JL Audio CR-1 Active Crossover

The lucky few who have heard a well-integrated subwoofer in a great audio system know that the subwoofer’s effect is profound. While everyone expects the bass extension to improve, most are shocked at the transformation that occurs in the main speakers. They simply open up, delivering improved dynamics, superior imaging and more low-level detail. Many describe it as the greatest speaker upgrade they have ever made. Over the years, we have calibrated many subwoofer systems in highly critical listening environments, and we have been frustrated by the limitations of active crossovers we have worked with. Tired of struggling with “blunt instruments”, we felt that a higher precision tool was needed, so we decided to build it and call it “CR-1”. When properly set up, CR-1 creates a listening experience in which the subwoofers and main speakers become one, delivering a cohesive and compelling sonic presentation. The CR-1 Active Subwoofer Crossover has been designed by audiophiles, for audiophiles. We believe it has no equal, offering a powerful combination of subwoofer/satellite tuning features, and a complete commitment to analog signal purity. CR-1 is built around two banks of precision Linkwitz-Riley low-pass and high-pass filters. Multiplying DACs with monolithic ratio matching are employed to adjust the analog circuit’s filter frequencies. This offers superior tracking behavior and far more precise left/right channel balance, compared to conventional approaches. Another of CR-1’s unique and powerful features is a pair of rotary controls that control the damping of each filter bank. These damping controls dramatically improve the acoustic summing through the crossover region, by compensating for each speaker system’s frequency response. At the center of the front panel, a single intuitive, rotary control permits quick adjustment of the relative level between the subwoofer(s) and main speakers. To minimize distortion and noise, CR-1 employs top-grade component parts in its all-analog audio circuitry: 1% precision resistors, JFET-input audio-grade op-amps, polypropylene film-and-foil capacitors and metallized-polypropylene film capacitors, to name just a few. CR-1’s input-output design makes it equally adaptable to studio, mastering suite or audiophile two-channel playback environments. To accommodate dual-mode systems, we also include a bypass feature that engages a pass-through from a dedicated “Managed Bass Input” on the rear panel, to the CR-1’s subwoofer outputs. This makes it convenient to switch from two-channel to multi-channel mode. Specification Max. Input Voltage8 Vrms ( 18 dBv)Input ImpedanceUnbalanced: 50 kΩ Balanced: 20 kΩ (10 kΩ per leg)Max. Output Voltage8 Vrms ( 18 dBv)Output ImpedanceUnbalanced: 150 Ω Balanced: 300 Ω (150 Ω per leg)THD N< 0.002% at 8 Vrms/10 kΩ20 Hz – 20 kHz, 90 kHz bandwidthChannel Separation>80 dB at 1 kHzLow Pass Frequency Response 0, -1 dB from 5 Hz to 1/4 of filter frequencyHigh Pass Frequency Response 0, -1 dB from 4x filter frequency to 80 kHzPower Consumption30 Watts (typical, with or without signal)Mains Voltage (Frequency)120V (60 Hz) or 230/240V (50 Hz or 60 Hz), factory-set for destination country Crossover FunctionBypass or On, selectable via front panel switchSubwoofer Output ModesMono L R or Stereo, selectable via front panel switchCrossover Frequency Range30 Hz – 150 Hz, variable with independent high-pass and low-pass filter frequency controls on front panelSubwoofer/Satellite Balance Control /– 12 dB, fully variable via front panel knobFilter Damping ControlsQ: 0.3 – 1.4 @ 12 dB/octave, via front panel knobQ: 0.16 – 4.0 @ 24 dB/octave, via front panel knobFor either slope, Q = 0.5 at top dead center “0” markFilter Slope(s)12 dB/octave or 24 dB/octave, Linkwitz-Riley selectable via front panel switchOutput Mutingindependent for each output, via front panel push-button switchesGround LiftIsolated/Grounded, via rear panel switchMain Stereo InputsUnbalanced L/R: (2 RCA jacks)Balanced L/R (2 XLR/TRS combo jacks)Managed Bass InputsUnbalanced L/R: (2 RCA jacks)Balanced L/R (2 XLR/TRS combo jacks)Satellite Line OutputsUnbalanced (2 RCA jacks)Balanced (2 TRS jacks, 2 XLR jacks)Satellite Line OutputsUnbalanced (2 RCA jacks)Balanced (2 TRS jacks, 2 XLR jacks)Subwoofer Line OutputsUnbalanced L/R: (2 RCA jacks)Balanced L/R: (2 TRS jacks, 2 XLR jacks) Width (W)17.40 in. / 441 mmHeight (H)3.80 in / 97 mmDepth (D)15.67 in / 398 mmNet Weight22 lb / 10 kg