QuestionHey Shawn, I am not entirely sure about crossovers. I know that there are 2 types, passive and active. I currently have 2 sets of component speakers hooked up to an aftermarket head unit, and a single 12 inch sub. Which type and what brand of crossover would you recommend? My music isn't sounding that great right now.
AnswerHi Bryce,
Thanks for your question...it's a good one!
You are correct that there are two basic formats of crossovers available, passive and active. First, let's talk about what a crossover does and the difference between these two types. (You may know all this already, but in case some of the forum doesn't, here's a quick lesson)
Generally, every speaker has limitations on the frequencies it produces. For example, you can't expect a 15" subwoofer to play high frequency sounds, like cymbal crashes. The mechanical limitations of the speaker and it's inability to project vibrations in that frequency range makes it impractical, as would expecting a small 1" soft dome tweeter to produce gut wrenching bass frequencies.
A crossover is used to "send" to the speakers, only the frequencies that the speaker was designed to produce. For example, most tweeters can only reproduce frequencies from 2000 hertz to 20,000 hertz. If the tweeter "sees" frequencies below that, you might get a short "pop" from the speaker.. and then be off to your local stereo shop to find a replacement.
Subwoofers are designed to reproduce sounds ranging from 20 Hz to usually no higher than 120 Hz. Of course sending frequencies higher than this would not "blow up" the speaker, but would only result in making the sounds produced very muddy and un-natural.. Bryce, I suspect this is the problem you are encountering with your system.
Now let's talk about crossover types:
Active crossovers are electronic devices that are placed between the head unit and the amplifiers... note I said amplifierSSSSS. These crossovers will divide up the frequencies BEFORE they reach the amps...The signal coming from your head unit is a full range signal input to the crossover, and the outputs would have only a particular band of frequencies playing...This configuration is by far the best and most flexible set up as most active crossovers are adjustable, meaning you can tailor the outputs to match the speakers you use, and there is no insertion losses after the amplifiers. In some cases the active crossover is already built into many amps.
A Passive crossover is used on sound systems AFTER the signal has already been amplified. It would be inserted between the amplifier and the speakers. Passive crossovers are quite effective but have some limitations.. the first one being insertion loss. (Anything inserted in the output lines of an amplifier will reduce the amount of power delivered to the speakers.) They also have power handling limitations.. meaning if you are not using high current capable crossover components on a higher output amplifier, the crossovers will fail... usually the capacitors will pop... like firecrackers at times.
Most coaxial speakers have some type of passive crossover on board and can be as simple as a single capacitor.
Now, the answer to your question will take some additional info... first, do you have a multi-amp set up in your car or at least a multi-channel amplifier?
What is driving the sub? Does the amp driving this speaker have a built in crossover?
Also please advise what you are using for speakers, including make and model of sub and the type of enclosure you are using.
Let me know and we can get this thing sounding good for you.
