Active vs. Passive Crossover: You Will Hear the Difference

This demo doesn’t just prove it—it lets you hear it in real time.

What You’re About to Discover

If you've ever wondered whether switching from a passive to an active crossover actually makes a difference, this real-world demo will make it clear—you will hear the difference.

In this A/B test, we directly compared two setups using the same speakers, the same source, and an instant switch box to flip between them in real time.

The only thing that changed?
➡️ One used a traditional passive crossover
➡️ The other used the Sublime Acoustic K235 active crossover in a bi-amped configuration

The Setup: Same Speakers, Same Song—Different Signal Paths

We used a pair of Klipsch RF-5 speakers—unmodified. No internal crossover was removed, bypassed, or hacked.
Then we built a custom A/B switch box to instantly flip between signal paths:

🟢 Passive Path (Green LED):

• Driven by a Bryston 4B—a high-end, well-respected amplifier
• Standard wiring, full-range signal, passive crossover in control

🔴 Active Path (Red LED):

• Driven by two Monoprice 605030 amplifiers ($150 each)
• Sublime Acoustic K235 used to divide the signal at line level
• No speaker mods, just smart routing and clean separation

🎯 Why Monoprice?
We wanted to show that even budget amps can outperform high-end gear when paired with the right crossover setup.

What You Hear

As soon as you hit play, the difference is immediate:

🟢 Passive Path (Green LED):

• Soundstage flattens
• Imaging collapses toward the center
• Instruments blur together
• The magic… fades

🔴 Active Path (Red LED):

• The soundstage opens wide
• Instruments lock into place with sharp definition
• Bass tightens, highs shimmer, mids breathe
• Everything feels more real, more alive

And again—we used the same speakers. The only difference was how the signal was split and delivered.

No Speaker Mods Required

That’s right—you do not need to rip out your speaker’s internal crossover to hear the benefits of active bi-amping.

By carefully matching the crossover frequency and gain settings of your active crossover to your existing speaker design, you can get 90% of the benefit of bi-amping without ever opening a cabinet.

This goes against what many in the audiophile world assume, but the results speak for themselves.

Here's a block diagram showing how we set up the AB test:
AB Test Block Diagram

Key Takeaways

Key Takeaways

✅ You don’t need expensive amplifiers to hear the upgrade.
✅ You don’t need to modify your speakers to hear the difference.
✅ You do need to hear this demo for yourself.

And if you're still skeptical?

Come visit us in Livermore, CA.

We'll run this exact demo live, using the same A/B switch and the same gear. Bring your favorite test tracks—we’ll let your ears decide.

Final Thoughts

Audiophiles have long accepted that passive crossovers are “just how it’s done.” But the truth is: Active bi-amping with a high-quality crossover offers a dramatic improvement in clarity, imaging, and realism.

Don’t let tradition hold your system back.

Experience the upgrade.