This tutorial is designed to get you started and tweaking a decent crossover… whether you're new to crossovers, or have built speakers before and are looking for a design method that relies on listening and doesn't require measurements.
The acoustic concepts apply to an active or passive crossover, since the needs of the speakers are the same in both cases. The simple but effective example crossover included here with formulas is of the passive type. With it you will achieve a much higher quality of crossover than possible using basic online calculators, and there is enough explanation to enable you to take it to the next level. Math has been kept light.
For illustration, I will be assuming a dome tweeter and a mid sized mid/woofer but with a little common sense this tutorial can apply to more than just two-way systems using typical drivers.
INDEX
Preparation
Post 2 - Choosing the crossover frequency - Part 1
Post 3 - Choosing the crossover frequency - Part 2
Post 4 - Directivity
Post 5 - Choosing the level
Post 6 - Baffle step diffraction
Post 7 - The design process - why the following stages are necessary
Design
Post 8 - Flattening the woofer's impedance
Post 9 - Flattening the tweeter's impedance
Post 10 - The woofer's crossover
Post 11 - The tweeter's crossover
Tweaking
Post 12 - Phase and diffraction
Post 13 - Tweaking the woofer
Post 14 - Tweaking the tweeter
Post 15 - Tweaking the system
You'll need to achieve these goals…
As this tutorial covers more than you may need, here is a list of the essential steps in case you don't plan on reading all of it.
1. Choose a crossover frequency based on your drivers
2. Choose the tweeter level (how loud it should be)
3. Flatten the impedances
4. Add the crossovers
…then on to tweaking. The rest of this tutorial helps in understanding how it works which will make the tweaking process more successful.
The goal of a crossover
Is to blend the sound from the two drivers (woofer and tweeter) so they work together as one. It may need to make the drivers as loud as each other, to divide the frequencies between them, and to correct or sidestep the limitations each driver will have.
Crossovers will not cut the drivers off suddenly at some frequency. There is a more gradual roll-off, somewhat like rolling a treble or bass control down. This means the drivers will be working together near the crossover frequency.
The acoustic concepts apply to an active or passive crossover, since the needs of the speakers are the same in both cases. The simple but effective example crossover included here with formulas is of the passive type. With it you will achieve a much higher quality of crossover than possible using basic online calculators, and there is enough explanation to enable you to take it to the next level. Math has been kept light.
For illustration, I will be assuming a dome tweeter and a mid sized mid/woofer but with a little common sense this tutorial can apply to more than just two-way systems using typical drivers.
- Adding a sub to existing speakers - https://www.diyaudio.com/community/...overs-without-measurement.189847/post-7378329
- Notes on 3-way speakers - https://www.diyaudio.com/community/...overs-without-measurement.189847/post-3031202
INDEX
Preparation
Post 2 - Choosing the crossover frequency - Part 1
Post 3 - Choosing the crossover frequency - Part 2
Post 4 - Directivity
Post 5 - Choosing the level
Post 6 - Baffle step diffraction
Post 7 - The design process - why the following stages are necessary
Design
Post 8 - Flattening the woofer's impedance
Post 9 - Flattening the tweeter's impedance
Post 10 - The woofer's crossover
Post 11 - The tweeter's crossover
Tweaking
Post 12 - Phase and diffraction
Post 13 - Tweaking the woofer
Post 14 - Tweaking the tweeter
Post 15 - Tweaking the system
You'll need to achieve these goals…
As this tutorial covers more than you may need, here is a list of the essential steps in case you don't plan on reading all of it.
1. Choose a crossover frequency based on your drivers
2. Choose the tweeter level (how loud it should be)
3. Flatten the impedances
4. Add the crossovers
…then on to tweaking. The rest of this tutorial helps in understanding how it works which will make the tweaking process more successful.
The goal of a crossover
Is to blend the sound from the two drivers (woofer and tweeter) so they work together as one. It may need to make the drivers as loud as each other, to divide the frequencies between them, and to correct or sidestep the limitations each driver will have.
Crossovers will not cut the drivers off suddenly at some frequency. There is a more gradual roll-off, somewhat like rolling a treble or bass control down. This means the drivers will be working together near the crossover frequency.
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