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NTRODUCTION
Thank you for buying the Linn AKTIV Crossover. The AKTIV is
the culmination of many years of research by Linn. It has long been recognised that
active crossover systems can improve loudspeaker performance. This is the first
electronic crossover to realise the full potential of an active loudspeaker system.
Active and Passive:
With a conventional passive crossover the signal from the amplifier is
divided into frequency bands (bass, mid and treble) by a passive circuit located within the
speaker cabinet. It is not mains powered, hence the description 'passive".
By contrast, an active system separates the sound into separate bass, mid-range and high
frequency signals before amplification. Then, three amplifiers, not one, send these signals directly
to the speaker's respective drive units.
The advantages are better control of the drive units and more precise separation of the audio
frequencies.
An active crossover allows a degree of control of the signals and the drive units to a precision not
practical or possible in a passive crossover. For example, the response of a passive crossover
is affected by the impedance of the drive unit to which it is connected, however the impedance of
a drive unit varies widely with frequency and drive level. In an active crossover, because the
drive units are driven from individual power amplifiers, any change in their input impedances
cannot affect the crossover responses at all.
The AKTIV also includes compensation for the amplitude, phase and time responses of the
Isobarik, and has been designed and manufactured with precision for the highest level of
performance.
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