Crossover

[rtthinker]

While researching new electronics I see a lot of reference to crossover.
Can someone please explain what crossover is and how is it important?
Just trying to learn.
Rtthinker

[BradJudy]

In simplest terms, a crossover is a circuit that allows certain frequecies to go one place (like the tweeter in a speaker) and other frequencies to go somewhere else (like the woofer in a speaker). It could also be used to send certain frequencies to a subwoofer and others to a speaker. It's a way of dividing up the electrical signal so that the different sounds are 'sent' to the right places.

For a more technical diagram, look at this from Phil Bamberg at BESL - http://www.bamberglab.com/s5mt_spl.pdf

It shows the frequency response of a speaker broken down into which frequencies are going where. There are several lines, so it can be a bit confusing, but the thick line is the overall frequency response of the speaker and the thin blueish and greenish lines are the frequency response of the tweeter and woofer. The crossover is what 'directs' the different frequencies to the different drivers.

[Lou-the-dog]

Great expanation Brad! Thanks!

Randy

[rtthinker]

Thanks Brad
Being a novice you made it easy for me to understand.
Rtthinker