If you’re into audio technology, you’ve probably heard about crossover frequency multiple times. But what is a crossover frequency? Let us quickly explore! The way crossover frequency functions can have a huge impact on the sound quality and much more. So, to know what is a crossover frequency and all about it, scroll down!
What is a Crossover Frequency?
Wondering what is a crossover frequency? Crossover frequency refers to the frequency that one speaker delivers to another. The component of the electronic crossover determines from which speaker channels the sound is being transmitted to the subwoofers.
It’s common in passive speakers that are connected to amps via speaker wires where they draw the power from. Speaker crossover refers to the technology that can optimize the performance of speaker systems in audio productions.
A speaker crossover divides the frequency components from full-range signals to low, mid, and high ones. Doing so can deliver the exact frequency to each speaker to ensure accurate sound production.
The main purpose of a speaker crossover is to distribute the frequency bands to the driver of the loudspeakers. For this reason, the driver of each loudspeaker can deliver the best-suited sound.
Speaker cabinets may include the circuits of speaker crossovers, or they can be implemented via power amplifier inputs. If you’re planning to design sound systems, the first thing that you need to do is choose the proper placement.
Then, you also need to specify which speakers you are choosing. These are the two key factors that you need to ensure if you want to create the best speaker crossover.
The Importance of Speaker Crossovers in Sound Delivery
Speaker crossover is necessary for sound systems that use multiple speakers to deliver a full-scale audio signal. Multiple speakers are quite common in a variety of sound systems.
And depending on the design, shape, and size of each speaker, a specific band or range of frequencies is delivered. This is where crossover speakers play a vital role.
To deliver magnificent sound, it’s important to determine which frequencies are required by which speakers. This way, all the speakers in a multiple-speaker sound system can work together to achieve the best sound. Otherwise, transmitting a full-scape signal to each speaker can end up with poor sound quality.
Each speaker within a sound system has its own specific limitation. If the system sends a frequency that’s out of a speaker’s limitation, it’ll lead to inaccurate results besides wasting resources.
Similarly, for high-frequency drivers, sending low-frequency energy won’t lead to the proper distribution of sound. Read this post carefully to know what is a crossover frequency and all about it.
Different Types of Drivers in a Sound System
Here are the different types of drivers in a sound system:
Woofer
A woofer is a very popular loudspeaker driver that renders mid and low-range frequencies. Woofers look similar to subwoofers but have smaller sizes and larger capacities. The capacity of mid-range woofers varies between 60 Hz and 6 kHz.
Subwoofer
Subwoofers are drivers that deliver low frequencies ranging from 1 Hz to 150 Hz. Subwoofers need a larger diaphragm area than woofers to ensure long diaphragm excursion. The usual diameters of subwoofers are 18, 15, and 12 inches.
Tweeter
Tweeters are the drivers that deliver high frequencies beyond 5 kHz. Interestingly, tweeters don’t need large diaphragm excursions to deliver high frequencies. Hence, the diaphragm excursion requirements for tweeters are less just like their compact sizes.
Give this video a watch if you want to know What is a Crossover Frequency:
Speaker Crossover Uses
Among all the uses of speaker crossovers, multi-cabinet speaker systems and multi-way speaker cabinets are the most common ones.
Multi-Cabinet Speaker System
Multi-Cabinet Speaker Systems comprise separate speaker enclosures. In these sound systems, every speaker cabinet delivers specific frequency bands. If your speaker system has a stand-alone subwoofer, it’s a Multi-Cabinet Speaker System.
Multi-Cabinet Speaker Systems send low frequencies to low-frequency subwoofers. The rest of the frequencies, such as high, mid, and low-mid, are transmitted to separate cabinets. By combining these two techniques, a Multi-Cabinet Speaker System works.
Multi-Way Speaker Cabinet
Multi-Way Speaker Cabinet comes with multiple speaker drivers. A common example of a Multi-Way Speaker Cabinet is a 2-way speaker with a woofer and a tweeter. This system delivers mid and low-range frequencies by the woofer and high frequencies via the tweeter.
A 2-way speaker cabinet usually divides audio signals into high and low-mid frequency bands. A 3-way speaker cabinet may contain two woofers for low and mid-range frequencies. These speakers also come with four or more drivers.
What are the Types of Crossovers?
There are three main types of crossovers in a speaker system:
1. Active Crossover
2. Passive Crossover
3. Hybrid Crossover
Types of Crossovers: Explained
Now that you know what is a crossover frequency, let’s learn about crossover types. There are following 3 types of Crossover:
Active Crossover
An active crossover is located in front of the power amplifier. It functions with line-level signals, which are less powerful than speaker-level signals. In active crossovers, multiple amplifier channels power each driver.
Passive Crossover
A passive crossover is located between a loudspeaker driver’s input and a power amplifier’s output. Instead of line-level signals, a passive crossover functions with powerful speaker-level signals. In passive crossovers, one amplifier channel powers multiple drivers.
Hybrid Crossover
Sometimes, both active and passive crossovers function in sound systems. In such cases, the active crossover divides the low, mid, and high frequencies in separate channels. The passive crossover sends the high frequency to the tweeter and the mid-range frequency to the woofer.
Crossover Settings
I hope you are clear about what is a crossover frequency. Now let’s ponder over crossover settings. Audio pass filters are the main components of speaker crossovers. Low-pass filters pass low frequencies and reduce high frequencies.
In contrast, high-pass filters pass high frequencies and reduce low frequencies.
Slope, Cutoff Frequency, and Crossover Point
Slope and Cutoff Frequency are the control settings of audio pass filters. Crossover Point is the combination of the high and low audio pass filters. Both the filters have their own Slope and Cutoff Frequency.
Gain and its Functionality
Gain can affect a Crossover Point or the intersection of the high and low audio pass filters. If you’re using an active crossover sound system, setting the Gain of the amplifier should be done wisely. It’ll help you to enjoy the best audio quality.
Conclusion: what is a crossover frequency
So, what is a crossover frequency? This post explains what is a crossover frequency and everything important about it. In speaker systems, crossover frequency channelizes the low, mid, and high-range signals, thereby improving audio quality.
With the correct crossover frequency, you’ll be able to get premium-quality sound. Now you know what is a crossover frequency and everything about it.