A dedicated amplifier can be used to run the SSMB6 / SSMB8 midbass drivers. This design is preferred by audio-
philes. It allows each speaker to work in the bandwidth in which they were designed for. This design will give the
installer total control over the speakers and will only be limited flexibility of the electronic crossover. If the
crossover being used is a 3-way crossover, chances are it does not have a bandpass setting. The High pass out of
the crossover will feed the mid bass amplifier, assuming the crossover has the ability to low pass the midbass
speakers high enough for the systems needs. Many crossovers have a multiplier switch, which allows the user to
select between 1x and 20x the frequency. For example, if the switch is set to 1x, the crossover will be set at the
frequency that has been selected. If the switch is set to 20x, the frequency will now be set at 20x the setting indi-
cated. If using a x3i this will not be necessary due to the frequency range of the crossover. See the diagram on the
following page.
When using a Kicker x3i Electronic Crossover:
1. If the amplifiers that are being used are not Kicker, make sure the amplifiers have a highpass crossover. Refer to
their owners manual if you are unsure. Figure 1.
2. Connect the SSMB series speakers up to the amplifier that is being fed the signal out of the Rear Highpass sec-
tion of the x3i crossover.
3. Select the highpass frequency on the x3i crossover that will be lower limit of the SSMB speakers. The frequency
selected will be between 30Hz-150Hz. Figure 2.
4. The amplifier crossover switch at this time should be set to “LO PASS”.. This will select the frequencies that will be
eliminated from the SSMB midbass speakers. Depending on the system the frequency will be between 100Hz-
200Hz.Figure 3 and Figure 4.
5. The amplifier driving the upper frequency speakers should be connected to the “Front High Pass” out on the x3i
crossover and the frequency selected and the multiplier switch set, if necessary. Figure 5 and Figure 6.
6. If there is a subwoofer in the system, use the “Low Pass” output on the x3i. The amplifier crossover does not
need to be set.
Remember to be careful setting the gains and make sure they are not clipping the amplifier and causing harm to
the speakers. For more information on setting system gain controls please refer to the KQ30 Technical Manual or to
your buddy who has installed a few stereos in his dad’s garage!
When using an x3i Crossover
Kicker SSMB Series Midbass Drivers
Recommended Applications / Version 2.0
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50 200
X-OVER
FREQ. (Hz)
XOVER
OFF HI
PASS
LO
PASS
35
40
45
50
65
100
400
High Pass
35
40
45
50
65
100
400
High Pass
1x 20x
Frequency
Multiplier
Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 5
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 6
