Questions and answers

What is a crossover filter on a subwoofer?

What is a crossover filter on a subwoofer?

Many modern stereo receivers have built-in subwoofer output channels. These audio receivers send only low-frequency signals to the subwoofer speaker. This ensures high-frequency tones are restricted from the speaker. The subwoofer filter uses a crossover filter that detects high-frequency music.

What should I set my subwoofer crossover to?

Tips for Setting the Proper Crossover Frequency of a Subwoofer

  1. If you know your speaker’s frequency range, set the crossover point roughly 10 Hz above the lowest frequency your speakers can handle cleanly.
  2. The most common crossover frequency recommended (and the THX standard) is 80 Hz.

What does a crossover filter do?

A crossover serves as a filter that blocks out unwanted frequencies to a speaker or group of speakers. This is extremely useful because it allows us to specifically send each speaker the group of frequencies that it will play most efficiently and effectively.

What crossover frequency should I use?

For subwoofers: the recommended crossover frequency is 80 Hz (low pass). This a good low-pass frequency that ensures the subwoofer bass is prioritized without including any midrange sounds. It is best for low-end bass. For main speakers: the recommended crossover frequency is 56-60 Hz (high pass).

Does a crossover improve sound quality?

For instance, very basic systems that use coaxial speakers actually have small crossovers built right into the speakers. By making sure that only the right frequencies reach the right speakers, you can effectively reduce distortion and help improve the overall sound quality of a car audio system.

What should subwoofer dB be set at?

Most people find that 70 or 75 dB on your SPL meter at your listening seat is a comfortable playback level. While 85 dB SPL is often used for THX movie theaters, that level is simply too loud for most listeners with test signals in the confines of an average-sized home theater or living room.

Which is better equalizer or crossover?

Q: What is the difference between an equalizer and a crossover? A: A crossover caps the range of frequencies that are sent to a speaker or amplifier. You can adjust the strength of the signal that’s sent to the speakers. An equalizer allows you to cut and boost the frequency output.

What makes a good speaker crossover?

Crossovers optimize loudspeaker frequency response Depicted graphically, frequency response is usually shown as a line. This line should ideally have as few spikes as possible as these will not lead to a harmonious sound.

How do you set a crossover between a woofer and a tweeter?

For example, to set the crossover between a woofer and a tweeter will require a low pass filter on the woofer signal and a high pass filter on the tweeter signal. This can be done with electronic components or digital signal processing (DSP). Low pass filters allow low frequencies to pass while attenuating, or reducing, higher frequencies.

Which is the best crossover filter for a speaker?

APC stands for “All-Pass Crossover” and it refers to those crossover networks whose filters sum to create a flat voltage output. APC networks are generally considered the best choice because they make it possible for the speaker to have a flat on-axis amplitude response.

What should the crossover frequency be for a midrange speaker?

For midrange speakers and woofers: the recommended crossover frequency is 1-3.5 kHz (low pass). Most woofers and midrange speakers don’t deliver quality sounds above this range. This is why they have to be augmented with tweeters to avoid poor treble delivery. For 3-way speakers: the recommended crossover frequency is 500 Hz and 3.5 kHz.

How does a passive crossover work on a subwoofer?

The passive crossovers will then further divide the frequencies between the tweeter and midrange (or tweeter, midrange and woofer in case of a 3-way component set). The subwoofer does not have a supplied passive crossover, use a Low-Pass Filter to block the high frequencies from being sent to the subwoofer.