If you need to connect multiple speaker and subwoofer combos up to a single audio source, or need to connect passive full-range speakers and passive subwoofers up to the same audio source, then an external crossover can provide the ideal solution.
What Does a Crossover Do?
A crossover splits the audio signal into two or three frequency ranges before sending them to the right speakers. Crossovers are really useful when you're working with satellite and subwoofer sets, since they can split the audio signal to send the treble and mid frequencies to the satellite speakers, and the low bass frequencies to the subwoofers. Because the signal is pre-split rather than split using filters, both your speakers and amplifiers are able to run more efficiently. If you're building a speaker yourself, you might want to look at our range of integrated crossovers as well.
Active Speakers & Subwoofers with Internal Crossovers
Passive speakers and subs don't feature any kind of internal crossover or frequency-splitting filters. But active subwoofers and speakers can feature integrated crossovers or filters that can be used to send an unfiltered signal through an active subwoofer, where the lower frequencies are separated from the mid and high frequencies before the treble and mids are sent out to the internal amplifiers of any linked full-range active satellite speakers.
When Do You Need an External Crossover?
An external crossover can be useful when building a more extensive system, since it means you're not bound to the often limited range of the high-pass filters and low-pass filters of your amp. If you're working with a set of subwoofers and speakers from the same brand and series, then it's usually not necessary to add an external crossover, since the models already come pre-calibrated to match one another, but when you're combining subs and speakers from different brands, an external crossover can be handy. You can also use an external crossover as a kind of professional splitter for sending your main audio signal to different bits of equipment.
PA Amplifiers with Integrated Filters
Some PA amplifier models that are designed to drive passive full-range speakers or subwoofers can also come with an integrated crossover. Using an amplifier with an integrated crossover, you can set the frequencies that are sent out. It's just worth noting that you can't then use the amplifier to run both subwoofers and full-range speakers.
Frequently Asked Question About Speaker Crossovers
What is a crossover frequency?
The crossover frequency is the set limit that dictates where the lower frequencies are split from the mid and high frequencies of the audio signal. Any frequencies below this set limit are then sent to the subwoofer.
What's the optimum Hertz setting for a crossover?
In practice, you can set the division point between the bass frequencies and mid-treble frequencies somewhere between 80Hz and 120 Hz. Often, the larger your subwoofer, the higher you can set the crossover frequency and the other way around. You can also set the crossover frequency by ear.
What does an external crossover do?
Using a crossover, you can split the frequencies of an audio signal into two or three frequency bands before sending the high and mid frequencies to connected speakers and the low bass frequencies to a connected subwoofer.
