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Audio And Electronics: Crossovers And Cables
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Published: September 13, 2007
Crossovers are essential to all hi-fi audio systems. A person encountering the crossovers for the first time may be intimidated by the complexity of this class of electronics. The audio crossover comes in a number of varieties, and one needs to be able to read an electronic schematic to truly understand how and why they work.
Anyone intimidated by crossovers should think of them as such; an electronic filter, or series of filters, which separate the frequencies of an audio recording, and then ensures the different frequencies are reproduced in the proper area of the speaker.
Consider a three-way speaker, commonly used for home audio purposes. If one removes the speaker's dust screen, they will generally see three different cone-style diaphragms that reproduce sound from another device by moving back and forth. The largest of the three, or woofer, is responsible for low frequencies, and the smallest, or tweeter, is responsible for the higher frequencies. The center cone, or mid-range, handles the in-between frequencies, often overlapping frequencies with the woofer and tweeter. Crossovers ensure the proper frequency range reaches the proper area of the speaker.
Ideally, the audio crossover in this type of device would divide frequencies into the exact range specified for each area of the speaker. However, this is not achievable due to the complexity of this type of electronics. Manufactures of loudspeakers attempt to approximate the effect in a number of ways, including passive crossovers, active crossovers and digital crossovers.
Passive crossovers are the most common, and are the type of audio crossovers described in the above example. Passive crossovers use specially arranged resistors, capacitors and inductors to filter an audio signal. The three-way speaker, described above, would likely contain three-way crossover consisting of a high-pass filter, a low-pass filter and a band-pass filter. The high-pass filter cuts off the low frequencies and allows the higher frequencies to pass on to the tweeter. The other filters do the same for the mid-range and woofer. The filters protect the speakers. Low frequencies will destroy a tweeter. This type of audio crossover is built into the speaker which prohibits adjustment, however, it will require no additional cables.
Active crossovers differ from passive crossovers in design and where they are located within audio system. Passive crossovers filter audio frequencies after they leave the amplifier. Active crossovers filter the signal from a device, such as a CD player, before it enters the amplifier. This arrangement may require more than one amplifier, one for each frequency range desired, and it will certainly require an additional cable or two. Active crossovers are more complex, but they are more flexible. Combined with an equalizer, and active audio crossover arrangement allows the user to adjust each frequency range to their personal taste.
Similarly, digital crossovers filter audio frequencies before they reach the speakers. Digital crossovers use digital signal processor (DSP) chips or a microprocessor as audio filters. Most home theater electronics that feature digital surround sound use this technology. They filter the frequencies within the amplifier, which has different outputs for each of the speakers throughout a room, enveloping the listener in sound.
Most mid to high-end audio systems will have a built-in crossover system. However, this is not the case for automobile audio systems. Anyone wishing to upgrade their factory installed car stereo with a proper hi-fi system will require crossovers. Automobile speakers are necessarily small, and they are usually made up of separately contained components in different areas of the vehicle. Passive crossovers are inexpensive and effective for protecting speakers, however an audiophile in search of power and flexibility should opt for active crossovers. Active crossovers will require additional amplifiers and cables, making the system more expensive, but they will allow the user to adjust the sound to his or her personal taste.
Sources:
"Audio Crossover." Answers.com. 8 Sept. 2007. http://www.answers.com/topic/audio-crossover.
"What's a Crossover?" eletronixwarehouse.com. 11 Sept. 2007. http://www.electronixwarehouse.com/education/cross overs/whatscrossover.htm.
Cazaubon, Mantius. "Car Audio Crossovers- Why You Can't Do Without Them?" Ezinearticles.com. 11 Sept. 2007. http://ezinearticles.com/?Car-Audio-Crossovers:-Wh y-You-Cant-Do-Without-Them&id=74801.
Consider a three-way speaker, commonly used for home audio purposes. If one removes the speaker's dust screen, they will generally see three different cone-style diaphragms that reproduce sound from another device by moving back and forth. The largest of the three, or woofer, is responsible for low frequencies, and the smallest, or tweeter, is responsible for the higher frequencies. The center cone, or mid-range, handles the in-between frequencies, often overlapping frequencies with the woofer and tweeter. Crossovers ensure the proper frequency range reaches the proper area of the speaker.
Ideally, the audio crossover in this type of device would divide frequencies into the exact range specified for each area of the speaker. However, this is not achievable due to the complexity of this type of electronics. Manufactures of loudspeakers attempt to approximate the effect in a number of ways, including passive crossovers, active crossovers and digital crossovers.
Passive crossovers are the most common, and are the type of audio crossovers described in the above example. Passive crossovers use specially arranged resistors, capacitors and inductors to filter an audio signal. The three-way speaker, described above, would likely contain three-way crossover consisting of a high-pass filter, a low-pass filter and a band-pass filter. The high-pass filter cuts off the low frequencies and allows the higher frequencies to pass on to the tweeter. The other filters do the same for the mid-range and woofer. The filters protect the speakers. Low frequencies will destroy a tweeter. This type of audio crossover is built into the speaker which prohibits adjustment, however, it will require no additional cables.
Active crossovers differ from passive crossovers in design and where they are located within audio system. Passive crossovers filter audio frequencies after they leave the amplifier. Active crossovers filter the signal from a device, such as a CD player, before it enters the amplifier. This arrangement may require more than one amplifier, one for each frequency range desired, and it will certainly require an additional cable or two. Active crossovers are more complex, but they are more flexible. Combined with an equalizer, and active audio crossover arrangement allows the user to adjust each frequency range to their personal taste.
Similarly, digital crossovers filter audio frequencies before they reach the speakers. Digital crossovers use digital signal processor (DSP) chips or a microprocessor as audio filters. Most home theater electronics that feature digital surround sound use this technology. They filter the frequencies within the amplifier, which has different outputs for each of the speakers throughout a room, enveloping the listener in sound.
Most mid to high-end audio systems will have a built-in crossover system. However, this is not the case for automobile audio systems. Anyone wishing to upgrade their factory installed car stereo with a proper hi-fi system will require crossovers. Automobile speakers are necessarily small, and they are usually made up of separately contained components in different areas of the vehicle. Passive crossovers are inexpensive and effective for protecting speakers, however an audiophile in search of power and flexibility should opt for active crossovers. Active crossovers will require additional amplifiers and cables, making the system more expensive, but they will allow the user to adjust the sound to his or her personal taste.
Sources:
"Audio Crossover." Answers.com. 8 Sept. 2007. http://www.answers.com/topic/audio-crossover.
"What's a Crossover?" eletronixwarehouse.com. 11 Sept. 2007. http://www.electronixwarehouse.com/education/cross overs/whatscrossover.htm.
Cazaubon, Mantius. "Car Audio Crossovers- Why You Can't Do Without Them?" Ezinearticles.com. 11 Sept. 2007. http://ezinearticles.com/?Car-Audio-Crossovers:-Wh y-You-Cant-Do-Without-Them&id=74801.
