Usually, the speakers capable of producing high-frequency signals within physical constraints are known as full-range speakers. On the other hand, crossovers are for directing sound to the correct driver for a better and improved output. At least an extra crossover is crucial for tweeters, woofers, and subs to achieve proper audio signal output.
But you won’t require any crossover for full-range speaker to improve the sound quality. Crossover works perfectly for tweeters, mid-range speakers, or subwoofers and offers an excellent sound experience altogether.
Benefits of Having Crossover in Speakers
Basically, from the idea of crossing over from one frequency range to the next, crossovers are introduced to use in the speaker. Making the audio signal listenable and enhancing the sound quality are two of the major tasks done by the crossovers. Now, let’s see how crossovers are beneficial for speakers:
- The crossover works as the filter for the speakers to collect audio signals from a fixed frequency range
- It blocks the unwanted frequencies from interfering with the audio signal within the speakers
- The crossover helps the speakers to produce the audio output more effectively and efficiently
Crossover for Full Range Speaker – When You May Require It
Before learning whether the crossover is required for the full-range speaker or not, we must learn about both full-range speaker and crossover. So, let’s have an in-detail discussion about these two:
Full Range Speaker
The full range speakers are also known as the full range drive unit or driver. These full-range speakers usually tend to reproduce as much audible frequency as possible within the range. The full range speaker frequency range is the same as the human audible range, which stays within 20 Hz to 20000 Hz.
Because of that, these speakers draw more sound from both the higher and lower frequency level. All these audio signals from different sources gather in the speaker, bringing more distortion of sound. The full range speakers consist of a single driver element in most cases.
Full-range speakers are always rated with a minimum frequency level of 20 Hz. These speakers never come with a subwoofer, and that’s how you can recognize a full-range speaker. If you compare one of these with a tweeter or a woofer, the full-range speakers can produce almost all frequencies that the other two produce.
But the sound quality will be a lot degraded because of the amount of distortion. The capability of catching sound from different frequencies makes these full-range speakers unique than the others.
The Crossover System
Crossovers are crucial for speakers as you will get either a built-in crossover, or you will have to attach an additional crossover. For example, if you use a tweeter, a mid-range speaker, and a subwoofer, you will require an additional crossover.
The crossover system works as the filter for the audio frequencies received in these speakers. This filter or crossover prevents frequencies of wanted range from entering the speaker. As a result, the least number of audio signals are received by the speakers, which comes with crossover.
In this way, the number of signals may be the least, but there will be less distortion as well. So, the volume potential and dynamic capability will improve because of using the crossover system to filter unwanted signals. Three filters, such as low-pass filter, high-pass filter, and band-pass filter, are used for the whole filtering process.
The low-pass filters prevent frequencies below the cut-off level from entering the speaker. On the other hand, high-pass filters prevent frequencies that are above the cut-off level. And the band-pass filters usually are a combination of both low and high-pass filters.
Whether a Full Range Speaker Require Crossover or Not
A full-range speaker doesn’t need a crossover as a single driver element. Only if you are using 2,3-, or 4-way speakers, you should go for the crossover system. But with the full-range speakers, it won’t do much of good as the distortion level remain the same.
The filtering system is never compatible with full-range speakers. Because it doesn’t work in the same way as it does in a tweeter, a mid-range speaker, and a subwoofer. As a result, the crossover is never suggested for the full-range speakers, which can be a total waste of money with no result.
See More: Speaker Series vs Parallel Sound
How To Design A Crossover For A DIY Speaker
FAQ
What is a full-range Crossover?
First thing first, the crossover system is one kind of filtering process for the audio frequencies received in the speakers. As per our knowledge, the full range audio frequency is the same as the human audible range which is 20 Hz to 20000 Hz. Speakers with the same frequencies are widely known as full-range speakers.
When the crossover audio amplification system is used on a full-range speaker, that is called the full-range crossover.
Does a crossover improve sound quality?
As we learned, crossover system is mainly an audio implication process mostly used in the speakers. It definitely improves the sound quality by preventing signals from unwanted range. Only the signals from desired frequencies are received through it which lessens the number of received signals.
As a result, the amount of distortion is also less, which makes sure the properly received signals are of better quality.
What should my speaker crossover be?
There is a common set point by the experts for setting the crossover frequency of your speaker, and the recommendation is 80 Hz. If you use an “on-wall” or tiny satellite speaker, you should set it within the range of 150 Hz to 200 Hz. On the other hand, you might use the speaker in a small and surrounding room.
On that case, keep it within 100 Hz to 120 Hz, but when the room is mid-sized and surrounded, the range should be 80 Hz to 100 Hz.
Final Thoughts
The crossover system is perfect for tweeters, mid-range speakers, or subwoofers. By receiving fewer audio signals, the filtering system of crossover works perfectly in these speakers. But crossover is not compatible with full-range speakers as the frequency range is way higher for filtering.
That’s why crossover for full-range speaker is never a wise option to go with. The result will not be even a bit closer to what you expected, and it will be a waste of money.
