Complete Guide To Speaker Crossovers [Crossover Settings, Active vs Passive Crossovers, & More]

[@AudioUniversity]

Need help setting up your speaker system? Check out these free resources I've created for you... Speaker Placement Guide: audiouniversityonline.com/speaker-placement-guide/ Speaker Specs Guide: audiouniversityonline.com/speaker-specs-guide/

[@pharbudialmanohar1776]

Qqqqqqqqqq

[@bobwilson7684]

cool, to the point, technical without being overwhelming on needless details(for a beginner), no useless pretended sense of humor or "cool-ness", no music no sound on the background, pure info on display and respect for aduience´s intelligence.

[@barbieoconchannel2255]

can you help ke crossover my Wharefadale diamond 12.2 need to go the max of good and improve sound of it

[@davidrikx9639]

Hi Kyle, you're simply the Best. I'm OAP but have learned so much from your knowledge. I love my music so much. Thanks for enhancing my life so much son.DD

[@AudioUniversity]

Thank you very much for your kind comment, DD. Glad you’ve enjoyed my videos!

[@gerritgovaerts8443]

Linkwitz Riley filters are -6 dB down at the Xover point and sum exactly to 0 dB while filters that are in phase and - 3dB will have a ripple in their response. From Wikipedia : "The filters are usually designed by cascading two Butterworth filters, each of which has −3 dB gain at the cut-off frequency. The resulting Linkwitz-Riley filter has a −6 dB gain at the cutoff frequency. This means that summing the low-pass and high-pass outputs, the gain at the crossover frequency will be 0 dB, so the crossover behaves like an all-pass filter, having a flat amplitude response with a smoothly changing phase response. This is the biggest advantage of L-R crossovers compared to Butterworth crossovers, whose summed output has a +3 dB peak around the crossover frequency. "

[@AudioUniversity]

That's really helpful info, Gerrit Govaerts! Thanks for sharing your expertise!

[@gerritgovaerts8443]

@@AudioUniversity happy to share over 25 years of building and designing speakers

[@theimunten6325]

And to round it up completely: We are talking about the ACOUSTIC responses of the loudspeakers. So applying a LR filter electrically doesn't always make for an acoustic LR response. But hey: your fine explanation is a start! Your claims 'complete' and 'university' however are a bit to much for the knowledge levels you are 'monetizing'. some pointers to more in depth sources?

[@Antibackgroundnoise]

Great speaker, great knowledge and even great editing so all in all one bloody good video!

[@AudioUniversity]

Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed the video!

[@ElliottHeal]

Here’s my notes on this video if anyone wants to pinch them Crossovers Speaker Crossover Settings - Cutoff frequency - Frequency at which the filter reaches 3dB of reduction - Slope - Rate of attenuation over frequencies - 12-24dB/Oct usually Crossover point is where the 2 filters intersect, where both filters have a reduction of 3dB This means that frequency is cut in half then doubled so no information is lost, this causes the result to remain the same as before the filters along all frequencies but in different ratios bc as one frequency is being attenuated more and more the other is increasing more and more so they match the original sound Types Passive - Between Amp & Speaker - So dealing w speaker level signal which is a lot higher power than signal running through a mixer - Signal is boosted to speaker level then distributed by the passive crossover to the 2 drivers Active - Requires separate amplifier channel for each driver as crossover is done before distribution Uses Multi-Way Speaker Cabinet PASSIVE CROSSOVER USED 1 Speaker Cabinet enclosure that contains multiple types of speakers e.g.1 - 2 way speaker cabinet contains a tweeter for high frequencies & a woofer for low to mid frequencies e.g.2 - 3 way speaker cabinet containing a woofer for lows, another woofer for midrange and a tweeter for high frequencies Multi-Cabinet Speaker System ACTIVE CROSSOVER USED e.g.1 - a stand-alone subwoofer & a 2 way speaker cabinet 2 channel amp is used, first channel low passed to subwoofer, second channel high passed to include only mids & highs to the other 2 way speaker cabinet (which inside has a passive crossover)

[@tophersplat]

Best speaker crossover explanation on youtube

[@AudioUniversity]

Thanks, Chris!

[@shassalleji1841]

Hats off Scientific, thorough, accurate , and simple Keep it up

[@alainm6070]

Very helpful and clear. A good teacher is one who explains new and complex topics in a simple way.

[@AudioUniversity]

Thanks, Alain!

[@hachiido1905]

ure unsane keep up the good work. i love this video. ive been hearing thoe words: passive, active crossovers and all that all the time and i never understood it. this video made everything much more clearer

[@djpuma007]

Wow that was the bed explanation of cross overs, that I have heard in a long time and it was a refreshing to hear the explanation thoroughly. Thank you 😊. Great job!!!

[@patrickpeterman4890]

You, are a very interesting person; I appreciate the clarity and simple terminology; I recently installed a component speaker system (Orion)- (2 ) 6.5" door speakers & (2) tweeters; the system was set-up 4 years ago& worked pretty good; the design was set up to run thru a class D 2 channel 1500 watt JBL amp; one of the 2way passive crossovers stopped working; so I decided to replace the entire component speaker system; I took great care & time to install the speakers (1970 chevy truck) and check all the connections; I paid very close attention to making sure the wires to the crossovers were right + to + &- to-; the speakers on the driver's side seem to function- whereas the speakers on the right sound "DO NOT WORK AT ALL" NO NOISE- "NOTHING; I took a test light and checked the positive terminals on the crossovers the test light indicated a "DIMMER LIGHT" on the test light however the speakers work; upon checking the right door speaker "which do not work at all contacting the three positive terminals on the right side crossover produced a very bright light- but no audio- and no power to the "tweeter connection" the other two terminals produced the very bright light?? I do not know very much about radio,s stereo,s amplifiers; all I did was remove and replace; hope you can afford a few minutes to make a suggestion add where to start troubleshooting this issue; thank you I,ll be watching for more videos and useful information I have a lot to learn!! be safe thank,s PATRICK.P

[@AudioUniversity]

Thanks for your kind words, Patrick! The first place I would start with troubleshooting is here: ---------- Because the left speaker is working and the right speaker isn’t, swap the speaker wiring - left and right. ---------- This will help you determine if it’s an amp problem or a speaker problem. ---------- If the right speaker still doesn’t work even when it’s plugged into the same channel that successfully powered the left speaker, it’s probably a right speaker problem. ---------- If the right speaker starts working, the right amp channel or crossover is likely the problem. I hope this helps! Good luck!

[@patrickpeterman4890]

@@AudioUniversity SORRY, BUT I, M A LITTLE CONFUSED;

[@AudioUniversity]

I’m suggesting that you unplug the left speaker (which is working) and use that channel to test the right speaker. This will answer the question, “Does the right speaker work?”

[@MrDoneboy]

@@patrickpeterman4890 ? He's telling you, that since the left channel is working, hook the left up to the right channel speaker(s), and see if it works then, on the right side.

[@patrickpeterman4890]

@@MrDoneboy thank,s !!!

[@eXem333]

BEST crossover explain video i ever watch!

[@AudioUniversity]

Thanks, @Mashed Potato! I’m glad the video is helpful!

[@robertbrown1876]

Thanks for making this video, I really had a hard time understanding crossovers until I watched this a couple times...

[@AudioUniversity]

Glad to help, Robert! Thanks for watching.

[@faresnar09]

Informative demonstration with very clear details.. Thanks

[@kenjihirai5141]

Hi Kyle! You are really doing great videos and vlog in this channel, and all of the subjects from your videos was really helpful, especially to the people who wants to learn about the basics but with a clear explanation that they can use for their future. Here in Philippines, we don't have schools that offers courses for Audio engineering. I am an owner of rental PA system here in the Philippines and I learned only from the courses online and I found all of your videos and articles from Audio University is helpful and gives accurate information. I hope that your channel someday will have many subscribers. Keep it up!😁👍

[@AudioUniversity]

I’m very happy to read this comment and to know that these videos are providing value to you! Do you have any requests for future video subjects? Thanks for watching!

[@Devoo2363]

Best video for crossover network on KZbin thanks buddy

[@lights80088]

Great video. You did a really good job of explaining this subject. Thank you.

[@AudioUniversity]

Glad to help, Tom. Thanks for watching!

[@chrispynaples]

You helped me some much just now to understanding my passive crossover

[@catho6785]

This is by far the best explanation I have seen!

[@AudioUniversity]

I'm glad to hear that, Cath O! Thanks for watching!

[@shreykapadia4294]

Thank you for sharing made my day a little less complicated 👍

[@Theweeze100]

This was a wonderfully done video, the speakers knowledge was superlative and the subject matter was explained clearly and in an engaging manner. I subscribed!

[@paulvinyard]

I have watched a few of your videos, very informative. I have a question on using a 3 way crossover. My amp. is an 8 ohm output per channel. On selecting speakers for a 3 way speaker. How do you verify that the crossover and 3 speaker load for that one channel is with in my 8 ohm Amp´s capability. I have used a multi meter to verify speaker ohm impedance. Once the cabinet is wired with it´s 3 speakers and crossover, will the multi meter verify the total ohm impedance of that Cabinet. Thus testing the + & Neg terminals, line in on the crossover.??

[@abisaiamatalo2769]

Great Video. A very clear and on point explanation/ teaching.

[@AudioUniversity]

Thanks, Abisai Amatalo! I'm glad the video was helpful!

[@valdimirputin1335]

👍👍Sir, you are the best teacher. Very clear and simple explanation. ❤I am learning a lot from you. Can you kindly enlighten us, for a Active Crossover system, for example, if the Power amplifier for the woofer is 100 watts RMS, then how many RMS watts of power amps are appropriate for mid-range and tweeter? Thanking you in advance.

[@SandersAmps]

Excellent tutorial! Thank you. Answers the most obvious questions with alacrity.

[@andrevinicius137]

Bro, i've found your channel recently and your videos are amazing, greetings from Brazil ;) God bless you.

[@AudioUniversity]

Thanks, André! Please share with others who would find these videos helpful! God bless.

[@kitkatsandwitch7718]

buddy i lover your channel name "Audio University"

[@Christopher._M]

So easy to understand. What an amazing video

[@AudioUniversity]

Thanks, GOW!

[@naveenwickramathunga7237]

Thanks Audio University!. Comprehensible explanation.

[@rajendraprasadmk6863]

Many thanks for educating us on this regard.

[@valoivolver]

Good introduction very well explained thanks 😊 .Now I want to understand the hard part, how to build a passive filter and how it is calculated for different types of speakers😅

[@408SPLKINGS]

Crystal clear clarity explanations & very informative. Thank you Sir 👍👍

[@AudioUniversity]

Thanks, gin ngo! I’m glad you found it helpful.

[@virupaksharudra2128]

Giving Good Information regarding audio.

[@AudioUniversity]

Thank you, Virupaksha!

[@mwgilmore9953]

Really good job. Congratulations on your venture.

[@AudioUniversity]

Thanks for watching!

[@saullapointe5448]

Thank you for this video. I’ve learned new things.

[@AudioUniversity]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks!

[@riddlin4u]

Great videos...I know I'm late to the party but, how does a crossover effect the impedance of the speaker? I got a pair of crossovers splitting the sound to my woofer and mid/highs. They count as parallel, correct? Two 8 ohm speakers with a crossover will always be a 4 ohm cab, right?

[@Nandocupra]

First of all thank you for your informative channel keep up the good work! Now this is my question I am setting up my new av receiver and I want to know on what setting need to be the crossover My av receiver is Denon avc 4700 Front Dali ikon 6se MK1 Frequency Range +/- 3db: 39 hz - 30.000 hz Center Dali ikon vokal 2 Mk1 Frequency Range(+/-3 dB) [Hz] 55 - 30,000 Surround Dali Opticon 2 MK1 Frequency Range (-3dB) : 59-27.000 Hz Subwoofer Dali SUB E-12 F Crossover frequentie : 40-120 Hz Also do I need to set up my speakers at small size or big? Thank you very much for reading this and I hope you respond on my message. Greetings

[@erlyboy69]

Very well explained, Great Job

[@AudioUniversity]

Thanks, Erle!

[@devswarring383]

Good work mate I hope u will bring more significant information to amend and boost up our knowledge level thx

[@jessgayatao8687]

Hi Kyle! Can a crossover be used to both Mid-hi powered speakers and subwoofer powered speakers at the same time? What are the pros and cons of there is any? Tia!

[@Sunrayman123]

Great elucidation! Textbook!

[@nathanhorton5141]

Great understanding information 👍🏻

[@senseiralph1462]

You answered my questions.. thanks!

[@AudioUniversity]

Glad to help, Sensei Ralph!

[@frankhanley6576]

So, active crossover system will provide better seperation of frequencies? Hence, a better sounding system?

[@juniortrouble1]

Hi Kyle. Brilliant explanation. So am I thinking correctly when I say for example a JBL speaker is a powered speaker. It has a built in amplifier and passive crossover built in? So with the RCA output plugs at the bak of a powered speaker can the wires lead to an active crossover that filters high frequencies to other speakers like tweeters creating more tops than bass. Just that I notice with most powered speakers at high volume the low frequencies seem to be less prominent and at low volume the high frequencies are less prominent. Reiterating my question... Can you add a crossover from the RCA outputs without causing damage to the powered speaker? Thinking of speakers having their own impedance ratings and I was told they have to match. Maybe this does not matter outside the powered speaker? Thanks in advance.

[@chloe30551]

Dude! Love your channel. I was wondering if you take questions...I'm trying to wire a horn and 15" driver to a single bass amplifier. Would I need to figure out a crossover option or could I just wire both of those drivers into one NL4 speakon cable and run it to the amplifier. Either way I appreciate what you're putting out. Take care.

[@tinepapa7821]

Hi Very nice and intersting video Suscribed and following from Paris I do have a question I have a cabinet with two 8 ohms speakers, a 8 ohms high frequency driver and a two way crossover. My plan is to connect the high frequency driver on the trebble pole, and the two speakers in serie mode on the bass pole. So with this connection mode how many ohms my amplifier is going to work on? 2, 4, 8, 12 or 16 ohms. Thanks for your help Take care

[@AudioUniversity]

It sounds like you’ll have 8 ohms on the treble pole and 16 ohms on the bass pole.

[@tinepapa7821]

@@AudioUniversity thanks for your precious answer

[@mikemullenix6956]

Very good description, thanks

[@DanDan-dn5lt]

The video is absolutely useful 👌🏽 My thumbs 👍🏾 👍🏾are Up for real! Grand Job Dude.

[@simonlinser8286]

very concise and well spoken. subscribed. thank you, i have a feeling im going to learn a lot. edit: also, great audio quality.

[@AlexanderMartinez-qz1qp]

Excelente vídeo, estuve buscando algo así en español y no lo hay, gracias por compartir el conocimiento!

[@AudioUniversity]

¡Gracias, Alexander!

[@ArmchairRamb0]

Thank you. Many systems have subwoofers that contain the crossover. Unfortunately, it's really hard to find a subwoofer that does not rattle electronics to pieces. My Adam speakers have a problem on one satellite channel. I need a crossover to obviate the one built into the sub. Solved.

[@polancojg]

outstanding explanation!!! Thanks

[@chkao59]

Nice interpretation！Thank you very much！

[@ericfulmer2546]

When connecting two, 4ohm speakers to a passive crossover, would the impedance going back to the amplifier be 2ohm? @audiouniversity

[@KISHORE4123]

Merry Christmas 🎄💖 I am sure this video are like library to future generations 👍 Like your content from india 🇮🇳🙏 Channel deserves 1M sub I wish you will reach 🙌

[@AudioUniversity]

Thanks for your support, Navakishore Battu! I appreciate you watching!

[@Dicoboomtime]

Hi Kyle, I've got a 19" rack with a with an active crossover intergrated into the 31 band EQ. This is the final stage of the signal chain before it outputs to the speakers on poles with subs on the floor (like you have in your comb filtering video that you made outside). My question is, am i better to use the crossover in the 31 band EQ or the crossover in the top speakers themselves or a combination. Option A is send left and right signals out of the 31 band EQ to the top speakers on each side and then plug the top speakers outputs into the sub inputs and use the crossover on the control panel of the active speakers to set the crossover. Option B is to send left and right signals from the 31 band EQ to the top speakers and then send a separate XLR cable from the Sub Out on the 31 band EQ to the 1st sub, then link the subs together with another XLR cable. Then set the crossover on the 31 band EQ and not use the speaker crossover at all. Option C some combination of the above if it has any advantages. Your thoughts on this would be much appreciated and those of anyone else who wants to comment. Thank you

[@Dicoboomtime]

I've had a closer look and in fact, there is no manual crossover on the top speakers themselves. There is just a "Sub Freq" nob that says it sets the upper cut off frequency of the subwoofer (80Hz-200Hz low pass). So on reflection, would you set this to 200Hz to allow it's maximum range to be reproduced and then just rely on the 19" rack active crossover to control the balance between top and bottom speakers?

[@EquiliMario]

This is a great video for a noob like me with little knowledge of speaker signals. One tip though, you need to blink more, and move your head a bit. If the shot of you takes long it's almost like your trying to search my soul :D

[@HNHREVIEWS]

Very informative, Thanks

[@LuxmanPD272]

You should mention midrange drivers which can be cone or dome.

[@SuAmigoElilegal]

Question please. My 12 inch subwoofer has a crossover frequency selection from 70 to 150. Now when I set it to 100 heartz or higher my load 15 inch speakers begin to loose their lows and medium and sound alot. My question is by choosing a higher frequency crossover on my subwoffer does that cuts it out of my loud speaker leaving it it , basically soundless

[@dgadstv3876]

I have 120 rms amplifier and matching speakers, how should i consider building crossover. Online sellers say 400w crossover 3-way crossover, will it not kill my amp?

[@rashamwilliams8782]

Brilliant tutorial 👍👍👍

[@AudioUniversity]

Thanks, Rasham!

[@zebmccall2610]

Can you use an external crossover for power/active speakers

[@donpech1422]

Smart boy great explanation thanks

[@mridulkrishansharma5394]

Is using DSP as crossover for 3/4way home stereo setup worth it?!?

[@damnitdang]

If I'm using passive crossover for my 2way components. Can i just shut off all the filter in the amp and just use the gain?

[@tda7294]

Hello friend. I have a speaker of 70 watt rms max and its peak power handling capacity is 140 watt. Can i use a crossover of 80 with this speaker???

[@someonesomewhere4446]

so far so good !!!

[@midmodaudio6576]

Very informative video.

[@zhaoxie8928]

How about using crossover to my active speakers? What kind of crossover do i need, is active or passive? And how to connect it properly

[@AjayAjay-mw8le]

Very good message for me thank bro form india.

[@szintyjanoska]

Hi Kyle! Thanks for all your videos they are really great. I have a question regarding setting up my system with an active crossover. I have a Dynacord LitleMax2 speaker system and I would like to use them with an active crossover, because I'm not satisfied with the quality of the sound (I think to much bass is passed to the tops), but I suppose is not possible because of the passive crossover that is mounted in the subwoofer? How can I solve my problem in this case ? I have 2 amplifiers for this case and all the cables for connections. Waiting for your proposal.

[@PastorJoseRMartinez]

Thank you Kyle for your videos. Excellent work. I have several 2-way large speakers for church, but I want to improve sound. Shall I get a new set of 3-way speakers, or I can buy speaker crossovers to add a mid range driver into the existing speakers? Thank you.

[@AudioUniversity]

I would recommend getting a new set of speakers, rather than adding additional drivers. For sound reinforcement in a church, focus on the coverage of the audience. Check out this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pKmskp16r7adsM0

[@PastorJoseRMartinez]

@@AudioUniversity I will do that. Thank you for your response and video.

[@ironface76f]

Awesome, thanks.

[@samuelmabuza9068]

Thanks for the explanation sir. I have got a question on a slightly different matter. Is it advisable to hook up two loudspeakers of 400 watts each to a single passive crossover output rated 500 watts? If yes, should they be in parallel or series connection? Your response will be highly appreciated. And, kindly note that both speakers are 8 ohms each just like the crossover.

[@AudioUniversity]

Hi, Samuel. You might find this video helpful: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bHOTgJ-HlqmSn5Y

[@samuelmabuza9068]

@@AudioUniversity Many thanks. Let me jump to it right away...

[@samuelmabuza9068]

I have just checked the vid but it doesn't seem to relate to my question. Let me rephrase Kyle: I have a speaker cabinet that has two loudspeakers and one tweeter. But it's internal crossover is damaged. So for some reason i have got one lying around but it has only one 8 ohm output. My question is, can I hook up both speakers to the same output?

[@dakotareddington7772]

Can you make a video of a multi cabinet speaker system with a crossover and without a crossover and show us the difference in sound? I need help setting my dj sound system…I have a multi cabinet system with passive speakers

[@a1l1i0]

thank you. so when i put both hpf and lpf crossover frequency in my car HU on 80 db, it will well merged and i should not concern about frequency merging?

[@AudioUniversity]

It depends on the type of filter being used.

[@a1l1i0]

@@AudioUniversity thx. can you provide more detailes?

[@AudioUniversity]

There are different types, such as Linkwitz-Riley and Butterworth. The differences are not something I know very well. I’d recommend searching those terms to do more research.

[@a1l1i0]

@@AudioUniversity it was helpful, thank you.

[@Rene_Christensen]

Nice. Maybe worth mentioning that aside from slope (or really, order) and cutoff frequency you also need to consider the Q of the crossover.

[@AudioUniversity]

Good point! Thanks!

[@IzKingFranklin]

Thank you so much for the info 10/10

[@AudioUniversity]

I’m glad to help, @izKingDragon! Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@troycarter349]

I cannot find the answer to the following question anywhere. I have a KEF IQ9. The crossover needs replaced. On my crossover that came with the KEF there are 2) woofer + and - 1) M + - and 1) T + - for a toal 1) in out. This is a total of 10 slots for my wires. I can only seem to find units that accomodate 8 slots. Do I run the woofers together through the same slot on the corssover?

[@evanpillow3606]

great video mate

[@DJbernardo1320]

Thank you so much ❤

[@AudioUniversity]

Glad to help!

[@roberthoury4034]

Thank you!

[@stevegilcrest8190]

How do I determine the db level setting for specific speakers? Is the info on the speaker?

[@thebigkiddy]

Great Vid. Thank you.

[@AudioUniversity]

Thanks Robert!

[@jefferyglover4295]

So do i get a passive crossover for each door? Or just 2 crossovers for all 4 doors?

[@Jbagggg]

So, would it be possible to use an active crossover with an active speaker setup?

[@AudioUniversity]

Yes! You’ll just place the crossover before the input of the speaker. In fact, some powered speakers have active crossovers built-in.

[@Jbagggg]

@@AudioUniversity thank you for the reply! Assuming the speakers do indeed have built-in crossovers, it would still be possible to use an active crossover? I’m currently building a mini reggae sound system, and really want my subs to focus on the bass!

[@natemusisko5323]

I recently come across a community sound system. Top cabinets (cs70) 4 - 12s with 2 tweeter. Sub cab (csX-60B) 4 - 15s in each. 600w continuous, 1500w program. The top cabinets have crossover in them but previous owner bypass them for some reason. 1. should I utilize them? 2. I can't find any information about this particular system. Everything is original and in excellent condition.

[@darenmohammed974]

Please help, if i were to cross 2 JBL 2206 in parallel with 1 JBL 2418-1 what would be the best setting ? I am planning to do this in bi amp with 2 2226h subs

[@burtonwizeman1922]

Excellent!

[@AudioUniversity]

Glad you liked it! Thanks, Burton Wizeman!

[@LC-ur8gv]

so can you have active speakers with passive crossovers and vice versa?

[@Smoshylife]

Many amps have crossovers in built, are those active?

[@ZeeykRS]

Hey Kyle! Love your videos! I got a question that ive been trying to figure out for a while now. How would running an active crossover to speakers that already have passive crossovers affect the sound? I went to a Bass Boss demo a few months ago and they said that it isn't ideal to you use an additional crossover because it can create phase issues. You did mention that it is normal to use that set up so im just curious now that i've heard two conflicting perspectives. Thanks!

[@AudioUniversity]

I have seen it done when setting a crossover between a sub and a main speaker.

[@mattgrimaldi13]

It would be nice to do a lower level tutorial where the process to design and build a crossover is demonstrated.

[@flywittzbeats4008]

Man this video is perfect haha

[@ellengillego6221]

Thanks!

[@AudioUniversity]

Thanks, Ellen!

[@neonance]

If my tweeter and speaker has separate crossovers do I have to bridge them?

[@Maloy8296]

If audio bord output 500w mono and speakers are 200+100+100watts(low+mid+high) then how it masure that how much power send to 100w high/tweeter ?

[@ELSSAUDIOELECTRONICS]

thank you kyle