Loudspeaker Technology
Online calculators for passive crossovers and speaker systems
Crossover Design
Crossovers divide the audio signal into different frequency ranges. The slope steepness (6dB, 12dB, 18dB per octave) determines how sharp the separation occurs.
Passive Crossovers
6dB Crossover
1st order, 6dB/octave - only one component per way
12dB Crossover
2nd order, 12dB/octave - two components per way
18dB Crossover
3rd order, 18dB/octave - three components per way
About Loudspeaker Crossovers
Crossovers use passive components (inductors, capacitors, resistors) to filter the audio signal frequency-dependently. Low-pass filters direct low frequencies to woofers, high-pass filters direct high frequencies to tweeters.
Crossover Orders
- 6dB: Gentle separation, simple construction
- 12dB: Standard for HiFi applications
- 18dB: Steep separation for critical systems
Typical Crossover Frequencies
Subwoofer: 80-120 Hz
Woofer/Mid: 300-800 Hz
Mid/Tweeter: 2-5 kHz
Super-Tweeter: 10-15 kHz
Important Notes
- Calculated values are theoretical - fine-tuning through measurements required
- Real speakers have complex, frequency-dependent impedances
- Component quality significantly affects sound quality
Important Formulas
Basic Formulas
fc = 1/(2π×√(L×C))
L = R/(2π×fc) [Low-pass]
C = 1/(2π×R×fc) [High-pass]
Component Values
6dB: 1 component per way
12dB: 2 components (Q=0.707)
Speaker Types
By Frequency Range:
Subwoofer: 20-120 Hz
Woofer: 40-1000 Hz
Midrange: 200-7000 Hz
Tweeter: 2000-20000 Hz
Subwoofer: 20-120 Hz
Woofer: 40-1000 Hz
Midrange: 200-7000 Hz
Tweeter: 2000-20000 Hz
Standard Impedances:
4 Ω (Car audio)
8 Ω (HiFi)
16 Ω (Pro audio)
4 Ω (Car audio)
8 Ω (HiFi)
16 Ω (Pro audio)