Wayne Parham Messages: 18752 Registered: January 2001
Illuminati (33rd Degree)
I generally run the mains full-range unless I'm really pushing the power to them. For home hifi and home theater, no high-pass is needed.
When doing prosound work, I'd recommend high-pass for the mains at the Helmholtz frequency. That's because the speakers are being pushed harder, nearer their limits.
Indoor home levels are nowhere near this, most times less than 1/100th their capability. Still, you could run a high-pass at the Helmholtz frequency because there is no output below anyway. It's just that it isn't required at moderate listening levels.
That's all true for subs as well as mains. Most people don't high-pass subs but vented and horn-loaded speakers unload below their passbands. They don't provide significant output below their passbands and excursion rises, so if they're pushed hard, high-pass is a good idea. Not necessary at lower levels, but still not a bad idea.