{"id":5455,"date":"2013-09-30T22:15:00","date_gmt":"2013-09-30T20:15:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/?p=5455"},"modified":"2019-06-12T15:27:14","modified_gmt":"2019-06-12T13:27:14","slug":"apogee-dax","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/apogee-acoustics-company-special\/apogee-dax\/","title":{"rendered":"Apogee DAX"},"content":{"rendered":"

Detailed Info about the\u00a0Apogee\u00a0DAX Active Crossovers<\/h2>\n

DAX stands for Dedicated Active Crossover. Apogee made a few models and I’m not entirely sure that I have seen them all but there were at least 4 models: the more or less universal DAX 1 and DAX 3, and dedicated ones for the Mini Grand (Stage + Subwoofer) and Studio Grand.<\/p>\n

\n

DAX 1<\/h2>\n

Original price in 1990 $3995<\/h4>\n

\"apogee<\/p>\n

The DAX 1 is said to be the first Apogee Active Crossover. However, there was also a three way crossover available for the Full Range (AKA The Apogee) by the name of “Active Crossover”. More about that unit below. The DAX-1 however is the first Apogee crossover that went by the name of DAX. It is a more or less universal unit that can be used with the Diva, Caliper Signature and Duetta Signature. Inside the unit are switches that determine the filter curves for these models. Also inside are switches for single ended\/balanced mode as well as 10-step input impedance selectors. Lastly, there are independent six-step woofer and mid\/tweeter attenuator switches for amplifier gain matching. The balanced and unbalanced outputs for the Midrange\/Tweeter and Woofer sections work regardless of the input type.<\/p>\n

The DAX 1 came with an outboard power supply.<\/p>\n

Please be warned that the passive crossovers need to be rewired in order to be used in conjunction with a DAX. So, if you buy second hand speakers that were always used with a DAX, don’t use the speakers without it, unless the passive crossovers have been wired back for use without DAX.<\/p>\n

Clear wiring instructions can be found in the DAX manuals, available from the apogeespeakers.com website. Should the site be down and you are in need of a DAX 1 or 3 manual then just mail me and I will send you a copy.<\/p>\n

DAX 1 Control functions<\/strong><\/p>\n

Woofer level 0 to -6dB in 1dB steps<\/p>\n

Midrange\/Tweeter level 0 to -6dB in 1dB steps<\/p>\n

Woofer to Midrange\/Tweeter balance fine adjustment -0.8 to +0.8 in 0.2dB steps<\/p>\n

Rake, high frequency, or ‘brightness’ adjustment) (\u00b12dB @ 5kHz, in 0.5dB steps hinged at 1kHz)<\/p>\n

DAX 1 Specifications<\/strong><\/p>\n

Dual-channel dual-passband, non-inverting active crossover, with external power supply<\/p>\n

Crossover frequency:
\n330Hz<\/p>\n

Filter slopes:
\n6dB\/octave gradually increasing to 12dB\/octave<\/p>\n

S\/N ratio:
\n-90dB (A-weighted)<\/p>\n

THD:
\n0.01%<\/p>\n

Inputs and outputs:
\nbalanced and single-ended.<\/p>\n

Gain:
\nbalanced=2, single-ended=1, with internal 6dB gain adjustments in 1dB steps for low- and highpass sections<\/p>\n

Input impedance (switch -selectable)
\nbalanced: 600,1.2k, 2.5k, 5k, 10k ohms; single-ended: 5k, 10k, 20k, 40k, 80k ohms<\/p>\n

Output impedance:
\n6 ohms<\/p>\n

Weight:
\n5.5lbs<\/p>\n

Width:
\n18 inches<\/p>\n

Depth:
\n12\u00be inches<\/p>\n

Height:
\n2\u00bd inches<\/p>\n

\n

DAX 3<\/h2>\n

Original price $2995<\/h4>\n

\"Apogee<\/p>\n

The original price for the DAX 3 was $2995, $1000 less than the original DAX 1, which would seem to suggest that were different, but this is not the case. The main circuit boards are exactly the same, only the LED display and associated circuitry is removed.<\/p>\n

As the main circuitry was not altered, there should be no sonic differences between the DAX 1 and DAX 3.<\/p>\n

The DAX 3, like the original DAX 1, has internal switches to set the unit for use with the Diva, Duetta Signature and Caliper Signature. Internal switches also set the input type between balanced (XLR) or single ended (RCA), woofer to midrange\/tweeter power amp gain matching and input impedance.<\/p>\n

Please be warned that the passive crossovers need to be rewired in order to be used in conjunction with a DAX. So, if you buy second hand speakers that were always used with a DAX, don’t use the speakers without it, unless the passive crossovers have been wired back for use without DAX.<\/p>\n

Clear wiring instructions can be found in the DAX manuals, available from the apogeespeakers.com website. Should the site be down and you are in need of a DAX 1 or 3 manual then just mail me and I will send you a copy.<\/p>\n

DAX 3 Control Functions<\/strong><\/p>\n

(same as for the DAX1):<\/p>\n

Woofer level 0 to -6dB in 1dB steps<\/p>\n

Midrange\/Tweeter level 0 to -6dB in 1dB steps<\/p>\n

Woofer to Midrange\/Tweeter balance fine adjustment -0.8 to +0.8 in 0.2dB steps<\/p>\n

Rake, high frequency, or ‘brightness’ adjustment) (\u00b12dB @ 5kHz, in 0.5dB steps hinged at 1kHz)<\/p>\n

DAX 3 Specifications<\/strong><\/p>\n

(actually DAX 1 specs are shown but the should be the same for DAX 3)<\/p>\n

Dual-channel dual-passband, non-inverting active crossover, with external power supply<\/p>\n

Crossover frequency:
\n330Hz<\/p>\n

Filter slopes:
\n6dB\/octave gradually increasing to 12dB\/octave<\/p>\n

S\/N ratio:
\n-90dB (A-weighted)<\/p>\n

THD:
\n0.01%<\/p>\n

Inputs and outputs:
\nbalanced and single-ended.<\/p>\n

Gain:
\nbalanced=2, single-ended=1, with internal 6dB gain adjustments in 1dB steps for low- and highpass sections<\/p>\n

Input impedance (switch -selectable)
\nbalanced: 600,1.2k, 2.5k, 5k, 10k ohms; single-ended: 5k, 10k, 20k, 40k, 80k ohms<\/p>\n

Output impedance:
\n6 ohms<\/p>\n

Weight:
\n5.5lbs<\/p>\n

Width:
\n18 inches<\/p>\n

Depth:
\n12\u00be inches<\/p>\n

Height:
\n2\u00bd inches<\/p>\n

\n

DAX for Mini Grand<\/h2>\n

Original price unknown<\/h4>\n

\"apogee<\/p>\n

\"apogee<\/p>\n

\"apogee<\/p>\n

The Mini Grand DAX has been designed specifically for this application. The specified crossover frequency of the Mini-Grand DAX is 80Hz, with a rapid rolloff in the stop-band. Front-panel controls permit level settings of \u00b13dB on both the high- and low-pass sections, to accommodate individual setup needs and\/or differing amplifier sensitivities.<\/p>\n

The DAX is designed to be used in either balanced or unbalanced mode, to be chosen through internal jumpers.<\/p>\n

Mini Grand DAX Specifications<\/strong><\/p>\n

Dual-channel, dual-passband, non-inverting active crossover, with external power supply.<\/p>\n

Cross-over frequency:
\n330Hz.<\/p>\n

Filter slopes:
\n6dB\/octave gradually increasing to 12dB\/octave.<\/p>\n

S\/N ratio:
\n-90dB (A-weighted).<\/p>\n

THD:
\n0.01%.<\/p>\n

Inputs and outputs:
\nbalanced and single-ended.<\/p>\n

Gain:
\nbalanced=2, single-ended=1, with internal 6dB gain adjustments in 1dB steps for low- and high-pass sections.<\/p>\n

Input impedance (switch-selectable)
\nbalanced: 600, 1.2k, 2.5k, 5k, 10k ohms; single-ended: 5k, 10k, 20k, 40k, 80k ohms.<\/p>\n

Output impedance:
\n6 ohms.<\/p>\n

Front-panel controls (per channel):
\nfor mid\/tweeter level (0 to -6dB in 1dB steps), woofer and mid\/tweeter balance (in 0.2dB steps), rake control \u00b12dB at 5kHz (in 0.5dB steps) hinged at 1kHz.<\/p>\n

\n

DAX for Studio Grand<\/h2>\n

Original price unknown<\/h4>\n

\"apogee<\/p>\n

\"apogee<\/p>\n

No further info available<\/p>\n

\n

Active Crossover<\/h2>\n

Original price unknown<\/h4>\n

\"Apogee<\/p>\n

\"Apogee<\/p>\n

\"Apogee<\/p>\n

\"Apogee<\/p>\n

\"Apogee<\/p>\n

\"Apogee<\/p>\n

The “Apogee Active Crossover” was meant to be used with the Full Range but due to its internal switches, in theory it can also be used with other speakers, as long as the crossover frequencies match. I read somewhere that it can also be used with the Scintilla for example, and I used it myself with Divas, which went surprisingly well.<\/p>\n

The unit is either a 2-way or 3-way crossover, depending on the setting of its internal switches. Further, the crossover frequency can be set to 400hz or 300hz. The crossover frequency between midrange and tweeter is set at 700hz.<\/p>\n

\"Apogee<\/p>\n

\"Apogee-crossover-active-passive_550pix<\/p>\n

Above: careful… these notes, taken from the inside of the crossover’s top plate, may not be entirely correct, see below…<\/p>\n

\"Apogee-crossover-active-passive_550pix<\/p>\n

Observations when used with Divas<\/strong><\/p>\n

I carried out some testing with this crossover and my Divas. I will report more elaborately about the pros and cons of active versus passive crossover use and associated bi-amplification when the tests are complete but for now I’d like to just state my initial findings.<\/p>\n

Although the drawing on the inside of the top cover states that the Bass\/MR crossover frequency is set to 300hz with the C2+C4 bottom switches pushed down, and 400hz with these switches on off, strangely, my ears tell me that this is the other way around. Judging the midrange by itself without the other drivers attached, I clearly hear more upper bass from the midrange ribbon with the bottom switches toggled to C1+C3, and less midbass when they are toggled to C2+C4.<\/p>\n

\"Apogee<\/p>\n

The bass outputs are always active and don’t seem to alter their crossover frequency in any way using any of the internal switches.<\/p>\n

The midrange outputs are disabled when the internal upper switches are set to 2-way but are enabled when the switches are set to 3-way. Then, depending on the internal lower switches, the midrange either starts at 300hz or 400hz. This is clearly audible.<\/p>\n

The treble outputs are always active but depending on the internal upper switches they start outputting 300\/400hz or 700hz. Whilst the switch between 300\/400hz and 700hz is clearly audible, I couldn’t tell any difference between the 300hz or 400hz setting of the bottom switches. It might be that the difference is less audible in the treble than it is in the midrange or my crossover might be defective, but either way, I couldn’t hear it. I strategically tested this using the Diva’s midrange driver in order to be sure that there was no excessive natural roll-off.<\/p>\n

Inputs and outputs are cinch only.<\/p>\n

\n

More Apogee<\/h2>\n

All models overview<\/a><\/p>\n

Listening Sessions overview<\/a><\/p>\n

Timeline and History<\/a><\/p>\n

FAQ<\/a><\/p>\n

Read Also<\/h2>\n

Diva Bi-amping experiment<\/a><\/p>\n

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