Simple Crossover Network Circuit for Loudspeakers

Imagine a conductor sorting instruments in an orchestra.

A crossover network in a speaker system acts like that conductor, but for sound.

Regular speakers have multiple parts kind of like mini speakers, each built to handle different sound tones.

Tweeters handle high squeaky sounds, woofers handle deep booming sounds and sometimes there are midrange drivers for in between tones.

The crossover network is like a smart switch.

It takes the entire music signal which mixes all the tones together and separates it into different chunks.

It then sends the high tones to the tweeter the low tones to the woofer, and the mid tones to the midrange driver.

This ensures each part of the speaker only gets the sounds it is good at playing making the overall music sound much clearer and better.

Circuit Working:

Parts List:

In the diagram above you will notice that the positive connection from the input is linked to both the inductor coil and the 3.3uF capacitor.

The inductor connects to the positive terminal on the bass unit, while the capacitor connects to the negative terminal on the tweeter.

The negative connections of both drive units are directly linked to the negative input.

If you desire increased attenuation on the tweeter, you have the option to install an optional 2.2 ohm, 7 watt resistor.

By simply disconnecting the 1.5 ohm resistor and inserting the 2.2 ohm resistor, you can achieve an additional 0.8 dB attenuation.

This is a fundamental 6 dB/octave crossover network designed to operate at 4 kHz.

It incorporates an inductor choke in the lower frequency range to facilitate bass and mid roll off along with a resistor and capacitor in the tweeter section.

The resistor addresses a slight inefficiency between the two sections by attenuating the tweeter and reducing its output by 1.4 dB while the capacitor safeguards the tweeter.

To enhance the final sound quality the crossover employs high quality, air cored inductors and polyester capacitors.

A notable advantage of simple crossover networks lies in using fewer components minimizing potential system inefficiencies in the long run.

The completed system boasts, a high efficiency rating of 88.6 dB SPL at 1 meter/1 watt indicating that it delivers more output per watt compared to earlier less efficient systems.

Formula:

Below formula is employed as a low frequency filter in a crossover network circuit.

The following formula can be used to get the appropriate capacitance:

C = 1 / (2 πfXc)

where,

• C: This is the capacitors capacitance expressed in farads F.
• The capacity of a capacitor to hold electrical charge is known as its capacitance.
• π (pi): This is a constant in mathematics, and its value is around 3.14159. f:
• This shows the AC signals frequency in hertz Hz.
• The number of alternating current cycles per second is referred to as frequency.
  Xc: This is an ohm Ω representation of the capacitive reactance.
• The resistance a capacitor provides to the passage of AC current is known as its capacitive reactance.
• Reactance is different from resistance in that it stores and releases energy instead of releasing it as heat.

The formula basically instructs us on how to compute the capacitive reactance using the AC signal frequency and capacitance.

Note:

We can better understand capacitor behavior in AC circuits by using this formula.

We may compute the resistance (reactance) the capacitor provides to the current flow by knowing its capacitance and frequency.

How to Build:

Building a crossover network requires careful consideration of the components and their connections.

Understand the Diagram:

• Begin by thoroughly understanding the provided diagram or schematic.
• Identify the positive and negative connections for the input, inductor coil, capacitor, bass unit, and tweeter.

Connect the Input:

• Connect the positive input to both the inductor coil and the capacitor as indicated in the diagram.

Connect the Bass Unit:

• Link the positive terminal of the bass unit to the inductor coil.
• Ensure that the negative connections of both the bass and tweeter units go directly to the negative input.

Connect the Tweeter:

• Attach the negative terminal of the tweeter to the capacitor.
• This setup creates a crossover point between the bass and tweeter units.

Soldering and Wiring:

• Use soldering tools to secure the connections.
• Ensure proper insulation and neatness in wiring to prevent any short circuits.

Testing:

• After assembling the crossover network carefully test the system with a compatible audio source and speakers.
• Verify that each component is functioning correctly and the crossover is effectively directing frequencies to the appropriate units.

Fine-Tuning:

• If necessary, fine tune the crossover components or resistor values based on your preferences and the specific characteristics of your speakers.

Conclusion:

A well designed crossover network ensures that each driver operates within its optimal frequency range, preventing distortion and improving the overall sound quality of the loudspeaker system.

Crossover networks can be simple or complex depending on the number of drivers and the desired level of audio precision.

Designing an effective crossover network requires knowledge of the individual drivers specifications, electrical components and the intended use of the loudspeaker system.

Reference:

Analog, Active Crossover Circuit for Two-Way Loudspeakers

Audio crossover