B
14. Low Cut filter: Channel B
15. Low/High - Mid/High crossover Frequency: Channel B
16. Low/High - Low/Mid crossover Frequency: Channel B
17. Low or Mid output gain: Channel B
18. Mid/High - High-mid/High crossover frequency: Ch B
19. Low or Mid output phase switch: Channel B
20. Low output gain: Channel B
21. Low output phase switch: Channel B
22. Mid or High-mid output gain: Channel B
23. Mid or High-mid output phase switch: Channel B
24. High output gain: Channel B
25. High output phase switch: Channel B
26. Power switch
Rear Panel

27. Voltage selector
28. IEC mains inlet
29. High output: Channel B
30. High-mid or Mid output: Channel B
31. Low or Mid output: Channel B
32. Low output: Channel B
33. Crossover frequency multiplier: Channel B
34. Input: Channel B
35. Mode selector buttons
36. Mono Normal/Summed switch
37. High output: Channel A
38. Low-mid or Mid output: Channel A
39. Low output: Channel A (or LF Sum both channels)
40. Crossover frequency multiplier: Channel A
41. Input: Channel A
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)

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, 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.