Why are crossovers necessary




















Both high and low pass filters can filter signals at different strengths. A first order filter can block signals up to 6 dB and a fourth order filter can block signals all the way up to 24 dB per octave. All of this, however, goes on inside of the loudspeaker and cannot be observed. Watch the following instructional video to learn more about high and low pass filters:.

A total of 4 drivers — 1 tweeter, 1 midbass driver, and 2 bass drivers — carry out the task of sound reproduction which covers a range from 45 to 20, Hz. This nearly covers the entire human hearing range of 20 to 20, Hz. In order to do this, of course, the loudspeaker requires a crossover to send the frequencies to their respective drivers.

Note that the drivers are not arranged on this speaker from the highest to lowest frequency transducers as this is not required in order to produce an optimal sound. As a rule of thumb, the smaller the circumference, the higher the frequency. However, there is a certain amount of inefficiency that is inherent in passive crossovers. These are also known as electronic crossovers, and they are both more complex and more expensive than passive units.

The fact is that every single car audio system requires some type of crossover in much the same way that every car audio system requires some type of amplifier. But in the same exact way that many head units include a built-in amplifier, speakers can also include built-in crossovers. In basic car audio systems, it's totally possible to get by just fine with no additional crossovers. However, there are a number of circumstances where either a passive or active unit will improve the quality of the sound, efficiency of the system, or both.

Full-range speakers already have built-in passive crossovers that filter the frequencies that reach each driver. Even if you add an amplifier into the mix, the built-in speaker crossovers should be more than sufficient.

However, you may need a crossover if you add an amplifier and a subwoofer to that type of system. This is especially true if you plan on using individual amplifiers to drive specific speakers, such as your woofers or tweeters.

It's also important to note that aftermarket amplifiers typically include built-in filters that effectively act as crossovers if you're building a basic car audio system with component speakers. The high pass filter in this type of amplifier allows you to drive tweeters, and the low-pass filter allows you to drive woofers, without requiring any additional crossovers. While you can typically get by just fine without a crossover in a situation where you're just using a single amplifier, more complicated builds can really benefit from an active crossover.

For instance, a 3-way crossover is a component that you actually wire between your head unit and multiple amplifiers. In this type of scenario, each amplifier receives a specific range of frequencies from the crossover, and each amplifier is used to drive a specific type of speaker. For instance, one may drive front speakers with a high pass, another may drive rear full-range speakers, and a third subwoofer amp could drive a sub.

Installing a passive crossover is relatively simple since it just involves wiring a crossover between your amp and your speakers. For instance, you might wire a passive crossover to your amplifier output, then wire the crossover's tweeter output to your tweeter and the woofer output to your woofer.

Installing an active car audio crossover is typically going to be a more complicated procedure. Some crossovers also come with an equalizer function. An active crossover allows the amplifier to focus only on the frequencies you need to boost, basically giving you more control over the way your amps act. As you might have guessed, an active crossover is a better choice in terms of audio quality.

Some car audio systems do have decent passive crossovers but many vehicles come poorly equipped. The best guide is your ear. To install it you have to do a bit more planning and spend a little more, but the end result will be an audio system you are fully in control of.

Your email address will not be published. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The primary purpose of dividing musical signals into independent frequencies by routing particular frequencies to certain speakers is to achieve improved fidelity. As we hinted at earlier, it may be possible to install a system with no additional crossovers in a basic system configuration.

In the same way that many receivers head units include a built-in albeit low-powered amp, it is possible for speakers to come with built-in crossovers; however, there are a number of instances where either an active or passive unit will improve sound quality, system efficiency — or both. It essentially comes down to either an active or passive approach. An active crossover, with regard to an active system, gets wired between the receiver head unit and amp, and cuts out the unwanted frequencies before the amp wastes energy boosting them.

These step into the signal path after the amplifier as small networks of capacitors and coils, normally installed near the speakers.



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